Quick Facts
| Latin Name | Sennae Folium |
|---|
| Chinese Name & Pinyin | 番瀉葉 · Fan Xie Ye |
|---|
| Medicinal Part | Leaves |
|---|
| Efficacy Category | Purgative |
|---|
| Botanical Origin | The dried small leaves of Cassia angustifolia Vahl or Cassia acutifolia Delile (Fabaceae). |
|---|
| Nature & Flavour | Sweet, Bitter; Cold |
|---|
| Channels Entered | Large Intestine |
|---|
What Is Fan Xie Ye?
Fan Xie Ye (Sanna Leaf) is a medicinal herb of Traditional Chinese Medicine.
Primarily produced in the areas east of the Red Sea to India, also cultivated in the Chinese provinces of Guangdong, Hainan and the Xishuangbanna region of Yunnan.
Nature & Flavour: Sweet, Bitter; Cold
Channels Entered: Large Intestine
Fan Xie Ye: Materia Medica Profile
Identification & Quality Standard
Sennae Folium
Botanical Origin
The dried small leaves of Cassia angustifolia Vahl or Cassia acutifolia Delile (Fabaceae).
Production Regions
Primarily produced in the areas east of the Red Sea to India, also cultivated in the Chinese provinces of Guangdong, Hainan and the Xishuangbanna region of Yunnan.
Quality Requirements
Superior medicinal material has large leaves, is entire, green, lack of stems.
Macroscopic Features
Cassia angustifolia Vahl: Long oval or oval-lanceolate, 1.5~5cm long, 0.4~2cm wide, with entire edge, leaf apex is acute, base is asymmetrical. Upper surface is yellowish-green, lower surface is pale yellowish-green, without hairs or nearly without hairs, leaf veins slightly raised. Leathery texture. faint and distinctive odor; slightly bitter taste, sticky when chewed. Cassia acutifolia Delile: lanceolate or long oval shape, slightly curved, apex is short and pointy or slightly raised, leaf base is asymmetrical; both sides have thin short hair.
Traditional TCM Properties
Sweet, Bitter; ColdLarge Intestine
Traditional Functions
Drains heat and moves stagnation, frees stools, and promotes diuresis.
How Fan Xie Ye Is Used in TCM
In the Chinese materia medica, Fan Xie Ye is classified among the Purgative herbs.
Medical Disclaimer — This article is provided for educational purposes only and describes traditional Chinese medicine concepts. It is not medical advice, and it is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. Always consult a qualified practitioner before using any herb, particularly if you are pregnant, nursing, taking medication or managing a diagnosed condition.
