How many senna pods should i use

In these cases, people were using senna at much higher than the recommended doses and for more extended periods of time. Senna may or may not be safe for use during pregnancy.

Pregnant women with constipation should speak with their doctor before using senna or any other laxative. Senna appears to be safe for women who are breast-feeding, when used in the recommended amount. Long-term use of senna can cause dependence in order to have a bowel movement, finger clubbing usually reversible , rectal bleeding, and wasting.

Someone experiencing any of these side effects should speak with their doctor, especially if they do not go away. It is essential to drink plenty of fluids or electrolyte replacement solutions, such as Gatorade, when taking senna.

This is to prevent a person from losing too much fluid or electrolytes, especially if they have diarrhea. To deal with cramping or abdominal pain, people can reduce the dose until the discomfort subsides. There are several drug interactions to be noted. By being aware of these, people can make sure that they are drinking senna tea safely.

Senna is generally well tolerated and thought to be safe for most people. However, it does have the potential to cause serious complications in some people with certain health conditions and who take certain medications. Green tea may benefit the heart, aid weight management, and soothe the skin. Learn more about the potential benefits and risks here. Turmeric is a spice that contains curcumin, which seems to have anti-inflammatory and immune-boosting properties.

In this article, we look at nine…. Slimming teas have become increasingly popular in recent years. Like all medicines, senna may cause side effects in some people, but many people have no side effects or only minor ones. Common side effects, which happen in more than 1 in people, are stomach cramps and diarrhoea. You are particularly likely to get stomach cramps and diarrhoea with senna if you have constipation related to irritable bowel syndrome. Your pee may turn a red-brown colour while you are taking senna.

This is normal and returns to normal after treatment has ended. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if the side effects bother you or do not go away. A very rare but serious side effect of senna is a severe raised, red, itchy skin rash on any part or all of your body.

If you get a severe skin rash, stop taking senna and call your doctor straight away. In rare cases, it's possible to have a serious allergic reaction anaphylaxis to senna. These are not all the side effects of senna. For a full list see the leaflet inside your medicines packet. Constipation is common at the end of pregnancy and just after having a baby.

If you're pregnant or breastfeeding, it's better to ease constipation without taking a medicine. Your doctor or midwife will first advise that you eat more fibre and drink plenty of liquids.

You'll also be encouraged to do gentle exercise. If dietary and lifestyle changes do not work, you may be recommended a laxative. Laxatives are usually safe for pregnant women to take because most of them are not absorbed by the digestive system.

This means that your baby will not feel the effects of the laxative. However senna is partly absorbed by your gut. Your doctor or midwife will usually only recommend senna if other laxatives have not worked. Lactulose and Fybogel are safer laxatives to take during pregnancy and while breastfeeding. For more information about how senna can affect you and your baby during pregnancy, read this leaflet on treating constipation on the Best Use of Medicines in Pregnancy BUMPs website.

There are some medicines that do not mix well with senna and can change the way it works. Apart from liquorice root preparations, there are no known problems with taking other herbal remedies and supplements with senna.

Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you're taking any other medicines, including herbal medicines, vitamins or supplements. Senna is known as a stimulant laxative — it stimulates the muscles that line your gut, helping them to move poo along your bowel. Take senna for a few days only and certainly no longer than a week. If you take senna for longer, your body can start to rely on it, rather than your bowels doing the work on their own.

If you are still constipated after taking senna for 3 days, talk to your doctor. Ideally, you should only use senna occasionally and for a few days at a time. Using senna for longer can lead to diarrhoea. Stop taking it if you get diarrhoea. It can also cause an electrolyte imbalance, where levels of substances like sodium, potassium and magnesium in your body get too high or too low.

A severe electrolyte imbalance can cause serious health problems such as muscle spasm and twitching, and even convulsions. Using senna for many weeks, even months, could also stop your bowel working properly on its own. Occasionally, you may need to take 2 different types of laxatives at the same time to get your bowels moving again. Only take 2 laxatives together on the advice of your doctor or pharmacist as there is an increased risk of side effects.

There are other types of laxatives. They work in a different way to senna but are equally good at treating constipation. Some take longer to work than senna. There's no clear evidence to suggest that taking senna will reduce fertility in either men or women. However, speak to a pharmacist or your doctor before taking it if you're trying to get pregnant. Senna does not affect any type of contraception including the combined pill and emergency contraception unless you have severe diarrhoea for more than 24 hours.

If you have severe diarrhoea your contraceptive pills may not protect you from pregnancy. Look on the pill packet to find out what to do. Read more about what to do if you're on the pill and you're vomiting or have diarrhoea.

If you have heart disease, inflammatory bowel disease IBD , or liver disease, you should consult your healthcare provider prior to taking any senna product, as it may exacerbate these conditions 6. Senna is not generally recommended for women who are pregnant or breastfeeding 6. Common senna tea side effects include stomach cramps, diarrhea, and nausea. More serious side effects, such as liver damage, may occur from long-term use.

A typical dose of a senna-based supplement is 15—30 mg per day for no longer than 1 week 1. In this case, the safest approach is to follow the package instructions for preparation and consumption. Never take more than directed on the label. Senna tea is often described as having a mild, sweet, and slightly bitter flavor.

However, many commercial teas combine senna with other herbs that can alter the final aroma and flavor. Avoid drinking more than 2 servings per day 7. You can also add a touch of sweetener like honey or stevia. Shop for senna tea online. If using tea bags or a blend, follow the package instructions.

When using dry senna leaves, steep 1—2 grams of leaves in hot water for 10 minutes. Doing so could lead to laxative dependence, liver damage, and other serious health issues. Senna tea may cause short-term stomach cramps and diarrhea. Laxatives can help relieve constipation and promote regular bowel movements.

Learn more about natural laxatives. Many herbal teas can relieve constipation. Find out more about these types of teas, their dosages, and their side effects. Many people think laxatives can help them lose weight quickly.

However, there are serious concerns over their safety and effectiveness. Here are 5 herbal remedies to ease your symptoms. Tea generally does have many health benefits, but detox teas aren't a proven weight loss method.

Find out why and learn about their many health risks.