MEDICINAL AND AROMATIC CROPS (2+1)

Importance and chemical composition

• Senna (Cassia angustifolia Vahl.) belonging to the family Caesalpiniaceae, is a perennial shrub, but grown as an annual in the rainfed areas, mainly for its medicinal properties particularly for its laxative principle.
  


• This crop is cultivated significantly in Gujarat (Anand), Rajasthan (Jodhpur) and Maharashtra (Pune district) and Tamil Nadu.
  


• It is extensively cultivated as a rainfed crop in wastelands of Tirunelveli district of Tamil Nadu, by which attains the popular name as "Tinnevely Senna".
  


• The species was reportedly introduced first in Tirunelveli district during the mid-eighteenth century from Europe and hence the Indian produce as a whole is referred as " Tinnevely Senna ".
  


• A major part of the produce is exported in the form of leaves, pods and sennoside concentrates.
  


• Senna is being exported mainly to countries like USA, Germany and Japan. Other senna importing countries are Spain, France, China, Hong Kong, Thailand, Australia and Singapore. Nearly 75 % of senna produced in India is exported, especially through Tuticorin port.


• The available statistics on area of cultivation of senna is around 6,000 ha located in various regions of India and in southern districts of Tamil Nadu, which dominates in commercial cultivation.
  


• Of late, Gujarat and Rajasthan are emerging as potential suppliers of senna in India.
  


• The leaves and pods of senna contain sennosides A, B, C and D, which are well known for the preparation of laxatives and purgatives all over the world.
  


• The drug is used as the most reliable and least harmful laxative agent.
  


• Senna pods and leaves are also used in the form of decoction, powder and many other herbal preparations. It is popular in European countries for its use along with 'herbal tea'.