Skip to main content
true senna

true senna

8.0
A shrub with yellow flowers whose dried leaves help people with constipation
  • noun
  • /truː ˈsɛnə/
  • Specialized
translation icon : sena verdadera
  • The dried leaves of the true senna plant are commonly used in herbal teas for their laxative effects.

Examples

  • Many people use true senna as a natural laxative.

  • The herbalist recommended true senna for digestive issues.

  • In traditional medicine, extracts from true senna are prescribed for constipation and digestive issues.

  • Researchers studied the cultivation requirements of true senna to increase medicinal yields.

  • In traditional medicine, extracts from true senna are prescribed for constipation and digestive issues.

  • The dried leaves of the true senna plant are commonly used in herbal teas for their laxative effects.

  • Many people use true senna as a natural laxative.

Synonyms

Senna alexandrina
vstrue senna
  • Specialized
9.8

A plant with yellow flowers whose dried leaves make a laxative tea

is the usual species description without the genus qualification
Alexandrian senna
vstrue senna
  • Specialized
8.8

A shrub whose dried leaves people use as a laxative

is the same species but described as a laxative rather than cathartic
Alexandria senna
vstrue senna
  • Specialized
9.3

A tall shrub with yellow flowers and leaves that people dry and use as a laxative

is the same species but emphasizes tawny colour and laxative use
Indian senna
vstrue senna
  • Indian
8.4

A shrub with yellow flowers whose dried leaves are used to treat constipation

is identical but stresses tawny flowers and raceme arrangement
tinnevelly senna
vstrue senna
  • UK
9.9

A small bush with yellow flowers whose dried leaves make you go to the toilet

uses the term laxative instead of the more technical cathartic
Cassia augustifolia
vstrue senna
  • Specialized
9.9

A shrub with yellow flowers whose dried leaves people use as a natural laxative

is the accepted species name used in standard laxative descriptions

Surface Forms

true senna singular
true sennas plural

Morphology

true + senna

The noun phrase is compositional: 'true' (genuine) modifies 'senna' (a genus of plants), so the meaning is simply the genuine/real senna species (the specific plant used medicinally). This adjective+noun pattern is regular and cross-linguistically common, so a B1 learner who knows both constituents can infer the intended meaning.

Etymology

True senna comes from an old habit: sellers and healers called the genuine plant senna the true kind to show it was the real, useful plant. Its dried leaves were a well-known 'laxative', so the name helps you remember it is the medicinal plant.