Coffee Senna vs Cassia fistula

Pantropical weed used as traditional medicine across Africa, Asia and the Americas; roasted seeds used as coffee substitute.

National tree of Thailand; pods used as mild laxative; flowers edible; important Ayurvedic medicinal tree.

anthraquinones, chrysarobin, flavonoids, oxymethylanthraquinone

sennosides, anthraquinones, tannins, flavonoids, rhein

Laxative and liver conditions across tropics, Roasted seeds as coffee substitute, Skin conditions in African medicine, Used across West Africa, India and Americas

constipation, fever, skin diseases, liver conditions

Laxative, Antimicrobial, Antifungal, Hepatoprotective research

mild laxative, antipyretic, skin conditions, hepatic tonic

2–3 g leaves as tea; roasted seeds as coffee

Pulp of 1-2 pods as mild laxative

Pregnancy, Children (anthraquinone toxicity), Prolonged use, Kidney disease

chronic use, IBD, pregnancy (large amounts)

Laxative cramping, Electrolyte imbalance, Seeds contain chrysarobin (hepatotoxic in excess)

mild laxative effect, GI cramping