Senega
Scientific names: Polygala japonica, Polygala senega, Polygala tenuifolia
Family: Polygalaceae
Alternate names: Chinese Senega, Gua-zi-jin, Herbe au Lait, Klapperschlangen, Laitier, Milkwort, Mountain Polygala, Polygala, Polygala de Sénéca, Polygala de Virginie, Polygala Glomerata, Polygala Reinii, Polygala Root, Polygala Sénéca, Polygalae Radix, Racine de Polygala, Racine de Serpent à Sonnettes, Radix Polygalae, Rattlesnake Root, Senaga Snakeroot, Seneca, Sénéca, Seneca Snakeroot, Senega Snakeroot, Seneka, Snake Root, Yuan Zhi
Background
Senega is a plant. The root is used to make medicine.
Senega is used for decline in memory and thinking skills that occurs normally with age, asthma, swelling (inflammation) of the throat, nose, and chest, and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19): Some experts warn that senega may interfere with the body's response against COVID-19. There is no strong data to support this warning. But there is also no good data to support using senega for COVID-19. Follow healthy lifestyle choices and proven prevention methods instead.
Senega is used for decline in memory and thinking skills that occurs normally with age, asthma, swelling (inflammation) of the throat, nose, and chest, and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19): Some experts warn that senega may interfere with the body's response against COVID-19. There is no strong data to support this warning. But there is also no good data to support using senega for COVID-19. Follow healthy lifestyle choices and proven prevention methods instead.
Safety Safety definitions
When taken by mouth: Senega is POSSIBLY SAFE when taken by mouth for up to 8 weeks. But it is POSSIBLY UNSAFE to use senega for more than 8 weeks. Long-term use may cause stomach irritation, diarrhea, dizziness, nausea, and vomiting.
When applied to the skin: There isn't enough reliable information to know if senega is safe or what the side effects might be.
Breast-feeding: There isn't enough reliable information to know if senega is safe to use when breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and avoid use.
Fever: Senega can affect the central nervous system. Don't use it if you have a fever.
Stomach and intestinal conditions including peptic ulcers, ulcerative colitis, and Crohn disease: Don't use senega if you have one of these conditions. It can irritate the intestine.
When applied to the skin: There isn't enough reliable information to know if senega is safe or what the side effects might be.
Special Precautions & Warnings:
Pregnancy: It's LIKELY 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. There isn't enough reliable information to know if senega is safe to apply to the skin when pregnant. Stay on the safe side and avoid use.Breast-feeding: There isn't enough reliable information to know if senega is safe to use when breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and avoid use.
Fever: Senega can affect the central nervous system. Don't use it if you have a fever.
Stomach and intestinal conditions including peptic ulcers, ulcerative colitis, and Crohn disease: Don't use senega if you have one of these conditions. It can irritate the intestine.
Effectiveness
NatMed Pro rates effectiveness based on scientific evidence according to the following scale: Effective, Likely Effective, Possibly Effective, Possibly Ineffective, Likely Ineffective, Ineffective, and Insufficient Evidence to Rate.
Insufficient evidence Effectiveness definitions
- Decline in memory and thinking skills that occurs normally with age. Taking senega might improve some thinking skills by a small amount in elderly adults with memory complaints.
- Memory. Taking senega does not seem to improve memory in healthy adults. But it might help with short-term recall by a small amount.
- Asthma.
- Emphysema.
- Bronchitis.
- Swelling (inflammation) of the throat, nose, and chest.
- Other conditions.
Dosing & administration
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.
Interactions with pharmaceuticals
It is not known if Senega interacts with any medicines. Before taking Senega, talk with your healthcare professional if you take any medications.
Interactions with herbs & supplements
There are no known interactions with herbs and supplements.
Interactions with foods
There are no known interactions with foods.
Action
The chemicals in senega irritate the lining of the stomach and lungs. Some chemicals in senega protect cells in the brain.
Products
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Per 5 mL:
- Senega officinalis
- Antimony potassium tartrate trihydrate (Ant tart)
- Hepar sulphuricum
- Ipecacuanha
- Kalium bichromicum
- Phosphorus
- Anemone pulsatilla (Pasque flower)
- Stannum metallicum
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This monograph was last reviewed on 26/08/2023 10:00:00. Monographs are reviewed and/or updated multiple times per month and at least once per year.
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Natural Medicines rates safety based on scientific evidence according to the following scale: Likely Safe, Possibly Safe, Possibly Unsafe, Likely Unsafe, Unsafe, and Insufficient Evidence to Rate. For more information about Natural Medicines’ Safety Rating System, click here.
The Natural Medicines Effectiveness Ratings are assigned for specific indications. A product might be rated "Possibly Effective" for one condition, but be rated "Likely Ineffective" for another condition, depending on the evidence. For more info click here.
