senna

noun

sen·na ˈse-nə

: any of a genus (Cassia synonym Senna) of leguminous herbs, shrubs, and trees native to warm regions : cassia sense 2

especially : one used medicinally

: the dried leaflets or pods of various sennas (especially Cassia angustifolia synonym Senna alexandrina) used as a purgative

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web This cheerful name comes from the senna plant, which produces bright yellow flowers every year. —

Jessica Leigh Mattern, Country Living, 4 Jan. 2023 Behind them is a lacy senna shrub that produces clusters of yellow flowers. —

Caron Golden, San Diego Union-Tribune, 12 Nov. 2022 Other recent blooms include a native grass called needle grama, brittle creosote, desert senna, Acton encelia or brittlebush, and big galleta grass. —

Los Angeles Times, 8 Sep. 2021 Parts of the desert basin received enough rain in July and August that some spring perennials such as desert senna and Acton encelia, or brittlebush, may have a second bloom. —

Los Angeles Times, 9 Sep. 2021 Metoclopramide, bisacodyl, polyethylene glycol, lactulose and senna leaf extract to treat digestive issues. —

USA Today, 14 Mar. 2021 In reality, nearly all of these teas contain a herb called senna, which is a natural laxative. —

Emma Grey Ellis, Wired, 6 Mar. 2020 Made with ingredients such as alma oil, senna leaf extract and cupuacu butter, the mask is used in-shower after shampooing your hair. —

Atlanta Life, ajc, 18 July 2017 The fitness star quotes a description of Flat Tummy Tea’s main ingredients, including senna, a plant that can have laxative effects (and appears in the brand's Cleanse Tea). —

Sarah Klein, Health.com, 2 Aug. 2017 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'senna.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.