What is Ringworm Plant?

Ringworm plants are also referred to as Senna alata, emperor’s candlesticks, candle bush, Christmas candles, empress candle plant, and ringworm shrub or candle tree. Senna alata is a medicinal herb, and it is also used in ornamentals. Due to its efficacy, the leaves, the flower, and the fruit of Senna Alata are used for making medicines. It was formally regarded as a weed in the field, and they spread very easily without caution, but it cannot grow in the shade.

It is a perennial plant. It can be propagated by vegetation and also by seed. It possesses a high capability of colonizing an open area. It can successfully grow in areas that are not too dry. It requires full sun, and it has a high resistance to drought. It grows well on sandy soil, slightly alkaline. The plant can grow to about eight meters tall but is commonly found around 2 meters. Apart from its medicinal importance, it also serves as a source of food and material. It is regarded as poisonous for livestock, especially goat.

Nutritional Constituent of Senna Alata

Water content – 9.53

Carbohydrate – 298.61

Crude lipid – 47.73

Crude fiber – 18.23

Ash – 15.73

Other nutrients present includes iron, potassium, manganese, calcium, chromium, zinc, and copper.

Medicinal Uses of Senna Alata

Generally, the ringworm plant is used traditionally as medicine in some parts of the world.

Treatment of Skin Conditions

Senna alata has a laxative effect, which has healing effects on skin disease, including scabies and ringworm, because of its antifungal effects. In many parts of India and the West Indies, they make use of Senna alata to treat many skin conditions by the decoction of the leaves, flowers, bark, and wood-like eczema, itching, and pruritis. The bark is also useful on wounds. It is ground to powder, mixed with oil as an ointment, and gently applied over the affected area.

Constipation

The plant is a short term treatment for constipation. Guidelines must be followed before taking Senna Alata. There are restrictions to its usage depends on your health status and age. For children within the age of 3 to 15 years of age, Senna Alata will not be so effective on them to treat constipation, but you can definitely try lactulose: mineral oils and medication. For adults, senna with psyllium is more effective in treating your constipation. If you’ve undergone surgery or you have elderly ones that have senna with docusate sodium. It has a high laxative effect. The plant works by irritating the lining of your colon, initiating the contraction of your colon and bowel movement. Senna alata has not been recommended to be the first course of action to cure constipation. Ringworm plant prevents the absorption of water and electrolytes from your colon. Which is one way or the other increases and regulates the fluid in your intestines. It helps to soften your poo.  You can use it as a remedy for intestinal worms.

Relieve Hemorrhoids Discomforts

Swollen veins and tissues in your lower rectum are regarded as hemorrhoids, and it is capable of causing bleeding, pain, and itching. One of the potential cause or major cause of hemorrhoids is constipation. Constipation tends to irritate already existing hemorrhoids. However, Senna alata is competent in relieving your discomfort from swollen veins and tissues.

Preparation for Colonoscopy

Colonoscopy is an examination that is used to diagnose any defect or change in your intestine and rectum. This is a procedure that is very delicate and needs a professional health practitioner. A long flexible tube with a micro video camera is inserted at the tip of the tube to allow a full view of the inside. So, the use of Senna Alata prepares your bowel for colon examination, and Senna Alata cleanse your bowel.

A colonoscopy is recommended by your doctor to check:

• To investigate your intestine conditions, to explore the cause of your recent abdominal pain, rectal bleeding, constipation, diarrhea, and other intestinal conditions.
• To check for the possibilities of colon cancer, whether the cancer risk factor is high or not.

In addition, it is also used for the treatment of intestinal parasites and sexually transmitted diseases. Senna alata is also used to treat convulsion.

Side Effects of Senna Alata

It is considered safe for children around the age of 12 upward and adult. To be candid with you, it comes with a variety of risks and complications. The common discomfort experienced by its users is stomach cramps, diarrhea, and nausea, but it’s not the chronic type; it only lasts for a short period of time.

It is sold on the counter in the form of tea. Long term senna tea intake can result in liver damage and electrolytes disturbance. Senna tea reacts with certain types of medications in your body, which can cause discomforts. Such as:

Diuretics

Steroid

Licorice root

Blood thinners

Heart rhythm medications.

But, generally, it cannot be recommended for pregnant or breastfeeding women. It is usually added to a weight loss supplement, but it is not advisable. Senna alata boosts metabolism, and it has not been scientifically proved that Senna alata helps in weight loss management. The frequent use of this tea leads to alteration in normal bowel function and cause laxative dependence. To put it straight to you, if you are trying to lose weight and diet, do not try supplements and laxatives.

Other Uses of Senna Alata

It also serves as food; toasted leaves are also used as a coffee substitute. The young pods are cooked and eaten as a vegetable but only in a small amount.

The ringworm plant can also be used as an insecticide because of its insecticidal properties. The bark is sometimes used as a coloring in tattooing and as well as a source of tanning.

How to Prepare Senna Tea

Senna tea has a mild, sweet, and slightly bitter flavor, but its mixture with other herbs can alter the final aroma. Take 1 to 2 grams of senna dry leaves in hot water for 10 to 12 minutes. Take only 2 servings per day. If you wish, you can add sweeteners.

In taking senna products, there is no specified dosage, but 15 to 30 mg is required per day. If you got the product on a counter, do well to follow the instructions on the label. Never overdo the label.

Apart from the usage of Senna Alata in cleansing the colon. You can as well try these natural colons cleanse at home:

Herbal Teas

Laxative herbs play a major role in cleansing the colon like aloe Vera, psyllium, marshmallow root, and slippery elm. Before you embark on using them, consult your doctor to avoid any complications. You can as well try herbs like ginger and garlic. Ginger and garlic reduce bad bacteria. Do well to try a cup of these herbal teas thrice a day, but for laxative herbs tea, take one cup per day.

Probiotics

Eating your diets with probiotics can also cleanse your colon. Apart from cleansing the colon, it also helps the overall health. Eat a lot of probiotics rich foods like pickles, yogurt, and other fermented foods. The probiotics are responsible for the introduction of good bacteria into your gut. Fiber and resistant starches are two elements that promote regularity and control inflammation. Eat high fiber diets.

More Resistant Starches

Resistant starches give you a healthy colon. They are comparable to fiber. Resistant starches lessen colon cancer risk. They are found in carbohydrates. They can also be found in potatoes, legumes, green bananas, and grains.

Juices and Smoothies

Juice contains fiber and some nutrients that make digestion easier. Juice contains vitamin C, which also helps in cleansing the colon. For dietitians, they may recommend smoothies over juice. Fiber is good for the colon, and fortunately, smoothies contain a lot of fibers. It is not until you fast before you start drinking juice or smoothies. It’s not something you can drink up and have it once. Just try including more in your diets like daily juice and smoothies.

Water Flush

Dehydrating is unhealthy; drink plenty of water, and stay hydrated always. Drinking water for a cleansed colon requires you to drink lukewarm water per day, 6 to 8 glasses. Better still, you can try foods that have high water content–foods like watermelons, tomatoes, celery, and lettuce.

Saltwater Flush

This is the best recommendation for people experiencing constipation. Every morning drink lukewarm water with 2 tablespoons of salt. The water must be taken on an empty stomach. This process will bring the urge for you to visit the guestroom after some minutes. Do this every morning and evening.