Balachikitsa, Pediatrics in Ayurveda

March 23rd, 2007 | admin

Balachikitsa (pediatrics) in Ayurveda is one among the eight branches of Ashtanga Ayurveda. Other name for Bala chikitsa is Kaumarbhritya or Kaumara bhritya. Caring of children follows two main methods – preventive and treating methods. Preventive methods start even before the birth of child. In fact, it begins even before the child is conceived within the womb of a woman. Fresh food, pleasant mind, good atmosphere, etc are necessary for the mother to give birth to a healthy child.

Balachikitsa covers special care to be given to the child in each and every stage of growth.  Specially prepared ointment is applied to the whole body, excluding head, mainly to avoid future diseases caused due to vata. The room where the baby is kept is sterilized by smoking with medicinal herbs that have sterilizing and cleaning properties.

The best food for a new born baby is breast milk.

Bala (pronounced ba-lah) means children below the age of 16. Almost all diseases that affect adults attack children too. Diagnosis of the disease can be a bit difficult with children. Kids and children are also given much lower doses medicines than to adults.

Vagbhata in his classical writings, Ashtanga Samgraha and Ashtanga Hridaya, which are mostly descriptions and abstract of previously available books, Charaka Samhita and Sushruta Samhita tells in detail about Balachikitsa including prenatal, natal and post natal care to be given to children. Healthy children are responsible for healthy society – this is the unquestionable view of Ayurveda. It not only deals with the physical care, but also the requirement of giving healthy food for the mind. Ayurveda believes that both healthy mind and healthy mind are inter-dependant.

Balachikitsa is the branch of Ayurveda that deals with health issues of children, from before conception to the age of sixteen.