Kayam Churna: Uses, Benefits, Side Effects and More

Introduction

Kayam churna is an Ayurvedic preparation readily available at a chemist’s store. A lot of Indians use kayam churna for various stomach-related problems. In the Indian traditional medicine systems such as Ayurveda, Siddha, Unani and Naturopathy, the use of ‘churnas’ has been recorded. Ayurveda defines churna as a fine powder of one or more ingredients in dried form. Kayam churna is an Ayurvedic formulation. It is a balanced blend of seven incredible Ayurvedic ingredients, namely Senna leaves, Mulethi, Ajwain, Black salt, Nishoth, Haritaki and Svarjikshara. Senna leaves (Cassia angustifolia) are the major ingredient of kyama churna. Kayam churna may work against a vast array of stomach disorders like diarrhoea, heartburn, constipation, gas, peptic ulcer and acid-reflux disease¹.​​ Let us discuss the health benefits of kayam churna, its nutritional composition, properties, uses and more. 

Nutritional Composition of Kayam Churna

Kayam churna may contain the following ingredients: 

• Senna leaves: 100 g
• Black salt: 36 g
• Ajwain: 23 g
• Nishoth: 20 g
• Svarjikshara: 10 g
• Haritaki: 14 g
• Mulethi: 9 g

The bioactive compounds may include tannins, glycosides, flavonoids, alkaloids, steroids, saponins, and phlobatotannins¹. 

Properties of Kayam Churna

Kayam churna may have the following properties¹: 

• It may relieve constipation. 
• It may act as a laxative (may increase bowel movement). 
• It may enhance digestion. 
• It may relieve bloating. 
• It may reduce acid reflux. 
• It may reduce flatulence. 
• It may reduce the occurrence of peptic ulcers. 

Potential Uses of Kayam Churna

The potential uses of kayam churna may be described as follows: 

1. Potential uses of kayam churna for constipation

Kayam churna powder may provide instant relief from constipation. As per a study¹ done by Gupta et al. in 2022, the main ingredient of kayam churna is senna leaves. It may play a major role in correcting bowel movements. Kayam churna contains seven herbs, making it one of the most potent natural preparations for constipation. It may increase muscular movement in the stomach, making the food move faster through the intestine. This may ease constipation and may help ease bowel emptying². However, if you suffer from constipation, consult a qualified doctor and do not self-medicate. 

2. Potential uses of kayam churna for bloating/gas

It is not uncommon to complain about gas in the stomach, which may lead to a painful bloating sensation. All the ingredients of kayam churna may help combat gas formation and relieve bloating. Senna leaves contain anthraquinones, which may have anti-bacterial activity and help remove harmful bacteria from the stomach and increase good bacteria. This may lead to a healthy environment in the stomach and alleviate discomforts such as gas and bloating². However, more studies on humans are needed to suggest the uses of kayam churna for gas and bloating. Therefore, if you have any such stomach issues, consult with your physician and only use it if advised. 

3. Potential uses of kayam churna for digestion

Kayam churna is a herbal preparation containing mulethi, ajwain and senna leaves. It may act as a dietary supplement for various digestive problems. It may help boost the functions of the digestive system. It may help break down the food in the stomach and help it to get digested so that all the nutrients get absorbed into the body. It may also help with indigestion¹. However, this information is insufficient; more human studies are needed to support the benefits of kayam churna in digestion. 

4. Potential uses of kayam churna for jaundice

Jaundice may be caused due to increased bilirubin levels in the liver. Ayurveda has been advising the use of dried senna leaves for managing jaundice. Senna leaves are the main ingredient of kayam churna, which may help regulate pitta production in the liver. It may act as a stimulant, which may help remove pitta from the body. Hence, regular intake of kayam churna ingredients might help avoid the occurrence of jaundice². However, more human studies are required to support the use of kayam churna for jaundice. If you have jaundice, take medical treatment and do not self-medicate. 

Other Potential Uses of Kayam Churna

• Kayam churna contains ajwain, haritaki and mulethi, which may help in keeping the lungs and respiratory tract clean. It may help clear out any blockages that might trouble you during a cold and cough¹.  
• It may contain mulethi, which may help reduce the intensity of infections such as a sore throat⁴. 

Though studies show the potential uses of kayam churna in health conditions, these are insufficient, and there is a need for further studies to develop the scope of the benefits of kayam churna on human health.  

How to Use Kayam Churna?

You may use kayam churna: 

• It may be taken as it is in the form of powder. 
• It may be taken with warm water. 
• It may be available in the form of tablets/candies. 

You should consult a qualified doctor before using kayam churna in large quantities. Do not discontinue or replace an ongoing modern medical treatment with an ayurvedic/herbal preparation of kayam churna without consulting an Ayurvedic doctor. They will guide you with its form and dosage per your health condition. 

Side Effects of Kayam Churna

Kayam churna in minimum amounts is considered safe. No major study reports the kayam churna side effects. However, the individual ingredient, if used alone in larger quantities, may have side effects as mentioned below: 

• Senna leaves may cause severe purgation and abdominal cramps, resulting in dehydration². 
• It may cause nausea, excessive salivation and increased thirst².
• Licorice roots or mulethi may lead to high blood pressure when taken in high amounts⁴. ​ 

If any side effects are seen after using kayam churna, immediately consult your doctor and get proper treatment. 

Precautions to Take with Kayam Churna

Taking kayam churna in small quantities may be safe. However, the following precautions are necessary:  

• One should not use kayam churna to self-medicate on their own. It is important to take a doctor’s advice and use it if recommended. 
• Breastfeeding women should avoid kayam churna as it may induce mild purgation (bowel-emptying) in infants². 
• Pregnant women must avoid kayam churna as it may lead to birth disabilities in children². Therefore, consult a doctor before using kayam churna during pregnancy. 
• If you have high blood pressure, avoid the intake of kayam churna as it might lead to hypertension⁴.

Interactions with Other Medicines

No study reports the interaction of kayam churna with other medicines. Therefore, more human studies are needed to study the safe use of kayam churna in humans. Consult an Ayurvedic doctor; they will guide you to a safe way to use it. 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

References

1. ​​Gupta P, Kendle A, Bhagat D, Khan M, Wakode P, Shah S, et al. Standardization and Quality control parameters of Kayam Churna. TMR Modern Herb Med. 2022;5(3):1–9. Available from: https://www.tmrjournals.com/public/articlePDF/20220829/69f027eb40445b0a3b045898c9bc2468.pdf 
2. Jalwal P, Middha A. Recent advances on senna as a laxative: A comprehensive review Ramchander, Pawan Jalwal, and Anil Middha. ~ 349 ~ Journal of Pharmaco and Phytoche. 2017;6(2):349–53. Available from: https://www.phytojournal.com/archives/2017/vol6issue2/PartF/6-2-92-932.pdf 
3. ​Anwar S, Ahmed N, Habibatni S, Abusamra Y. Ajwain (Trachyspermum ammi L.) Oils. Essen Oils in Food Preserv, Flavor and Safe. 2016;181–92. Available from: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/B9780124166417000195 
4. ​Licorice Root | NCCIH [Internet]. [cited 2022 Dec 11]. Available from: https://www.nccih.nih.gov/health/licorice-root 

Disclaimer: The information provided here is for educational/awareness purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for medical treatment by a healthcare professional and should not be relied upon to diagnose or treat any medical condition. The reader should consult a registered medical practitioner to determine the appropriateness of the information and before consuming any medication. PharmEasy does not provide any guarantee or warranty (express or implied) regarding the accuracy, adequacy, completeness, legality, reliability or usefulness of the information; and disclaims any liability arising thereof.

24

7