Children’s Healthcare in Ayurveda

Children are the future of a society. Only a healthy child can make a society strong and healthy. A child, constitutionally, after birth remains weak in all respects due to its underdeveloped immunity and body constituents. They are not matured in respect of their intelligence, wisdom and physical activities. They are more vulnerable to injuries and infections. So, it is important to support their immunity and give regular observations to monitor their all-round development.
Ayurveda, one of the oldest systems of health care in the world has a branch known as Kaumara bhritya or Bala chikitsa (Pediatrics) that explains regarding the care of children and treating their health problems. Childhood is the kapha stage in life, that is directly related to our physical structure and is the primary support for all anabolic processes that occur in the body. Kapha is ruled by the water and earth elements, and it governs our fat reserves, fluid balance, hydration and tissue nourishment-all of which are instrumental in the rapid growth and development that so uniquely characterize childhood.
Balachikitsa, the branch of Ayurveda deals with the care of children which includes care of the newborn, infant feeding, clinical examination of children, dentition, management of childhood diseases and principles of treatment and therapies in children. Based on signs and symptoms, and possible complications management of childhood ailments are done.

AYURVEDIC APPROACH IN CHILDCARE

• Diet: We can keep kapha in check by feeding kids a balanced diet focused on naturally light and fibrous foods like fresh fruits, vegetables, legumes and whole grains. These foods should be cooked along with spices such as garlic, ginger, cinnamon and turmeric, and serve them warm.
• Lifestyle: Maintaining a strong level of physical activity is one of the most supportive life style choices that we can encourage children to make because it improves circulation in blood and the lymph, balances energy levels, supports the proper flow of nutrients and bolsters detoxification mechanisms through out the body organs and tissues. Regular exercise in the form of play can dramatically curb kapha’s problematic tendency toward stagnation.
• Herbs: Support the digestive fire by using the herbs like cinnamon, coriander, cumin turmeric and trikatu with honey.
• Routine: Following regular daily routine in sleep, food and lifestyle is important for your child’s overall health and wellness. Routines creates safety, stability, and trust for a child’s nervous system while supporting their physiology to develop healthy habits. Discipline is an important aspect of maintaining routine nad their by supporting over-all well-being.
• Oil massage: Abhyanga with oil (coconut oil or sesame oil) can be incredibly calming and soothing to a child’s nervous system and it benefits both the physical body and the more subtle realms of consciousness.
• Yoga and Pranayama: Children can learn very early the value of being present with their bodies and with their breath. Simple pranayama techniques and yoga poses (lion pose, puppy pose, downward dog) are good for the kids.

As it is an essential part of childhood to get sick from time to time, it is helpful to have a few ideas on more specific ways to support a child’s optimal health. Here are few suggestions:

• Chyavanaprash : The traditional Ayurvedic formula is a strong rejuvenative, which supports the physiology of childhood while bolstering the immune system. One teaspoon of Chyavanaprash followed by 1 glass of warm milk is helpful in the fall and winter.
• Spiced honey : Give ¼ teaspoon of herbs (black pepper, cinnamon, cardamom, ginger or turmeric) with 1 teaspoon of honey to improve the digestive fire and clear the excess doshas.
• Teas : Warming, clarifying herbal teas such as ginger tea and licorice tea can be served with a teaspoon of honey to support the respiratory system.
• Garlic and Ginger : Cook your food with generous amount of ginger and garlic to clear excess kapha and strengthen the immune system.
• Hot steam and bath : These are very useful when children are experiencing an accumulation of Kapha anywhere in their respiratory tract.

REMEDIES FOR HEALTH ISSUES AND DISEASES IN CHILDREN

COLIC AND CONSTIPATION

These are one of the most common problems in infants and early child hood. Sometimes they are associated with poor appetite and vomiting. Constipation and imbalance in breast milk and/ or diet are the most common causes for digestive problems in kids. A lot of ayurvedic herbs and formulas are well known for curing constipation in toddlers and children. On top of that most of the time, personalized treatment plans are required to address the problems from root.If your child face constipation issues, then diet modification is very important. Foods that are rich in natural laxatives like soaked raisins or dates, honey, bran, sesame seeds, mango, papaya, grapes, and fresh figs are very useful. Always make sure that you make them drink plenty of water and they get enough high-quality oils, plenty of high fiber foods that prevent constipation.Ayurveda offers holistic care with safe natural herbal combinations and therapies to address and prevent the health issues in infants and children. At Liv Ayurveda, our qualified practitioners are experienced in treating children and we have a wide range of herbal formulas suitable for children available in our store.

COLD AND FEVER

As explained before Childhood is Kapha time and Kapha is prone to stagnation. Stagnation of Kapha leads to increased mucous and reduce drainage, leading to respiratory diseases and infections, sinus problems and allergies. Keeping children active and out door and reducing Kapha foods rea very helpful in such instances. Home remedies such as ginger juice, lemon juice or basil juice with honey helps for soothing cough, sore throat, cold and decongesting the sinuses. Meet our expert at Liv Ayurveda for a personalized Ayurvedic treatment for chronic or severe cases of respiratory diseases and allergies.

ECZEMA

Eczema is the inflammation of the skin that affects around 30% of the children. A holistic care is important in eczema to get substantiate results. Early management of eczema helps in better control in children and there by improved growth and development. Daily care of skin irrespective of the presence of symptoms is very important in eczema. Improving immunity and avoiding irritants by reducing toxin accumulation are the key aspects of Ayurvedic management of eczema. Ayurveda offers very effective and popular treatment plans for child hood eczema. Visit Liv Ayurveda to know more.

DEVELOPMENTAL AND OTHER HEALTH ISSUES

Ayurveda offers time tested therapies and lifestyle advices for better developments in children. These remedies are very helpful in addressing Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD), Attention Deficit and Hyper Active Disorder (ADHD) and other neurological conditions. Our Ayurveda experts at Liv Ayurveda are experienced in supporting families with holistic care plan for developmental and/ or learning disabilities in children.There are a wide variety of Ayurvedic herbs and home remedies for children. Almost all of these remedies are natural, safe and very effective when it is used in appropriate doses. Consult our experts at Liv Ayurveda for a personalized Ayurvedic treatment for your child/ children.