Stop Senega

Source - Polygalaceae. Pharmacy name: senega root - Senegae radix (formerly: Radix Senegae), senega extract - Senegae extractum (formerly: Extractum Senegae), senega syrup - Senegae sirupus (formerly: Sirup us Senegae).

Botanical description.

The family to which Senega belongs includes about 700 species. It is distributed throughout the globe. Apart from tropical forms, they are predominantly herbs.

The homeland of senega is North America; This plant is cultivated in India. In appearance, the senega is similar to the common mothwort (Polygala vulgaris L.), which grows wild in Europe.

Several simple stems with numerous leaves grow from the multi-headed root. The lower leaves are scale-like, the upper leaves are sessile or short-petiolate, linear-lanceolate, entire or finely serrate. Pale red flowers tightly pressed together form a cylindrical raceme.

Senega strengthens itself in the soil with powerful, thick roots; Numerous lateral roots extend from the main root. This root system produces the pharmaceutical product Senegae radix.

Collection and preparation.

In autumn, the root of wild senega is dug up, freed from adhering soil and dried in air. In pharmaceutical products, a distinction is made between small and large hay; large ones, mainly of Canadian origin, are preferred over small Senega from the south.

Active ingredients.

The main active ingredient is saponin; in addition, bitterness, mucus, pectin and numerous other components are found in senega.

Healing action and application.

It is unlikely that any doctor will now prescribe senega tea. However, herbal preparations from these raw materials are often used. Saponins, which are extracted from it with both water and alcohol (tincture), have a beneficial effect in diseases of the respiratory tract that occur with the formation of viscous sputum. This is also recognized by the German National Health Service.

Therefore, various juices, drops and cough elixirs that contain senega extract go on sale.

My special advice.

Senega can be an effective ingredient in barking, which is used to liquefy viscous mucus so that it is easier to expectorate. I would like to recommend a cough tea mixture that can serve well both those with asthma or chronic bronchitis, and children with whooping cough:

1. Tea mixture for better expectoration: Coltsfoot leaves 20.0 Thyme herb 20.0 Senega root 10.0

Pour two heaped teaspoons of the mixture into 1/4 liter of boiling water, let it brew, covered, for 10-15 minutes and strain. Drink 1 cup 2-3 times a day, sweeten with honey. It is extremely important to drink your first cup before getting out of bed to ease morning expectoration.

Use in homeopathy.

Homeopathy uses its Senega for chronic bronchitis, especially in the elderly, for emphysema with shortness of breath, bronchial asthma and whooping cough. This homeopathic remedy is recommended in the third and fourth dilutions (D3 and D4, 5 drops every 2 hours). You can also use the original tincture or D6, in this case 10 drops per glass of water is enough, take a small sip every hour.

Side effects.

Due to the high content of saponins, an overdose leads to irritation of the gastrointestinal tract. There is no reason to fear side effects in mixed teas and other herbal remedies. I consider it undesirable to take senegia decoctions during breastfeeding to enhance milk production, as was previously practiced, due to their irritating effect.