Balachikitsa, Pediatrics in Ayurveda

March 24th, 2007 | admin

Balachikitsa or pediatrics in Ayurveda has 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 begins the minute the child is born. 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.

By the word bala (children) it is understood that persons 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.