Ayurveda for Child Growth, Nutrition and Healthcare

Ayurveda - A boon for Mankind!

Ayurveda encapsulates the ancient wisdom of natural substances, herbs, and medicines for a stress-free and healthy life. It aims to establish a balance between the body, soul, and mind by blending health-oriented habits into the modern lifestyle. The foundation of healthy habits can be best laid during the initial years. As children develop into young adults, they must adopt healthy lifestyle habits. Ayurveda has vast resources to promote growth, ensure nutrition, and provide healthcare ideal for uninterrupted development. Children can realise their full potential with the help of proper nutrition and the right healthcare. Let's understand how to utilise the information about Ayurveda for growth.  

Why Ayurveda for child growth?

According to Ayurveda, the three essential doshas form the foundation of a child's body - Vata, Kapha, and Pitta. The element Vata is associated with air and space and governs processes like blood flow, breathing, elimination, and thought movements in the mind. Kapha is an element connected to the earth and water. The Kapha embodies the structure and stability of the mind and body. Based on fire and water, the Pitta dosha is linked to a powerful personality. This element controls heat, metabolism, and body-mind transformations. A child may have a predominant dosha and must be given proper nutrition and advice to handle the dosha. 

To understand the role that Ayurveda can play in child growth, it is important to understand a person's constitution as per Ayurvedic knowledge. At conception, the constitution takes root, strengthens at birth, and remains stable throughout life. This constitution symbolises a person's natural harmony and is a prototype for developing good health. It influences our physiological features, and outward characteristics, along with determining habits, preferences, and emotional framework. Ayurveda understands that a child's well-being spans more than their physiological needs. Therefore, Ayurveda advocates for child growth, addressing emotional sensitivity and providing guidance for children's abundant energy. 

Ayurveda Advantage for your Child

Allopathic medicines may have side effects, and Ayurveda is an excellent alternative to modern medicines. The purity and safety of Ayurvedic medicines make them suitable for children since the preparation involves natural herbs and substances. A distinguished way to build children's immunity and keep disease away, Ayurveda is backed by thousands of years of study and research. Ayurveda can contribute to the well-balanced growth of your child by improving nutritional intake and developing healthier habits. Ayurvedic preparations like Chyawanprash are recommended to promote growth. Massage with Ayurvedic oils is considered to be beneficial for infants. The ancient ayurvedic practice of administering pure gold bhasma to children as an immunity booster helps strengthen them. Other ayurvedic medicines for good health empower children to fight off common infections and builds their immune systems to tackle better the symptoms of colds, flu, nausea, vomiting, etc.  

How does Ayurveda help Children?

The branch of Ayurveda that deals with common illnesses in infants and children is called Bala Tantra. Ayurvedic medicines are designed to help children overcome common diseases and protect them from such illnesses. Along with a healthy body and smooth functioning of internal organs, Ayurveda can be beneficial for overall harmony and for developing a healthy mind. Ayurvedic medicines for good health are considered safe to administer without side effects. Ayurveda boasts of comprehensive resources that advocate child-rearing measures and protocols to treat common infections while focusing on the growth and development of children. 

Rather than addressing questions like Ayurveda for height growth or recommended Ayurvedic diet for a child, Ayurveda emphasises developing healthy routines. A healthy diet goes a long way in promoting growth and provides the required nutrition for healthy development. In addition to the diet, a fixed routine can help children appreciate the importance of wellness daily. Forming healthy habits is an excellent way to provide surety and trust to a child's nervous system. A consistent approach ensures that children develop lifelong healthy habits. 

An ayurvedic routine for children can include the following:

• Rising early
• Eating a nutritious diet
• Consuming plenty of water
• Staying active
• Exercising regularly, among other healthy habits

Nutrition - The Ayurveda Way

Diet trends for adults often include week-wise programs to lose weight and improve metabolism. However, the right way to ensure nutrition for children and adults is to develop a meal plan comprising local food and healthy meals comprising vital nutrients and minerals essential for growth. A diet devoid of preservatives and rich in natural flavours will be beneficial in promoting child growth. Develop a menu to ensure the right amount of nutrition, and Ayurvedic medicine for good health can be incorporated to ensure children build immunity. Home-cooked meals, a conducive eating environment, healthy snacks, and sufficient fruits and vegetables are some factors that will help you maintain an Ayurvedic diet for children. 

Teach children to be prudent, avoid overeating, and minimise water consumption between meals. Emphasise the importance of digestion since it is the basis of good health. Enjoy meals with children and encourage them to drink a sufficient amount of water every day. Include seasonal fruits and vegetables in the meal plan, and remember children prefer lighter meals that help them remain active throughout the day.

For optimal health of your children, consider the below preparations:

• Ginger Honey - Promotes warmth and clarity throughout the digestive system. A pinch of salt and ginger juice mixed with twice the amount of honey can be given to children one teaspoon at a time. 
• Turmeric Milk - Turmeric has anti-inflammatory and anti-allergic properties that benefit children. Boil one cup of milk with a teaspoon of turmeric and let your child drink this milk once a day. Turmeric milk can ease chest congestion and remove mucus allowing the child to breathe easily. 
• Combination of herbs like ginger, turmeric, sitopaladi, cinnamon, etc., with raw honey - Improves digestion and cleansing strength of the child's body.
• Chyawanprash - a strong rejuvenating formula that bolsters the immune system and supports a child's physiological development.
• Herbal Teas - Licorice or ginger tea with honey can enhance digestive strength and support the respiratory tract.

Summarising Growth and Health with Ayurveda 

Ayurveda is a treasure of herbs and natural methodology to develop healthy eating habits and promote child growth. Ayurveda for growth deserves more attention since it goes hand-in-hand with nutrition. Along with medicines that help fight diseases, Ayurveda believes in a healthy lifestyle with its foundation during childhood. A daily routine can benefit children in many ways, and patterns adopted in early life tend to stick later during adult life. Digestion is a cornerstone of health with benefits that span far and wide. Encourage children to observe their bodies and practise mindfulness and meditation with short stints that they can handle.

Harnessing the wisdom of Ayurveda for child growth, nutrition, and healthcare can help you discover a healthy lifestyle, enhance children's immune systems, and keep diseases away. Ayurvedic preparations beneficial for children, such as Chyawanprash and Swarnaprashan, promote growth and strengthen children, improving their ability to ward off infections. A preventative approach to health and well-being, Ayurveda can help provide insights about the child's constitution, protect against vulnerabilities, and unlock children's potential by supporting strength, health, and overall well-being.