Tinneveli senna tea:

Senna (Cassia angustifolia) is found growing naturally in most tropical regions of the world and is a small shrub. Senna has been known for its medicinal uses as both its leaves and seeds are used to relieve constipation by stimulating the colon and allowing less time for fluid to be absorbed from the stool. Since Senna is grown in the dry fields close to Tirunelveli area of Tamil Nadu, it is known popularly as “Tinneveli senna”. Its popularity across the world can be gauzed from the fact that Tamilnadu exported about 20,000 metric tonnes of senna tea last year to the world market. Although it is exported from Tamil Nadu, India, for $1.0 to 1.5, it is sold in the global market @ $ 3.0/kg. Other Indian state like Gujarat and Rajasthan have also started its cultivation.

People living in different parts of world are getting crazy for the "Tinneveli senna tea". It has become very popular in Japan, USA and many other western countries. Tea is used befor dinner either to shed weight or relieve constipation.

"Tinneveli senna tea" is branded as slimming tea. It is believed to shed several kilograms of weight. Different parts of the Senna herb and their extracts exported from the arid regions of Tuticorin and Virudhunagar in southern Tamil Nadu are easily available in big stores in Hong Kong, Tokyo, California and Berlin. According to B S Sajwan, chief executive officer, National Medicinal Plants Board, Union health ministry "Senna tea bags are a big hit abroad and the market is set to grow further.”

Active ingredient:

The active ingredient is 'sennocide' and believed to remove the toxins in the body and help complete the metabolic cycle resulting in weight control.

The leaves of senna (Cassia angustifolia) are used in the manufacture of laxatives.

What is so special about Tinneveli senna tea?

It is believed that it's the magic of deft snipping of leaves by Tamil Nadu farmers whereas in other places, farmers pull off the branches.

Medicinal uses of senna: Senna is available in different forms such as a crushed herb, as a liquid, or as a powdered extract.

1. Oral intake: About 20 to 60 milligrams of pure senna extract is consumed orally. Its better to follow the manufacturer's recommendations as the strength of packaged material may vary from manufacturer to manufacturer.

2. Senna tea preparation:

a). Hot tea

• pour hot water over one-quarter teaspoon of crushed senna leaves,(don't use boiled water)

• steep for about 10 minutes and strain.

• b) Cold tea

• steep crushed senna for 12 hours in cold water and then strain.
• It is believed that cold tea produces less resin in the tea that reduces the chances of abdominal cramps.

Senna is found in the tropical and subtropical regions of the world. The leaves and fruit of senna are known to have stimlulant laxative effects. It is used as a remedy for constipation, hemorrhoids, and in cleansing or slimming teas.

Side-effects:

Research findings suggest that ingestion of large doses of senna laxatives may expose people to the risk of hepatotoxicity and chronic abuse may be associated with serious manifestations, including fluid and electrolyte loss, with chronic diarrhea.

What does the reserach say about slime teas?

As per the concluding remarks of a special committee of FDA's Food Advisory Committee, laxative-induced diarrhea does not significantly reduce absorption of calories because the laxatives do not work where calories are absorbed (on the small intestine) rather it works on the colon, the lower end of the bowel.

Warnings: Excessive use can cause diarrhea, vomiting, nausea, stomach cramps, chronic constipation, fainting, and perhaps death. Consumers should follow the directions (given on the packs) carefully when using herbal teas.