manna

Manna is a natural medicinal substance consisting of the dried saccharine exudate obtained from the trunk of the manna ash, *Fraxinus ornus*. Its primary active constituent is mannitol, a sugar alcohol (polyol) that typically comprises 40% to 90% of the exudate's mass, alongside other sugars such as glucose, fructose, and oligosaccharides like mannotetrose. Manna has historically been employed as a mild osmotic laxative and a sweetener for diabetic patients. Its pharmacological action is primarily attributed to the osmotic properties of mannitol; when ingested, it remains largely unabsorbed in the gastrointestinal tract, creating an osmotic gradient that draws water into the intestinal lumen. This increase in intraluminal pressure and fluid volume promotes bowel motility and facilitates evacuation. Although its use in mainstream medicine has largely been replaced by purified mannitol and other synthetic osmotic agents, it remains a recognized natural product in various pharmacopeias and is still utilized in certain traditional and herbal medicinal preparations, particularly for pediatric constipation.

Brand names

Manna

Other names

Fraxinus ornus exudateManna ash exudateManna sugar