Seena or Indian Seena is a powerful ayurvedic herb that is extensively used for its amazing medicinal and therapeutic properties in old and modern systems of medicine.
Seena from India is an annual leguminous herb cultivated for its leaves, flowers, pods, and fruit of flowering plants in the legume family. All these are further used for making different herbal formulations.
Herbal teas and extracts obtained from Seena are used as laxatives and stimulants in ayurvedic medication. It also acts as an alternative medicine in treating occasional constipation in adults and children.
Potential Uses of Seena
As per Ayurveda, Seena aids in managing constipation due to its laxative properties. Taking Seena leaf powder with lukewarm water can help you to manage weight as it improves digestive fire with its Deepan and Usna properties.
Seena is also used for managing blood sugar levels. The antioxidant property of Seena helps in increasing insulin production. It can also remove worms from your intestine because Seena has anthelmintic properties.
To manage various skin disorders such as blisters, inflammation, and redness, you can apply Seena leaf paste on the skin because it has healing properties. However, excessive consumption of Seena can make you suffer from severe diarrhea and cause loss of fluid from the body.
Apart from this, Seena is also used in several herbal supplements across the world.
Benefits of Seena
- Treats Constipation/Piles
Nowadays, constipation is a common digestive problem that is caused due to Vata and Pitta doshas. By soothing these doshas, Seena treats the constipation disorder. The natural laxative action of Seena helps in controlling constipation and other digestive problems.
The presence of active bio compounds in Seena helps to loosen the stool and regularise your bowel movement. It is also useful in cleansing the colon due to purgative and laxative properties. Seena removes waste from the large intestine and stops the development of piles.
- Worm infestation
Anthelmintic properties of this medicinal plant help in avoiding infestation of the worm. Seena works well to remove the parasitic worms from your gastrointestinal tract without causing any damage to your body.
- Boost skin health
Seena is a perfect solution for various skin disorders such as inflammation, eczema, itchiness, and blisters. Extracts of Seena are helpful in soothing the Kapha and Pitta doshas. Seena herbal powder stops the blockage of pores and reduces inflammation. This further helps you to deal with acne breakouts and ease scars.
You can reduce inflammation and fade away acne scars by applying Seena powder mixed with rosewater.
- Promotes liver health
As per the holistic system of Ayurveda, purgation therapy is suggested to treat jaundice, hepatomegaly, and splenomegaly. Dried leaves or pod extracts of the Seena plant promote liver health and provide relief from excessive Pitta in the system.
Not only this, Seena leaves also act as a natural blood purifier that removes harmful toxins from your body and promotes good liver health.
- Manages weight
Poor lifestyle and unhealthy eating habits can lead to a weak digestive fire that increases your weight and results in constipation. This further leads to an imbalance in fatty tissues and causes obesity. Intake of Seena extract clears Ama with its deepan action and reduces the accumulation of fat in the body.
Apart from this, Seena eliminates waste material from the GI tract and provides relief from constipation. This further helps in losing weight.
However, you must not take Seena leaves powder for a long time. before you decide to take Seena for losing weight, make sure to take advice from an Ayurvedic practitioner.
- Treats cancer
Seena for anticancer activities is beneficial. The presence of bioactive compounds in Seena leaves offers great health benefits. Bioactive compounds present in Seena leaves have the potential to work against cancer cells. It can lower your lipid peroxidase levels and kill cancer cells. As a result, Seena restricts the spread of cancer cells.
Side effects of Seena
This herbal supplement is considered a natural laxative and long-term use of Seena can lead to laxative dependence & liver damage. Excessive consumption of Seena might cause dehydration, nausea, increased thirst, and excessive salivation.
It is important to know that Seena might interact with certain medicines such as blood thinners, and diuretics. It can also react adversely with heart medicines. Moreover, it is advised that patients suffering from intestinal obstruction, Crohn’s disease, and abdominal problems should not use Seena.
Summary
Seena is a beneficial herbal supplement that helps to deal with several health problems. It is available in different forms such as herbal tea, churna, tablet, and capsule.
However, it is important to consult a doctor or ayurvedic practitioner before you start using Seena to ensure it is safe for you. Before suggesting the right dosage, your overall health will be assessed.
