Senna tea is a strong herbal laxative for constipation, but is often marketed as a slimming or diet tea. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has yet to evaluate any form of senna for safety, efficacy and purity. Doctors warn against its prolonged use as the ingredient has been known to cause serious side effects.
Heart
Toxicologists say that long-term use of senna can cause serious electrolyte imbalance that may lead to arrhythmia (abnormal or irregular heartbeat) and worse, heart failure.
Colon
Doctors say that long-term intake of senna may damage the lining of your bowel and injure nerve endings to the colon. Furthermore, laxative abuse may cause colon pigmentation, which may increase the risk for the development of colorectal cancer.
Diarrhea and Constipation
Taking in senna may lead to chronic diarrhea, which will cause you to lose important nutrients. As the product is habit forming, your constipation may worsen after you stop drinking the tea.
Other Side Effects
Upon drinking senna tea, symptoms of allergic reactions such as difficulty breathing, closing of your throat and swelling of your lips, tongue or face may occur. You should also watch out for abdominal cramps and urine discoloration.
Cases
On file at the FDA are four deaths of women in their twenties and thirties who used diet teas containing senna. Six cases of young women in New York and Pennsylvania who experienced severe abdominal cramps after consuming herbal tea containing senna have also been reported.
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