PEDIATRIC PRACTICE AND RESEARCH IN AYURVEDA: THE RIGHT TIME

Kaumārabhr̥tya or Bālacikitsa has transcended the tests of time. It has been an area of proactive practice in several parts of the nation. Pediatrics is a promising field not only in Ayurveda but in Siddha (Kuzhantai maruttuvam/Bālavagadattiruṭṭu) and Unani (Amraz-e-Atfal) too. These traditional branches of pediatrics are at crossroads. The public notion that the indigenous, traditional interventions suit their children better has probably led to an increased preference towards these systems. On the other side, for these practices to remain current and find their deserving space in community health, it needs much more evidence. Health promotion and disease prevention Svarṇaprāśana is one of the most important contributions of Kaumārabhr̥tya to society. It is like presenting ‘old wine in new bottle’ – a new beacon in Ayurveda Pediatric practice. It is the experience of many learned practitioners of Ayurveda and research outcomes in specific that Svarṇaprāśana acts as a positive adjuvant to many existing therapies and boost the cure and recovery rate and many a times acts as a sure shot remedy too! Its use as a prophylactic immunomodulator and nootropic has become a widespread practice all over the country owing to its safety and effectiveness in these domains. In biomedicine as well, gold is an emerging broad- spectrum therapeutic agent in cancer, respiratory illnesses, pain, and cognitive impairments. Non- gold preparations having prophylactic and immunomodulatory actions are also common in practice as parts of vernacular traditions, like Uraimarunnu in the south and Janma ghunti in the north. Prākāra yogas are immunomodulators specific to children, mentioned in Ārogyakalpadruma (pediatric treatise).