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SENNA (Red-flowered
Bladder) COLUTEA ORIENTALIS (= C. CRUENTA) It cleanses and purifies the blood and causes a fresh and lively habit of the body. A shrub with winged leaves, each being made up of six pairs of smaller leaves. The yellow flowers, produced in longish spikes at the tops of the branches, are moderately large and are striped with red. Where to find it: It is a native of Eastern countries. Flowering time: Summer. Astrology.. It is under Mercury. Medicinal virtues: The leaves have a purging quality, but afterwards have a binding effect. It is corrected with Caraway seed, Aniseed, or Ginger and a dram (1.7 g) taken in wine, ale or broth, on an empty stomach comforts and cleanses the stomach and purges phlegm from the head and brain, lungs, heart, liver and spleen. It strengthens the senses, procures mirth, and is good in chronic agues. The Common Bladder Senna (Colutea arborescens) works violently both upwards and downwards, offending the stomach and bowels. Modern uses. In modern practice Cassia angustifolia is the variety of Senna used as a laxative. It is given with aromatic herbs, such as Ginger or Aniseed, to prevent griping pains. Both leaves and pods are used in over-the-counter pharmaceutical preparations. For domestic use, one teaspoonful of powdered Ginger is added to 2 oz (56 g) of Senna leaves in 1 Pt (568 mi) of boiling water. Infuse for 20 minutes. The dose is 2 fl oz (56 ml). Senna should not be used during pregnancy. |