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Senega Herb - Uses And Side Effects

For centuries, senega has been used as an expectorant (to expel mucus from the lungs). The National Formulary listed it as an official drug until 1960. ' Senega ' is derived from the Seneca tribe of North American Indians, among whom the plant was used as a remedy for snake-bites.

Medicinal senega comes from the dried root and rootstock of Polygala senega, a perennial plant native to southern Canada and the United States. Senega is made commercially In Canada and Japan.

This perennial herb , about a foot high, grows throughout central and western North America, in woods, and on dry, rocky soil. The leaves are small alternate, and narrowly lanceolate, and the numerous, small pinky-white flowers are crowded on to a narrow, terminal spike from 1 to 2 inches long.

Common doses of Senega

Senega comes as:

• syrups (various concentrations)
• lozenges
• teas
• tinctures
• dried powdered root
• extract.

Some experts recommend the following dose:

• For respiratory conditions, 2 tablespoons of syrup taken orally every 4 hours as needed, 2.5 to 5 milliliters of tincture taken orally, 0.3 to 1 milliliter of extract taken orally, or 0.5 to I gram of dried root taken orally three times daily.

Uses of Senega herb

The medicinal benefits of the Polygala Senega herb are found in its roots.  Throughout the years Senega has been known to be an excellent expectorant which helps to remove phlegm from bronchial passages. Specifically, senega may help to :-

• Asthma
• Chronic bronchitis
• Cough
• Croup
• Eczema
• Multiple sclerosis
• Pneumonia
• Psoriasis
• Rattlesnake bites
• Sore throat
• To induce vomiting

As it stimulates most of the secretions, it is also useful as a sialagogue and emmenagogue. In active inflammation its use is contraindicated.

Side effects of Senega

Call your health care practitioner if you experience any of these possible side effects of senega:

• abdominal pain
• nausea
• anxiety
• stomach upset
• diarrhea
• vertigo
• mental dullness
• vision disturbances
• mouth and throat irritation
• vomiting

Are there any interactions?

Combining herbs with certain drugs may alter their action or produce unwanted side effects. Don't use senega while taking:

• blood thinners
• drugs to control diabetes
• drugs that slow the central nervous system, such as alcohol, cold and allergy drugs, sedatives, tranquilizers, narcotic pain relievers, barbiturates, seizure drugs, and muscle relaxants.

Important points to remember

• Don't use senega if you're pregnant or breast-feeding.
• Avoid this herb if you're allergic to aspirin or other drugs that contain salicylates.
• If you have diabetes, monitor your blood sugar closely while using senega.

What the research shows

This herb has three strikes against it: lack of data showing its effectiveness, evidence that it can cause significant side effects, and the availability of established effective expectorants. In short, medical experts see little reason to use senega-and plenty of reasons not to-at least for now.

Other names for Senega

Other names for senega include milkwort, mountain flax, northern senega, polygala root, rattlesnake root, seneca, seneca root, seneca snakeroot, senega root, and senega snakeroot.

Products containing senega are sold under such names as Enhance and SN-X Vegitabs.