Senna is the name for a genus of plants in bean family that contains more than 300 different species. Alexandrian Senna is an attractive species that occurs naturally in the Nubian region of Egypt and is cultivated in India, Somalia and Sudan. The leaves and seed pods of the plant contain a variety of glycosides that are collectively referred to as sennosides. These compounds are known to produce laxative effects. In fact, in the U.S., senna is approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration as a non-prescription laxative. Although both pods and leaves are traditionally used to produce teas, tisanes and tonics to counter constipation, preparations made from the pods are gentler.