Senna (Senna alexandrina Mill): A promising alternative medicinal crop for income generation in dry land

Senna is one of the important medicinal crop grown during the rabi and summer season. It is highly sensitive to waterlogging and cannot be grown during kharif season. It can be grown under residual moisture after the harvest of paddy and cotton crop. Sennosides A and B are purgative, antibacterial, anticancer, and antioxidant compounds isolated from senna leaves and immature pods. Senna is in high demand in the international market because to its potential use in a variety of medications. Senna is only currently commercially produced in India. As a result, there is potential for large-scale production in India and profitable export of this valuable medicinal herb worldwide. Leaf production ranges from 5,000 to 6,000 tonnes per year depending on the region. Approximately 80% of the production is exported, with annual revenue of Rs. 4550 crores and has a high demand in the industrial sector.