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Senna: What It Is and How to Use It

Senna: What It Is and How to Use It

Senna is the dried leaf and pods of Senna alexandrina (also called Cassia angustifolia), a shrub native to North Africa and India, and one of the most widely used herbal ingredients in the world. It is best known as the active herb in many traditional "smooth move" style teas. You can find it at William's Natural Foods, 12249 San Pablo Ave, Richmond, CA 94805, where we carry it in our bulk herb section.

Available in Bulk

We carry senna in our bulk herb section so you can grab the exact amount you want — from a spoonful to try it to a full bag for your tea shelf. Our staff can help you find it in the bulk bins and answer questions about the forms we stock.

What We Carry

  • Senna leaf, cut and sifted (C/S) — dried leaves for brewing tea, sold by weight.
  • Senna pods, whole — the dried seed pods, a milder-tasting option many tea drinkers prefer.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does senna tea taste like?

Senna leaf tea is earthy and slightly bitter with a mild, hay-like character. The pods brew into a smoother, less bitter cup, which is why many people prefer them. Senna is almost always blended with other herbs — peppermint, ginger, licorice, or fennel are classic companions that improve the flavor.

What is senna traditionally used for?

Senna has centuries of traditional use across Arab, Indian, and European herbal medicine as a cleansing herb. It is one of the few herbs recognized by the U.S. FDA as an over-the-counter stimulant laxative ingredient, which is why it appears in so many commercial herbal tea blends. Traditional preparations always used it in small amounts and only occasionally.

What is the difference between senna leaf and senna pods?

Both come from the same plant, but the pods are generally considered milder and smoother-tasting than the leaf. Many commercial "dieter" and "smooth" teas use the pods for this reason. The leaf is more common in bulk bins and brews a stronger cup.

How should senna be stored?

Keep the leaf or pods in an airtight container away from light, heat, and moisture, like any dried botanical. Stored properly, they hold their quality for a year or more. Because senna is a strong herb traditionally used only occasionally, most people buy just a small amount at a time.

Did you know? Senna is one of the few herbs the U.S. Food and Drug Administration recognizes as a generally recognized over-the-counter stimulant laxative ingredient — a status few botanicals hold (source: U.S. Food and Drug Administration, OTC laxative monograph).

Visit William's Natural Foods at 12249 San Pablo Ave, Richmond, CA — open Monday through Friday 9 AM to 7 PM, Saturday 9 AM to 6 PM, and Sunday 10 AM to 5 PM. Our staff are happy to help you find senna in the bulk herb section.

This guide is for general information only and is not medical advice. Talk to your doctor or a qualified health professional about any health questions.