Senna hirsuta (L.) H.S.Irwin & Barneby

Sena polong (Senna hirsuta) is an upright herb that becomes woody with age of the Fabaceae family, reaching up to 2.5 meters, native to the southern United States through tropical South America. In Java, its leaves are used to treat herpes, while in Thailand a leaf decoction is used against skin irritation. For centuries, sena polong has also traditionally been used as a remedy for high blood pressure.

Senna hirsuta grows well in lowland and hilly areas, subtropical and tropical regions at elevations up to 700 m above sea level. This plant can be found in disturbed sites, waste areas, roadsides, riparian zones (waterway banks), plantations, open forests, grasslands, coastal environments. In its growth, this plant prefers a sunny position or gets full sunlight.

• Root a taproot, white or brown in color.
• Stem round, densely covered with pale grayish-white hair. Usually elongated ridged. Stipule triangular shaped.
• Leaves compound, pinnate, arranged alternately, having 2-6 pairs of leaflets. Leaf blade egg-shaped with a rounded base, tapering leaf tip, flat edges. Leaf surface covered with grayish-white hair. There is a small cone-shaped protrusion (cone gland) near the base of each leaf petiole.
• Flowers yellow to dark orange-yellow in color. Inflorescence a raceme consisting of 2-8 flowers, having a flower stalk (pedicel) 10-25 mm long. Has 5 petals, 5 sepals, 6-7 stamens.
• Fruit a brown pod, sickle-shaped (falcate), somewhat flat and segmented, and densely covered with long whitish hair.
• Seeds egg-shaped to round, smooth surface, seed color varying brown, or black.

• Propagated generatively (seed). First, seeds are soaked for 12-24 hours in warm water. Seed germination requires a temperature above 24ºC and moisture.
• Its dispersal is aided by water and pod-eating animals.

Phenolic, flavonoid compounds, phytotoxin, tannin, chrysarobin, bi-anthraquinone, a tri-terpenoid, amino acids, steroids, glycoside, alkaloid, saponin.

Treats kidney disorders, herpes, skin disorders, cracked nipples, tonic, rheumatism, chest pain, malaria, dysentery, abscess, typhoid fever, remedy for high blood pressure, lowers cholesterol levels, diarrhea, skin rash, remedy for Parkinson's disease, dental caries care.

• Prepare fresh sena polong leaves, wash thoroughly with running water.
• Dry the leaves in direct sunlight or using an oven.
• Once dry, grind the leaves into powder.
• Store in a closed, airtight container.

Tegining teganang, kasingsat bulu.