Child Care and Ayurveda -3

Ayurveda and Child’s Health – Pt. 3

In part 3 of Ayurveda and Child’s Health we discuss Ayurveda considerations and recommendations about spices, oils, Ayurvedic herbs, and therapies for children.

(3) Spices – To regulate metabolism in children between 2 years and 5 years, spices (not hot spices) are good to be used, which can be given sparingly only if they like the taste. Do not force hot spices on children as I have seen many mothers doing it because they feel that ‘children should get used to it’. Basically, the concept is ‘why cook separate food for the child – let her/him get used to it’. It is the most ignorant concept!

Spices are stomach-irritant and dry; so, the preferred and idle spices for children would be ginger, cardamom, cinnamon, fennel and coriander followed by basil, cumin (in little quantity) and turmeric (for its antiseptic properties).

Spices help in clearing the mucus and improving a child’s mental function.

(4) Oils – Oil, in small amounts, is required in every child’s diet to promote growth. But oily food causes mucus. Ayurveda states that the best oils in a child’s (between 2 and 5 years) diet are sesame oil and clarified butter. Clarified butter is less mucus-forming and helps tremendously in growth. You can use it in place of butter or in cooking (in place of oil).

Oil is also used in massaging the body and what could be better than sesame oil, that too, hot. This oil, when massaged on a child, nourishes the skin, calms the nervous system and helps to promote good and peaceful sleep.

(5) Ayurvedic herbs effective for children – Shatavari, Ashwagandha and Amalaki tops the list of herbs to be given to children between 2 years and 5 years, followed by Gotu Kola and Calamus. Other than these, there are other herbs that can be given to children.

Vacha (Calamus Rot/Sweet Flag) – expels worms
Kumari (Aloe) – cures intestinal worms and reduces intensity of diseases concerning the intestine
Nimba (Neem leaves/Margosa) – prevents chicken pox
Basaka (Malabur Nut) – relieves irritable cough and has de-worming action
Yavana (Omum Seed/Bishop’s Seed) – effective de-wormer
Karpura (Camphor) – eases chest pain due to cough and bronchitis [to be rubbed on the chest]
Haridra (Turmeric root) – effective remedy for expelling worms
Somalata (Ephedra) – useful in controlling bed wetting during the night
Yastimadhu (Licorice Root) – treats cold, cough, bronchitis, asthma, sore throat
Gotu kola (Brahmi) – has calming and tranquilizing effect (massage in oil form on the head)
Anantamula (Indian Sarsaparilla) – beneficial in loss of appetite, and best expectorant/cough reliever
Kharjura (Date fruit) – very effective for bed wetters
Kirot tiktum (Indian Gentian) – destroys intestinal worms
Ashwagandha (Winter Cherry) – contains growth promoting hormones, accelerates growth and increases height
Adrakam (Ginger root) – excellent for whooping cough and bronchitis
Punarnavo (Hogweed) – kills or expels intestinal worms
Alfalfa – builds strong immune system
Chandrasura (Watercress) – kills worms, treats anemia [rich in iron] and good for malnutrition
Shatavari (Asparagus root) – strengthens the eye sight, soothes nerves and induces peaceful sleep
Amalaki (Indian Gooseberry) – natural source of vitamin C, rejuvenates body cells, tones and strengthens the body organs, strengthens teeth, stops bleeding gums, rebuilds new tissues, increases red blood cell count, promotes lustrous hair, promotes strong nails and nourishes the bones

While getting the children treated, you must make sure that strong therapies are not used on them.

The herbs that should be sparingly used with children are rhubarb root, ginseng, golden seal and cayenne. It will be better to consult an Ayurvedic practitioner before giving these herbs.

(6) Therapies – dietary treatment, in the form of herbs or herbal supplements, is enough to treat any child, for that matter. At the same time, a child should undergo spiritual therapies, and what is better for a child than to learn yoga! This age, between 2 and 5, is the best time to learn yoga as the children are supple and agile.

Meditation is also an excellent therapy for children but hardly 1% to 2% are taught to meditate from very young. This is more so because of lack of knowledge in parents or other family members.

Both yoga and meditation help in changing their outlook and they grow up to be better humans.

For the purpose of sustenance, Ayurveda categorizes children as (a) sustaining on breast milk (b) sustaining on food and (c) sustaining on milk and food. Children in the first category (a) are least prone to diseases whereas, children in the second and third category [(b) and (c)] need care, and proper nurturing and looking after.

According to Ayurveda; spices, oils, Ayurvedic herbs, and therapies for children are also very important in the diet and health of a youngster. Ayurveda and Child’s Health places emphasis on all these things including dairy products for children. Be sure to consider spices, oils and therapies for your young child if you value Ayurveda’s Pediatrics knowledge.

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