Pet Saffa Granules
Pet Saffa has moderate laxative action, so it is useful for the treatment of acute constipation. It is used to treat constipation and prevention of several abdominal diseases occurring due to irregular or difficult evacuation of the bowels. Generally, these diseases include piles (hemorrhoid), fissures due to hard stools, abdominal discomfort, and distress associated with having bowel movement etc.
It has better formulation than commonly used Kayam Churna. However, the main ingredient (Senna) in both medicines is same. Pet Saffa contains 35% Senna leaf powder along with other safer and mild laxative like Isabgol, Triphala, Amaltas, Castor Oil etc., but Kayam Churna contains 50% senna.
Ingredients (Composition)
| Ingredients | 100 grams contains: |
| Senna leaves – Cassia angustifolia | 35 grams |
| Black Salt (Kala Namak) | 12 grams |
| Ajwain – (Carom Seeds) Trachyspermum Ammi | 10 grams |
| Isabgol – Plantago Ovata | 8 grams |
| Triphala (Amla, Bahera, Harar) | 9 grams |
| Sendha Namak – Rock Salt | 5 grams |
| Svarjiksara – Sodium Bicarbonate | 3 grams |
| Haritaki – Terminalia chebula | 3 grams |
| Amaltas – Cassia Fistula | 3 grams |
| Saunf (Fennel Seeds) – Foeniculum Vulgare | 3 grams |
| Sonth (Ginger Rhizome) – Zingiber Officinale | 3 grams |
| Nishoth (Trivrit or Turpeth) – Operculina Turpethum | 2.8 grams |
| Jeera (Cumin Seeds) – Cuminum Cyminum | 2 grams |
| Castor Oil – Ricinus Communis Oil | 1 grams |
| Preservatives | : |
| Sodium Methylparaben IP | – |
| Sodium Propylparaben IP | – |
Pharmacological Actions
Pet Saffa contains 35% senna, which is known for sennosides. Sennosides results in irritation of the bowel linings, which stimulates a bowel movement. However, it also contains other mild laxatives, which assists in the easier bowel movement. The other ingredients including fennel seeds, black salt, rock salt, carom seeds, cumin seeds help to prevent abdominal pains and cramps.
Medicinal Properties
Pet Saffa has following medicinal properties:
- Stimulant laxative
- Appetizer
- Digestive Stimulant
Therapeutic Indications
The main therapeutic indication of Pet Saffa includes Constipation. The main symptoms in which it can help are:
- Irregular bowel movement
- Difficult evacuation
- Hard stools
- Fissures due to hard stools (along with local application of Jatyadi Oil or any anti-fissure ointment)
Is Pet Saffa best for Constipation?
Pet Saffa is a natural laxative. Sennosides in Senna leaves are responsible for its laxative action. Generally, the products containing senna are recommendable for acute constipation. So, Pet Saffa is more useful for treating acute constipation and mild to moderate constipation. In these cases, it can be used as the first line of treatment.
However, it can also be used in chronic constipation for initial 3 to 7 days along with other medicines and dietary changes to treat chronic constipation permanently. But the long-term use of Pet Saffa in chronic constipation should be discouraged.
Dietary modifications are also essential to treat chronic constipation. In addition, ayurvedic medicines that provide strength to intestines and improve the liver function such as Abhrak Bhasma, Arogyavardhini Vati, Bhringrajasava, Bhringraj Powder, Drakshasava, and Kumaryasava etc. are more useful and effective in such cases. However, the beneficial effects of these medicines appear after a few days. Meanwhile, Pet Saffa can also be used along with these medicines for a few days.
Dosage & Administration
| The general dosage of Pet Saffa Granules is as follows. | |
| Children (Above 10 Years) | 50 mg per Kg weight, but should not exceed 2.5 grams per day |
| Adults | 5 to 10 grams (1 to 2 teaspoons) |
| Maximum Possible Dosage | 10 grams Per Day in case of Adults and 2.5 grams in case of Children |
| Doses: 1 Dose – Once a day | |
| Best Time to Take Pet Saffa: At Bedtime | |
| Adjuvant: Warm water (approx. 200 ml) | |
Safety Profile
Pet Saffa is possibly safe when used under the supervision of an ayurvedic physician. It contains Senna, which is a stimulant laxative. The stimulant laxatives should not be used on regular basis.
Side Effects of Pet Saffa
The excessive use of Pet Saffa can cause similar side effects of senna leaf powder. However, the tendency of side effects is possibly lower with Pet Saffa than Senna alone because of other ingredients added to counteract the side effects of laxative herbs in it. The possible side effects of Pet Saffa are listed below:
- Abdominal pain or mild cramps
- Watery stools, loose stools or diarrhea
- Abdominal discomfort
- Griping
- Faintness
The long-term use of Pet Saffa can cause following side effects or complications:
- Laxative habit
- Wasting (rare)
- Pigmentation of the colon (rare)
- Reversible Finger Clubbing (rare)
Pet Saffa in Children
Pet Saffa should not be used in children under age of 10.
Pregnancy & Lactation
However, Senna is not likely to cause or increase the risk of malformations the offspring of pregnant women suffering from constipation. (1)
But still, it can cause abdominal cramps and stimulate uterine contractions, which might not be safe for pregnant women.
Therefore, it will be best to avoid Pet Saffa during pregnancy. For pregnant women, the better option to treat constipation is Gulkand and Isabgol.
Contraindications
You should not use Pet Saffa in the following conditions:
- Uncontrolled high blood pressure due to sodium content
- Hyperkalemia – High Potassium Levels – Senna leaf powder in Pet Saffa can increase potassium level and make the condition worse.
- Abdominal Pain
- Severe cramps
- Diarrhea
Dependency on Pet Saffa
Dependency on Pet Saffa is rare when carefully used along with high fiber diet. A week therapy with Pet Saffa should improve the bowel movement. Try to avoid its regular use more than 4 weeks. During the treatment course, you should also improve your diet. Include 3 to 4 servings of vegetables and 2 to 3 serving of fruits in your diet.
