AYURVEDIC REMEDIES FOR INFANTILE DIARRHOEA
Intake of defective milk or infection
in the alimentary tract causes diarrhoea in children. If the child is fed on the breast milk, the digestive conditions of the mother also affect the digestion of the milk by the
child. Along with diarrhoea, the child may even get vomiting and gripping pain in the stomach, The stool may be liquid and foul-smelling, and it may be of
greenish or yellowish
colour. Diarrhoea is a common manifestation during the teething time of the child.
Ayurvedic Treatment for Infantile Diarrhoea: Many brands of gripe waters are available in the market which are commonly used by mothers during such troubles. Most of
them contain carminatives, and are harmful, if used
for a prolonged period. The commonly used medicine in Ayurveda for this condition is musta. This is a small herb which grows in grass fields and hedge rows. The root or rhizome which
looks like a small tuber is used as medicine. This should be cleaned properly and rubbed on a piece of clean stone and made into the consistency of a paste. About 125 gm. of this
paste are given to the child three to four times a day. This rhizome may also be used in the form of a powder. 65 gm. of this powder may be given to the child four times a day, mixed
with half a teaspoonful of honey each time. This works as a carminative as well. If there are many liquid motions or vomiting then he should be given jatiphala. 65 gm. of powder
of this seed is given to the child four times a day, mixed with honey. Depending upon the seriousness of the ailment the dose of this drug can be increased.
A compound preparation called Gorochanadi vatika is very useful in the treatment of this condition especially when due to frequent, loose motions, the child becomes dehydrated and
emaciated. This is available in the form of pills about 30 gm. each. One pill of this drug should be given to the child four times a day, mixed with honey.
Diet to taken by Infantile Diarrhoea patients: The child should not be given milk containing a high percentages of fat. Cow's milk is normally considered to be good
because it contains less fat than buffalo milk. If the
child is unable to digest even cow's milk, then goat's milk can be given. Even cow's milk can be given, diluted with water. While boiling the milk, about 125 gm. of the powder of the
rhizome of musta should be added. If the mother is suffering from indigestion, she should also be treated if she is feeding the child. According to Ayurveda the breast milk of the
mother or the wet-nurse gets vitiated by vayu, pitta and kapha. Characteristic features of the milk that is vitiated by these doshas are described in detail in Ayurvedic classics.
Such vitiated milk produces many diseases in the child. Therefore, in the first instance the milk of the mother or the wet nurse should be examined and corrected.
When the mother who feeds her child becomes pregnant, lactation slowly stops. But in some cases lactation continues even after pregnancy. If the child takes the milk of the pregnant
mother then this causes a diseases which in Ayurveda is known as parigarbhika. One of the notable symptoms of this disease is the commencement of diarrhoea. In that case the child
should be immediately switched over to some other food.
Other regimens: The child should not be disturbed or teased. It should be permitted to sleep comfortable and as long as it likes. Any disturbances in sleep may causes,
diarrhoea and
vomiting. Long journeys by train or car should be avoided during diarrhoea.
