Cassia angustifolia Fol / Senna Leaf

Senna alexandrina (Alexandrian senna) is an ornamental plant in the genus Senna. It is used in herbalism. It grows natively in lower Egypt, especially in the Nubian region, and near Khartoum (Sudan), where it is cultivated commercially. It is also grown elsewhere, notably in India and Somalia.

Senna alexandrina is also known under the names Egyptian senna, Tinnevelly senna, East Indian senna or the French séné de la palthe. Cassia angustifolia is the apothecary term for this plant.

It received the names “Alexandrian senna” and “Egyptian senna” because Alexandria in Egypt was the main trade port in past times. The fruits and leaves were transported from Nubia and Sudan and other places to Alexandria, then from it and across the Mediterranean sea to Europe and adjacent Asia.

The Leaf is said to be more potent than the pods due to the higher levels of glycosides anthraquinone.