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Fan Xie Ye番泻叶

Sennae Folium · Senna Leaf

Downward-Draining Herbs 泻下药《饮片新参》

Overview

Senna leaf, imported into Chinese practice from South Asia and North Africa — the in its name marks it as a foreign arrival rather than a classical herb. Sweet, bitter and cold, it acts on the Large Intestine alone and does one thing decisively: it moves the stool, usually within six to twelve hours. Steeped in hot water it is a mild laxative; decocted at higher dose it purges. It is a short-term remedy, not a standing prescription.

Nature & Flavor

Sweet, bitter · Cold

Channels

Large Intestine

Typical Dosage

1.5–3 g in decoction
番泻叶Photography for this entry is on its way.

Actions

3 core actions

  • Purges accumulation, frees the stoolConstipation from heat and food accumulation with abdominal fullness and pressure; effect usually within six to twelve hours.
  • Drains heat downwardHeat constipation with a dry mouth, foul breath, dark urine and a yellow greasy tongue coat.
  • Clears the bowel for a short courseHigher doses are used for rapid bowel clearance — that belongs to a supervised clinical setting, never to self-medication.

In Formulas

Formulas containing Fan Xie Ye

No published formula lists this herb yet — the library is growing.

Indications & Clinical Uses

  • Constipation from heat and food accumulation
    - Abdominal fullness and pressure with no bowel movement
    - Short-term bowel clearance under supervision

Western Medical Keywords

Searchable condition terms

ConstipationBowel preparationAbdominal bloating

Contraindications

Cautions

A stimulant laxative and habit-forming with continued use: repeated courses weaken the normal bowel reflex and can deplete potassium, so keep it to a few days rather than a standing prescription, and reduce or stop as soon as the bowel moves. Do not use it with abdominal pain of unknown cause, suspected obstruction, or inflammatory bowel disease, and not in young children. Large doses cause griping, cramping and watery stool.

Contraindicated in pregnancy: Contraindicated in pregnancy, during breastfeeding, and during menstruation.

For licensed practitioners’ reference only

References

  1. 《中华人民共和国药典》.
    2. Bensky, Clavey & Stöger. Chinese Herbal Medicine: Materia Medica, 3rd ed.
    3. WHO. WHO Monographs on Selected Medicinal Plants, Vol. 1 — Folium Sennae.

Professional reference notice. Entries are scholarly references for licensed TCM practitioners and students — not medical advice, and not a recommendation to self-prescribe. Chinese herbal formulas should be used under the guidance of a qualified practitioner. Content is an original editorial compilation by Cura x Cura, cross-checked against the cited references.