Kayam Churna Ingredients, Benefits, Dosage & Side Effects
Kayam Churna is a proprietary ayurvedic medicine used for constipation. It has moderate laxative properties. Its occasional use might be safe, but if you start using it on regular basis, it can result in developing a laxative habit by weakening the intestines and conflicting with natural peristaltic movements. Due to huge advertisement and easy availability, many people are using Kayam Churna for treating constipation. In this article, we will review about its actual benefits, when to use and when not to use and adverse effects.
Composition (Ingredients)
Kayam Churna contains:
| Ingredients | Quantity |
| Senna leaves – Cassia angustifolia | 50% |
| Black Salt (Kala Namak) | 18% |
| Ajwain (Carum capticum) – Trachyspermum ammi | 11.5% |
| Haritaki – Terminalia chebula | 8% |
| Svarjiksara (Purified) | 5% |
| Mulethi (Yashtimadhu) – Licorice – Glycyrrhiza Glabra | 4.5% |
| Nishoth (Trivrit) – Operculina turpethum | 3% |
Medicinal Properties
Stimulant laxative – Moderate in action: Kayam Churna has one main property of stimulant laxative. Please note it is not a bulk forming laxative, so you should not use kayam churna on regular basis. All other herbs are just playing a supportive role except senna leaves.
Mode of Action
The main action of Kayam churna is based on its major ingredient senna leaves, which irritate the bowel linings and results in stimulant laxative effect.
Senna also causes abdominal pain or cramps, so black salt, carom seeds (ajwain), Svarjiksara (Purified) and liquorice are added to reduce this effect due to their anti-spasmodic actions.
Indications or Recommendations
Kayam Churna is an over the counter product. Here are some of its recommendations.
- Constipation
- Acidity linked with constipation
- Gas
- Headache linked with constipation
- Mouth ulcer linked with constipation
It may not be effective if you have mouth ulcer, which is not associated with constipation. Even it may worsen the condition, if you have mouth ulcer with symptoms such as burning sensation, irritation, cuts or redness. Many of ingredients of kayam churna have hot potency, which means they produce heat in the body.
Benefits & Medicinal Uses
Kayam Churna contains 50% senna leaves, so it is a stimulant laxative, which provides a quick relief from constipation.
Kayam Churna irritates bowel lining and helps treating constipation. It is also beneficial for people suffering from gas, abdominal distention, heaviness in abdomen, headache and mouth ulcer. Kayam Churna is more effective if the underlying cause of all these conditions is constipation.
Dosage & Directions
You can take Kayam Churna in dosage of 3 to 6 grams (1 to 2 teaspoons) with warm water preferably at night just before sleeping. The maximum dosage of Kayam Churna should not exceed from 6 grams a day to avoid its side effects.
Kayam Churna is also available in tablets form. Brand name is Kayam Tablet. The dosage of Kayam Tablets is 1 to 2 tablets as per severity of constipation. In mild constipation, 1 tablet should be sufficient, otherwise one may require taking 2 tablets at bedtime with warm water.
| Kayam Churna | 3 to 6 grams (1 to 2 teaspoons) |
| Kayam Tablet | 1 to 2 tablets |
Caution & Side Effects
You should not regularly use Kayam Churna. It may develop laxative habit, which may lead to worsen the constipation or result in chronic obstinate constipation.
The side effects of Kayam Churna can occur due to excess intake of senna leaves. These side effects are listed below.
- Abdominal pain or cramps
- Diarrhoea
- High blood potassium
- Loss of fluids
The long-term use of Kayam Churna can result in severe side effects and complications. These are.
- Pigmentation of the colon (rare)
- Laxative habit
- Reversible Finger Clubbing (rare)
- Wasting (rare)
Kayam Churna in Children
Kayam Churna should not be used in children under age of 10. It is UNSAFE for children.
Kayam Churna in Pregnancy
Kayam Churna may stimulate contractions of uterus and may cause bleeding or spotting in pregnancy due to its hot potency ingredients. Therefore, kayam churna is UNSAFE in pregnancy.
Contraindications
You should not use Kayam Churna if you are suffering with any of following diseases.
| Conditions | Reason |
| High Blood Pressure | Kayam Churna is high in sodium content due to black salt |
| High Potassium Levels | Senna may cause hyperkalemia |
| Abdominal Pain or Cramps | Kayam churna may worsen the condition as it also contains herbs, which cause cramps |
Editor’s Comment
Kayam Churna can cause dependency. Many people have complained recurrence of constipation and laxative dependence after using Kayam Churna for a several days. We suggest not using Kayam Churna regularly. Occasional use may be helpful, but you should do dietary modifications. Take diet rich in fiber content and include 2 to 3 servings of fruits and 3 to 4 servings of vegetables in your regular diet.
FAQs
Can Kayam Churna Help in Weight Loss?
Kayam churna is not a good remedy for losing weight because it contains habit-forming laxative, which can deteriorate the natural functions of intestines and your bowel.
Senna, as a main ingredient, may lead to wasting, so you will also feel lost strength and reduction in vitality. Furthermore, the long-term use can cause severe side effects, which are listed above in Caution & Side Effect Section. Therefore, you should never use it for losing weight. There are several other remedies, which can help you for losing weight. Here are helpful articles for losing weight.
- Ayurvedic Medicine for Weight Loss
- Weight Loss Diet
- Home Remedies for Weight Loss
- Medohar Guggulu
- Ayurvedic Powder Massage or Udvartana
- Ayurvedic Massage for Weight Loss
Can I take Kayam Churna in Pregnancy?
No, you should never use Kayam Churna in pregnancy. Its ingredients may harm your pregnancy and may lead to unwanted effects or miscarriage.
I have taken Kayam Churna yesterday night; it has caused unendurable abdominal pain. All night, I suffered from it. What should we do when any laxative causes abdominal cramps and pain?
If abdominal pain occurs due to any laxative use, then one can take one of following available home remedy.
1. Dried ginger powder with honey
2. Ginger tea
3. Chamomile tea
4. Chewing fennel seeds or drinking fennel seed water or Fennel tea
Please tell me – Can I take KAYAM CHURNA, as I am diabetic from last 9 years.
Kayam churna is possibly safe in diabetes, so it can be taken.
I have taken this powder, but it work first day then next day I don’t go to toilet. plz what shall I do?
Diet plays vital role in management of constipation. Increase fiber intake, take more fruits, vegetables, & salad in your diet and drink more water.
How many days maximum should one take it?
Are abdominal cramps normal?
1. Regular use is not advisable. However, one can use Kayam Churna as per occasional requirement. The regular use of Kayam Churna should not exceed from 2 weeks.
2. Abdominal cramps occur due to Senna leaves and these are normal to many people, but if cramps become severe and intolerable, or if one has tenderness in abdomen, then any medicine containing Senna Leaves should not be taken.
Age 9 plus female Dig. Pseudo obstruction
Can be safe for kayam tablet
Age 9 plus female Dig. Pseudo obstruction
Can be safe for Kayam tablet?
I have chronic headache. Recently I took kayam tablet for constipation and surprisingly it’s helping solve headache. Now I am confused which ingredient really solving my headache as I cannot take kayam tablet for longer period. Please do not mention any other ingredients as I tried so many things. Mention only ingredient from kayam tablet. Thanks.
Actually, headache might be due to constipation, so kayam tablet helps you to get rid of it. Changing diet might help you a lot.
As you asked, Haritaki and Mulethi are two common herbs used for headache as well.
Is thaleesapathradhi choorna harmful while pregnant?
I have not taken Kayam churan before but took it twice in 1 week. I am 3.5 months pregnant. Is it going to affect the baby?
I am having sugar and high BP. Can I take Kayam Churna tablet?
My son is suffering from chronic kidney bailout. Can he take Kayam tablet for constipation?
Kayam tablet contains black salt, so it is contraindicated if patient has high sodium level in the blood.
It also contains Licorice (Mulethi), so if patient has low potassium level, it is contraindicated. Licorice is known for causing Hypokalemia (low potassium level). Generally, patient with kidney disease has high potassium level. So, it can also be given in such cases.
Senna also has side effects, but it can be given to patient with kidney disease. Other ingredients have no major contraindications.
If these things are not applicable to the patient’s health, then it can be given. But regular use should not be encouraged.
Kayam Churna contains black salt, which is also rich source of sodium. If you are on sodium restriction diet, then you should not take it, or you should limit sodium intake from other food sources.
She takes one and half kayam tablet for gas and ulcer problems. Now she’s passing loose stools. How can stop this?
You may need to stop it. There are several medicines that can help you with gas and ulcer.
Kayam Churna should be avoided. Take plain harad powder instead. You can get addicted to kayam churna if taken on daily bases. You can clean out our intestine with saline laxative once a month and take Harde or dietary fiber to keep you your intestine clean. Take probiotics if possible.