Childhood is considered as the most important phase in life, which determines the quality of health, well being, learning and behaviour across the lifespan. This may be the reason for giving the foremost position for Balacikitsa among Ashtangas (8 branches) of Ayurveda. The regional growth of indigenous medicine gave significant contribution for the development of primary health care. Kerala has major contribution of many authentic textbooks of Balacikitsa like Arogyakalpadruma, Vaidya Tarakam etc. These are more practically oriented and it can be considered as a physician's quick reference hand book. Many new diseases which are not mentioned in classical textbooks have found their place in these books. Medications like Praakaara yoga, Uramarunnuprayoga were administered in children as a mode of immunization, which helps in the maintenance of health and prevention of disease. Many diseases like Karappan (balavisarpa), Shakarogas etc. were common in Kerala and various indigenous treatment modalities were developed for such diseases. Single drug Prayogas with herbs like Mayaphal (galls), Tripadi (DesmodiumTriflorum L.), etc. and yogams like Nalikerakwatha (Putapakakalpana), Mukkuti (Takrakalpana) etc. were practiced commonly. Many effective therapies like Shashtikapindasweda, Thalapothichil (Sirolepa) etc. are an inevitable part of Balacikitsa. In this paper, an attempt is made to compile the theoretical concepts and unique practices of Balacikitsa in Kerala and to convey it's importance. The present article also addresses, how these vernacular books and traditional knowledge waned away from the Mainstream Ayurveda.
Avapeedaka Snehapana is a unique and special method of internal
administration of Sneha dravya (unctuous medicine) mentioned in the
classical ayurveda texts. It is mainly indicated in mutravegarodha janya
vikara (diseases due to the suppression of urge of micturition). Because of the
lack of adequate review and analysis, this method of administration of
snehapana (internal administration of lipid) is losing its significance
from the practices and the concept remains unexplored. The reasons for not being practiced
like other snehana (oleation therapy) procedures are because of the less
understanding of the concept of administration, scattered and minimal textual references.
Through this review, we intend to have a detailed analysis on the concept of
avapeedaka snehapana mentioned in the Brihatrayees
(Caraka Samhita, Sushruta Samhita, and Ashtanga Hridaya—the 3 main texts of ayurveda) with
its possible practical methods of administration. The role of ghrita
(ghee) in inducing the ketogenesis is also analyzed. Being a ketogenic diet, the benefits
of ghrita are interpreted. These efforts may help bring down
avapeedaka snehapana into the mainstream of practice.
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