| Healing Arts Center
for Children
Ayurveda in children
Ayurveda is made up of two Sanskrit words: Ayu which
means life and Veda which means the knowledge of. To know about
life is Ayurveda. The principles of Ayurveda were devised 6000 years
ago in India and hold as true today as they did then. Ayurveda is a very
complex system of medicine which asks a lot from an individual of this
day and age. Ayurvedic medicines, in themselves, are typically not as
useful as when used correctly with lifestyle changes.
Ayurveda is based on a system of nutritional modifications, physical
exercises in the form of yoga postures, right sleeping, waking, massage,
meditation and cleansing.
As you can well imagine this is harder to incorporate
in the young child. Children do learn Yoga easily and can have a lifetime
of benefit from this modality of preserving health. Non-sectarian and
non-religious forms of yoga are widely accepted in the mainstream medical
system to help benefit several problems including ADHD without any of
the side effects of medications.
Ayurvedic medications correct energy or elemental
imbalances and may take up to years to show their full effect. They will
at times show no benefit whatsoever if not combined with the required
lifestyle changes. Lifestyle changes, such as the preparation of fresh
food daily and no use of leftovers, canned or frozen food in almost all
treatment regimens that are ideal, is almost impossible in the modern
society of fast food and take out dinners.
The safety of Ayurvedic medicine is of concern as
there are high levels of heavy metals which are found in various medication,
especially lead and mercury. The FDA does not monitor the contents of these
medications and one must be mindful of these toxins especially in imports
from Asia and China. There are some reputable companies that will have
certificates from FDA approved labs that have cleared their medications
of heavy metal content. |
