Paediatrics in Ayurveda Jan2014

Dr Durga Prasad Dash, M.D.
(Ay) an Ayurvedic Paediatritian, completed Post

Graduation on the subject of Kaumarabhritya from Utkal University in Odisha, India
in 2001 and Ph.d. on the same subject at the National Institute of Ayurveda affiliated
to Rajasthan University at Jodhpur, Rajasthan, India in 2009. He has undertaken Post
Graduate teaching at the Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences, Bengaluru, in
Karnataka and at the Maharashtra University of Health Sciences at Nasik, Maharashtra,
India. He has about ten years of experience in Post Graduate teaching. He has
published a monograph on Paipalades Garbopanishad in 2006 and has contributed
to the journal Aryavaidyan. He is currently an Associate Professor at the Post Graduate
Department of Kaumarabhritya, Loknethe Rajaram Bapu Patil Ayurvedic Medical
College and Research Institute, Islampur, Maharashtra. He can be contacted at
dpd75@rediffmail.com
Paediatrics in Ayurveda
About the Author
Paediatrics
Ayurveda
IN
for Ksirapa
Ksira Annada
& Annada
isu
Ayurvedic Cikitsa
3rd Cross Road, Taramani Institutional Area

Chennai 600 113, INDIA
Phone: +91-44-2254 1229 / 2254 1698
Fax: +91-44-2254 1319 / 2254 1645
Web: www.mssrf.org
ISBN 978-81-883552-3-5
Dr. Durgaprasad da sh M. D. (AY ), Ph. D .
M S Swaminathan Research Foundation
DR. DURGAPRASAD DASH M.D. (AY), Ph.D.
PAEDIATRICS IN A YURVEDA
(A yurvedic C i k i t s a- f o r K s.i r a p a- , K s i- r a a n n a d a- a n d A n n a d a- S i s u)
Dr. Durgaprasad Dash M.D. (Ay), Ph.D

III Cross Road, Taramani Institutional Area
Phone: +91-44-2254 1229 / 2254 1698
Fax: +91-44-2254 1319 / 2254 1645
Web: www.mssrf.org
Paediatrics In A-yurveda was written by Dr. Durgaprasad Dash M.D. (Ay), Ph.D
First impression, 2014
Copyright Durga Prasad Dash, 2014
The views expressed in this document are those of the author and do not reflect
those of the Institution.
ISBN 978-81-883552-3-5
Typeset & Printing by DigitalAge Solutions & Services, Chennai
Paediatrics In Ayurveda
CONTENTS
Foreword
iii
Preface
Acknowledgements
vii
Indo Romanic Equivalent of Devana-gari Alphabets
viii
Introduction
Kauma-rabhr.itya
Navaja-ta Sisu Paricharya
Samska-ra-s
Ba-lagraha Vijan
5
9
14
17
Preventive, Protective and Promotive Methods
20
Nutritional Disorders in Children as per Ayurvedic classics

Karsya
Phakka
Parigarbhika
Quality of a-ha-r and their effect
Vedana- Parijana as per Kasyapa Samhita-
23
23
23
24
25
26
Vya-dhi Vijan
Prasav Ka-lina Vya-dhi
Vispho-ta
Ra-jika
Kamala-
.
Kukunaka
Ba-laro-ga Cikitsa-
27
27
29
29
29
30
30
ii
Swa-sa-vaha Samstha-na Ro-ga

Ka-sa Cikitsa-
Swa-sa
Ba-latisa-ra
Ks.i-ralasaka
Malavarodha
Chhardi
Charmaro-ga
Krimiro-ga
Jwara
Udaraso-o-la in Children
Dagdhavran.a
Dhoopana
31
31
35
40
40
44
45
46
48
50
51
53
53
Posology In General
55
Epilogue
56
Appendices
Appendix IA: Drugs and dosage of Ayurvedic preparations
Appendix IB: Explanations of terms used in processing of Ayurvedic Medicines
Appendix IC: Ka-santaka Cu-rna (An Ayurvedic Medicine for cough and cold)
Appendix IIA: Note on the Ayurvedic drugs and their source plants as mentioned in the text
Appendix IIB: List of Medicinal Plants
57
58
60
62
64
Photographs of some of the plants and plant parts between pages
70
Abbreviations
78
Glossary of Sanskrit Terms
79
Bibliography
91
iii
FOREWORD
his publication reflects the need that arose while working with tribal communities for reducing undernutrition in young children in Koraput District of Odisha.
Mothers and caregivers noticed that weight gain in children through quantitative and qualitative improvement of the diet was offset by attacks of illnesses that
affected the food intake of children. While exploring the preventive and curative
solutions to the problems, mothers who were already using home remedies from
locally available plants on an ad hoc basis, at times without success, expressed a
desire to know more about proven and time - tested plant based remedies for use
in some common childhood illnesses that could be handled at the household or
community level.
The daily life of the tribal communities is entwined with nature. The rich
biodiversity of the environment contains plants that are used by them for food,
medicine, fuel and housing purposes. Hence preparing medicines from locally
and easily available medicinal plants for common childhood illnesses was a logical
step towards helping families in managing them. Further, in areas where healthcare services are far off or access to services is restricted due to lack of adequate
infrastructure and facilities, solutions to minor ailments are easier to handle at the
household level.
yurveda, the Indian system of medicine that outlines a holistic prescription
A
for healthy living through diet, lifestyle and treatment of illnesses through
plant preparations, was the natural choice for this endeavour. The Biju Patnaik
Medicinal Garden and Research Centre of the M. S. Swaminathan Research
Foundation at Jeypore, Odisha, which has a mandate for promoting sustainable biodiversity conservation, had already enumerated several locally available
yurvedic Paediatrician
medicinal plants. We are indebted to Dr Durgaprasad Dash, A
Nayagarh, Odisha, for selecting the appropriate medicinal preparations mostly
containing locally available plants to help us implement the project and for writing
this book.
yurveda, its essential principles, approaches
The book gives a brief introduction to A
and definition of childhood, and feeding and childcare practices according to
Ayurveda. It describes the prevention and management of childhood illnesses
using locally available medicinal plants, especially in Odisha. It is hoped that for
iv
many of us who are familiar with concepts of health, nutrition and medicine only
through the works of Western authors and professionals this book would provide
an insight into such knowledge as existed since ancient times in our country. The
Appendices provide an insight into the methods used in Ayurvedic preparations
and dosages of medicines across age groups. A pictorial chart outlining a step
by step method for the preparation of Kasanthaka Curna, an Ayurvedic medicine
for cough and cold is given as an example. An index of the medicinal plants
mentioned in the text is provided. Photographs of some of the less commonly
known plants, along with the parts used, as available in crude drug markets, have
yurvedic
also been provided along with an explanatory note. Since classic texts on A
literature exists in Sanskrit and are beyond the reach of the common man, we
hope this book would be useful to all non Ayurvedic personnel engaged in promoting biodiversity conservation and or improving the healthcare practices and
nutritional status of the community through plant based remedies.
January 2014
Dr. K. U. K. Nampoothiri
Director, Biju Patnaik Medicinal Garden and Research Centre
MSSRF, Jeypore, Odisha
Dr. Rama Narayanan

Ford Chair for Women and Food Security
MSSRF, Chennai, Tamil Nadu
PREFACE
his book is specially written for the benefit of all those who work with the tribals
residing in the forest areas of Odisha and who are interested in preparing home
remedies for the management of common ailments in children.
M. S. Swaminathan Research Foundation has played a key role in bringing out
this book as this is an outcome of a project currently in execution in Odisha
yurvedic treatment as part of the project for the
wherein they have incorporated A
benefit of the tribals residing there. Its my pride and privilege to be a part of this
project, and on behalf of the Foundation, engage with the tribal people discuss
their health problems with their Vaidya known as Dissari and introduce the use of
herbal drugs in the treatment of various ailments, especially in the management
of childhood diseases. Under the direction of Dr Rama Narayanan, Ford Chair for
Women and Food Security, MSSRF, Chennai, the project was implemented and
its benefits have reached the rural tribals who do not have any recourse to underyurveda to address their
stand or make use of classical information available in A
health concerns.
Initially I was hesitant to take up this stupendous task. It is not easy to explain
yurvedic classics to a modern
many principles and practices recommended in A
person for various reasons. One important impediment lies in communicating
to them in a language foreign to the writer as well as the reader. Many scientific
or clinical terms in English that are in practice as equivalents of Sanskrit terms
yurvedic classics fall short of their purport and end up by being misused in the A
construed and, as a sequel, fail to achieve the very purpose of communication
and understanding for which they are being used. Quite often, the dismissal of
yurvedic concepts as baseless and unscientific has been due to this and what is
A
begun as a service to enliven our heritage results in failure. However, considering
the fact that it is with an objective to create awareness among the rural people and
yurveda for the treatment of common diseases of their
for those who advocate A
children, I agreed to Dr Rama Narayanans suggestion.
It was indeed the confidence that my one-time guru and mentor Dr C.H.S. Shastry,
yurveda in the
who was one of the earlier Advisors to the Government of India in A
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, had in me that made him recommend my
name for associating with the project and writing this book when he was contacted in
vi
this matter. Ms. Savitha Satakopan, Member and Chair Person of The Pharmacognosy
yurvedic Pharmacopeia Committee, Ministry of Health and
Sub Committee of the A
Family Welfare, gave valuable help in identifying the plants and in providing their
correct Latin names as recommended in the Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia, Ministry of
Health. I am very thankful to Mr. Nishikant Patilji, the Chairman Loknethe Rajaram
Bapu Patil Ayurvedic Medical College, Islampur, Maharashtra for providing me
support in time to complete this work.
It has been indeed a rare privilege to work in collaboration with M.S.Swaminathan
Research Foundation, an institution of international repute. This institution
is today foremost in all aspects of food security thanks to the able guidance of
Dr M. S. Swaminathan a brilliant professor, eminent academician and research
scientist, popularly known as the Father of the Green Revolution. His inexhaustible
enthusiasm and particular interest in pro-nature, pro-poor and pro-women projects
is well-known.
Dr Swaminathans encouragement, timely support and maximum co-operation
extended to the present project has enabled publication of the book for the benefit
yurvedic home remedies
of the rural people I am sure this will encourage use of A
with indigenous plants accessible to the tribal population. His perception that,
with proper methods and approaches, ancient lifestyles are relevant even in the
21st century has been the principal factor and encouragement to my efforts. I also
wish to record my appreciation of the efforts of Mr Akshay Panda, Senior Scientist,
MSSRF, Jeypore, Odisha, who was always present at the time and place when needed
and for helping me out in every possible manner. Last but not the least, I must
express my gratitude, my love and affection to all those who supported me directly
or indirectly to make this project a success.
January 2014
Durgaprasad Dash
vii
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
his book would not have been possible but for the effort of Dr Durga Prasad Dash,
Ayurvedic Paediatrician who found time to write it amidst a busy schedule with the
sole purpose of reaching out to a larger community about the fundamental concepts
in Ayurveda and the paediatric theories and practices propounded in that system.
The indirect but significant role played by the tribal community of Odisha in the
publication of this document needs mention. Their request for knowing about plant
based home remedies for treating common childhood ailments and a subsequent
intervention paved the way for this book. Special thanks are due to Mr Akshay Kumar
Panda, Senior Scientist of MSSRF, Odisha, who located and photographed some of
the less commonly known plants given in the Annexure.
A deep debt of gratitude is owed to the Director of Medicinal Plants Knowledge
Centre, Patrapada, Bhubaneswar and Head of Government Ayurvedic Medical
College, Bolangir, Odisha for allowing us to photograph the pictures of medicinal
plants in their Institutions. The contributions of Ms. Savita Satakopan, Chairperson,
Pharmocognosy Sub Committee, Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia Committee, Department
of AYUSH, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India in verifying
the botanical names of the plants, for critical suggestions on the content and for
providing the diacritical marks for the Sanskrit terms is gratefully acknowledged. She
also prepared the note for Annexure II. Ms. Hema Sukumars role for editing the
document needs special mention.
The financial support provided by the Ford Foundation and Global Alliance
for Improved Nutrition (GAIN) for the publication of this book is gratefully
acknowledged.
Dr. Rama Narayanan
Ford Chair for Women and Food Security
MSSRF, Chennai, Tamil Nadu
viii
INDO ROMANIC EQUIVALENTS OF DEVANAGARI ALPHABETS

a
cha
Ya
a-
Ja
Ra
Jha
la
i-
~
na
va
T.a
sa
u-
Tha
s.a
r.
da
sa
dha
Ha
ai
n.a
Ks.a
Ta
~
Jn
au
Tha
Tra
m.
Da
h.
dha
Ka
na
Kha
pa
Ga
pha
Gha
Ba
.
na
Bha
ca
Ma
INTRODUCTION
yurveda is founded on certain basic principles that have a permanent relevance

A
yurveda. The greatness of A

yurveda is that
and may even be said to be the soul of A
it has survived through centuries, preserving and retaining its authenticity and is
still a very viable form of medical practice in the modern world. The fundamental
yurveda is applicable to all situations related to the good health of
principles of A
people even to-day. It is holistic in its approach. It addresses the root cause of a
yurvedic philosophy
disease along with the symptoms exhibited. The roots of A
are also embedded in the Indian philosophy. Ayurveda explains life, birth, rebirth and death; in effect it encompasses all aspects of life. It explains what Hita
(Wholesome) is and what Ahita (Unwholesome) is the two aspects that are
responsible for healthy individuals as well as the diseased one.
yurvedic
Many a disease, especially in childhood, can be treated properly through A
medicines. Health of infant and toddlers, from conception to early childhood, depends on the health of the mother. Deficiency of nutritious elements
in the mothers diet will definitely affect the intellect, the structural growth and
the functioning of the neural tube in the foetus. Optimal nutrition and healthy
atmosphere for the mother is essential for the survival and development of a
healthy child. In children nutrition, growth and development are intricately interlinked. Aberration in one aspect of nutrition tends to influence the mental and
physical development of the child significantly and even adversely. Breast feeding
for appropriate duration and weaning by the introduction of other healthy diets at
the appropriate time are two practices that can prevent morbidity and mortality in
children.
yurvedic principles have laid maximum emphasis both on preventive and curative
A
aspects. It is considered that wholesome diet and proper maintenance of regimen
are the key factors for prevention of diseases. Two types of diet i.e. wholesome
and unwholesome diet have been mentioned in the classics for different diseases,
different races, and for different habitats. Similarly, proper and improper maintenance of daily regimen or seasonal regimens have also been mentioned.
Improper maintenance of daily and seasonal regimen is considered the root
yurveda believes that the basic cause of all diseases are the
cause of all diseases. A
malfunctioning or the imbalances among the Dosha-s (three doshik factors viz. va-ta,
pitta, kapha), Dha-tus (seven body elements viz. rasa, rakta, ma-msa, meda, asthi, majja,
sukra) and Mala-s(three external secretions viz. mu-tra, purisha and sweda) since
these constitute and contribute to human pathology.
During childhood children are exposed to various allergens viz. cold air, dust,
smoke, pollens, animal dander, feathers and wool, house dust mite etc. which
act as a triggering factor for respiratory and skin diseases. Children are more
vulnerable to allergic problems because of their low immunity during developmental stages. Many children are allergic to particular food or food preparations.
Exposure to these triggering factors produces different kinds of diseases. For
example in the case of URTI (Upper Respiratory Tract Infection) dust, cold air,
and respiratory syncytial virus are the causative factors which lead to symptoms
such as rhinitis, sinusitis, throat infections and lower respiratory tract infections
leading in turn to cough, fever and dyspnoea.
, Dha
tu and Mala
Concepts
Dosha
yurveda describes that the body is made up of dosha-, dha-tu and Mala-. Dosha- means
A
tridosha- i.e. 3 types those are va-ta, pita and kapha, and five sub-types of each
dosha-. Dha-tu means sapta dha-tu i.e. 7 types those are rasa, rakta, ma-msa, meda,
asthi, majja, and sukra which are considered as the vital tissues for survival. Malameans trimala- i.e. 3 types viz. mu-tra, puri-sha and sweda which are the excretory
products. Dosha-, Dha-tu and Mala- are the basic constituents of the living beings.
Imbalance of any one factor due to certain reasons can be the cause of a disease.
yurveda emphasizes that the A
ha-ra and Viha-ra (diet and regimen) are the direct
A
factors and Desa, Kala (geographical distribution and environmental conditions)
are the co-factors of diseases. Among the tridosha-s, va-ta has its own force with
velocity whereas pitta and kapha are stable ones. Both are energized and accelerated into force of action with the help of va-ta dosha-. When Va-ta, Pitta and Kapha are
in balance, a normal or healthy state is achieved. Saptadha-tus are the structural and
biologically active tissues of human body which maintain the bodys physical status
and the power of genesis. Mala- are the excretory by-products such as urine, stool
and sweat.
bhu
ta Concepts
Panchamaha
Panchamaha-bhu-ta concept is the most significant part in Ayurveda as well as in
ka-sa (ether) are
astrology. Prithvi (earth), Jala (water), Agni (Fire), Va-yu (Air) and A
the five basic constituents or matter of the body, and the whole universe. There
ka-sa Va-ta
is a relationship between Panchamaha-bhu-ta and dosha-s e.g. (a) Va-yu and A
dosha; (b) Agni or Teja Pitta dosha; (c) Prithvi and Jala Kapha dosha. Panchatanmatra
(the five root or basic energies) are the innate potentiality of thePanchamaha-bhu-ta.
Prithvi maha-bhu-ta has the innate quality of Gandha ( perception of smell), Jala mahabhu-ta has the innate quality of Rasa (taste perception), Agni maha-bhu-ta has the
innate quality of Ru-pa (colour perception), Va-yu maha-bhu-ta has the innate quality of
ka-sh maha-bhu-ta has the innate quality of Sabda (sound
Sparsa (touch perception), A
perception). It is believed that matter which is present in the world is also present
in the human body in a subtle form.
nya and Visesa Concepts

S
a ma
.
The concept of sa-ma-nya (similarity) and Vises.a (dissimilarity) could be better
explained as per the dietary habit of individuals. The food that we consume,
if similar to the body constituents, then those similar constituents in the body
gradually increase. For example, animal meat is directly similar to the meat
of the human body. So, in people who consume meat it will increase their body
flesh called Ma-msa Dha-tu. The qualities of milk are guru (heavy), seeta (cold),
snigdha (soothing) and are similar to the qualities of the Kapha dosha- in the body.
For example, if one will consume cold milk daily he will suffer from kapha vitiated
diseases. Inactivity or laziness of individuals increases due to which the recipient
will not be able to digest properly thereby decreasing the body mass. This is an
example of Vises.a concept. Kapha dosha- increases due to laziness and exercise
reduces Kapha Dosha-. Use of oil reduces Va-ta dosha- as they counterbalance each
other.
ka and Prabha
va Concepts
Rasa, Gun.a, V -i rya, Vipa
yurvedic drugs and how they work in different conditions are
The influence of A
due to their Rasa (taste), Gun.a (character), Vi-rya (potency), Vipa-ka (meta
bolism) and Prabha-va (influence). Drug action depends on one of these factors
yurvedic medicines accommodate these principles and also
or all simultaneously. A
explain the concepts of occurrence of a disease. The action potential of individual
drug is different. For example, all madhura rasa drugs are vrumhaniya (anabolic
or increases body mass) in nature. However, honey though having madhura rasa
is langhan.iya in action (reduces body mass or fat) due to its anurasa as Kasha-ya.
(Anurasa in this context means after taste or hidden taste, and Kasha-ya means
astringent i.e. honey though has its primary taste as sweet has an astringent taste
which acts to reduce body mass.) Ayurveda believes that drugs may have a primary
taste, but there is chance of presence of some hidden taste by which the action of
the drugs differ from one another, though the primary taste may be the same.
The Raw Materials Used in Ayurvedic Medicines

The crude drugs used as raw materials in the Ayurvedic formulations are derived
from natural sources. They are classified as those from Earth referred to as
Stha-vara, (stationary) and those from Animals, referred to as Jangama (mobile).
Both plant, mineral ores and pure mineral drugs are from the earth, and are
known as Padapa, Dhatu and Khanjia respectively. Although a majority of drugs
are innocuous, there are several, acknowledged to be poisonous in nature,

capable of providing adverse reactions even in normal doses. Some examples
are N
ux-vomica seeds, the poisonous species of Aconites, Opium, Cobra venom,
Arsenic, Mercury etc. Their use in medicines are recommended only after very
elaborate detoxifying processes, which render them non-poisonous and bereft
of their original toxicity. A rule of thumb quoted for such detoxification is that
the toxins of the Sthavara drugs may be treated with Jangama drugs and vice
versa. For example, Gomutra (cow urine) is one of the fluids commonly used for
the detoxification of, say, iron or aconite. Similarly, arsenic and mercury must be
treated with various plant juices in a serial manner before they can be certified
as usable. Ultimately, Ayurveda holds that even a poisonous drug, processed in the
manner recommended in classics and administered in the right dose after proper
diagnosis cannot have any adverse effects, whereas even the most harmless of
drugs can produce deleterious effects if not handled properly by a vaidya.
KAUMARABHR.ITYA
yurveda began about 3000 BC, and was

It is generally believed that the history of A
claimed as a gift from God. The lineage is popularly described as follows:
Ayurveda Parampara
BRAHMA PRAJAPATI ASVINIKUMAR
INDRA
KASYAPA, VASISTA, ATRI, BHRIGU, KAASYAPA
VRUDHAJIVAKA JIVAKA
ANAYASA YAKSHA VATSYA
NEPAL RAJAGURU PANDIT-HEMARAJ SHARMA

The earliest of physicians were the Big Three, Caraka, Susruta and Vagbhata- whose
works Caraka Samhita-, Susruta Samhita- and As.ta-nga Hr.daya respectively are now
termed as Brihatrayi. These classics are the origin of many medical treatises that are
followed by various scholars and are quoted even today. Among the various branches
of medicine that these treatises dealt with, Paediatrics (Kauma-rabhr.itya) is one.
Kauma-rabhr.itya and Its Significance

Kauma-rabhr.itya, the Indian treatise of Paediatric Medicine deals with the care
of children. It consists of su-tras with implications of practical utility and justifies
clinical results. This branch of medicine has been considered as important in the
Bhrihatrayi as the following paragraphs indicate.
Brihatrayi in Ayurvedic Parampara

As per CARAKA SAMHITA (Carakas text)
There are eight divisions (chapter headings) of Ayurveda provided, namely

Tasya-yurveda sya-nga-nyas..tau: tadyatha- Ka-yaci-iki-tsa-,

Sa-la-kyam, salya-pahar trukam, vis.agaravairo-dhi-ka prasamanam, bho-o-tavidya-,
Kauma-rabhr.ityakam, R
asa-yanam Vaje-e-ikaran.a-miti (Ref: Ch.su.30/28)
Kauma-rabhr.itya has been given 6th place.
As per SUSRUTA SAMHITA (Susrutas text)

Tadyatha- salyam, sa-lakyam, Ka-yaci-kitsa-, Bho-o-tavidya-,
Kauma-rabhr.ityam, Agadatantram, Rasa-yana tantram, Vaje-e-karan.tantraami-ti
(Su.su.1/7)
th
Kaumarabhr.itya has been given 5 place.
As per VAGBHATTA (A.S & A.H)

Ka-yaba-lagrahordhva-nga salya drams.t.a-jara vr..sa-na (A.S.su.1/6)
Ka-yaba-lagrahordhva-nga salya drams.t.a-jara vr..sa-na

As.ta-vanga-ni- tasya-husci-ki-tsa-yes.u samsri-ta- (A.H.su.1/5)
Kauma-rabhr.itya has been given 2nd place both by Astanga Samgraha and Astanga
Hridaya. (Astanga Samgraha and Astanga Hridaya are two texts written by two
different authors with the same name Vagbhatta. Astanga Samgraha was written
by Laghu Vagbhatta and Astanga Hridaya by Vriddha Vagbhatta).
The sage Kasyapa is considered the Father of Paediatrics as this sloka mentions.
Kauma-rabhr.ityamas.t.a-na-m tantra-n.a-ma-dya muchyate

yurvedasya mahato- deva-na-mi-va havyapaha
A
Anena hi- samvardhi-tami-tare Ci-ki-tsanti- (K.vi.2/Verse-10)
Kauma-rabhr.itya has been given 1st place only in Kasyapa Samhita-.
Kasyapa Samhita- is considered as the book of Kauma-rabhr.itya on the basis of
subject matter, as the contents are more related to the welfare of children.
However, the subject is also dealt with in different Samhita-s and texts. The
subject matter of Kauma-rabhr.itya is yet incomplete, due to the present nonavailability of source books and lack of literary research. In this book a few
topics are taken into consideration in brief as per their practical significance.
Kauma-rabhr.itya had 200 chapters originally, but only 78 are available. Ithas
Su-tras dealing with the welfare of the neonate and children up to the age
of 16 years. Mother and child care has been given special attention in
yurvedic classics.
ancient A
yurveda (the eight major branches of
This is the branch of Astanga A
yurveda) that begins with the care of a pregnant lady, management
A
of morbidity in a neonate and the care that is to be provided thereafter,
and the special care to be provided during the growth and development
stages of normal, healthy children from their birth to 16 years of age.
Definition
Kauma-rabhr.itya deals with the care of children, administration of mothers milk
and purification of mothers milk in cases of diseased mother, measures to prevent
Graha dosha- and treatment of disease (Su.su.1/7).
Classification of Kauma-rabhr.itya
Kauma-rabhr.itya can be classified as per the age division. The classification is
important to understand normal growth and development, nutritional needs,
disease pattern, diagnosis of disease and management. The age classifications are
given here with their relevant modern terminology for easy understanding.

Ba-la (Children) from birth to 16 years of age

Navaja-ta (Neonate) birth to 1 month of age
Ks.irapa- (Infant) from birth up to 12 months of age, where mothers milk
is the principal diet
Ks.i-raannada- (Toddler) from 13 months to 36 months, milk with cereals
such as rice, wheat, corn flour, green gram is the diet
Annada- (Childhood) from 3 years to 16 years of age, cereals especially
rice, wheat, legumes is the principal diet
Special Features
According to Charaka Samhita- the term Ba-la refers to the period from birth to
16years of age and all the childhood features written below is common in Ba-la
yurveda classics no distinci.e. the entire paediatric age group. (According to the A
tion is made till the age of 16 from birth as is done in Western medicine and so the
children in this entire age group are classified under the term Ba-la). The childyurvedic classics are as follows:
hood features described in the A

Kapha pradha-na ka-la There is predominance of kapha dosha- which is

responsible for the child to maintain a sleep pattern necessary for its
physical and mental growth.
Sukuma-ra ka-la This is the stage where a child is very delicate and will not be
able to bear physical and psychological violence of any kind. During this period
because of low vitality a child is vulnerable to different kinds of infection.
Asamprn.a dha-tu ka-la A stage of immature body tissues where there is
an innate quality of growth of all dha-tus, e.g. the 7 dha-tus as described in
classics are in their growing stage.
Kles.a asahis.nuta- Children in this stage become fatigued very fast, unable
to do hard and stressful work.
Para-dhe-nata- Dependant in nature both physically and emotionally.
They require the guidance of their parents or guardians to do their work.
Feeding and Dietary Regimen

yurveda. For the new born up to
Dietary regimen is known as a- hara vidhi in A
6 months mothers milk alone is recommended. Kasyapa Samhita- has given
importance to administration of fruits after 6 months of age under the heading
of Phalaprashan. Phala rasa is a rich source of vitamins and minerals and should
be started at 6 months of age. This is done to provide extra supplementation of
nutrients, to maintain health, and prevent nutritional disorders. Anna-prasan
should be started by 10th month and before one year of age. Phalapra-san is to be
continued along with annapra-san. (Phalapra-san weaning food with fruit juice
started after 6 months of age of child. Annapra-san weaning food specially
prepared with rice or wheat or both with sugar started after 10 months of age).
NAVAJATA SISU PARICHARYA
Care of Neonate
Growth and development of an infant directly depends on the care taken at birth
and during the neonatal stage. Neonates require certain specific care depending on
how they were delivered and the problems during delivery if any. Ayurveda describes
the pattern of delivery under sukha prasav (Normal vaginal delivery) and other
problematic conditions under Mudha-garbha cikitsa (obstructed labor). The severity of
mudhagarbha depends upon the etiological factors. There are two types of treatments
described in Sushruta Samhita Cikitsasthan chapter 15. (i) Ausadhi cikitsa (medicinal
treatment), (ii) Sastra cikitsa (operative treatment which can be compared with
caesarean section). If any klesa (stress) occurs pra-n.apratya-gamana (resuscitation)
methods are advised in different samhitas to make the newborn stress free.
Management of the Neonate

Step-I: Mukhavisodhan (Clearing of oral cavity)
After delivery mukha (mouth), ta- lu (palate), kant ha (throat), jihwa- (tongue)
be smeared with saindhav
should be cleaned with karpasa (cotton) which should
(rock salt) and sarpi (cows ghee). The caretaker must cut his/her nails and clean
the hands before performing the procedure (Ch.sa 8/43).
Step-II: Pra-n.apratya-gamana (to make the newborn conscious and stable)

Just after delivery the newborn is affected by labor stress. To overcome this
yurveda advocates gentle massage with Bala- taila, and creating a soft
condition, A
sound by rubbing two stones near the ear (A.H.ut.1/1-2). Charak Samhita- advises
sprinkling of cold water in the summer season and warm water in the winter
season over the face of the newborn baby. Fanning should be done with blackcoloured materials (Ch.sa.8/42).
Step-III: Na-lacchedana (cutting of umbilical cord)

When the child becomes stable, the umbilical cord should be cut at a distance
of 4 angula (approximately 4 cm) from the base of umbilicus (A.S.ut.1/5).
10
harak Samhita- advises to cut the umbilical cord by using silver or golden knife
C
and tie a knot with cotton threads. No medicine is required for cord care. If sepsis
occurs then use the oil made up of lodhra, yas.timadhu, priyangu, surada-ru and
haridra- p
repared with tila taila. Dusting over the cord area by using the powder of
the said drugs should be done (Ch.sa. 8/44).
Precautions
Ayurveda describes ardhadhar (half blunt and half sharp), tiryakadhar (sharp instruments) sastra for cutting of na-bhina-li. After cutting of na-bhina-li that should be tied
with karpasa (cotton) thread. Cut area should be protected from soiling and smearing with urine or stool.
Step-IV: U lva parimarjana (cleaning of vernix caseosa)

Newborns body is usually smeared with some white membranes from mothers
womb. In case where the amniotic fluid is less the smearing is more and thick.
yurveda. After delivery the newborns body should be
That is called Ulva in A
cleaned with dry and washed cloth. Saindhav (rock salt) and sarpi (cows ghee)
should be mixed and applied over the skin of the baby and wrapped gently with
cotton clothes to remove Ulva (Ch.Sa. 8/43).
Step-V: Garbhodaka vamana (stomach wash)

Foetus swallows Garbhodaka (amniotic fluid) inside the womb. After delivery that
should be cleared by administration of saindhav and sarpi through the oral cavity
(A.H.ut. 1/10).
Step-VI: Sna-na (bath)

After the newborn becomes stable and comfortable from labour stress and after
diagnosing his normal body conditions (i.e. the newborn must be active) bathing
can be done (Ch.sa 8/42). Sushruta Samhita- has emphasized particular bathing
liquids for baby bath (Su.sa 10/13).
These are as follows: Bathing liquids for specific conditions
Bathing liquids
Conditions
Decoction of stems/barks of Ks.e-ri vriksha (like (Vata,

Udumbara, Aswatha, Plaks.a, Pa-risa)
Sarvagandhodaka (Chandan, Agaru, Lavanga, Karpu-ra, Ela,
Tejpatra, Tvaka, Kankola, Kumkuma, Na-gakesara)
Dominance of pitta (Child has skin problems)
Raupya hema - pratapta va-ri (Water treated with silver/gold)
Loss of strength (Anaemia or other nutritional

disorders)
Kapittha patra (leaves) kashaya
Dominance of Kapha (For inactive child)
Dominance of va-ta (Dry skin)
11
The proportion of raw materials and water for bathing liquid has not been given
in the classics. Therefore, a rough estimate is used and one has to take the raw
materials and water in the ratio of 1:20 for preparing the decoction. Usually 20
times water is taken for bathing decoctions and filtered properly before giving
bath. The temperature of bathing liquid must be well tolerated by the baby. In
all seasons and in all conditions Raupya-hema-pratapta-vari (to prepare this, water
should be heated for 20 minutes with silver/gold) can be used as the bathing
liquid. The action of metals influences the health of the baby. The metals must be
removed before bath.
Bathing contraindication
This is usually in diseased conditions like Atisa-ra (diarrhoea), Jwara (fever),

dhmana (tympanites), Ajeern.a (indigestion), Annadvesha (loss of appetite), Netra
A
Ro-ga (eye disease), Mukha Ro-ga (disease of the oral cavity).
Step - VII: Raksha karma (protective measure)

yurveda advocates the following measures: (1) Taking small
Protective measures: A
raw branches of karanja, khadira, badari and pilu, tying them together with strings
and hanging outside the door of the nursery. Since these branches and leaves have
disinfectant properties this practice is to purify the air. (2) Sprinkling of krimighna
(insecticidal) drugs such as vidanga, siddha-rtaka, guggulu, agaru, chandan powder on
the floor of the nursery. (3) Sprinkling of coarse powder of Ta-ndu-la (sa-li) twice a day.
(4) Sa- nti homa should be performed in the house. (5) Amulets made of Vaca root,
Sars.apa, Hingu resin, Las.un.a bulb are tied to both the mother and the baby or can be
hung in the kumaragara. (6) It is described that two udaka kundas may be placed at
the head-side of the baby. This instruction seems to be for maintaining humidity.
Other Practices
Abhyanga
Abhyanga which is daily oil massage is a routine practice in the care of neonates for
their proper growth and development. This involves first head massage, followed
by the palms and soles and thereafter the entire body. Body massage should be
started right from birth.
Benefits

It helps to remove
Bad odour (daurgandhya) of the body
Heaviness (gaurava) or discomfort
Drowsiness (Tandra-) (here drowsiness should be considered as abnormal
sleep)
12
Itching (Kandu)
Dirt (Mala-)
Distaste (arochaka)
Unpleasant odour due to sweating (sweda bi-bhatsata)
Contraindications of Abhyanga
There are some disease conditions where body massage with oil should not
be given as it may increase the virulence of the disease. These conditions are
vitiated Kapha (respiratory distress conditions), Ajeern.a (indigestion), Agnima-ndya
ma (bowel disorder), and Jwara (fever).
(anorexia), A
Vastra dharana/cloth/bed (A.H.ut.1/33)

Bed, bed sheets, cloths and clothes used for children must be light, soft, clean and
fragrant. Dirty clothes should not be used. Therefore, high standard of hygienic
practice should be followed to avoid infectious diseases.
Vasana (dress), Sayana and Aastaran.a (bed and bedsheet), Aasana (seat), P
ra-varan.a
(coverings) should be washed properly. Swetavastra (white-coloured clothes) are
the best for all newborns.
Shastikarma
The rituals to be performed on the 6th night after birth for neonate is important.
yurvedic classics describe this night as dangerous for the neonate and
Most of the A
that is why people worship Shasti ma- ta (name of goddess) traditionally.
Ra-tricharya/Rutu charya
By following this, one can prevent diseases for the mother and become swastha
(healthy). One should not take heavy food, should avoid maithuna (intercourse),
and nidra (sleep) during sandhyaka-la (evening) (Bh.P). This is prescribed for lactating mothers to prevent the mother from getting infectious diseases.
Anjana (collyrium)
Anjana is usually used in the eyelid of infants. Because of its kapha hara and Ro-ga
na-saka property, it prevents various infectious eye disorders like Netrabhishyanda
(conjunctivitis).
Advice to the mother about childcare

(i) Child should be given exclusive breast milk 8 times daily in 24 hours up to
6 months of age followed by burping after each feed for 10 minutes in an
erect position to prevent aerophagia causing vomiting.
13
(ii) Mother should not feed in a hurry, but take the required time to feed the
baby to prevent infantile colic.
(iii) Mother is advised to cover the child with dry cotton clothes and change the
wet cloth soon after urination.
(iv) Mother has to note whether urination is more than 6 times per day to judge
the adequacy of breast feeding.
(v) Golden-yellow coloured, cheese like stool is a sign of good digestion and
moving bowels 10 to 14 times in 24 hours is normal and once in two days is
also considered normal in neonates.
(vi) Breast secretions - milk secretion from nipples of new born does not require
any treatment.
(vii) Vaginal secretions - vaginal white discharge or blood like discharge in new
born baby does not require any treatment.
14
- SAMSKARAS (RITES)
yurvedic Samhita-s give explanations about samska-ra-s and some of the

All A
samska-ra-sare celebrated as family festivals even today. Guhyasu-tras described about
yurveda accepts only 16 samska-ra-s performed from birth
40samska-ra-s from which A
to death. Three samskaras are to be performed for the pregnant woman. Those
are (i) Garbhadhan samska-ra- (ii) Pumsavana samska-ra- (iii)Simantonayana samska-ra-.
There are 10 samska-rs to be followed during childhood; those are (i) Jatakarma
(ii) Na-makaran.a (iii) Dolashayana (iv) Surya/chandra darshana (v) Niskraman.a
(vi) Karn.avedhana (vii) annapa-na (viii) Chu-dakarma (ix) Veda-rambha (x) Upanayana.
Five samska-ras are performed from youth to death; those are (i) Sama-vartana
(ii)Viva-ha (iii) Va-naprastha (iv) Antyes.t.hi. Samska-ra-s are rites and, with a little variation depending on their castes people perform them in their families.
(i) Ja-takarma samska-r

After delivery when the newborn becomes stable the baby should lick a mixture
of Ghr.ta (ghee) and Madhu (Honey). Dosage is recommended as the tip of index
finger of the newborn baby (Su.sa 10/13) i.e. one drop of each mixed properly.
After this mothers milk should be given from right breast first in an inclined
position such that the breast is above and the babys face is below (Ch.sa 8/46).
(ii) Na-makaran.a samska-r

Na-makaran.a means naming ceremony. On the 10th day of the birth of the child after
performing puja in the house, the naming ceremony should be started (Su.sa 10/24).
On the 10th or 12th day mangala homa and mantra should be performed by the priest
as per caste, go-tra, naks.atra and devata-. Two names should be chosen, one by the father
as per naks.atra and the other as per the familys choice (A.S.ut. 1/27-30).
(iii) Dolashayana samska-r

This samska-r should be performed on the 12th day for a male and on the 13th for
a female child. In the initial 12 to 13 days a baby is with its mother for constant,
continuous attention and observation for its well-being and later it is shifted
to a swing. Baby is separated from its mother by keeping it in a swing made of
suspended cloth (Dola). Baby sleeps comfortably in a swing.
15
(iv) Surya/chandra darshana

This samska-r should be performed at the end of 1st month of the childs birth. This
is to test macular fixation. The procedure is to show the child the morning sun
and the moon at night.
(v) Niskramana samska-r

When the baby is 4 months old on a holy day as per the decision of the priest the
baby is bathed, decorated and is taken out to temple with parents who perform
puja for the welfare of baby. One should sprinkle white mustard, honey and ghee
in the premises outside the home (K.Khi. 12/4-5).
(vi) Karn.avedhana samska-r

Karn.avedhana is ear piercing and should be performed in suklapaks.a on a holy day
after deciding naks.atra, tithi- and muhu-rta suitable for the baby. It must be done
within 6 to 8 months of age. The objective as described in the text for ear piercing
is for wearing ornaments and protection of the child (A.H.ut.1/28-32). Here the
belief is to protect from evil eyes; however, the use of gold perhaps helps prevent
baterial infections.
(vii) Annapra-s.ana samska-r

yurvedic classics and according to that
Annapra-.sana has been well described in A
Anna and Pa-na, i.e food and milk/water, appearing in pleasing colour (varna), smell
(gandha), taste (rasa) and touch (sparsa) are taken systematically. This is believed to
constitute the life of living beings and is the result of practical observation.
This food provides fuel (i-ndhana) for the maintenance of the gastric fire (jat.
hara-gni). It invigorates mind (satwa), it promotes proper distribution of body
elements (sareera-dha-tu), vitality (balam), complexion (varna) and theactivity of
the sense organs (indriya prasa-da). The anna are of four kinds asper origin and
preparation. (i) Eatables: (a-sitam) anna (ii) Drinkables: (peetam) peya, dugdha
(iii) Masticable: (Ghaditam) bhaks.yam (iv) Linctus: (leedham) lehya.
Annapra-s.an means diet along with breast milk. At 6th month child should be
given specially prepared cereals along with mothers milk (Su.sa. 10/49).
Ka-syapa described specifically about the administration of different fruit
juice after determining the digestive capacity of the baby. At 10th month rice
can be given along with ghee and salt. Particularly, preparations with old
raktasa-li rice, wheat, vid.anga (fruit of Embelia species), salt, ghee should be
given (K.Khi. 12/19-21). This is part of complementary feeding practices as we
know it today.
16
(viii) Cu-da-karma samska-r (Tonsure ceremony)

Cu-da-karma samska-r is also called Mun.d.ana samska-r. This is performed by shaving
for the first first time the scalp hair of the baby that it has had since birth (K.Su.
21stchap.). This helps in proper blood circulation to the scalp, helps hair growth
and ensures closure of the anterior fontanelle. It should be done between 1 and
3years of age.
(ix) Veda-rambha samska-r

Veda-rambha is school education. When parents observe that the childs physical and
mental growth is appropriate they send the child to school at about 5 years of age.
Both Upanayana samska-r and Veda-rambha samska-r is described in Rig veda but not
yurvedic texts.
defined in A
(x) Upanayana samska-r

Upanayana is traditional thread ceremony. In some castes this ceremony is
performed as a family function e.g. in Brahmin families for the male child. The
time period is about 57 years.
Some other samska-ra-s are described in some ancient texts but references are not
available.
17
BA LA GRAHA VIJANA (DEMONOLOGY)
yurveda i.e. one of the eight sub-sections of A

yurveda called
It is a branch of Astanga A
Bhuta-vidya because the disease is believed to originate from the influence of bhuta
yurvedic classics and Vedas
or graham (planet). This Bhuta-vidya as revealed in A
comprises a difficult and intricate subject matter, and particularly complicated for
interpreting the subject matter from the point of view of modern pathology.
Some diseases peculiar to infants and children said to be due to the influence of
yurveda. Though it is not
Graha is a unique aspect characteristically described in A
yurvedic scholars, the belief still persists.
well understood even today by the A
The definition of Graha and Bhuta are different as per their activities.

Graha: Graha described in different places, in different samhitas are

different. The approach and description resemble infections, vitamin
deficiency disorders and superhuman activities. Susruta samhita describes
graha as follows. That which produces unique characteristics in a human
being and influences his approach to life and how he deals with situations
is Graha and study of this gives one the power to probe and predict the
private and future events of ones life (Su.ut. 60/4).
Bhuta: Those that roam about in quest of evil and mischief in spite of thecelestial nature of their own divine origin have been termed Bhutas (Su.ut. 60/26).
yurvedic texts, Grahas (in modern terminology may be interpreted as

In the A
infectious organisms) have different identities and are classified as per their
.
morphology and character. These afflict children due to abhis.anga (direct contact).
These are not visible to the naked eyes.
Morphology, habitat and properties of graha:

1. Grahas are seen only by divine eyes.

2. Troops of grahas and their servants are numerous and they are fond of flesh,
blood.
3. Sushruta Samhita- describes the wounded one should be protected from the
night wanderers.
18
General Causes of Attack of Graha on Infants

The grahas, as per texts, affect a child in the following cases (Su.ut. 27/6-7, Su.ut.
37/18-20)

1. Where the conduct of a mother or a wet nurse during the time the child is
breast fed is not proper.
2. Where proper benedictory rites are not performed and the child is allowed
to remain in an unclean state.
3. Where the child becomes somehow uneasy, gets frightened or is rebuked or
begins to cry.
4. Children of the families in which the Gods, the Priests, the Bramhins, the
pious, the preceptors, the seniors and the guests are not properly worshiped
and attended upon.
5. Where cleanliness and virtues are not observed and family members do not
make daily offerings to the deities and give alms to beggars, or live on food
prepared by others and eat in broken bowls and plates of indian bell metals
evil spirits make their appearance to demand proper respect and worship.
They are omnipresent and invisible and enter the person or a child.
Sign of Graha attack: Piteous and frightened look, dryness of lips, throat and palate, crying, anxious appearance, wishing to eat but still unable to do so.
Management
(i) Keep the child in a clean room; (ii) Rub the body with old ghee; (iii) Strew
mustard on the floor; (iv) Burn a mustard oil lamp (Su.ut. 60/30).
Vagbhatta advices baths, massage, fumigations and internal medication.

1. Personal cleanliness like bathing should be given with the decoction of

leaves and bark of Lata-karanja, Vat.a, Tulasi, Indra-varun.i, Sami, Bilva, and
Kapittha.
2. Anointment all over the body with pastes of Chandana (sandal wood), karpu-ra
(camphor) and kasturi (musk - an aromatic secretion from special type of deer
called the musk deer) (Su.ut. 27/20).
3. Massage over the body should be done with old goghr.ta (cows ghee) (Su.ut.
27/19).
4. Dhoopana/Havana (Fumigation) should be given with the collected material
of urine (just wet the materials with urine) and faeces of dog, feather of
peacock, vaca, ghr.ta and sars.apa. Fumigation with those materials eradicates
all Ba-lagraha-s (K. dhupakalpa.1/22).
19
5. For internal administration ghee is made up of sveta sars.apa, vaca, hingu,

priyangu, haridra-, da-ruharidra-, manjistha-, kumbhi, haritaki-, bibhi-taka, a-malaki,
apara-jita, nimba leaf, karanja seed, siri-.sa seed, devada-ru, sunthi-, pippali, marica each equal part and total 4 times the weight of ghrita, all should be
boiled with water 8 times the volume of ghrita add goghr.ta 1 part. Prepare
this in ghr.tapaka method and use for internal medication. This is called
Siddharthaka ghr.ta (A.H.ut. 5/10-14). (Ghr.tapaka is the process by which all
raw drugs are cut into small pieces and crushed and dipped in hot ghee.
Here water, ghee and raw drugs are taken in the proportion of 8:1:4.)

Dose: 2.5 ml to 5 ml from 1 year to 3 years of age with luke warm water.
Advice: The mother should avoid Vyava-ya (sexual intercourse), madhya

(wine), pishitasevita (wrong food habits) should be avoided; parica-raka (caretaker ofthe child) must maintain cleanliness. Well-ventilated room should be
provided to the mother.
20
PREVENTIVE, PROTECTIVE AND PROMOTIVE METHODS
yurveda like Caraka, Sushruta, Va-gbhatta, Ga-ngadhar and

Ancient scholars of A
others contributed greatly to the promotion of good health and the prevention
of diseases. They found that the common factor for all diseases are Ka-la (time
factor), Indriya-rtha (psychic and somatic factors) and karma (deeds present and
past). (A.H. ut. 1/40) However, apart from these, several measures prescribed in
yurveda are described in the following paragraphs.
A
Environmental Sanitation (Preventive)

Homa: Ghr.ta, sigru, sarja, agaru, guggulu, karpura, devadaru, candan, sarjarasa,
nimba, rajika, gandhaka etc. are poured as offering to the sacrificial fire. Owing
to the influence of the Homa many kinds of disease-causing elements viz.
bacteria, virus and diseases like Masurika (measles), Vis.amajwara (typhoid) etc.
can be prevented through the aroma of the sacrificial fire.
Mantra (Vedic hymns): Mann means - to think, tra means to protect.
Therefore, the term mantra that which liberates and protects.
e.g. Om namo- bhagavate bhu-teswara-ya To prevent bhutopasarga (the mantra
for warding off evil spirits)
Vis.nu Sahasrana-ma for Gra-ha-ro-gas (for placating planetary evil influences)
.
when the patient has Abhis.angaja jwara (fever due to mental shock).
Jala sodhana: Water purification is essential to prevent diseases: Kataka,
Gomedaka (alamandine garnet), may be added to water for purification.
This is to prevent water-borne diseases.
Bali karma (Sacrifice of living or non-living matters): For graha Ro-gas like
skandha (infectious organisms), skandhapasma-ra (epileptic fits), bali karma
is advised. Paste prepared out of kumkuma, red flower garlands from
hibiscus (Japa-), sars.apa has to be kept in a Pala-sa (palasha) leaf and must
be placed in a place where four roads meet together in a nirjana pradesha
(uninhabited) as a bali (sacrifice) to the respective grahas (Su.ut. 60/31).
Kri-da bhoomi (playground): The ground should be sprayed with water medicated with vidanga, mari-ca. These drugs are krimighna (antiprotozoal), and
by this spray the ground becomes free from insects, protozoa and helminths.
21
The child will also avoid eating clay due to its bitter taste produced with the
effect of the drugs (A.H. ut. 1/56).
Janapadodhwamsajanya ro-gas: These are diseases which originate from
a common source of polluted air, land, and water and become epidemic
during some seasons, e.g. chicken pox, conjunctivitis, plague etc.
Therefore special efforts must be made to keep the environment clean and
use purified water only.
Sankra-maka ro-gas (contagious diseases): The diseases which are transmitted from one man to another by direct contact or through air or water are
called Sankra-maka Ro-gas, e.g. Kus.t.ha (skin disease), sos.a (tuberculosis), jwara
(fever), netra-bhis.yanda (conjunctivitis). Those are described as Aupasargika
Ro-ga in Sushruta Samhita-.
Vidyalaya: Properly illuminated and ventilated room should be provided in
educational institutions.
Kuma-ragara: The place where neonate is kept under care is called kuma-ragara
(nursery). Va-stu (dwelling place) vidya experts should construct buildings that
will be well-lighted, protected from direct wind, protected from harm-causing
animals and insects and with all facilities as per the need of baby. The nursery
should be provided with the necessary articles for different seasons (Ch. Sa.
8/59-60). The place should be free from darkness, and admit free air only
from outside (cross ventilation through windows). The place must be free
from Swapada (dogs, cats, and other animals), Damstrini (fanged creatures or
insects), mu-shika (rat), patang (flies). Well-located place for kitchen water storage, grinding, lavatory, and bath are necessary. Thus the home of the child
must be well-ventilated, clean and comfortable in all seasons (A.H.ut.1/32).
Raks.oghna drugs: Various raks.ogna (bacteriostatic drugs prevent organisms from multiplying, and thus protect) herbs such as vaca, kus.t.ha, hingu,
sars.apa, las.una, guggulu are kept in a packet and hung in the upper portion
of the front door frame of kuma-ragara.
Us.no-daka: Boiled and cooled water is free from bacteria and is mentioned
yurvedic texts. The unboiled water may produce diarrhoea and
as laghu in A
other disorders. Thus use of boiled water prevents various water-borne
diseases and is best for children (K. Khi.23).
Mritika bhakshana: This is a habit disorder where the child eats soil. Proper
care, supervision and nutrition should be provided to avoid this condition.
This is one cause for childhood anaemia and worm infestations.
Vya-dhiks.amatva (Immunity)
Vya-dhiks.amatva (Immunity) is innate in all human beings. Vya-dhikshamatva is
ones own power to protect ones body and develop self-resistance to fight against
22
yurveda,
ultiple harmful factors e.g. grahas (bacterias, parasites, virus etc.). In A
m
the basic factor responsible for this is described as Oja. It is described as having
two types in the body (i) para Oja (ii) apara Oja. The amount of para Oja is 8 drops
and it provides immunity to all the vital parts of body. Apara Oja is about half anjali
(palm) approximately 100ml. which is scattered all over the body for protection.
The place, appearance and power of action of Oja are difficult to explain and
yurveda has described Oja under ten vital points of life or ones survival
prove. But A
(Ch.su. 29/3).
As far as immunisation is concerned all Samhita-s have given emphasis for the use
of Suvarna (gold). The description given in Kashyapa Samhita- is as follows: The
physician sitting with his head towards to the east, should grind the rod of gold
on the grinding stone with little quantity of water. To this a little quantity of ghee
and honey should be added, and then, the child is made to lick this linctus. This
Suvarna pra-shana increases intellect, strength, digestive power, length of life and
is also spermatopoetic. This medicine is most sacred, auspicious and protects the
body from grahas. If it is given for a month it makes one mentally able, and free
from all diseases. If given for six months, he acquires the power of very quick
understanding (K.su. lehyadhyaya Chap.18/25-28).
Medhya Rasa-yana (Promotive)

Intellect Promoting (Ch.Chi. 1:3/30-31)
yurveda laid great emphasis on the promotion of intelligence of a child. That is
A
why different intellect promoting drugs are described in classics to be administered in different forms to children for getting optimal efficacy. Four single-drug
therapies are given below:

1. Brahmi (Bacopa moniera) leaf swarasa (juice)

2. Yas.timadhu (Glycyrrhiza glabra) cu-rn.a (stem powder)
3. Gudu-ci (Tinospora cordifolia) swarasa (stem juice)
4. Sankhapus.pi (Convolvulus pluricaulis) kalka (paste of the plant)
All the drugs are described in Charak Samhita- for administration to all age groups.
However, as it is difficult to administer in infants, it is better to give these drugs
orally above the age of one year. Swarasa dose up to 16 years is 5 ml and 716
years is 10 ml. Cu-rn.a dose up to 16 years is 12 g and 716 years is 35 g. Kalka
dose up to 16 years is 5 g and 716 years is 10 g.
23
NUTRITIONAL DISORDERS IN CHILDREN AS PER

A YURVEDIC CLASSICS
Nutrition is an important part for the survival, growth and development of

children. It also reduces infant mortality and helps to construct a healthy society.
yurvedic texts describe this under Apatarpanajanya Ro-ga. Though multiple factors
A
are responsible for this including poverty and ignorance, long-term nutritional
deprivat.i-on is a significant factor.
Karsya
If a child is given more of dry food items to eat, or less quantity of food, or
unbalanced food, or goes without food and therefore is hungry for long periods
of time everyday, cries a lot, has dry body surface (due to lack of oil massage) then
the child will suffer from Krishata (emaciated body) (Ch.su. 21/11-12).
Treatment
1. Vrn.han.a Cikitsa- (anabolic treatment by using more nutritional supplements)
Yoga: Suvarna bhasma 1 mg, goghr.ta 1 m1, vaca powder 125 mg, kus.t.ha
powder 125 mg should all be mixed well and given twice daily. This
amount of drug should be given once daily for a period of minimum one
month for those children between 15 years of age.
2. Aswagandha ghr.ta: 5 ml twice daily for children in the age group of 15 years.
3. La-ks.adi taila: La-ks.a is an exudation product from lac insect. Oil from La-ks.a
is used for massage all over the body. (Please note that a Vaidya alone can
prepare both Aswagandha ghr.ta and Lakshadi taila.)
Phakka
Slow mobility or lack of mobility (K.chi. 17/40)
Kashyapa Samhita- has described 3 types of disorders due to nutritional deficiency.
If a child is unable to walk after attainment of one year of age, the child might be
suffering from Phakka. Phakka is the term used to describe weakness in movement
due to nutritional deficiency in children. Samhita- described three types ofPhakka as
per the cause. Those are (i) Ks.i-raja phakka (ii) Garbhaja phakka (iii)Vya-dhija phakka.
24
(i) Ks.i-raja phakka: If child consumes breast milk which is vitiated with kapha dosha-,
that milk is bad for the child. That milk causes multiple diseases, due to which
the body becomes emaciated and that condition is called Ks.i-raja phakka.
(ii) Garbhaja phakka: If the mother of the child becomes pregnant again while
the first was still on breast milk, the body automatically prioritizes and the
nutrition will go first to the new foetus for its proper growth and maturation
in the uterus. Due to early cessation of breast milk in the mother the breastfed older child suffers nutritional deprivation and the disease that occurs as
a result is called Garbhaja phakka.
(iii) Vya-dhija phakka: The child suffers from nutritional deficit due to
endogenous and exogenous causes such as long-term fever. The childs
strength and lustre decreases. The child has emaciated hips and arms,
protuberant abdomen, dry head with facial muscle wasting, yellowish eyes,
horripilation (this is a condition where the child feels cold all over the body
and the body hair bristles (goose bumps occur) for a short period of time).
yurvedic text as roma-ha-rsha (bristling of the hairs of the
This term used in A
body) occurs; child appears just like a skeleton, lower extremities become
weak and emaciated, and the child passes more faeces and urine. Due to
weakness he crawls with hands and knees. Flies, insects, worms are attracted
and come to him due to less activity and death results ultimately.
Management
(i) The child suffering from phakka should take Kalyana Ghr.ta or Satpala ghr.ta or
Amrita- ghr.ta or Brahmi ghr.ta for seven nights; afterwards cleansing measures
like purgation should be done by giving milk treated with Trivr.t.
(ii) Milk medicated with Ra-sna-, Madhuka, Punarnava- Akhuparnika, Eranda,
Satapus.pa, Dra-ks.a, Pi-lu and Trivr.t should be given. (Ksheerapaka vidhi: Milk
and the raw drugs and water are to be taken in the proportion of 1:4:4 and
boiled using a medium flame till the quantity is reduced to 1 part of the
original volume, i.e. same as the volume of milk taken originally.)
(iii) Ghr.ta, vegetable soup, meat soup, milk with Sa-li (rice) and cereals should be
given.
(iv) Ra-ja taila should be prepared (this taila is prepared as per the Taila paka
vidhi and only a vaidya can prepare this) and given for body massage daily.
(v) Child should be encouraged to walk by pushing a small three-wheeled
wooden frame (K.chi. 17).
Parigarbhika
If mother became pregnant quickly after the 1st delivery the child suffers from
agnisa-da, vamatu (nausea), tandra- (drowsiness), karsya (emaciation), aruci (tastelessness or disgust for food) and bhrama (vertigo). Abdomen becomes distended.
25
Parigarbhika(A.S.ut 2/64) is nearly equivalent to the description of Garbhaja

phakka; however, the latter is confined to physical movements. Treatment
recommends appetiser drugs in the above conditions.
(i) Prepare kalka with the drugs like Pippali, Pippalimu-la (i.e. fruit and nodal
roots of pippali), katuki, Devada-ru, Pala-sa- ks.ara and vajra ks.ara, vid salt (black
salt), jeeraka, unripened Bilva fruit and Citrak. Boil those kalkas with curd
and prepare kanji; afterwards boil with cows ghee in ghr.tapaka methods. The
preparation is described as the best drug to cure the disease due to parigarbhika (A.S.ut. 2/65).
Note: Pala-sa- ks.ara is directly prepared from palasa plant, after burning and
reducing it to ash as per ks.ara preparation vidhi. This can be prepared only
by vaidyas.
A combination of Phitaka-ri (Alum), Navasara (Sal Ammoniac), and Soraka
(Salt Petre) called Vajrals.a-ra is prepared as per ks.ara preparation vidhi. This
can be prepared only by vaidyas
(ii) Luke-warm milk with honey and sugar as per requirement should be given.
Fried cu-rn.a of vida-rikanda, yava, go-dhuma and pippali should be given with
ghee as diet (A.S.ut. 2/67). Nutritional disorders also include excessive
yurveda. Some are given below:
feeding in A
Quality of Aha-ra
Effect Produced
1. Drava-dhikata- (more liquid) Utkles.a (decreased digestive fire), Pa-rs.wabheda

(pain in flanks), Atimootrata (more urination),
Pratisya-ya (common cold), Atisa-ra (diarrhoea).
2. Dravalpata (less liquid) Malabandha (constipation), Sos.a (dryness),
mootralpata (scanty urination).
matwam (ingested food
3. Guru bhojana (heavy diet) Ajeern.a (indigestion), A
remains as it is).
4. Ati rooks.a (dry food)
Twak sus.kata (dry skin).
5. Ati snigdha (excessively fatty) Kapha vardhaka (doshik vitiation), medo
sanchayakara Prasek (fat deposition), Hridgaurava
lasya (lethargy),
(dullness), tandra- (drowsiness), A
Ajeerna (indigestion), Aruchi (anorexia), Kapha,
Meda, Kan.t.haro-ga (disease of the throat).
6. Ati madhura (over sweet) Balakara (strength promoting), Drid.hakara
(strong), Stoulya (obese), Prameha (diabetes),
diminution of agni.
7. Ati a-mla (over sour) Danta (teeth), netra (eye), kesha (hair) dourbalya,
atya-gni (increase digestive fire), kapha pitta
Vya-dhi (disease of kapha & pitta), aka-la
vardhakya (quick senile changes).
26
8. Ati lavan.a (very salty) Swaraha-nikara (diminished voice), trishna-kara

(thirst), gla-ni (dullness), saithilya (flacidity),
dourbalya (weak), ba-li palitam (wrinkled
skin), Raktapitta (Vitamin C deficiency and
anaemia).
9. Ati Kat.u (excessively pungent) Agni deepana (increases appetite), sus.ka (dryness), Karsyakara (emaciation), shukrahara
decreases semen) dryness of mukha (face),
gudan (anus), asya (oral cavity), aks.ipaka (conjunctivitis). In children sukrahara indicates
disturbance of growth factor while in adults it
is having anti-spermatogenic action.
10. Ati Tikta (excessively bitter) Rooks.ata in dha-tu, decreases poshaka (nutritive)
kaphadha-tu (anabolic action of kapha), Drishtinasaka, va-taprakopakara (vitiates va-tadosha), Twak
vikara vriddikaram (increases skin allergy).
11. Ati Kasha-ya (very astringent) Va-ta dustikara, Kapha pitta hara, pakti (creates
suitable media for digestion), mardava kara
(dryness all over the body).
Vedana Parijana as per Kasyapa Samhita- (K.su. 25)

Vedana Parijana means awareness or knowledge of suffering.
The severity of the pain can be judged from the intensity of the cry.
The part of the body that the child tries to touch constantly or the part that
it tries to guard, or if touched, the intensity of cry increases means that part
is affected.
If the child has headache the child moves head frequently, closes eyes,
cries continuously and rejects feed.
The child grinds teeth, has closed fist and takes breath with difficulty means
the lungs are affected i.e. respiratory problems.
Before onset of fever, the child yawns continuously with irritability, refuses
feed, has excessive salivation and has hot face with cold feet.
Rumbling noises in the abdomen, vomiting, flatulence, biting of mothers
breast with teeth, bending of legs indicate that the child is having abdominal
problems.
If the child is moribund and restless and does not pass urine, stool and
flatus, it suggests that it is due to retention of stool and urine.
27
VYADHI VIJAN
Diseases and Their Treatment

Diseases of children can be classified into two divisions as per their clinical
significance. (i) Ks.i-rapa ka-lina Vya-dhi/Roga (Neonate-infants) (ii) Ba-la Vya-dhi/Roga
(paediatrics)
Kasyapa Samhita- defines health first in the following terms and its opposite as
disease. One who has good appetite, good digestive power, normal bowel
habit, pleasant psychic condition, sound sleep, normal strength, and growth and
development is considered as disease free, but the opposite manifestations are the
features of the diseased (K.Khi. 5/6-8).
yurvedic description clinical conditions develop in 6 stages to result in disAs per A
eases. These are called s.atkriya-ka-la.

First stage Sanchaya: this stage accumulates dosha-.

Second stage Prakopa: aggravation of dosha-.
Third stage Prasara: spreading of dosha- from sa-kha (limbs i.e. upper and
lower) to kos.t.ha (visceras) or vice versa.
Fourth stage Stha-nasamsraya: dosha- remains in one place.
Fifth stage Vyakta: signs and symptom of diseases became prominent.
Sixth stage Bheda: division of disease occurs.
But in the neonatal period diseases may occur suddenly without passing through
the clinical stage. Hence it is difficult to stop the disease process before ending in
disease. An experienced physician based on his knowledge and skills can diagnose
and manage a case early.
Prasava Ka-lina Vya-dhi (Disease during Delivery)

Some diseases occur during expulsion of foetus and it depends upon the time
taken for each stage of delivery, obstructed labour, respiratory distress and aspiration conditions.
28
Upasi-rs.aka
If the fetal head is engaged in the vaginal tract for certain period during theprocess
of delivery there will be diffuse, symmetrical swelling in the head of the newborn.
yurvedic classics describe this condition as vitiation of va-ta dosha- in the head causA
ing swelling of the scalp without change of colour and is called Upasi-rs.aka (A.H.ut.
23/21). Modern science describes this as caput succedaneum.

yurvedic
Management: Application of oil over the scalp (A.S.ut. 28/22). A
paediatricians usually prefer to apply Bala taila, Aswagandhabala-la-ksha-di
taila, Kshirabala- taila for this.
Diet: Mothers milk as per schedule/demand.
Without describing details classics have noted another condition, where if sepsis
occurs it should be managed like vidradhi (abcess) i.e. incised and drained. This
condition can be compared with Cephalhematoma.
Ulbaka
This disease occurs due to aspiration of fluids (amniotic fluid, meconium) by
the fetus during delivery. The pathlogy of this disease is described that the fluid
having sles.ma (mucus) blocks at kan.t.ha pradesh and involves hridaya gradually.
Child suffering from this shows the following symptoms: baddhamus.ti (closing of
fist), moha (unconscious), hridroga (cardiac disease), akshepaka (seizures), swa-sa
(asthma/dyspnoea), ka-sa (cough), chhardi (vomiting) and jwara (fever). This is
called Ulbaka or Ambupurna Vya-dhi (A.S.ut. 2/91-92).

Management: Sna-na (bath) and abhyanga (oil massage) is contra-indicated

in this condition. Sro-tasodhana Cikitsa- (clearing of affected channels) should
be provided. For sro-tasodhana, frequent use of goats urine (internal) approximately 1ml. each time till the child becomes distress free. Drugs sunthi-,
pippali, mari-ca, haritaki-, vaca, haridra- should be taken in equal quantity, kalka
prepared, and administered 1 g orally with mothers milk (A.S.ut. 2/92).
Na-bhiro-ga
Due to improper cutting and handling of umbilical cord different types of diseases
occur. Those are na-bhipa-ka (umbilical cord suppuration), nabhisotha (imflammation of the cord base), na-bhovran.a (ulcer over cordbase), unnatana-bhi (umbilical
polyp), na-bhikun.d.ala/na-bhitun.d.i (umbilical hernia) and some others described in
yurvedic Samhita-s. The most common umbilical disease found in rural
different A
practice is na-bhipa-ka. For its management two types of treatment are described i.e.
medicated oil application and dusting with medicated powder over the affected
peri-umbilical area. Medicated oil should be prepared with the kalka of lodhra,
29
madhuka, priyangu, devada-ru and haridra- and tila oil in tailapaka vidhi. Powder for
dusting should be prepared from the said drugs (A.S.ut 2/88).
Vispho-ta
Vispho-ta is a childhood disease which manifests in the form of blisters. The
pattern of blisters may be localised or all over the body but is always associated
with fever (Su.ni. 13/16). The etiological factor responsible for this disease is diet.
If lactating mother or child during early childhood consumes Kasha-ya and amla
predominant diet with excessive sus.ka and us.n.a diets since those are irritative in
nature, there will be vitiation of pitta-dosha- and rakta-dha-tu occurs. As a result this
disease manifests in the baby (M.N. 53/1-2).

Management: Kva-tha or decoction should be prepared by boiling patolaleaf, gudu-ci, bhu-nimba, va-sa-, nimba twak, parpataka, khadira and manjisthaall in equal quantity with water to drug ratio of 8:1 till one part remains
after boiling. This should be administered along with honey at a suitable temperature for oral or internal use for the child and dose as per
Appendix 1A.
A ghr.ta should be prepared with patolaleaf, nimba, va-sa-, haritaki-, bibhitaka, a-malaki and gudu-ci taken in equal quantity and adding cows ghee
4times the drugs. Chritapaka vidhi is followed for the preparation. Internal
administration of this ghee is best for the management of Vispho-ta in
children (Y.R.Vchi). Lepa (smearing) or external application of rakta
chandana (red sandal wood), na-gakesara, ja-ti/Yu-tika (jasmine leaf), siri-.sa
bark paste also help for reducing burning sensation (Y.R.Vchi).
Ra-jika (Prickly Heat)

During summer season or hot climate because of excessive sweating painful
macules called pi-tika- appears locally or all over body and are highly itchy. These
are called ra-jika. Later ra-jika becomes filled with pus (A.H.ut. 31/12).

Management: Local application of paste made with satavari, musta-, varahikanda, vamsalocana, sahacara, dha-nyaka, devada-ru, sabja- and kus.t.ha
(A.H.chi. 18/11). All drugs should be ground with water to make a fine
paste. It can be applied twice daily for pain relief and cure.
Ka-mala- (Jaundice)
yurvedic texts as a complication of pa-ndu. If a child is
Ka-mala- is described in A
suffering from pandu (hemolysis) and takes more pitta vitiated diet he will incur
Ka-mala- within a short period of time (Ch.chi. 16/34). Vagbhatta stated that if a
pitta prakr.ti (body nature) child consumes more paitik (pitta predominant) diet he
30
will get Ka-mala- (A.H.ni 13/17). Pitta vitiated diets are fried articles with spices,
chilli, mustard oil, all sour articles, kulatha and many more described in different
contexts. Charak has described two divisions of Kamala- (i) Kos.t.ha-sr.ta Ka-mala- and
(ii) Sa-kha-sr.ta Ka-mala- as per their place of dominancy. The signs and symptoms of
Kamala- roga- described are yellowish discolouration of eye(conjunctiva), nail, face,
stool and urine. Child has loss of appetite and is dull (K. su. 25/35).
The specific features described in a child that takes pitta vitiated milk from
the mother suffering from Ka-mala- are loose motions, thirst, increased body
temperature and morbidity (M.N. Bc/2).
Management: Decoction made up of haritaki-, bibhi-taka and a-malaki two
times daily in the recommended doses as per age can be given. Gudu-ci
decoction or da-ruharidra- decoction two times daily along with honey as
vehicle can be given. Powder of punarnava- 1 g, mari-ca powder 125 mg with
yurvedic drugs such as Dha-tri
sugar as required once daily can be given. A
lauha, Shilajatu vat.aka, Punarnavasava, Arogya vardhini vati, Lokana-th rasa,
Dra-ks.a-di ghr.ta also help cure the disease.
Kukunaka (Eye Disease)

yurvedic classics for
Kukunaka is one among the eye diseases described in the A
children. This disease is predominantly seen during the period when child is taking
mothers milk. The etiological factor of this disease is vitiated mothers milk. If a lactating mother takes in excess sweet, fish, meat, sa-ka (edible leaves), navani-ta (butter),
dadhi (curd), surasava (wines), kulattha (horsegram), kanji (curry variety/gruel with
vegetables), or excess salt and also has the bad habit of sleeping during day time, then
they vitiate mothers milk with tridosha-. The child who takes that vitiated mothers
milk will suffer from kukunaka. The affected part is the eyelid (K.khi. 13/3-8).
The clinical features of the disease are continuous tear flow, nose rubbing,
irritable eyes and ears, inability to tolerate sunlight and swelling over eyelid.
Management: Decoction of tender leaves of jambu-, a-mra and a-malaki should
be used for washing the eyes. Butter duly cooked with haritaki-, bibhi-taka
and a-malaki or with gudu-ci can be used after proper filtering as eye drops.
Anjana prepared with sodhita Manashila (detoxified realgar), m
ari-ca
(pepper), sankha (conch shell), rasanjana (extract of daruharidra) and
saindhav salt pounded together and made into a paste with honey should
be applied over the affected eye (Su.ut. 20/11-16).
Ba-laro-ga CikitsaChildren are more vulnerable to different types of viral and bacterial infecyurvedic classics have described bhutabhisanga and ba-lagraha
tions. However, A
31
as the infective agents that cause the diseases. Usually Swa-sa-vaha samsthan ro-ga
(Respiratory Diseases) and annavaha samsthan ro-ga (Diseases of the Digestive
System) are predominantly seen in paediatric practices (K.khi. 13/9-11).

Management: The mother is advised to take vamana (processed emesis in

panchakarma) and virechana (processed purgatives in panchakarma) therapy.
Washing of the eyes with the decoction prepared from the leaves of jambu-,
a-mra, a-malaki, asmantaka should be done. External application of triphala
ghr.ta, tulasi juice with yas.timadhu Kva-tha can be given.
N.B:Panchakarma is a complex therapeutic procedure consisting of
5 different treatments to clean and purify the body by applying different
drugs through alimentary canal, nostrils, skin etc.
Swa-sa-vaha Samstha-na Ro-ga (Respiratory Diseases)

Swa-sa-vaha samstha-na ro-ga means diseases related to lungs. The diseases may be acute
or chronic but in all cases prompt management is needed to save the life of the child.
Acute Respiratory Infections (ARI) can be diagnosed if there is rapid breathing
and child becomes restless.
One can follow the modern diagnostic criteria such as:

Birth to 2 months respiratory rate >60/minute

2 months to 1 year respiratory rate >50/minute
1 year to 5 years respiratory rate >40/minute
If the children have respiratory rates more than the said rates it could be that the
child is suffering from acute respiratory infections. Other features associated with
respiratory problems, are running of nose, nasal congestion, cough, restlessness,
rapid chest movements, dullness, anorexia and chest in-drawing (Ghai, 2000).
Ka-sa Cikitsa- (cough)

Charak Samhita- described that Ka-sa may be sus.ka (dry cough) or with kapha
(mucus) i.e productive cough due to difficulty in the movement of va- yu (air) in
the kant.ha Pradesh (larynx) (Ch.chi. 18/8).
Ka-sa is described as 5 types as per its appearance, those are (i) vatik Ka-sa, (ii)paitik
Ka-sa, (iii) kaphaja Ka-sa, (iv) ks.ayaja Ka-sa and (v) ks.ataja Ka-sa.
The prodromal feature of all varieties of ka-sa
are pain in the face and neck, itching in the throat, patient have a feeling that something is sticking at the pharynx,
obstruction during eating.
32
Suggested Treatment for Ka-sa

Therapeutic treatment of the given age group is the same; however, there is variation in the dosage schedule.
Drug regimen
(i) Dasamu-la Kva-tha (B.R. Ka-saro-ga Cikitsa-)
This formulation has 10 roots, of which 5 are from big trees which are not allowed
to be cut down to collect the roots due to environmental and biodiversity concerns.
In recent times, the AYUSH Department in the Ministry of Health and Family
Welfare, Government of India, has therefore permitted the use of stem bark instead
of roots, in the case of trees, in the Pharmacopoeiae of ayurvedic drugs.
The 10 plants used are: bilva, syonaka, gambha-ri, pa-tala-, agnimantha, sa-laparn.i,
pr.sniparni, br.hati, kantaka-ri, go-kshura.
Preparation: Equal quantities of fresh roots of all the 10 plants are to be
taken. Crush them to a coarse powder and prepare its hot decoction by
taking 8 times water and boiling for 1 hour. Add freshly prepared pippali
powder with this during each administration.
Dosage: 15 drops of Kva-tha with 1030 mg of pippali powder for 1-month to
1-year old.
515 drops of Kva-tha with 3060 mg of pippali powder between 1 year and
3years of age. This is not recommended for a child less than one month, as
the neonate may not tolerate the taste.
Administer the kva-tha with honey 23 times daily for 57 days as per severity.
(ii) Va-sa-ka swarasa (B.R. Ka-saro-ga Cikitsa-)
Va-sa- swarasa i.e. Fresh leaf juice of Va-sa- should be prepared and administered with
honey 23 times daily for 57 days as per severity.
Dosage: 13 drops of swarasa with 5 drops of honey to the child of 1month
to 1-year old.
515 drops of swarasa with 10 drops of honey to the child of 1-year to
3-years old.
Vehicle for administration: Honey.
(iii) Ka-santaka cu-rn.a (B.R. Ka-saro-ga Cikitsa-) (Please refer to Appendix 1C)
Haritaki-, Bibhi-taka, Amala-ki, Sunthi-, Pippali and Mari-ca all to be taken in equal
quantity, finely powdered and administered with honey 23 times daily for
57 days as per severity. This is a pungent powder. Since the powder is directly
given with honey, the particle should be fine. Otherwise choking and coughing
could result and will be painful; so fine powder should be given.
33
Dosage: 130 mg to 1 g of cu-rn.a with 10 drops of honey to children between

the ages of 1 month and 1- year, three times daily.
12 g of cu-rn.a with 20 drops of honey to children in the age group of 1 year
to 3 years, three times daily.
23 g for children from 4 to 16 years of age, thrice daily along with honey.
(iv) Kaphanasaka avaleha (A.H.chi. 3/45)
Pippali, Pippalimula (nodal roots of pippali), Sunthi-, Bibhi-taka all in equal quantities
to betaken and fine powder prepared. Administer with honey 23 times daily for
57days as per severity.

Dosage: 130 mg to 1 g of cu-rn.a with 10 drops of honey to children in the age

group of 1 month to 1 year, three times daily.
1 to 2 g of cu-rn.a with 20 drops of honey to children from 1 year to 3 years,
three times daily.
2 to 3 g for children from 4 to 16 years of age, three times daily.
(v) Da-dima-di yo-ga- (A.H.chi. 3/51)
The peel of Da-dima- or pomegranate fruit 2 parts by weight, Guda (i.e. jaggery)
which is more than one year old 8 parts by weight, Sunthi-, Pippali and Mari-ca
one part each by weight. Take all raw materials, dry them in the sun, grind into a
fine powder and mix with jaggery and prepare vat.i-s (pills) properly and administer 23 times daily for 57 days as per severity.

Dosage: 30130 mg of vat.i- (pill) for 1 month to 1 year child, three times daily.
130250 mg of vat.i- to 1 year to 3 years old child, three times daily.
500 mg for children in the age group of 4 to 16 years, three times daily.
Please note that the vat.i- has to be ground into a fine powder before
mixing with honey.
(vi) Dra-ks.a-di yoga- (B.R. Ba-laro-ga Cikitsa-)
Dra-ks.a, Dura-labha-, Haritaki-, Pippali to be taken in equal quantity. Prepare fine

powder and administer with honey and ghr.ta (ghee) 23 times daily for 57 days as
per severity.

Dosage: 130 mg to 1 g of cu-rn.a with 5 drops of honey and 10 drops of ghr.ta

for 1 month to 1-year old child.
34
12 g of cu-rn.a with 10 drops of honey and 20 drops of ghr.ta for children

between 1 year and 3 years of age.
Vehicle for administration: Mixture of honey and ghee.
Specific treatment of doshik Ka-sa

(A) Kaphaja Ka-sa
1. In Kaphaja Ka-sa the production of sputum is excessive and thick in nature.

2. Vamana therapy is indicated after Ghr.tapana with Kantakari or Dashamuladi
Ghr.ta. This ghr.ta administration is to induce vomiting.
(B) Paitika Ka-sa
1. Sputum with blood associated with foul smell is the cardinal symptom.
2. For management use Agnidipak (appetiser) e.g. Sunthi- and Pushtikarak
(nutritive) drugs, e.g. bidarikanda, amla, draksha, can be given.
3. Pittasamak drugs such as Yas.timadhu cu-rn.a can be administered for mild
laxative action and mucolytic action.
4. If haemoptysis (blood in vomit) is more, drugs such as Laksha (insect
oxudation) can be used.
(C) Va-tika Ka-sa
1. Use Madhura drugs (sweet taste) e.g. yas.timadhu and Jivaniya drugs
e.g. ji-vanti, dra-ksa and milk for internal administration helps in this
condition.
3. Ma-msa rasa (meat soup) with Ghr.ta is beneficial as it is soothing to the
throat. This is because va-tika ka-sa is a dry cough condition.
The other two varieties of Ka-sa, like kshayaja Ka-sa and kshataja Ka-sa are rarely seen
in the paediatric age group.
Common diet for Ka-sa patients: Unpolished red rice, dal with greengram, kulattha,
meat from forest animals, puffed paddy, ghee, honey, milk, dry grapes (raisins), warm
water.
Physical massage
Hasta sweda, i.e. sudation for infants sole, palm, chest and face can be given by
the mother with her palms in coryza or rhinitis condition for relief from rhinorrhoea and pain. Sudation through ghr.talipta ta-mbula patra (betel leaf smeared with
ghee prepared from cows milk ghee) can be done over chest in all respiratory
problems.
35
Dietary regimen
yurveda Pathya (good for health) rice,
Dietary regimen is known as a-ha-ra vidhi in A
wheat, green gram, goats milk, ghee are pathya. Usnodaka (luke warm water) is
always pathya (wholesome) for children.
Swa-sa (Bronchial asthma)

Bronchial asthma is one among the common childhood problems occuring mostly
due to parental ignorance in not giving treatment in time. This condition usually
occurs in chronic respiratory problems. This problem occurs because of obstruction in the lung alveoli by mucus and sphutum.
The common etiological factor responsible for asthma are diets like dry food
with excess cold water intake, cold food, cold air, diets prepared with horsegram,
til and lotus stem, curd, unboiled cows milk, meat of sea animals, inhalation
of dust, pollens, feathers, smoke, restraining from natural urges like urination,
motion, thirst, hunger, sleep, cough, yawning, vomiting also causes for this
problem.
Five types of Swa-sa has been described in the classics as per its severity. Those are
as follows.
Mahaswa-sa

1. Prolonged breathing.
2. Unconsciousness.
3. Feeble voice.
4. Threat to life and death may occur within 7 days.
Urdhwaswa-sa

1. Deep inspiration and prolonged expiration.

2. Upward rolling of eye balls.
3. Difficulty in breathing leading to unconsciousness.
4. Increased intracranial pressure.
Chinnaswa-sa

1. Deep breathing.
2. Cutting type of chest pain.
3. Unconsciousness.
4. Pallor.
36
Tamakaswa-sa

1. Hurried (rapid) cardiac movements.

2. Continuous cough with discharge.
3. A little expectoration of sputum after prolonged coughing.
Kshudraswa-sa
It is generally a condition that produces respiratory distress e.g. just after running
a race. Therefore treatment is not required.
The common and most prevalent type of swa-sa found in paediatric practice is
tamakaswa-sa which occurs due to inhalation of different allergens by the child.
Some times this type of swa-sa occurs along with fever and is called Pratamaka
where the child may loose consciousness (Ch.Chi. 17).
Management:

1. It is essential to avoid etiological allergy factors.

2. Cu-rn.a made from Haritaki-, vid lavana (black salt) and Hingu along with old
cows ghee should be given with lukewarm water thrice daily with a dose of
13 g cu-rn.a each time to children between one to five years of age.
2. Mustard oil (5 g) triturated with old jaggery (5 g) two times daily for 3weeks
to children between one to five years of age can be given for good results.
3. Some drugs which are available off the shelf in medical stores can also be
given. Those are Swa-sakutha rasa, Swa-saka-sa cintamani, Va-sa-valeha-, Sr.ngya-di
cu-rn.a, Sringa-rabhra, Va-sa-rista, Agastya Haritaki can be given with their
recommended dosage as per age and strength of patient.
Some Useful Drugs for Common Respiratory Problems

Some groups of drugs described in Caraka Samhita- called as vargas are as follows:
Ka-sahara Varga: Drugs belonging to this category consist of 10 different
malaki, Pippali, Dhanvaya-sa, Karkat.as.rngi,
plants namely Dra-ks.a, Haritaki-, A
Kantakari, vars.abhu, Punarnava and Bhu-mya-malaki. These are the single
plants that are themselves given as drugs to treat respiratory problems.
Swa-sahara varga: Drugs belonging to this category consist of 10 different plants
namely Sat.i, Pus.kara, Amlavetasa, Ela, Hingu, Agaru, Tulasi, Bhumya-malaki,
Ji-vanti and Corapus.pi. These are the single plants that are themselves given as
drugs to treat asthmatic problems.
Hikkanigrahan.a Varga: Drugs belonging to this category consist of 10
different plants namely Sat.i, Pus.kara, Badara bija (seed of Badara), Kant.aka-ri,
Br.hati, Bandaka, Haritaki-, Pippali, Dhanvaya-sa and Karkat.as.ringi. These are
thesingle plants that are themselves given as drugs to treat hiccup problems.
37
Common plants used in respiratory disorders

yurvedic drugs for treating respiratory disorders
Many single plants are used as A
apart from those that are used in drug preparations. They are also easily available
locally and are very effective. Tulasi (leaf), Kantaka-ri (whole plant), Yas.timadhu
(stem), Pippali (fruit), Va-sa- (leaf) are some common herbs/plants that are used in
various preparations for respiratory disorders.

1. Tulasi: Ocimum sanctum (DGV. P-II)

Gun.akarma: Rasa (taste): Kat.u (pungent), Tikta (bitter)
Gun.a: Laghu (light), Ruks.a (dry)
Vipa-ka (metabolic action of the drug): Kat.u (pungent)
Vi-rya (action potential): Us.n.a
Dosa Karma: Kaphava-tashamaka (pacifies kapha and va-ta dosha-)
Tulasi pacifies kapha and va-ta dosha- which is the root cause of ka-sa problems. There
are two varieties of Tulasi plant namely Sweta and Krishna. Of these, Krishna Tulasi,
the leaves and stem of which are tinged with black, is considered to be of best
quality by some senior clinicians, though some Ayurvedic physicians hold that both
are the same. The juice of Tulasi leaves is used as an expectorant in kasa and swasa
conditions. One of its best use in paediatric practice is in childhood hepatitis with
enlarged liver. Since it pacifies kapha Dosha and vitiates Pitta, the patient may have
mild sweating when the juice is administered. When given regularly, it will remove
bad odour from the oral cavity of those who have the problem.

2. Kantaka-ri: Solanum xanthocarpum

Gun.akarma: Rasa (taste): Tikta (bitter), Kat.u (pungent)
Vi-rya (action potential): Us.n.a (heat)
Dos.a- Karma: Kaphava-tashamaka (pacifies kapha and va-ta dosha-)
Kantaka-ri is the best drug in case of Va-taja Ka-sa (dry cough). It acts as an expectorant and demulcent. It stops hiccups and is also useful in asthma, chronic rhinitis,
cough, pneumonia and hoarseness of voice. Powdered Kant.aka-ri a dministered
with Madhu (honey) is very beneficial to children suffering with chronic
bronchitis.

3. Pippali: Piper longum

Gun.akarma: Rasa (taste): Kat.u (pungent)
Gun.a: Laghu (light), Snigdha (soothing), Teek.sna (sharp)
38
Vipa-ka (metabolic action of the drug): Madhura (sweet)

Vi-rya (action potential): Anus.n.a (neither hot nor cold)
Do-sha Karma: Kaphava-tashamaka (pacifies kapha and va-ta dosha-)
Pippali is an excellent drug in case of cough caused by Kapha Dosha-. It acts as an

expectorant and prevents the production of Malakapha and purifies the Dha-tu
as it is a Rasa-yana (vitaliser). It is used as a tonic in case of immune deficiency
conditions and it rejuvenates Rakta Dha-tu by which it strengthens the lungs. It can
also be used in Tamaka Swa-sa (bronchial asthma).

4. Yas.timadhu: Glycyrrhiza glabra (DGV. P-II)

Gun.akarma: Rasa (taste): Madhura (Sweet)
Gun.a: Guru (heavy), Snigdha (soothing)
Vipa-ka (metabolic action of the drug): Madhura (Sweet)
Vi-rya (action potential): Seeta (cool)
Dosha- Karma: Va-tapittashamaka (pacifies pitta and va-ta dosha-)
Yas.timadhu acts as a demulcent due to its Snigdha Gun.a and Madhura rasa & Vipa-ka;
hence it can be used in Swarabheda (hoarseness of voice) and Ka-sa. Yas.timadhu
ksheerapaka is effective in case of swarabheda.
It is used in cough, asthma and other respiratory disorders due to its expectorant
property.

5. Va-sa-: Adhatoda vasica (DGV. P-II)

Gun.akarma: Rasa (taste): Tikta (bitter), Kasha-ya (astringent)
Vi-rya (action potential): Seeta (cool)
Dosha- Karma: Kaphapittashamaka (pacifies kapha and pitta)
Va-sa- liquefies the kapha which gets expectorated. It acts as bronchodilator and
therefore helps in easy breathing. Va-sa- may be used in case of asthma, breathlessness and throat infection.
Methods for Prevention of Respiratory Disorders

1. Healthy Lifestyle
The best way to prevent pneumonia is to take measures to avoid coming in contact
with the organisms that cause the respiratory infections, including colds and flus.
39
Everyone should always wash his or her hands before eating and after visiting
the lavatory. Ordinary soap is sufficient; antibacterial soaps add little protection,
particularly against viruses. Nasal secretions containing Respiratory Sensitial Virus
can remain infectious for several hours. Touching inanimate objects, such as
subway poles or toilet seats, does not spread flu and colds.
2. Daily Habits
Daily diet should include foods such as fresh, dark-coloured fruits and vegetables
like tomato, brinjal, bottle-gourd, ladys finger, beans, carrot and fruits like
pomegranate, pear, apple, papaya and grapes. Supplements of vitamin C and E
may be helpful. Interestingly, maintaining an active social lifestyle like study, playyurveda
ing and sleeping, food intake at regular hours help to prevent colds. In A
the following is described in the context of Dinacharya (daily regimen) for maintaining good health.

Awakening from bed early morning at brahmamuhu-rta (between 3:30 a.m.

ans 5:30 a.m).
Mukha prakshalana wash ones face thrice with normal water after
awakening from bed.
Brushing of teeth with Ayurved recommended gum powder like
Dasanasamska-ra- cu-rn.a.
yurveda
Snacks and meals as per family and society in respective area i.e. A
prescribes different food for the different communities and regions
(geographical).
Playing Child should be provided multiple coloured (natural pigments)
toys for playing and playground must be out of danger. Ugly looking toys
are likely to frighten the child and toys likely to cause choking hazards and
have cutting edges should be avoided.
yurveda prescribes that bathing liquids for early childhood
Bathing A
should be slightly warm (which must be tolerable to the child) and normal
cold water for all children and adults for all seasons. However, one may
change as per his sa-tmya (agreeable to natural constitution).
Sleeping sleeping up to 9 hours during nights is best for all children for
the promotion of physical and mental health i.e. three prahars (each prahar
is 3 hours). Day time sleeping is allowed only in the summer season.
3. DOS & DONTS: Advice for All

DOS
Cover the head with thick, warm cloth.

Foods Have foods having Laghu, Snigdha properties.
40
Not too liquid in nature.

mla (sour), Lavan.a (salty) dominant diets.
A
Jangala ma-msa, jaggery, milk.
Canaka (Bengal gram), Trikat.u (su-nthi, pippali and mari-ca), Yava (barley
variety), Godhuma (wheat), Dadhi (curd), Da-dima, Haritaki-.
Yusha (soup) soup of Ba-lamu-la (root of plant Ba-la-) or Kulattha.
Luke warm Dashamula Paniya (decoction) made of bilva, syonaka, gambha-ri,
pa-tala-, agnimantha, sa-laparn.i, prsniparni, br.hati, kant.aka-ri, and go-ks.ura.
Snehana (oleation).
Swedana (sudation).
Vamana (processed emesis).
Nasya (nasal instillation).
Gandusha (gargling).
DONTS
Strictly avoid windy places.

Intake of very cold water, exposure to cold environment.
Anger, stress, sorrow this means one has to prevent and to protect the
child from such emotions.
Excess intake of dry foods and fried items.
Suppression of urges (there are 13 types of natural urges described in
yurvedic texts for all age groups like passing of flatus, motion, urination,
A
spitting, thirst, hunger, sleeping, coughing, rest after hard labour, respiration, yawning, tear, vomiting, ejaculation of semen in males).
Every individual should be educated regarding the ideal lifestyle advocated by
yurveda to achieve the goal of health for all.
A
Ba-latisa-ra (Diarrhoea)
Diarrhoea is a common term which creates fear among the people as the chance
of death is more due to improper management and dehydration. This disorder is
common in infants and toddlers due to various factors such as diets during weaning period, dentitional diarrhoea, rota viral diarrhoea, fungal diarrhoea, diarrhoea
yurveda has described this disorder in the context of
due to bacterial infections. A
Ks.i ralasaka.
Ks.-i ra-lasaka
This is a disease due to breast milk being affected by tridosha-. The child has watery,
loose stools with foetid smell, stool with undigested food; stool is of varied colour,
frothy, part solid and part liquid. Child is irritable, has severe abdominal pain, urine
41
is yellowish or white and thick, there is fever, thirst, loss of taste, vomiting, retching, yawning, pain in the body, tossing of limbs and restlessness, tremors, giddiness,
rhinitis, conjunctivitis and stomatitis. It is very difficult to cure (A.H.ut. 2/20-22).
As per severity diarrhoea has been divided into two categories:

1. Acute loose motion less than 14 days duration.

2. Chronic 3 attacks of diarrhoea in last 3 months.
(Please note that loose stool or semisolid stool golden-yellow in colour, cheese-like
for a baby who is taking exclusively mothers milk 10 times/day is normal if child is
active.)
Toddlers diarrhoea This is a pattern of diarrhoea which always contains mucous
in stool with foul smell.

Treatment criteria: A child, who is not lethargic, and is playing well, not
so irritable but crying during passing of stools, can be treated with home
remedies.
Referral criteria: Very irritable child, crying continuously, with dry tongue,
passing watery stool with smell, scanty urination should be referred to
hospitals after ORS (Oral Rehydration Solution) therapy.
Causes of Diarrhoea in 6 months to 1 year

Vitamin A deficiency.
Malnutrition.
Artificial feeding e.g. bottle feeding.
Allergy to cows milk.
Infections (viral, bacterial, fungal).
Food or solutions with high sugar content.
Management

Rice water with salt.

Lassi (butter milk) with salt.
Lemon water with salt.
Tender coconut water.
Homemade Oral Rehydration Solution (ORS)

Preparation of homemade ORS:
42
1. Boiled and cooled water litre, 4 tsp. sugar, and 1 tsp. salt should be mixed
to prepare the solution (tsp. - teaspoonful).
2. Boiled and cooled water litre, 4 tsp. of sugar, 2 finger-pinch salt, and
10drops of lemon juice should all be mixed to prepare the solution.
Cows milk diarrhoea If parent finds that the child who was apparently well
before administration of cows milk but became sick and the problem started only
after administration of cows milk, then the only choice is removal of cows milk
from the childs diet which will cure the condition.
ORS is contraindicated in certain conditions such as persistent vomiting i.e. more
than 3 vomiting phase per hour, abdominal distension, severe dehydration, shock,
and altered consciousness is the acute stage where one should not give any liquids
to the child because of its dangerous effects. In this condition immediate hospitalization and parenteral fluids with drugs is the only option.
Medicines for the management of childhood diarrhoea

Ba-lachaturbhadra cu-rn.a (B.R. B.chi. 40)
Musta-, Ativis.a, Pippali, Karkat.as..rngi all should be taken in equal quantities, dried
properly in the sun and ground to get fine powder. This powder should be
administered in cases of loose motion.

Dosage: 250 mg in infants and 500 mg in toddlers to be administered 23

times per day for 57 days.
Anupa-na (vehicle): For infants to be administered with mothers milk and
for toddlers with water/milk.
2. Ba-labilwa-di yo-ga: (A.H. chi. 9/35-36)
Ba-labilva (dry unripened fruit of bilva), guda, pippali, sunthi- all in equal quantities
are taken, powdered and mixed with tila taila (til oil) as per requirement to make
semisolid preparation. This yo-ga is described for the management of Prava-hika(diarrhoea which can be compared with toddlers diarrhoea).

Dosage: 500 mg of the powder for toddlers to be administered 23 times per

day for 57 days.
Anupa-na: Luke warm water.
3. Sauvarchala-di cu-rn.a (B.R. Ba-laro-ga Cikitsa-)
This is indicated in kapha-tisa-ra cikitsa- (diarrhoea due to kapha dosha-)

Sauvarcala (black salt), Vaca, Sunthi-, Mari-ca, Pippali, sodita Hingu (purified by frying it
in cows ghee), Ativis.a- (this is a species of Aconite, but it is non-poisonous and hence
does not require Sodhana), Haritaki- all should be taken in equal quantities, dried
43
properly in sunshine and powdered. This powder should be administered with luke
warm water in cases of Kapha-tisa-ra.

Dosage: 500 mg for toddlers to be administered 23 times per day for

57days.
Anupa-na : This powder should be administered with luke warm water.
4. Manjista-di yo-ga (Y.R. Ba-laro-ga Cikitsa-)
A cu-rn.a made up of Manjis.t.ha-, Dha-taki-, Lodhra, Sa-riva- and Lajja-lu all should be
taken in equal quantities, dried properly in the sun and finely powdered. This
powder is to be used in all varieties of diarrhoea and it works better in pittatisa-ra.

Anupa-na : This powder should be administered with honey.

Dosage: 250 mg for infants and 500 mg for toddlers (approximate dose)
administered 23 times per day for 35 days.
Some formulations for Ba-latisa-ra (loose motion in children) are being used by
some Vaidyas resulting from their own experience. But there is no direct classical
reference for the preparations.

Laja powder with Bilvamoola kwa-tha + Sharkara

Indrayava curna + Honey
mra-taka + Jambu- + A
mra powder + Honey
A
mra Kva-tha
Bilvaphalamajja + A
Sunti- + Musta- + Ba-laka + Indrayava Kva-tha
Common plants used in diarrhoeal disorders

yurvedic drugs for treating diarrhoeal disorders
apart from those that are used in drug preparations. They are also easily available
locally and are very effective. The common herbs/plants that are used in various
preparations for diarrhoeal disorders are as follows:

1. Kutaja: Holarrhena antidysenterica

Gun.akarma: Rasa (taste): Tikta (bitter), Kas.a-ya (astringent)
Vipa-ka: Kat.u (pungent)
Vi-rya (action potential): Seta
Do-sha Karma: Kaphapitashamaka, dipana, samgra-hi
Kutaja is having antidiarrhoeal actions. It also works to reduce the intestinal motility and pain in dysentery. This is a very popular anti-diarrhoeal drug.
44
2. Da-dima: Punica granatum

Gun.akarma: Rasa (taste): kas.a-ya, a-mla
Gun.a: Laghu, snigdha
Vipa-ka: Kat.u
Vi-rya (action potential): anus.n.a
Dosha- Karma: va-takaphahara, vran.aropaka, samgra-hi
Da-dima is having anti-diarrhoeal actions. It also works to reduce the water volume
and decreases gut motility. Its rind is used as anti-diarrhoeal drug. One has to dry
it and prepare churna for use. Also the swarasa of the fruit of Da-dima has antidiarrhoeal actions.
Diet for all varieties of diarrhoea

Arrowroot powder gruel, la-ja manda (this is puffed paddy added with water/milk
and little bit of salt, sago, and buttermilk) for toddlers.
Malavarodha (Constipation)
Malavarodha (constipation) indicates a condition when one is not able to pass
motion regularly and freely. This unpleasant bowel habit causes daily stress to the
sufferers. Constipation is a common problem in children. Usually this problem
occurs due to improper dietary habits, amoebic dysentery and worm infestations.
The person suffering from constipation are usually in a gloomy mood, pass more
flatus and hard stools.
When a child is not able to pass motion for 2 days and suffers from some abdominal pain, it is better to consult a physician to rule out sub-acute intestinal obstruction which is very common in round worm infestation in children.
Management
Parents should be advised to give adequate fluids to their child. Fruits like grapes,
orange, apple, pineapple regulates bowel habit; green vegetables like ladies
fingers, tomato, carrot, brinjal as well as leafy vegetables help. All animal foods can
create constipation.
Some drug preparations are available in the texts but those have no Samhita- references.

1. Take fresh Haritaki- 100 g and prepare its kalka (paste), add Saindhava lavan.a
(black salt) 5 g and use after proper mixing. Give 5 g daily with luke warm
water for children from 2 to 5 years of age.
45
2. Dra-ks.a 10 g with one cup of milk should be boiled for 10 minutes and
filtered. This preparation should be regularly given once daily to avoid
constipation during childhood i.e. 2 to 12 years of age.
mala-ki
3. Triphala kwa-tha Haritaki- (1 part - 5 g), Bibhi-taka (1 part 5 g), and A
(1 part 5 g) all should be taken without seeds; add water 4 times (60 g)
and then boil to make it 1 part of kas.a-ya, i.e. 15 ml. Administer 5 ml once
daily from 1 to 5 years of age, 10 ml from 6 to 10 years of age and 15 ml for
older children.
Common plants used in constipation

yurvedic drugs for treating constipation apart from
those that are used in drug preparations. They are also easily available locally and
are very effective. The common herb/plant used in various preparations for constipation are as follows:

1. Haritaki-: Terminalia chebula

Gun.akarma: Rasa (taste): tikta, madhura, amla, kat.u, with kasha-ya predominance
Gun.a: Laghu (light), Ruk.sa (dry)
Vipa-ka: madhura
Dosha- Karma: Kaphapitashamaka, Anulomaka
This drug is very useful for its laxative action and well used for children who are
constipated.

ragvadha (Amalata-s): Cassia fistula

2. A
Gun.akarma: Rasa (taste): tikta, madhura
Gun.a: Laghu (light), Ruk.sa (dry)
Vipa-ka: madhura
Vi-rya (action potential): Seta
Dosha- Karma: pitashamaka, Anulomaka
This drug is very useful for its laxative action and safe to use for children who are
with constipated bowel habits.
Chhardi (vomiting)
Chhardi (vomiting) is of two types i.e. (i) Nausea a child who feels the sensation
of vomiting and (ii) Vomiting forceful expulsion of stomach contents through
the mouth.
46
Management protocol: If nausea or vomiting occurs due to over feeding,

indigestion, gastritis, worm infestation, travel sickness, G.I (gastrointestinal)
infections these can be managed very well at the village level.
Referral conditions: Vomiting due to acute infections when child is lethargic;
sub-acute intestinal obstruction where a child will not pass stool or flatus;
fever present and may be with headache when child may lose consciousness;
acute diarrhoea.
Treatment
1. Seed of mango (aam gut.hli), la-ja (puffed paddy) and saindhav (black salt) all
should be taken in equal quantities, dried properly in sunshine and finely
powdered. 25 g of the powder should be administered with honey from
1to 5 years of age (B.R. B.chi).
2. Karkat.as..ringi, musta-, ativis.a- all should be taken in equal quantities, powdered
and kept in an airtight jar. Whenever needed it is administered with honey
(B.R. B.chi).
Dosage: 250 mg for infants and 500 mg for toddlers (approximate dose), can
be administered 23 times per day.
3. Sunthi-, Pippali, Rasa-njan, Shalidhanya (red rice var) La-ja, and Karkat.as..ringi
all should be taken in equal quantities, dried properly in the sun and
powdered. 25 g of this powder should be administered with honey to
children from 1 to 5 years of age (B.R. B.chi).

Charmaro-ga (Skin diseases in children)

Skin diseases are common in children due to different factors such as diet,
food allergens, environmental factors, coming in contact with persons with skin
diseases, and use of dirty clothes.
Etiological factors
Excessive intake of allergen-producing food items is also considered as a causative
factor of skin diseases in children (up to 16 years of age). These are:
1. Atidrava a-ha-ra sevan.a (excessive liquid diet intake); 2. Atia-mla a-ha-ra sevan.a (excessive sour diet intake); 3. Atisnigda and guru a-ha-ra (excessive fatty food and heavy
diet intake); 4. Ati dadhi- sevan.a (excessive curd intake); 5. Excessive intake of lavana
(salty food); matsya (fish) and nava-nna (newly harvested rice); 6. Excessive intake
of ma-sha (black gram), mu-laka (radish), pisatanna (diet variety), tila (til), ksheera
(milk) and guda (jaggery); 7. Excessive intake of madhu (honey), ka-kama-ci, laku-ca
(Artocarpus lakoocha); 8. phan.ita (fermented liquid - wine prepared from Madhuka
indica) and matsya (fish); 9. Intake of dadhi-, Badari-, kulattha (horse gram) and atasi
47
(linseed) excessively; 10. Excessive intake of gra-mya oudaka anupa(animals living near
water bodies) ma-msa and haritasa-ka (green leafy vegetables) (Ch.ni. 5/6).
Infants and toddlers are more vulnerable to atopic dermatitis and scabies
especially in villages due to their unhygienic situations viz. dirty clothes, dirty beds
and bed sheets, contaminated food materials, and contaminated water.
A disease Charmadala is described in Kashyap Samhita- which emphasises skin diseases of infants and its chronicity afterwards.
In children who are fed on breast milk, vitiated breast milk is the exciting
cause. In children who are fed on breast milk and rice, the vitiated condition of
breast milk and incompatible and unsuitable diet are the causes. Very delicate
children due to unstable dha-tus, rubbing with clothes, excessive holding in lap,
due to hot air, heat of sunrays, perspiration, poultice, contact with ones own
waste products, urine and faeces, uncleanliness, compression by hands, over
rubbing and familial tendency causes this charmadala i.e. dermatitis develops
over face, neck, hand, feet, in between testicles, sacral region and joints.
Classification
Charmadala are of four varieties: (i) va-tik, (ii) paitik, (iii) kaphaja and (iv) sannipa-tika.
(i) Symptoms of Va-tik charmadala
Child suffering from va-tik charmadala has rounded patches associated with itching, cracking, roughness and of blackish appearance over the body, gets diarrhoea
and child is seized with convulsion, dryness of mouth and horripilation (goose
bumps). This can be compared with acute dermatitis.
(ii) Symptoms of Paitik charmadala
Child suffering from Paitik charmadala has round patches black and yellow in
colour, dry in appearance, hot, filled with abnormalities of putrification; these
rashes causes cracking of skin and flesh resembling like the burnt leaf of lotus.
Child has green-coloured loose motion, severe anal suppuration associated with
burning sensation, dryness of mouth, vomiting, yellow coloured face. This can be
compared with allergic dermatitis.
(iii) Symptoms of Kaphaja charmadala
Child suffering from Kaphaja charmadala has round patches all over the body.
Which are cold, unctuous (having a greasy or soapy or oily feeling), dense, white
in colour and multiple in number, and do not cause too much pain. They are
mustard sized tubercles, get suppurated quite late, are associated with itching and
pricking pain; other features are coryza, anorexia, heaviness of body part, cough,
48
breathing difficulty, child vomits mucus and is seized with drowsiness. This can be
compared with allergic dermatitis.
(iv) Symptoms of Sannipa-tika charmadala
As this is due to vitiation of tridosha-, hence mixed feature appears; rounded

patches of black or red lusture with appearance like burnt jaggery, which get
suppurated early, foul smelling, cracked with putrid discharge. Child weeps,
exhibits restlessness and aversion to breast milk. Child passes black or pinkcoloured loose stools. This is said to be incurable.
Management
(i) Vatik charmadala treatment: When child is taking mothers milk, for purification of breast milk, decoction of vida-rikanda, eranda, br.hati, go-kshura,
punarnava-, pr.sniparni should be given to the mother for drinking. Paste of
tila mixed with old ghr.ta should be anointed over breast. Body of the child
should be washed with ra-sna kva-tha or warm water. Oil prepared with ba-la
and atibala-, bilva- root, surada-ru, and pulp of a-mra (mango) should be
massaged over the affected part of the child.
(ii) Paitik charmadala treatment: The mother after being anointed with oil and
bath should be given emetic and purgative medicines. For vomiting she
should be given pippali paste and neem water, and for purgative action decoction of a-ragwadha phala majja with milk should be given. For internal administration give ghee prepared with madhuka, candan, devada-ru, musta-, manjista- and
rasa-njan (da-ruharidra- extract). For quick healing of wound, dusting should be
done with fine powder of lodhra, yas.timadhu, da-ruharidra-, a-malaki, tvak and
tejpatra should be smeared over the body of the child. The powder should be
dusted over the wound and also smeared all over the body. In cases where a
child is constipated he may be given mild laxatives with haritaki- cu-rn.a.
(iii) Khaphaja charmadala treatment: The mother should be treated first with
emetic medicines. For emetics she should be given decoction of nimbu
(lemon) and madanphala with saindhav salt. For the child external application of paste made up of triphala with da-ruharidra- or haridra- with rasanjan over
the affected lesions is prescribed (Ref. of Charmadala: K.khi. 15).
Krimiro-ga (Helminthiasis) (Su.ut. 54)

Helminthiasis is an extremely common childhood ailment mostly seen in tropical and
sub-tropical regions. Emergency arises due to acute allergy or mechanical obstruction
produced by one or more parasites. It refers to intestinal worms.

Mode of infestation
Part of entry
Food, drink, fingers.

Alimentary canal
49
Migration of larvae Through the lungs

Site of localisation Small intestine
Fever, pallor of the skin, abdominal pain, pain in the chest region, dullness, vertigo, loss
of appetite, loose motion are the general features associated with worm infestation.
Treatment

Apakars.an.a manual expulsion of worms by using wet cotton swabs.

Prakrutivigha-ta Advocate the diet and drugs by which the worm cannot
survive and is expelled out from the anus.
Nida-na paribarjan Avoid the diet and regimen (sweet and oily foods)
which can increase worm infestation.
Drugs

khuparn.i, kampillaka, da-dima, bilva all to be taken in

1. Musta-, vidanga, pippali, A
equal quantities, powdered and administered 25 g with honey from 1 to
5years of age twice daily (R.K.T.\217).
2. Vidanga, pus.kara, sigru-, a-khuparn.i all to be taken in equal quantities,
powdered and 25 g administered with honey from 1 to 5 years of age twice
daily (R.K.T\153).
3. Fresh pa-rasika yava-ni should be taken as fine powder, 25 g administered
with Jaggery of equivalent weight of that powder with luke warm water from
2 to 10 years of age (B.R. 11/1).
4. Pala-sa bija (seed of Pala-sa), indrayava, vidanga, nimba, bhu-nimba, bilva all to be
taken in equal quantities, powdered and administered, 25 g with Jaggery
(equivalent weight of that powder) from 2 to 10 years of age with luke warm
water (B.R. 11/12).
Any one from the above preparations can be given as per availability to treat worm
infestation.
Common Plants Used in Worm Infestation

Many single plants are used for treating Krimiro-ga (worm infestation) apart from
those that are used in drug preparations. They are also easily available locally and
are very effective. The common herbs/plants used in various preparations for
krimi are as follows:

1. Kampillaka: Mallotus phillipinensis

Gun.akarma: Rasa (taste): Kat.u
Gun.a: Laghu, Ruks.a, tiks.n.a
50
Vipa-ka: katu
Do-sha Karma: virechana, krimighna, vran.a-paha
Seeds of this plant powdered and administered is very useful for the management
of worm infestations. It works better against hook worms.

2. Vidanga: Embelia ribes

Gun.akarma: Rasa (taste): tikta, kat.u
Gun.a: Laghu, Ruksa, tiks.n.a
Vipa-ka: kat.u
Dosha- Karma: krimighna, di-pana, Anulomaka
Seeds of this plant powdered and administered is very useful for the management
of all worm infestations.
Jwara (Fever)
A lot of importance and emphasis has been given to the Chapter on Jwara in
yurvedic Samhita-s (A.H.ni. 2/1). (An interesting story is found regarding how
all A
human beings get jwara in some texts. It is said that jwara came to earth as a
result of the anger of lord Shiva against Daksha Praja-pati. This is, of course, the
belief of our ancestors.)
Prodromal symptom of Jwara

Irritability, laziness, giddiness, secretion of tear from eyes, weakness, yawning,
anorexia, and pain all over the body are all forerunners of fever (A.H.ni. 2/6-9).
Fever in infants and toddlers

During the onset of fever the child flexes the body parts repeatedly, yawns, coughs
frequently and suddenly clings to the wet nurse, does not like to breast feed, has
salivation, heat, discolouration, excessive warmth in forehead, anorexia and coldness of feet (K.su. 25/12-13).
Management of fever
1. S.ada-ngapa-niya (B.R./Jwara Cikitsa-)
Usi-ra, raktachandana, sugandhaba-la, dra-ks.a, a-malaki and parpataka all to
be taken in equal quantities; a kva-tha is prepared and administered when
51
it becomes cool. Though it can be administered as such, in infants one may

add honey or sugar for palatability.
2. Gudu-cya-di kwa-tha (B.R./Jwara Cikitsa-)
Gudu-ci (stem); root bark of neem, a-malaki (fruit without seed) are all taken
in equal quantities, a kva-tha prepared and administered with honey when it
becomes cool.
3. Sepha-li swarasa (B.R./Jwara Cikitsa)
Sepha-li (Pa-rija-taka) leaf swarasa 5 ml with honey 1 ml twice daily for 1 year
and increases up to 5 ml for 5-year old child twice daily.
4. Pippali fruit powder, madhu, guduci fresh stem swarasa in the ratio of 1:2:3
should be mixed properly and given in chronic fever (B.R/Jwara Cikitsa).
5. Ativis.a-, karkat.as.rngi, pippali to be taken in equal quantities, powdered, and
administered with honey twice daily for treatment of ka-sa, jwara & chhardi
(A.H. ut. 2/57).
6. Lata-karanja seed is the best medication for mala-rial fever.
a)The combination of the roasted seeds of lata-karanja and pippali (1:1) is
powdered and given with honey, approximately 0.5 g for children 1 year
to 5 years of age and 1 g for children 6 years to 16 years of age, three
times a day for a duration of 34 days.
b)Another combination recommended for malaria is the powders of mari-ca
and lata-karanja (1:1) given with honey, approximately 0.5 g for children
1 year to 5 years of age and 1 g for children from 6 years to 16 years
of age. Spleenomegaly, i.e. enlargement of the spleen, occurring as a
complication due to malaria responds well to lata-karanja.
7. Tulasi leaf 10 in number and gudu-ci stem (a piece of one inch length) to be
taken and 4 times water added and boiled to 1/4th of its volume, cooled and
the dose given to the child of 25 years of age thrice daily for the management of fever (Tewari and Sharma, 1998s).
Udarasoola (colic pain) in Children

Usually soola refers to pain. In this context Udarasoola is colic pain in children.
This can be divided into two types as per the age of the child it occurs in. One is
described as infantile colic and the other as colic pains. Infantile colic is mostly
due to aerophagia (air locking in the oesophagus as baby swallows air) or/and if
the mother in her hurry fails to burp the child properly after feeding breast milk.
An infant with colic is described as one who, otherwise healthy and well-fed, has
paroxysms of irritability, fussing or crying that lasts for a total of three hours a day
and occurring on more than three days in any one week for a period of three weeks.
General colic pain may be due to various complications. The common are
indigestation, worm infestations, excessive eating, gastritis, and giardiasis.
Following treatments can be given in all colic pain conditions.
52
1. Chatuhsama cu-rn.a (B.R. Soola Cikitsa-)
Ajva-yan, saindhav salt, haritaki-, sunthi- should be taken in the proportion of 1:1:1:4.
Pound them into a fine powder and give with luke warm water for quick relief
from abdominal pain.

Dosage schedule: 250 mg (per dose) 2 doses for 1 month to 1 year of age and
500 mg per dose in 2 divided doses for 1 year to 5 years (spoon measure
1/4tsf).
2. Hingwastaka cu-rn.a (B.R. Soola Cikitsa-)
Take Sunthi, Pippali, Mari-ca, Ajamoda, Saindhav salt, Svetaji-raka, Kr..sna jeerak all
in equal quantities, dry properly and pound into a fine powder. Take the same
amount of Hingu and fry it with cows ghee, powder it and mix with the other
powders to make Hingwastaka cu-rn.a. Always give this powder with luke warm water.

Dosage schedule: 250 mg (per dose) 2 doses for 1 month to 1 year of age
and 500 mg per dose in 2 divided doses for 1 year to 5 years of age (spoon
measure 1/4 tsf).
3. Authors Own Prescription

Well-cleaned, dry Latakaranja seeds should be taken. The seed coat is removed
using a sharp instrument and the kernel is taken. This is then finely powdered
and mixed with appropriate quantity of honey to make pills weighing 250 mg
and 500 mg each and kept in an air tight jar. This will remain for a period of one
month. Also one can prepare this fresh every time. During administration one can
add more honey for its palatability (Dash, 2009).

Dosage schedule: 250 mg in 2 divided doses for 1-month to 1-year olds.

500mg in 2 divided doses for 1-year to 3-year olds.
Common Plant used in Udarasoola

Many single plants are used for treating Udarasoola apart from those that are used
in drug preparations. These are also easily available locally and are very effective.

Prasa-rani: Paederia foetida

Gun.akarma: Rasa (taste): tikta
Gun.a: guru, sara
Vipa-ka: kat.u
Do-sha Karma: va-tahara, vr..sya
53
The leaf of this drug has a very bad smell and is useful for the management of
Udaraso-la. It is a very popular folk medicine practiced by local vaidyas.
Dagdhavran.a (Burns)
Dagdhavran.a or burn is a very common complaint in paediatric practice. Minor
burns may be cured by simple medication but severe burns are life-threatening to
the children. Immediate hospitalization is required in some cases. However, simple
burns can be managed very well through home remedies. One of the classical
external preparations for burn management is Sudha-kara Malahara.
Method of preparation of Sudha-kara Malahara

100 g tila taila to be taken in a bowl and heated over a stove. Cool for 5 minutes and
while it is still warm, add 25 g powder of sarjarasa into it, add water gradually and
mix well by manual churning or triturating. Mix 5 g each of powder of camphor
and tuttha (copper sulphate) into the preparation. Mix by continuous churning, adding water, till a butter-like preparation results without increase further
in volume. Stop churning. This is how Sudha-kara Malahara should be prepared
(S.P.S.S.). Keep it in jars and use it in all varieties of burns. It also works for the
management of cracked sole. This can only used for external applications.
Goghr.ta i.e. cows ghee alone or its preparation like Shatadhauta ghr.ta and
Sahasradhauta ghr.ta are very useful for the management of burns. A physician or
a trained attendant can prepare the ghrita. (Shatadhauta ghr.ta: Shata means 100
times, dhaut means washed, in this context water is mixed and the ghee churned
and then water is removed after each churning process. Sahasradhauta ghr.ta:
Shahasra means 1000 times, dhaut means washed, in this context water is mixed
and the ghee churned and water is removed after each churning process).
Dhoopana (Fumigation)
yurvedic classics for enhancing
Dhoopana vidhi is another concept described in A
health and vitality of the children by maintaining environmental sanitation in the
area where infants and children live and play. It is believed that the plants, seeds,
leaves and plant extracts are having some power and influence which makes the
environment free from germs.
Dhoopan drugs are classified into three categories. They are:
(i) Drugs of plant origin
Kus.t.ha, Vaca, Siddha-rtaka (white mustard), Sarjarasa, Haridra- (rhizome),
Da-ruharidra- (stem), Guggulu (extract), Bhalla-taka (fruit), Hingu, Tulasi (whole
plant), Tagara (whole plant), Neem (leaf), Yuthika, Devada-ru (Stem Bark), Ela (fruit).
54
(ii) Drugs having aromatic exudates and oil prepared from the plant parts
having aroma
Sarjarasa, (Ral), Bhalla-taka (fruit) taila, flower of Jasmine oil, Ela (fruit)
(Eladi taila), Vaca (rhizome) (vachadi taila).
(iii) Drugs expected to be having antiseptic action
Tagara, Usira, Da-ruharidra-, Haridra-, Kus.t.ha, Siddhartaka, Neem (leaf), cow
dung.
Utility of Dhoopana

1. Disinfection of room, clothes, and bed sheets used by children.

2. Prevention of infection from various germs.
3. Promotion of health from Kaphaja vika-ra.
4. Treatment of various diseases by making the area germ free.
55
POSOLOGY - IN GENERAL
Adult dose = >16 years must be considered as adults.

For drugs of specified doses

1 year = 1/16 of adult dose = 1/16 of adult dose

4 years = 4/16 of adult dose = of adult dose
Age, Sex, Strength, Weight, Diet, Duration of illness, Agni, Habits, Dosha-, Dushya,
Ka-la are to be ascertained and taken into consideration.
Points to remember during administration of drugs to the children

1. Administering adequate quantities of proper drugs prepared from

appropriate plants/plant parts will not only prevent the disease from
worsening but also cure it completely.
2. Drug selection is important. Plants must be correctly identified and the
correct part must be used in preparation of the medicine.
3. Method of preparation of drugs should be proper.
4. If medicines are in the form of pills and tablets they are to be given after
powdering and mixed with honey or ghee or an appropriate vehicle as
indicated in text.
5. Narcotics, alcoholic preparations and poisonous drugs should not be used
for children.
7. Give importance to the palatability of the drug so that the child will accept it.
56
EPILOGUE
yurveda has dealt in such great detail on paediatrics is to ensure

he purpose A
better and healthier progeny. Starting from a safe childbirth it goes on to deal
with suitable environment for the growth and development of the child with
special emphasis laid, of course, on remedies for the management and cure
of childhood diseases. After birth, the child should be provided with a suitable
environment, which is a comprehensive term involving family, neighbourhood,
society, and surroundings that help in ensuring proper physical growth and
yurvedic classics start by
mental development as described under various Samska-rs. A
laying emphasis on how the babys nursery should be, and go on to elaborate the
importance of mothers milk, proper time for weaning, adequate nutrition at all
stages of development and how to ensure that the nutritional need of the child is
met with even during sickness and convalescence.
Many diseases are described with their multiple remedies in the classics. However,
only some diseases which are more prevalent in the Jeypore area of Odisha have
been dealt with here keeping also in mind that the raw materials for preparation
of drugs should be easily available to the community. The effect of these herbs has
been quoted here in brief with their practical significance in simple terms, as far
as is possible, for the benefit of the caregiver. This is an attempt to create awareness among the people about bringing up children, especially with regard to their
yurvedic principles. If one follows the A
yurvedic guidelines
health, by adopting A
described in the various Samhitas the child will definitely enjoy a longer, happier
and healthier life.
57
IA
A P P E N D I X
Drugs and dosage of A yurvedic preparations

Form of medicine
Per day dose according to the age of the patients

1 month
1 to 5 years
6 to 16 years
Adults
13 drops
515 drops
25 ml
714 ml
Kalka
130 mg
Cu-rn.a
12 g
25 g
612 g
130 mg
Kva-tha
12 g
23 g
36 g
15 drops
515 drops
25 ml
1428 ml
Hima
15 drops
515 drops
25 ml
1428 ml
Vati
1630 mg
30130 mg
130250 mg
130250 mg
Bhasma
816 mg
30130 mg
130250 mg
250500 mg
Asava/Arishta
15 drops
515 drops
25 ml
1428 ml
Panaka
15 drops
515 drops
25 ml
1428 ml
Ghr.ta
15 drops
515 drops
25 g
1224 g
Svarasa
Siddha dugdha
510 drops
120 ml
100200 ml
100250 ml
Shuddha Tankana, gairika
65130 mg
130250 mg
250500 mg
500 mg1 g
58
IB
A P P E N D I X
Explanations of terms used in processing

of Ayurvedic Medicines
Svarasa preparation
Take fresh leaves of the recommended plant and extract juice after making
its paste. But to extract juice from Va-sa- and Nimba Putapaka method should be
adopted. Putapaka method is the method where before extraction thefresh leaves
are heated in a covered earthen pot or in a pressure cooker.
Kalka preparation
Fresh or dry medicinal plants are taken, washed with water and cut into small
pieces. Then those drugs are ground into very small pieces, as small as possible.
During administration one has to add sugar or jaggery or honey or ghee as per
indication.
Kva-tha preparation
For the preparation of Kva-tha or hot decoction, drugs can be divided into
threecatagories (i) mridu drugs these are soft in nature and should be boiled
with 4 times water by volume over a medium flame. When the volume is reduced
to 1/4th the original quantity, it should be filtered and collected and allowed
to cool to reach normal room temperature before administering. (ii) Madhya
drugs these are neither soft nor very hard. These should be boiled with 8 times
water by volume over a medium flame. When the quantity is reduced to 1/4th
the volume taken, the decoction should be filtered and collected and cooled and
thedecoction should be had when it is at normal room temperature. (iii) Khara
drugs those are very hard in nature and should be boiled with 16times water by
59
volume over a medium flame. When it boils down to 1/8th the original volume, it
should be filtered and collected and allowed to cool to normal room temperature
before administering it.
(N.B: Dry drugs to be taken, washed with water, and cut into small pieces. Then
the volume of the drug is measured in a measuring pot, and water added as per
the given criteria.)
Ks.-i rapa-ka preparation
Ks.i-ra means cows milk, pa-ka means boiling. In this preparation one has to take
milk 4 parts to that of the drug and water 8 parts to that of drug and drug one
part. Boil over a medium flame till the quantity is reduced to 1/4th the original
volume, i.e. equivalent to the volume of milk taken.
Hima preparation
The literary meaning of Hima is cold. This is a method where the ratio of drug and
water should be maintained as 1:6 and the drug should be dissolved in water and
kept overnight. It can then be used in the morning.
Cu-rn.a preparation
Dry drugs are to be taken and powdered thoroughly, seived properly and used
as per dosage. When sieving, portion remaining on top of sieve should be again
powdered, till all pass through. Whatever amount is taken for making powder
should all be utilized and no part should be thrown away.
60
IC
A P P E N D I X
KA S ANTAKA CURNA
(An A yurvedic Medicine for cough and cold)
Method of Preparation
Take equal parts of dry haritak (harida), bibhtaka (bahada),mlaki (Aanla),
unth (sunthi), pippali (pipali), and marca (golamaricha) and grind them
individually.
Sieve each powder separately through a sieve of mesh size which will give
a moderately fine powder. Repeat the grinding and sieving process till
thedesired fineness is obtained uniformly. No part of the powder should be
rejected. Mix all the different powders together.
Mix equal part of candy sugar (misri) to the powder.
Pass the mixture through a sieve of convenient mesh size to obtain a homogeneous mixture.
The resulting mixture is ka-santaka cu-rna.
Dosage
For children below one year: 130 mg to 1 g i.e. teaspoonful of powder
administered with 10 drops of honey per dose, 34 times a day for 57 days
as per severity.
61
For children 1 to 3 years: 1 g to 2 g of powder i.e. teaspoonfuls administered with 20 drops of honey per dose, 34 times a day for a period of
57days as per severity.
For adult : 3 g to 6 g of powder i.e. 1 to 2 teaspoonful administered with hot

water, 34 times a day for a period of 57 days.
Source: Bhaisajya Ratnavali, Ka Cikits, Sloka No.43
62
IIA
A P P E N D I X
Note on the Ayurvedic drugs and their source plants,

as mentioned in the text
he names given in Samskrit for the medicinal plants used as ingredients in

the formulations recommended in the text are those that appear in the ancient
classics, and followed to this day. Although several of them are unidentifiable
today in terms of Botanical sources, most have been correctly identified by their
botanical names, and are included as drugs in ayurvedic practice. They are also
available in the crude drugs market under their Samskrit or local names. Classical
texts in the later centuries added more medicinal plants and newer formulations
based on the experience of the practising Vaidyas of those times who also found
it necessary to approve some plants as substitutes (with equivalent therapeutic
properties) because of the non availability of the original ones. Down the ages,
therefore, Ayurvedic practitioners have used the original Sanskrit name along with
local names in the local languages, for raw materials used in their formulations.
This has resulted in some confusion over the botanical nomenclature, since for
one drug known by a name in Sanskrit more than one plant source was indicated,
and consequently with differing botanical names, from the different regions in
the country. To a great extent the problems were solved by consensus among the
Vaidyas who also sanctioned the use of substitute drugs, provided they were with
equivalent therapeutic properties.
In this text also, there are drug plants included in formulations, which are not
the original ones mentioned in the ancient classics, but approved substitutes
introduced during the later ages and now available in the local market. A few of
the photographs in the following pages belong to this category. Photographs of
some plants that are not common and may not be familiar to the reader are also
included. The idea is to inform the user of this text that what appears to be not
63
genuine to some is not necessarily so, due to local traditions and practices as
explained above. Most of the plant drugs given in the text follow the names in
both Samskrit and Latin standardised and approved by experts in the Ayurvedic
Pharmacopeia Committe, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Govt of India
and are Ayurvedic drugs as defined in the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940, Govt
of India.
Medicinal plants are generally sourced from forest tracts and from the wild and no
systematic cultivation exists. Medicinal plant gardens associated with institutions
doing research in the indigenous systems of medicine, as well as, Sacred groves
established in areas surrounding temples contribute to the knowledge of the common man, interested in learning about them.
64
IIB
A P P E N D I X
List of Medicinal Plants

Asterix indicates its inclusion in the photographs that follow
Sl.No.
Sanskrit Name
Local (Odia) Name
Botanical Name
Parts Used
1.
Agaru
Aguaru
Aquilaria agallocha
Wood
2.
Agnimantha*
Agnimanth
a) Premna integrifolia*
b) Clerodendron
phlomoides*
Root
Root
3.
Ajamoda
Akhuparn.i-ka
Ajamoda
Apium leptophyllum
Fruit
4.
Akshuparni
Merremia emarginata
Fruit
5.
Amalaki
Aanla
Emblica officinalis
Fruit
6.
tabha
Hippophae rhamnoides
fruit
7.
Amlavetasa
Amra
Amba
Mangifera indica
Stem Bark, Petiole,

Latex
8.
Amra-taka*
Ambada
Spondias pinnata*
Fruit, Stem Bark, Root
9.
Ankola
Apara- jita
Ankula
Alangium lamarckii
Seed, Root bark
Dhala aparajita
Clitoria ternatea
Whole plant
Sunari
Cassia fistula
Seed pulp, bark, leaf
12.
Aragvadha
Arjuna-
Arjuna
Terminalia arjuna
Stem Bark
13.
Asmantaka/ Kancana-r
Kanchanar
Bauhinia variegata
Bark, flower
14.
Ashwastha
Ficus religiosa
Stem Bark
15.
Asvattha
Atasi-
Alasi
Linum usitatissimum
Root
16.
Atibala-*
Pedipedica
Abutilon indicum*
Whole Plant,Fruits and

Seeds
17.
Ativis.a-*
Atibisha
Aconitum
heterophyllum
Rhizome
18.
Badari-
Barakoli
Ziziphus mauritiana
(=Z.jujuba)
Leaf, Stem Bark, fruit
19.
Bala-
Ba-la
Sida cordifolia
Root
10.
11.
65
Hribera
Coleus vetiveroides
Whole Plant
21.
Ba-laka
Banda-ka
Madanga
Dendrophthoe falcata
Root
22.
Bhalla-taka
Bhalia
Semecarpus
anacardium
Fruit
23.
Bhuin Anala
Phyllanthus fraternus
Whole Plant
24.
Bhu-mya-mala-ki
Bhu-nimba
Bhuin Nimba
Swertia chirayita
Whole Plant
25.
Bibhi-taka
Bahada
Terminalia belerica
Fruit
26.
Bilva
Bela
Aegle marmelos
Root, Fruit
27.
Bimbi
Bra-hmi
Kunduri
Coccinia indica
Root
Brahmi
Bacopa moniera
Whole plant
Bruhati
Solanum indicum
Root
30.
Br.hati
Can.aka
Chana (Butta)
Candana
Chandan
Cicer arietinum
Santa-lum album
Seed
31.
32.
Citraka
Chitrak
Plumbago zeylanica
Root
33.
Corapus.pi
Da-dima
Chorepuspi
Chrysopogon aciculatus
Flower
Dalimba
Punica granatum
Fruit, Leaf, Peel, Stem

Bark
Da-ruharidra- /Suradru
Devada-ru
Katha Haladi
Berberis aristata
Wood, Stem
Debadaru
Cedrus deodara
Stem Bark/ wood
Dhanvaya-sa / Dura-labhaDha-nyaka
Durlabha
Fagonia cretica
Whole Plant
Dhania
Coriandrum sativum
seed
Dha-takiDra-ks.a
Dhataki (Haragouri)
Woodfordia fruticosa
Flower
Kismis
Vitis vinifera
Fruit
41.
Ekaparni (also known

as Akhuparn.i- or
Akhuparnika,see sr
no 4)
Akshuparni
Merremia emarginata
(= M.tridentata)
Fruit
42.
Ela
Gujurati
Elettaria cardamomum
Fruit
43.
Eranda
Erava-ru
Jada
Ricinus communis
Root, Seed
Kharbhuja
Cucumis melo
Seed
Gajapippali*
Gambha-ri
Gajapippali
Scindapsus officinalis*
Fruit (or) Spadix
Gambhari
Gmelina arborea
Root, Stem Bark
Gaham
Triticum aestivum
Seed
Gokhura
Tribulus terrestris
Root
Guluchi
Tinospora cordifolia*
Stem
Gugula
Commiphora wightii
Resin
Nali kaincha
Abrus precatorius
Seed, Whole Plant
Haladi
Curcuma longa
Leaf, Rhizome
53.
HaridraHaritaki-
Harida
Terminalia chebula
Fruit
54.
Hingu
Hengu
Ferula foetida
Exudate
55.
Indravaruni
Indrayan
Citrullus colocynthis
Leaf, stem bark
20.
28.
29.
34.
35.
36.
37.
38.
39.
40.
44.
45.
46.
47.
48.
49.
50.
51.
52.
Godhuma
Go-ks.ura
Gudu-ci*
Guggulu
Gunja-
Wood
66
56.
Indrayava
Kurei
Holarrhena
antidysenterica
Seed
57.
Jambeera
Tabha
Citrus limon
Fruit
58.
Jamb
Jamukoli
Syzygium cumini
Fruit
59.
Jeeraka/sveta Jiraka
Ji-vanti*
Jeera
Cuminum cyminum
Seed
Jivanti
a) Leptadenia
reticulata*
b) Dendrobium
species*
Pseudobulb
Kakamachhi
Ka-la megha
Solanum nigrum
Fruit
62.
Ka-kama-ci
Ka-lamegh
Andrographis
paniculata
Whole plant
63.
Kampillaka
Kampillaka
Mallotus philipinensis
Fruit
64.
Kanaka (Dhattura)
Durdura
Datura metel
Seed
65.
kababachini
Piper cubeba
Seed
66.
Kankola
Kantaka-ri
Kantakhari
(Bheji baigan)
Solanum xanthocarpum
Whole Plant
67.
Kapi-tana
Parisha
Thespesia populnea
Stem Bark
68.
Kapittha
Kaitha
Limonia acidissima
Fruit, Stem Bark, leaf
69.
Karanja
Karanja
Pongamia pinnata
Seed, Stem bark,

branch
70.
Kataka
Ka-ravellaka
Nirmali
Strychnos potatorum
Seed
Kalara
Momordica charantia
Seed
Karkatshrungi
Pistacia integerrima*
Gall
73.
Karkat.as.rngi*
Karpu-ra
Karpura
Cinnamomum
camphora
Sublimate
74.
Katuki
Katuki
Picrorhiza kurroe
Rhizome
75.
Khadira
Khaira
Acacia catechu
Extract
76.
bena
Veteveria zizanioides
Root, stem
Gopa Kana
Cryptolepis buchananii*
Whole Plant, Root
78.
Khas/Usira
Kris.nasa-riva-*
Kr.s.najeeraka
kakajera
Carum carvi
Seed
79.
Kulattha
Kolatha
Dolichos biflorus
(Macrotyloma
uniflorum)
Seed
80.
Kumbhi
Kumbhi
Careya arborea
Seed
81.
Kumkuma/Kesar
Keshar
Crocus sativus
Flower, Gum/Gall
82.
Kotha
Saussurea lappa
Root
83.
Kus.t.ha
Kusumba*
Kusum
Schleichera oleosa*
Bark, Fruit, Seed
84.
Kutaja
kurei
Holarrhena
antidysenterica
Bark
85.
Lia
Oryza sativa
Puffed Paddy
86.
Laja
Lajja-lu
Lajkuli
Mimosa pudica
Whole Plant
87.
Lakuca
Jeutha
Artocarpus lakooca
Leaf, Fruit
60.
61.
71.
72.
77.
88.
Las.una
Lata-karanja
Rasuna
Allium sativum
Bulb
89.
Gila
Caesalpinia bonducella
Seed
90.
Lavanga
Labanga
Syzigium aromaticum
Flower
91.
Lodhra
Lodhra/Tilak
Symplocos racemosa
Stem Bark
92.
Madana
madanaphala
Catunaregam spinosa
Fruit
93.
Madhuka
Mahula
Madhuca indica
Flower, stem
94.
Mandukaparn.i
Manjistha-
Thalkudi
Centella asiatica
Whole Plant
Manjistha
Golamari-ca
Rubia cordifolia
Stem
Piper nigrum
Fruit
Biri
Vigna mungo
Seed
Muga
Vigna radiata
Seed
95.
96.
97.
98.
99.
Mari-ca
Ma-s.ha
Mudga
Mu-laka
67
Mula
Raphanus sativus
Seed
Mutha
Cyperus rotundus
Rhizome
101.
MustaNa-gakesara*
Nageswar
Mesua ferrea*
Flower
102.
Nimba
Nimba
Azadirachta indica
Leaf, Stem Bark
103.
Nirgundi
Begunia
Vitex nigundo
Leaf
104.
Nyagrodha (Vata)
Pa-lakya
Bara
Ficus benghalensis
Stem Bark
Palanga
Spinacia oleracea
Leaf
Pala-sa
Pa-rasika yava-ni
Palasha
Butea monosperma
Seed
Juani
Hyoscyamus niger
Seed
Paladhua (Chauladhua)
Erythrina indica
Bark, leaf
109.
Pa-ribhadra
Pa-rija-taka/Sephali
Gangasiuli
Nyctanthes arbortritis
Leaf
110.
Pa-risa
Gaja Sunthi
Thespesia populnea
Seed/stem bark
111.
Parpataka
Pa-tala-
Parpatak
Fumaria parviflora
Whole Plant
112.
Padhel
Stereospermum
suaveolens
Stem Bark
113.
Patola
Bana Potal
Trichosanthes
cucumerina
Root, Leaf
114.
Pilu
Pilu
Salvadora persica
(S.oleoides)
Leaf, Root bark, Seed
115.
Pippali
Pipali
Piper longum
Fruit, Root, Stem
116.
Plaksha
Ficus lacor
Stem Bark
Pasaruni
Paederia foetida
Leaf
118.
Plaks.a
Prasa-ran.i
Priyangu
Dahia
Callicarpa macrophylla
Fruit, Flower
119.
Prsniparn.i
Iswarjata
Uraria picta
Root
Puruni (Purunamundi)
Boerhavia diffusa
Whole Plant
100.
105.
106.
107.
108.
117.
120.
Punarnava-
121.
124.
Pus.kara
Ra-jama-s.a
Raktachandana
Ra-sna-*
125.
Sabja
122.
123.
Puskaramula
Inula racemosa
Root
Rajma
Vigna unguiculata
Seed
Rakta chandan
Pterocarpus santalinus
Wood
Rasana*
Vanda species*
Stem
Banatulasi
Ocimum basilicum
Leaf, seed
68
126.

Sahacara
Sa-la
Anlei
Barleria prionitis
Root, leaf
127.
Sala
Shorea robusta
Exudate
128.
Sa-laparn.i
Shalaparni
Desmodium
gangeticum
Root
129.
Dhan
Oryza sativa
Seed
Dhala aparajita
Convolvulus pluricaulis
Whole Plant
Chhatiana
Alstonia scholaris
Stem Bark
132.
Sa-li
Sankhapus.pi
Saptaparn.i
Sa-riva-
Anantamula
Hemidesmus indicus
Whole Plant, Root
133.
Sarja/Sarja rasa
Jhuna
Vateria indica
Resin, Extract
134.
Sarpagandha
Patalgaruda
Rauwolfia serpentina
Root
135.
Sars.apa
Sorisha
Brassica campestris
var.rapa
Seed
136.
Pana madhuri
Anethum sowa
Fruit
137.
Satapus.pa
Sata-vari
Shatabari
Asparagus racemosus
Rhizome
138.
Sat,i
Sati
Hedychium spicatum
Rhizome
139.
Sami
Sami
Prosopis spicigera
Fruit, flower, leaf, stem

bark
140.
Siddha-rtaka
Dhala sorisa
Brassica campestris
var. alba
Seed
141.
Muninga/sajana
Siris.a
Sugandhabala
Moringa oleifera
Seed
143.
SigruSiri-s.a
Sugandhaba-la*
144.
Sunthi-
130.
131.
142.
Albizia lebbek
Stem Bark, seed
a) Pavonia odorata
b) Decalepis hamiltonii*
Root
Sunthi
Zingiber officinale
Rhizome
145.
Suradaru/Devada-ru
Debadaru
Cedrus deodara
Stem Bark
146.
Kumbhi
Careya arborea
Stem bark, flower
147.
Katabhi (Kumbhi)
Svetaji-raka/Jiraka
Jeera
Cuminum cyminum
Fruit
148.
Syonaka
Swanak
Oroxylum indicum
Stem Bark
159.
Tagara*
Tarato
a) Valeriana wallichii*
b) Ervatamia divaricata
Rhizome, Root
150.
Talisha
Aties webbiana*
Leaf
151.
Ta-li-sa*
Ta-mbula
Pana
Piper betel
Leaf
152.
Tejpatra
Tejapatra
Cinnamomum tamala-
Leaf
153.
Tila
Rasi
Sesamum indicum
Seed
154.
Kakudi
Cucumis sativus
Seed
155.
Trapus.a
Trivr.t
Tihudi
Ipomoea turpethum
Stem bark
156.
Tulasi
Tulasi
Ocimum sanctum
Leaf, Whole Plant
157.
Tvaka
Dalachini
Cinnamomum verum
(Cinnamomum
zeylanicum)
Bark
158.
Udumbara
Bark
Upakuncika-*
Dimiri
Ka-la jeera
Ficus glomerata
159.
Nigella sativa*
Seed
160.
Usi-ra/Khas
Bena
Vetiveria zizanioides
Stem, Root
161.
Vaca
Bacha
Acorus calamus
Rhizome
162.
Vamsalocana
Vara-hikanda
Baunsha karadi
Bambusa arundinacea
Bamboo manna
163.
Ratalu
Dioscorea bulbifera
Rhizome
164.
Va-sa-
Basanga
Adhatoda vasica
Leaf
165.
Vata/Nyagrodha
Vatsana-bha
Bara
Ficus benghalensis
Stem Bark
166.
Vatsanabha
Aconitum
chasmanthum
Root
167.
Vajra
vazrakantaka
Euphorbia antiquorum
Stem, root
168.
Vidanga
Bidanga
Embelia sps*
Fruit
169.
Vidarikanda
Vars.a-bhu
Bhuin Kakharu
Pueraria tuberosa*
Root
Varshabhu/Bichhuati
Trianthema
portulacastrum
Root &
Whole Plant
Jastimadhu
Glycyrrhiza glabra
Stem
Jaba
Hordeum vulgare
Seed
173.
Yas.timadhu
Yava
Yava-ni
Juani
Trachyspermum ammi
Fruit
174.
Yu-thika-*
Malli (Jasmine)
Jasminum auriculatum*
Leaf, Flower
170.
171.
172.
69
70
SOME MEDICINAL PLANTS AND THE PARTS USED TO

PREPARE MEDICINES
Agnimantha (Clerodendrum phlomoides)

(Plant)
Field: Medicinal Plants Knowledge
Centre, Patrapada, Bhubaneswar
Agnimantha (Premna integrifolia)

(Plant)
Field: M.S.Swaminathan Research
Foundation, Jeypore
Agnimantha (Clerodendrum phlomoides)

(Stem)
Crude Drug : Manikalal Brothers, Bolangir,
Odisha
71
Amra-taka (Spondias pinnata)

(Tree)
Field: M.S.Swaminathan Resaerch
Foundation, Jeypore
Amra-taka (Spondias pinnata)

(Dry Fruit)
Crude Drug: Manikalal Brothers, Bolangir,
Odisha
Atibala- (Abutilon indicum)

(Plant)
Field: Govt. Ayurvedic Medical College,
Bolangir, Odisha
Atibala- (Abutilon indicum)

(Fruit)
Crude Drug: Govt. Ayurvedic Medical
College, Bolangir, Odisha
72
Gajapippali (Scindapsus officinalis)

(Spadix with Fruits)
Odisha
Gudu-ci (Tinospora cordifolia)

(Climbing Plant)
Field: Medicinal Plants Knowledge Centre,
Patrapada, Bhubaneswar
Gudu-ci (Tinospora cordifolia)

(Dry stem)
Crude Drug: Manikalal Brothers, Bolangir,
Odisha
Ji-vanti (Dendrobium species)

(Pseudobulb)
Odisha
Karkat.as.ringi (Pistacia integerima)

(Leaf Gall)
Source : Manikalal Brothers, Bolangir,
Odisha
73
74
Kusumba (Schleichera oleosa)

(Plant)
Field: M.S. Swaminathan Research
Foundation, Jeypore, Odisha
Kusumba (Schleichera oleosa)

(Fruit)
Crude Drug: M.S. Swaminathan Research
Foundation, Jeypore, Odisha
Kris.nasa-riva- (Cryptolepis buchananii)

(Plant)
Field: Govt. Ayurvedic Medical College,
Bolangir, Odisha
Kris.nasa-riva- (Cryptolepsis buchananii)

(Root)
75
Na-gakesara (Mesua ferrea)

(Plant)
Na-gakesara (Mesua ferrea)

(Flower)
Ra-sna- (Vanda species)

(Stem with Root)
Odisha
Sugandhaba-la (Decalepis hamiltonii)

(Root)
Odisha
76
Tagara (Valeriana wallichi)

(Rhizome and Root)
Odisha
Ta-li-sa (Taxus wallichi)

(Leaf)
Odisha
Upakuncika- (Nigella sativa)

(seed)
Odisha
Vidanga (Embelia species)

(Fruit)
Odisha
Vidarikanda (Pueraria tuberosa)

(Plant)
Vidarikanda (Pueraria tuberosa)

(Root)
Crude Drug: Manikalal Brothers,
Bolangir, Odisha
Yu-thika (Jasminum auriculatum)

(Plant)
Yu-thika (Jasminum auriculatum)

(Flower)
Fresh Flower: Medicinal Plants
Knowledge Centre, Patrapada,
Bhubaneswar
77
78
ABBREVIATIONS
B.chi.
As.t.a-nga Hr.daya
As.t.a-nga Sangraha
Ba-laro-ga cikitsa-
Bh. P.
Bhava Prakasa
A.H.
A.S.
B.R.
Ch.
Chap.
Chi.
DGV. P- II
K.
Kb.
Khi.
L.N.
M. N.
M. N. Bc.
Ni.
R.A.V.
R.K.T.
Sa.
S.P.S.S.
Bhais.ajya Ratna-vali
Caraka SamhitaChapter
Cikitsa- Stha-na
DravyaGun.a Viga-n part-II

Kasyapa SamhitaKauma-rabhr.tya
Khila Stha-na
Latin Name
Ma-dhava Nida-na
Ma-dhava Nidna-Ba-laRo-ga cikitsaNida-na Stha-na
yurveda Vidya-peeth
Ra-striya A
Ra-vana-kruta Kuma-ra Tantra
Sareera Stha-na
Su.
Siddhayoga Prayoga Sara Samgraha

Susruta Samhita-
su.
Su-tra Stha-na
ut.
Uttara tantra
Vima-nastha-na
Yo-ga Ratna-kar Vispho-ta Cikitsa-
vi.
Y.R.Vchi.
79
GLOSSARY OF SANSKRIT TERMS

Bhrihatrayi - Carak Samhita-, Susruta Samhita-, Va-gbhatta (As.ta-nga Hr.daya)
Aasana seat
Aastaran.a bed sheet
Abhis.an.ga direct contact
dhmana tympanites
A
Agni fire
Agni deepana appetiser
Agnima-ndya digestive impairment/anorexia
Agnisa-da loss of digestive fire
Ahita a-ha-r unwholesome diet
Ajeern.a indigestion
Akala vardhakya senile changes before old age
ka-sa ether
A
Akshepaka seizures
Aks.ipaka conjunctivitis
lasya laziness
A
Alpa-hara less diet intake
Ama bowel disorder
matwam undigested food
A
Anjali palm/the space between two open palms of an adult
Anjana collyrium
Annada- from 3 years to 16 years
Annadves.a aversion to food
Annapa-na weaning
Annapra-sana Food specially prepared with rice or wheat started after 6 months
of age and 10 months of age. There are 2 views available in Samhitas. However we
recommend to administer after 10 months of age
Anulomaka laxative; purgatives
80
Anurasa after-taste as an e.g. honey tastes sweet but Kasha-ya (astringent) is its
anurasa or after-taste
Anus.n.a neither hot nor cold
Apatarpanajanya decreasing of body mass
Arochaka Distaste
Aruchi loss of appetite (see agnimandya previous page)
Asahis.n.uta intolerable
Asampu-rn.a incomplete
As.ta-nga hr.daya written by vriddha Vagbhatta
As.ta-nga samgraha written by laghu Vagbhatta

Asthi bones and cartilages
Asya oral cavity
mla over sour
Ati A
Ati Kasha-ya very astringent
Ati Kat.u excessively pungent
Ati lavan.a very salty
Ati madhura over sweet
Ati rooks.a excessive dryness
Ati snigdha excessively fatty
Ati tikta excessive bitter
Atimootrata excessive urination
Atisa-ra diarrhoea
Atya-gni excess digestive fire
Baddhamus.ti closing of fist
Ba-la from birth to 16 years of age
Ba-la kshayam decrease of strength
Bala-kara strength promoting
Balam vitality
Bali sacrifice
Bali palitam wrinkled skin/premature ageing
Bhakshan.a eating
Bhaks.yam eatables
Bhrama vertigo
Bija seed
81
Candana sandal wood

Chandra moon
Chhardi vomiting
Chu-dakarma shaving of scalp hair
Cu-rn.a powder
Dadhi curd
Dadhi nava-nna newly harvested rice
Damstrini fanged creatures or insects
Danta teeth
Daurgandhya bad odour
Devata- deity
yurveda which governs the body pathology
Dha-tu seven body elements described in A
Dhoopana/Havana fumigation
Dhumrapa-na smoke inhalation
Dina-cha-rya daily regimen
Di-pana increases appetite
D.o-la swing
yurveda viz. va-ta, pitta, kapha
Dosha- three physiological factors described in A
Dourbalya weak
Drava-dhikata- more liquid
Dravalpata less liquid
Drid.hakara strong
Drishtina-saka destroyer of vision
Dugdha milk especially cows milk
Gandha smell perception
Gand.usha gargling
Garbhadhan pregnancy
Garbhaja created by pregnancy
Garbho-daka amniotic fluid
Gaurava Heaviness
Ghaditam obstruction
Ghr.ta Ghee
Gla-ni dullness
82
Go-tra lineage
yurvedic description about infective organisms, vitamin deficiency,
Graha A
planetary influence
Guda jaggery
Gudam anus
Gun.a character and property of a drug in the context
Guru heavy
Guru a-hara heavy diet
Guru bhojana heavy diet
Hema gold
Hita a-ha-r wholesome diet
Hridaya heart
Hridgaurava dullness
Hridroga cardiac disease
Indhana fuel
Indriya prasa-da activity of the sense organs
Indriya-rtha five sensory factors i.e. sabda, spars.a, ru-pa, rasa, gandha are collectively
known as Indriya-rtha
Jala water
Jala sodhana water purification
Jana-padodhwamsa destruction of human habitation
Ja-takarma birth measures
Jat.hara-gni gastric fire
Jihwa- tongue
Jwara fever
Ka-la time factor
Kalka paste
Kandu Itching
Kanji curry variety/gruel with vegetables
Kan.t.ha/kan.t.ha pradesh oropharynx and larynx
Kan.t.haro-ga disease of throat
Kapha mucus/cold and calm in nature, its action potential accelerated by va-ta
Kapha vardhaka increases kapha DoshaKaphadha-tu anabolic action of kapha
Kaphapittashamaka pacify Kaphapitta dosha

Kapha pitta hara reduces kapha and pitta
Karma deeds
Karn.avedhana ear piercing
Ka-rpa-sa cotton
Karpu-ra camphor
Ka-rshyakara causes emaciation
Ka-rsya emaciation
Ka-sa cough
Kas.a-ya decoction
Kasha-ya astringent
Kasturi musk
Kat.u pungent
Kauma-rabhr.itya paediatrics
Kesha dourbalya weakness of hair
Khara hard
Kles.a tiredness
kos.t.ha visceras
Kri-da bhoomi playground
Krimighna insecticidal/antiprotozoal
Krishata emaciated body
Kr.satva emaciation
Ks.i-ra milk
Ks.i-raannada- from 13 months to 36 months (Toddler)
Ks.i-raja created by milk
Ks.i-rapa- from birth up to 12 months of age (infant)
Kulattha horsegram
Kuma-ragara neonatal care unit/nursery
Kus.t.ha skin disease
Kva-tha/kas.a-ya decoction
Laghu light
Langhaniya reduces body mass or fat
Lavana salt
83
84
Leedham lick
Lehya electuaries
Lepa smearing
Madhu honey
Madhura sweet
Madhya medium
Madhya wine
Majja- bone marrow
Mala three external body secretions
Malabandha Hard stool
Mala-varodha constipation
Ma-msa body muscle & flesh/meat
Mangala homa oblation to God for auspiciousness
Mantra vedic hymns
Ma-rdava kara dryness all over the body
Ma-sha black gram
Masurika measles
Matsya fish
Meda fatty portion of the body
Medhya intellect promoting
Medo sanchaya fat deposition
Moha unconscious
Mootra-lpata- scanty urination
Mridu soft
Mrittika- clay
Muhu-rta time
Mukha face/face and oral cavity/mouth
Mukha ro-ga disease of the oral cavity
Mu-laka radish
Mun.d.ana tonsure
Mu-shika rat
Mu-tra urine
Na-bhikun.d.ala/Na-bhitun.d.i umbilical hernia
85
Nabhinala umbilicial cord

Na-bhipa-ka umbilical cord suppuration
Na-bhisotha inflammation of the cord base
Na-bhovran.a ulcer over cordbase
Naks.atra star
Nalacchedana cutting of umbilical cord
Na-makarana naming ceremony
Na-saka destroying
Nasya nasal instillation
Navaja-ta birth to 1 month of age (Neonate)
Navani-ta butter
Netra eye
Netra ro-ga eye disease
Netrabhishyanda conjunctivitis
Nidra sleep
Nidrana-sa insomnia
Nirjana pradesha uninhabited and lonely place
Niskraman.a The act of taking the child outside the home for the first time
Oja immune factor whose action can be described as per Ayurvedic text
Ojaksaya immune deficiency
Paitik Predominance of pitta
Pakti suitable media for digestion
Panchakarma five cleansing majors like vamana, verechana, asthapana, anuvasana,
shirovrechana
Panchamaha-bhu-ta the five Universal elements viz. Prithvi, Jala, Agni, Va-yu, Akasha
Panchatanmatra the five innate potentiality of panchamaha-bhu-ta viz. Sabda, sparsa,
ru-pa, rasa, gandha
Pa-ndu anaemia
Para-dhe-nata- dependant
Parica-raka caretaker of the child
Paricharya care
Parimarjana cleaning
Pa-rs.wabheda pain in flanks
86
Patang flies
Peetam drinkables
Peya medicated drinks
Phalapra-shan weaning food with fruit juice started after 6 months of age of child
Phan.ita wine variety
Pisatanna diet variety prepared with paste of blackgram and rice
Pishitasevita wrong food habits
Pitta maintain temperature, takes its action as per its placement, and accelerates
by va-ta
Pittashamaka pacify pitta dosha
Poshaka nutritious
Prabha-va influence of a drug
Pradha-na predominant
Prakr.ti body nature
Prameha diabetes
Pra-n.apratya-gamana regain consciousness
Pra-sana internal administration through oral route

Pratapta dip
Pratisya-ya common cold
Pravarana covering sheet
Prithvi earth
Puja ritual method of worship of gods
Pumsavana measures to get male child
Purisha stool
Pushtikarak nutritive
Raks.a- karma protective measure
Raks.o-gna protective (bacteriostatic drugs in the context)
Rakta blood
Raktapittam vitamin C (deficiency and anaemia)
Rasa taste perception/transparent part of internal body secretions viz. plasma, lymph
Rasa-yana rejuvenative
Raupya silver
Rooksata dry (see also Ruksa)
87
Ro-ga disease
Roma-ha-rsha bristling of the hairs of the body from cold or fear
Ruks.a dry (see also Ruksa)
Ru-pa colour perception
Sabda sound perception
Saindhav rock salt
Saithilya flaccidity
Sa-ka edible leaves
Sa-kha limbs i.e. upper and lower
Sakrinmootra loose stool and urine/irregular bowel movement
Sa-li rice variety
yurvedic siddhanta meaning similarity
Samanya an A
Sama-vartana marriage
Samgra-hi drug which helps to absorb water in the intestine; balanced digestive fire
Samska-ra- Hindu religious rites
Sandhyaka-la evening
Sankra-maka contagious
Sa-nti homa religious rites of sacrifice by producing fire with wood and ghee by the
priests with enchanting Vedic hymns
Sareera-dha-tu body elements
Sarpi/Ghr.ta ghee
Satwa dynamic psychology
Seeta cold/cool
Sayana bed
Shukrahara decreases semen
Si-mantonayana samska-ra- family celebration during pregnancy
Sisu baby
Skandhaba-lagraha name
Skandhapasmaraba-lagraha name
Sles.ma mucus
Sna-na bath
Snehana oleation
Snigdha soothing
88
Sonita ovum
Sos.a dryness; tuberculosis
Sparsa touch perception
Stoulya obese
Suklapaks.a the period from new moon to full moon
Sukra semen/sperm, ovum and other secretions responsible for reproduction

Sukrahara lack of semen
Sukuma-ra delicate
Sura-sava wines
Su-rya sun
Sus.ka dryness
Suvarna gold
Swapada dogs, cats, and other animals
Swaraha-nikara diminished voice
Swarasa juice
Swa-sa asthma/dyspnoea
Swastha healthy
Sweda sweat
Sweda bibhatsata Unpleasant odour due to sweating
Swedana sudation
Ta-lu palate
Tandra- drowsiness
Ta-nd.ula rice grain
Teek.sna sharp
Tikta bitter
Tila til (sesame)
Tithi- date as per lunar calendar
Tris.n.akara thirst
Twak sus.kata dry skin
Twaka vikara skin disease/allergic skin problems
Twak vikara vriddikaram increases skin allergy
Udaka ku-n.da water-filled earthen pots
Udarasoola colic pain
mbupurna Vya-dhi broncho-pneumonia

Ulbaka or A
Ulva vernix caseosa
Unnatana-bhi umbilical polyp
Upachaya na-sam lack of growth
Upanayana threading ceremony
Us.n.a warm/hot
Us.n.odaka luke warm water
Utkles.a decreased digestive capacity
Vamana processed emesis in panchakarma
Vamathu nausea
Va-naprastha living outside from residence
Va-ri water
Varna colour/complexion
Vasana dress
Va-ta having its own velocity and power of action, present all over the body
Va-takaphahara decrease or pacify va-takapha dosha
Va-taprakopakara vitiates va-tadosha
Va-ta dustikara impairment of vata
Vat.i- pill
Va-yu air
Veda-rambha start of schooling
Vid lavana black salt
Vidra-dhi abcess
Vidyalaya school
Vihar regimen
Vipa-ka metabolic action of a drug
Virechana processed purgatives in panchakarma
Vi-rya potency of a drug
Vis.agrathi herbal drug
Vis.amajwara typhoid
yurvedic siddhanta meaning dissimilarity
Visesha an A
Visodhana wash
Viva-ha marriage
89
90
Vran.aropaka which heals injury

Vr.iddi Increases
Vr..sya aphrodisiac
Vrumhaniya anabolic or increases body mass
Vya-dhija created by disease
Vya-dhikshamatva immunity
Vyava-ya sexual intercourse
91
BIBLIOGRAPHY
1. Agnivesh, Carakasamhita Volume II with Caraka Chandrika Hindi Commentary,
Dr.Brahmanand Tripathi (ed.), Chaukhambha Sanskrit Prakashan Publication,
Varanasi, 2004.
2. Dash Durga Prasad, A clinical study on management of infantile colic with
kuberaksha (Caesaltinea crista) Ph.d. thesis, Rajasthan Ayurved University,
November, 2008.
3. Ghai. O.P., Essential Pediatrics, 5th Edition, published by Mehta Publishers,
New Delhi, 2000.
4. Govindadasa, Bhaishajyaratnavali, Ambikadatta shastri (ed.), 13th edition,
Chaukambha Sanskrit Bhavan, Varanasi, 1999.
5. Mishra, Devendranath, Kauma-rabhr.tya, published by Chaukhambha Vidyabhavan
Varanasi, 2002.
6. Lankapati Ravana, Kumaratantram translated by pandit Ravidutta; virachita
bhasha tika sahityam, published by gangavishnu srikrishnadasa series, kalyan,
Mumbai, 1954.
7. Sharma Priyavrat, DravyaGun.a vijan, Part 1 & II, 16th edition, Chaukhambha
Vishwabharathi publishers, Varanasi, 1994.
8. Sushruta, Sushruta Samhita- , Vol. I & II Hindi Commentary, Kaviraja
mbikadatta Shastri(ed.), 14th edition, published by Chaukhambha Sanskrit
A
Sansthan, Varanasi, 2003.
9. Swain S (Editor), Ethno Medicinal Plants at Biju Patnaik Medicinal Plants

Garden and Research Centre M S Swaminathan Research Centre, Jeypore,
Odisha, 20082009.
10. Tewari P.V., Kasyapa Samhita- , with English translation and commentary,
1stedition, published by Chaukhambha Vishwabharathi, Varanasi, 1996.
11. Tewari P.V and Sharma R.K., Ayurvedic Concepts of healthy mother and Happy
Child National Academy of Ayurveda Publications, 1998.
12. Vaghabhata, As.ta-nga Hridayam with Nirmala Hindi commentary, Brahmanand
Tripathi (ed.), 9th edition, Chaukhambha Orientalia, Varanasi, 2002.
13. Vriddha Vagbhatta, As.ta-nga Samgraha, with Hindi commentary by Kaviraj
Atridev G
upta, 1stedition, Krishnadas Academy publishers, Varanasi, 1993.
92
14. Yogaratnakara, Yogaratnakara with Vaidya Prabha Hindi Commentary,

Dr. Indradev Tripathi and Dr. Dayashankar Tripathi (ed.), 1st edition,
published by Krishnadas Academy, Varanasi, 1998.
15. Bhava Mishra, Bhavaprakasa Nighantu with hindi commentary by
Dr. K.C. Chunekar and Dr. G.S. Pandey (ed.), 1st edition, published by
Chaukhambha bharathi, academy, Varanasi, reprint 2002.
yurvedic Remedies for Common Illness. Central Council of Research
16. GOI, A
inAyurveda and Siddha, Health and F.W Department.
Dr Durga Prasad Dash, M.D. (Ay) an Ayurvedic Paediatritian, completed Post

Graduation on the subject of Kaumarabhritya from Utkal University in Odisha, India
in 2001 and Ph.d. on the same subject at the National Institute of Ayurveda affiliated
to Rajasthan University at Jodhpur, Rajasthan, India in 2009. He has undertaken Post
Graduate teaching at the Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences, Bengaluru, in
Karnataka and at the Maharashtra University of Health Sciences at Nasik, Maharashtra,
India. He has about ten years of experience in Post Graduate teaching. He has
published a monograph on Paipalades Garbopanishad in 2006 and has contributed
to the journal Aryavaidyan. He is currently an Associate Professor at the Post Graduate
Department of Kaumarabhritya, Loknethe Rajaram Bapu Patil Ayurvedic Medical
College and Research Institute, Islampur, Maharashtra. He can be contacted at
dpd75@rediffmail.com
Paediatrics in Ayurveda
About the Author
Paediatrics
Ayurveda
IN
for Ksirapa
Ksira Annada
& Annada
isu
Ayurvedic Cikitsa
3rd Cross Road, Taramani Institutional Area

Phone: +91-44-2254 1229 / 2254 1698
Fax: +91-44-2254 1319 / 2254 1645
Web: www.mssrf.org
ISBN 978-81-883552-3-5
Dr. Durgaprasad da sh M. D. (AY ), Ph. D .
DR. DURGAPRASAD DASH M.D. (AY), Ph.D.

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Dr Durga Prasad Dash, M.D.

(Ay) an Ayurvedic Paediatritian, completed Post

About the Author

3rd Cross Road, Taramani Institutional Area

Dr. Durgaprasad da sh M. D. (AY ), Ph. D .

M S Swaminathan Research Foundation

DR. DURGAPRASAD DASH M.D. (AY), Ph.D.

Dr. Durgaprasad Dash M.D. (Ay), Ph.D

M S Swaminathan Research Foundation

M S Swaminathan Research Foundation

First impression, 2014

Copyright Durga Prasad Dash, 2014

Typeset & Printing by DigitalAge Solutions & Services, Chennai

Indo Romanic Equivalent of Devana-gari Alphabets

Preventive, Protective and Promotive Methods

Nutritional Disorders in Children as per Ayurvedic classics

M S Swaminathan Research Foundation

Swa-sa-vaha Samstha-na Ro-ga

Photographs of some of the plants and plant parts between pages

Glossary of Sanskrit Terms

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Dr. Rama Narayanan

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M S Swaminathan Research Foundation

INDO ROMANIC EQUIVALENTS OF DEVANAGARI ALPHABETS

yurveda is founded on certain basic principles that have a permanent relevance

yurveda. The greatness of A

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nya and Visesa Concepts

The Raw Materials Used in Ayurvedic Medicines

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are innocuous, there are several, acknowledged to be poisonous in nature,

yurveda began about 3000 BC, and was

KASYAPA, VASISTA, ATRI, BHRIGU, KAASYAPA

ANAYASA YAKSHA VATSYA

NEPAL RAJAGURU PANDIT-HEMARAJ SHARMA

Kauma-rabhr.itya and Its Significance

Brihatrayi in Ayurvedic Parampara

M S Swaminathan Research Foundation

There are eight divisions (chapter headings) of Ayurveda provided, namely

Tasya-yurveda sya-nga-nyas..tau: tadyatha- Ka-yaci-iki-tsa-,

As per SUSRUTA SAMHITA (Susrutas text)

Ka-yaba-lagrahordhva-nga salya drams.t.a-jara vr..sa-na (A.S.su.1/6)

Ka-yaba-lagrahordhva-nga salya drams.t.a-jara vr..sa-na

Kauma-rabhr.ityamas.t.a-na-m tantra-n.a-ma-dya muchyate

Ba-la (Children) from birth to 16 years of age

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Kapha pradha-na ka-la There is predominance of kapha dosha- which is

Feeding and Dietary Regimen

NAVAJATA SISU PARICHARYA

Management of the Neonate

Step-II: Pra-n.apratya-gamana (to make the newborn conscious and stable)

Step-III: Na-lacchedana (cutting of umbilical cord)

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Step-IV: U lva parimarjana (cleaning of vernix caseosa)

Step-V: Garbhodaka vamana (stomach wash)

Step-VI: Sna-na (bath)

Decoction of stems/barks of Ks.e-ri vriksha (like (Vata,

Dominance of pitta (Child has skin problems)

Raupya hema - pratapta va-ri (Water treated with silver/gold)

1. Drava-dhikata- (more liquid) Utkles.a (decreased digestive fire), Pa-rs.wabheda

8. Ati lavan.a (very salty) Swaraha-nikara (diminished voice), trishna-kara