Senega 2909442 113613978 2007-03-08T17:34:07Z Ricardo Carneiro Pires 218111 {{update}} '''Senega''' is the dried [[root]] of the ''[[Polygala]] senega'', In 1911, it was official in the [[United Kingdom|British]] and [[United States]] pharmacopoeias. Senega contains an active principle, [[saponin]]. Senega is used chiefly as a stimulating expectorant in chronic [[bronchitis]]. It is occasionally used as a [[diuretic]] in [[Kidney|renal]] [[Edema|dropsy]]. It is a cardiac depressant, and is contra-indicated in diseased conditions of the [[heart]]. It has a tendency to upset the [[digestion]], and is therefore only used in combination with other drugs in what are termed expectorant mixtures. It was formerly used as an antidote for [[snakebite (bite)|snake bites]]. ==External links== * {{ATC|R05|CA06}} ==References== *{{1911}} {{botany-stub}} {{Pharma-stub}} [[Category:Medicinal plants]]