Senna Leaf (ovate-lanceolate, yellow-green on top, light on bottom, asymmetric leaf base, thin and brittle leathery texture)

Senna Leaf (narrow-leaved) (lanceolate)

[Naming]

Senna Leaf

 [Source]

Yin Pian Xin Can (New Reference for Prepared Medicinals)

 [Common Usage Degree]

E

 [Botanical Origin]

Leaflets of Cassia angustifolia Vahl (Narrow-leaf Senna) or Cassia acutifolia Delile (Alexandrian Senna), family Leguminosae.

 [Characteristics]

1. Narrow-leaf Senna Leaf: Most leaflets are complete, occasionally with small branches mixed in. Petiole about 2mm long; leaflets ovate-lanceolate to linear-lanceolate, 2-4.5cm long, 4-15mm wide, entire margin, apex acute with a sharp tip, base slightly asymmetric; leaf surface yellow-green, leaf back light yellow-green, slightly pubescent, leaf veins prominent on the back. Leathery, slightly tough, with transverse pressure marks on the midrib due to packaging and pressure. Odor slightly weak and peculiar, taste slightly bitter.
2. Alexandrian Senna Leaf: Leaflets are often slightly curled, not very straight, and somewhat broken, petiole very short; leaflets lanceolate or oblong-ovate, 2-4cm long, 7-12mm wide, apex acute or slightly convex, entire margin, base asymmetric. Leaf surface light green, leaf back gray-green, slightly pubescent, no pressure marks. Thin and brittle.
From leaf distinction: Narrow-leaf Senna Leaf has narrow and long leaves, acutely pointed apex, leaves glabrous or nearly glabrous, taste slightly bitter and slightly sticky; Alexandrian Senna Leaf has a short, pointed or slightly convex apex, fine pubescence on both sides of the leaves, and the odor is the same as the former. Both are equally used in medicine.

 [Identification]

Both types are considered good quality if they are dry, have narrow and pointed leaf shapes, large pieces, complete, green in color, few stems, and free of mud and sand. Small leaves, yellow color, stems present, many broken pieces, and mud/ sand present are considered of lower quality.

 [Category]

Leaves