Ayurvedic Proprietary Medicine

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)

Ingredients100 grams contains:
Senna leaves – Cassia angustifolia35 grams
Black Salt (Kala Namak)12 grams
Ajwain –  (Carom Seeds) Trachyspermum Ammi10 grams
Isabgol – Plantago Ovata8 grams
Triphala (Amla, Bahera, Harar)9 grams
Sendha NamakRock Salt5 grams
Svarjiksara – Sodium Bicarbonate3 grams
Haritaki – Terminalia chebula3 grams
Amaltas – Cassia Fistula3 grams
Saunf (Fennel Seeds) – Foeniculum Vulgare3 grams
Sonth (Ginger Rhizome) – Zingiber Officinale3 grams
Nishoth (Trivrit or Turpeth) – Operculina Turpethum2.8 grams
Jeera (Cumin Seeds) – Cuminum Cyminum2 grams
Castor Oil – Ricinus Communis Oil1 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 PowderDrakshasava, 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
Adults5 to 10 grams (1 to 2 teaspoons)
Maximum Possible Dosage10 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:

  1. Laxative habit
  2. Wasting (rare)
  3. Pigmentation of the colon (rare)
  4. 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:

  1. Uncontrolled high blood pressure due to sodium content
  2. Hyperkalemia – High Potassium Levels – Senna leaf powder in Pet Saffa can increase potassium level and make the condition worse.
  3. Abdominal Pain
  4. Severe cramps
  5. 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.

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Dr. Jagdev Singh

Dr. Jagdev Singh is a qualified Ayurvedic Practitioner and Herbalist with B.A.M.S. and M. Sc. in Medicinal Plants. He has a wealth of experience in using Ayurveda to treat patients, including the use of herbal medicine and personalized Ayurvedic diets. His passion for spreading accurate and scientific information about Ayurveda and Medicinal Plants led him to create Ayur Times, a trusted resource for those seeking reliable information on the topic. Through his dedicated work, Dr. Singh has helped thousands of patients find relief and improve their health with Ayurveda and Herbal Medicine.

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