3. CHEMICAL CONSTITUENTS AND
COMPONENTS
-:Main chemical components are:-
Triterpenoid saponins
Senegin
Polygalic acid
Sapogenin
Sengins
Phenolic acids
Methyl salicylate
Polygalitol
4. USES
1. Senega is used chiefly as a stimulating expectorant
in chronic bronchitis.
2. It is occasionally used as a diuretic in renal dropsy.
3. It is a cardiac depressant, and is contra-indicated in
diseased conditions of the heart.
4. It has a tendency to upset the digestion, and is
therefore only used in combination with other
drugs in what are termed expectorant mixtures.
5. It was formerly used as an antidote for snake bites.
6. It is used in a freely available cough mixture called
"Senega and Ammonia" which formerly contained a
small amount of chloroform, but the chloroform is
no longer permitted under current regulations.
5. HOW DOES IT WORK?
The chemicals in senega
irritate the stomach
lining, which causes
production of larger
amounts of lung
secretions. This may
explain how senega
works as an expectorant.
Expectorants loosen
phlegm and make it
easier to cough up.
6. SENEGA DOSING
The appropriate dose of senega depends on several
factors such as the user's age, health, and several
other conditions. At this time there is not enough
scientific information to determine an appropriate
range of doses for senega. Keep in mind that natural
products are not always necessarily safe and
dosages can be important. Be sure to follow relevant
directions on product labels and consult your
pharmacist or physician or other healthcare
professional before using.
7. SENEGA SIDE EFFECT AND SAFETY
Senega is considered safe when taken by mouth short-
term. Long-term use can be UNSAFE.
It can cause stomach irritation, diarrhea, dizziness,
nausea, and vomiting.
Pregnancy and breast-feeding : It’s UNSAFE to take
senega by mouth if you are pregnant.
Senega might make the uterus contract, and it might
also start menstruation. These effects could cause a
miscarriage. Don’t take senega by mouth.
Fever: Senega can affect the central nervous system.
Don’t use it if you have a fever.
Stomach and intestinal conditions including ulcers,
ulcerative colitis, and Crohn’s disease: Don’t use
senega if you have one of these conditions. It can irritate
the intestine.
8. TOXICOLOGY
Saponins are shown to
be very irritating and
haemolytic. Taken orally
these adverse effects
seem to be bypassed.
Caution should be taken
if a sensitivity does
exist or if taken in high
doses. The most
common adverse side
effects are nausea and
vomiting.
