Perpustakaan Digital ITB

The senna plant has been traditionally used as a treatment for constipation across the globe for decades. However, its laxative properties have been misinformed to the general public in that it has become advertised to be a weight loss agent. This misguidance could lead to laxative abuse and present various consequences due to misuse. This type of behavior is also seen in those with eating disorders i.e. bulimia. Therefore, it begs the question whether the use of senna products as a weight loss laxative have a link to that of bulimia. In addition, it is also observed whether the presence of bulimia exacerbates other mental health disorders that were already present or activates what was once dormant. The systematic review is conducted using the PRISMA method by which evidence was gathered and the appropriate content was produced. While no direct correlation could be made, the use of laxatives in bulimics is supported, and those with bulimia tend to have co-occurring mental health disorders e.g. anxiety and depression which as a result tend to have the following impact on suicidal tendencies.