HOME REMEDIES FOR CHILDREN

Today children are tomorrow's citizens Hence the health of children in the long run determines a nation's health.  There is a media hype trying to make the public aware of the need for efficient child care. In addition vaccinations modern diagnostic procedures and instruments special paediatric medicines and surgical techniques have strnegthened paediatric care. Ayurveda had ladia stress on child health as early as two thousand years ago kaumara bhrithya dealing with paediatrics is one of the eight major branches in Ayurveda The great sage Kashyapa  Samhitha the preventive health care of children from infancy to maturity   the various diseases affecting them and cures for the same.  As a child feeds mainly on milk from infancy to one year of age this period was suitably termed as Ksheerada (Ksheera in Sanskrit means milk) likewise a child feeds on milk  semi- solid and certain solid food from one to four years of age and hence this period was termed ksheerannada (Ksheera+Anna =Milk+cooked rice )As described in Ayurveda the mode of treatment differs in each of the a bove age groups. mother,s milk contains several immunity -boosting factors and nutritive proteins that are easily digestible by the neonate. On the contrary , cow's milk has proteins which the infant cannot digest and hence cause milk intolerance. Hence , mother's milk is compulsory for the first one year. If in case the mother fails to produce enough milk , saunf leaves and bottle gourd must be added to her diet. Also , asparagus roots should be powdered well, one spoon of powder dissolved in a cup of hot milk and consumed three times a day.

In addition , the time  tested home remedies for specific diseases in children are as follows:

MILK INTOLERANCE

• One whole elaichi is pricked with a sterilised needle and held against a flame till it is burnt.

When charred it is converted into powder . The infant should be made to lick a pinch of this powder mixed with a little honey. If need be, this should be fed on an hourly basis.

• Similarly,  a peacock feather is burnt, charred and powdered and used in a manner as described above.

• . Saunf (''Somp'') is powdered and a spoon of this is dissolved in half a cup of hot water . The solution is allowed to stand till the particles settle at the bottom. The clear  fluid on top of the sediment should be fed to the infant at the rate of one spoon per hour. After feeding the infant it should be made to sit erect and its back gently massaged in a downward direction which prevents regurgitation and vomiting of the milk consumed . Water mixed with a pinch of the salt and sugar is very effective in controlling vomiting in children of any age. In addition, the advice of a qualified paediatrician is essential. 

LOOSE MOTION

Loose motion and consequent dehydration are common causes of infant mortality in case of an ill-developed immune system. The useful home remedies are:

.Breast feeding should be immediately withheld and freshly prepared curd that has been fermented for four hours should be churned well and fed to the infant or child.

• . Nutmeg should be ground in water and the paste thus obtained fed to the infant thrice daily. In case of severe loose motion with impending dehydration , this medicine should be given on an hourly basis.

• . The skin of a pomegranate fruit is peeled off and crushed well. One spoon measure of this crushed skin is added to a cup of water and the mixture brought to boil.The medicinal solution or decoction thus obtained is decanted and fed to the infant at the rate of one spoon every hour.
• . Nutgrass tubers are ground in honey to obtain a paste that is fed to the infant three times a day. A solution of water and a pinch of salt and sugar is also effective against loose motion. But the advice of a qualified paediatrician is a must.

CONSTIPATION

It is common practice to feed an infant suffering from constipation with caster oil. This is very deleterious to the health of the child and at times even fatal. Caster oil irritates the colon of the infant and may cause severe diarrhoea. Hence ,the folllowing home remedies are indispensible:

• Chebulic myloboron nut is  ground well in water and the paste thus obtained is fed in quantities of a quarter spoon three times  a day. This relieves constipation and abdominal distension and

         increases the child,s appetite

• Apart of a betel leaf is dipped in betel-leaf is dipped in castor oil for a while and is then gently applied applied to the anal region of the child This softens the anal region and restores bowel movements .
• Castor oil is applied to a betel-leaf which is mildly warmed over a low flame .The warmed leaf when applied over the childs abdomen distension and restores  bowel movements.
• Dry fig is squeezed in half a cup of water This water is spoon fed very frequently Similarly sweet-lime juice is very effective in case of constipation in children.

ORAL ULCERS

If a lacating mother does not cleanse her nipples and the surrounding region of areola of her breast  prior to feeding there is every possibility of the infant developing oral ulcers Hence hygiene of the breast is of utmost importance in lactating mothers

The simple home remedies that cure oral ulcers are:

• pure honey when smeared frequently upon the ulcerated areas cures oral   ulcers.
• The pulp in the core of a mango seed is extracted and ground well in pure honey The paste thus obtained is fed to the infant three times a day.
• Coriander seed are powdered and filtered over a clean piece of cloth A pinch of this powder when sprinkled over the ulcerated areas cures them completely.
• The  bark of the peepal tree is ground in pure honey and is obtained A quarter spoon of paste is three time  a day to cure oral ulcers 

COUGH AND COLD 

Cough and cold are the commonest enemies of healthy child .They can strike at any moment and are prevalent throughout the year .The vulnerability of the infant,s immune system and the varieties of common cold viruses are the main causes behind the recurrence of common cold The  useful home remedies are:

• Acorus plant is ground in water and the paste thus obtained is warmed over a low flame The warm paste whe applied as a pack over the forehead relieves the headache and nasal block associated with a bout of severe cold.
• A whole garlic is crushed well to extract the juice A quarter spoon of juice mixed with equal  quantity of pure honey is fed to the infant.
• Acorus is ground in water and a quarter spoon of the paste thus obtained is fed on an empty stomach followed by a cup of milk This induces vomiting which immediately relieves symptoms of cold and cough.
• A few leaves of tulasi, leaved levender and ruta are warmed (pre-heated ) in an iron-pan over a low flame The warmed leaves are then crushed to extract the juice Quarter spoon of juice is fed thrice daily to cure common cold and cough.
• The flower of vasaka plant which grows abundantly  in rural areas and is easily available for domestic use is easily available for domestic use is crushed well  to extract juice When this juice mixed with equal  quantity of  honey is to the infant frequently the cough is immediately cured In addition the juice obtained by crushing the leaves of vasaka plant is very effective against cough in older children  one spoon of that juice should be taken three time a day.

 NOCTURNAL ENEURESIS (BEDWETTING)

Some children suffer from  bedwetting at night Fear lack of confidence and other psychological factors contribute a great deal to this disease proper counselling to ward off fear of any object is very

essential to boost psychological health and prevent bedwetting.

The child must not go to bed until three hours  have elapsed affter dinner Hence an eariy dinner is preferable Drinks that increase urine production such as fruit juice and milk must not be given at night

some helpful home remedies are

• The roots of the little gourd creeper are crushed and the juice thus  extracted is fed to the child just before going to bed.
• One spoon of  finely powdered chebulic myloboron is added to half a cup of cold water early in the morning.The water floating on top of the sediment is given as a bed time drink to the child.
• Emblic myloboron is powdered well and filtered over a clean piece of cloth to separate the fine powder. Half a spoon of this powder mixed with honey is given to the child at bed time continuously for one whole week.This destroys the intestinal worms, increases appetite and relieves constipation as well as bedwetting.
• Only some of the paediatric disrases responding to home remedies have been illustrated above. But a stitch in time saves nine. Hence, no disease should be neglected and allowed to take a violent course. A medicine once prescribed by a doctor must not be taken without medical consultation the next time similar symptoms are experienced.Nutritious food and hygiene are the building blocks of a childs health.
• SPARSE HAIR AND DULL INTELLIGENCE IN CHILDREN;
• Hair growth in children is completely determined by heredity and hence medicated oils should not be applied. A great deal of attention must be given to the child's health and nutrition.Care must be taken not to use very hot water when giving baths to children. Carrots are  rich in Vitamin A and hence, one cup of carrot juice everyday makes a very healthy drink. 
• As the child grows, his bodily organs and the brain develop correspondingly.The I.Q.of a child increases with age. 
• Acorus is charred over a flame, ground well and honey added to it. A little quantity of this substance is mixed with pure ghee and given to the child early in the morning on an empty stomach say, on Wednesday and on the Sunday that comes immediately next.