My rendezvous with Ayurveda was not just coincidental. My husband Dr. Atul and his guru Prof. P. H. Kulkarni insisted on using Ayurvedic preparations in my clinic. In addition, our Pharmacology maestro of Seth G. S. Medical College and K. E. M. Hospital (Mumbai), Late Dr. Sharadini Dahanular’s work showed a path. She was the one who had studied importance of various Ayurvedic herbs in Indian health scenario. She was conferred the prestigious fellowship of Institute of Indian Medicine for this pioneering work. Studies by some allopaths like scientist Dr. Shubhada Bopegamage from Czechoslovakia about Sanjeevani Guti in managaemant of Rotavirus Diarrhoea and by Paediatrician Dr. Sunita Belgamwar about Ayurvedic herbs made me curious. Belonging to an Allopathic background, I was little sceptical in the beginning. However, after over 3 years and around thousand patients, I can now comment and recommend many Ayurvedic preparations. More than a scientific study, this a document based on my experiences. I hope, it gives a brief idea about how Ayurveda and modern medicine together can show path to many who are in need.

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My experiences with Ayurveda in modern-age paediatric practice
Dr. Mrs. Sarika Rakshe#
, Pune (India)
M.B.B.S., D.C.H., M.D. (Paediatrics)
drsarikapune@gmail.com, www.cozwecare.org Cell: 0091 9421006986
My rendezvous with Ayurveda was not just coincidental. My husband Dr. Atul and his guru Prof. P. H. Kulkarni insisted
on using Ayurvedic preparations in my clinic. In addition, our Pharmacology maestro of Seth G. S. Medical College and
K. E. M. Hospital (Mumbai), Late Dr. Sharadini Dahanular’s work showed a path. She was the one who had studied
importance of various Ayurvedic herbs in Indian health scenario. She was conferred the prestigious fellowship of
Institute of Indian Medicine for this pioneering work. Studies by some allopaths like scientist Dr. Shubhada
Bopegamage from Czechoslovakia about Sanjeevani Guti in managaemant of Rotavirus Diarrhoea and by Paediatrician
Dr. Sunita Belgamwar about Ayurvedic herbs made me curious.
Belonging to an Allopathic background, I was little sceptical in the beginning. However, after over 3 years and around
thousand patients, I can now comment and recommend many Ayurvedic preparations. More than a scientific study, this
a document based on my experiences. I hope, it gives a brief idea about how Ayurveda and modern medicine together
can show path to many who are in need..
1. Respiratory system:
Chronic allergic sinusitis, Rhinitis, Allergic bronchitis, Adenoiditis and Tonsillitis are some of the most
commonly found seasonal and non-seasonal ailments in one’s paediatric clinic.
Sometimes, these are recurrent and found with frequent acute attacks. Antibiotics, anti-allergics,
bronchodilators, bntipyretics-NSAIDs and sometimes steroids are the main line-of-treatment.
Often the recurrence is so frequent that these medicines alone can result into many side effects, failure
to treat and resistance.
Finally, we decided to try some combinations of Ayurvedic-Allopathic origin. Tablets like Sanjeevani
guti1
, Tribhuvan Kirti2
, Sookshma triphala3
and Laghoosootshekhar4
along with a blend of Sitopaladi
choorna5
and herbs viz. Vasa (Adulsa –Adhathoda vasica), Tulsi (Holy Basil), Lemon grass (Liquorice),
Jyeshthamadh (Glyceria glabra), Ringani (Solanum Indicum), Shunthi (Ginger), Koshtha, Shrungi
were given. Now after over 2years of trial-and-error we have come up with a Chatan (Linctus-A
delicious powder with honey to be consumed twice or thrice a day). This ‘chatan’(Linctus), formulated
and manufactured with FDA norms and blended at our clinic has already become kids’ (and their
mothers’) favourite.
Children with chronic allergic sinusitis, rhinitis, allergic bronchitis, adenoiditis and tonsillitis have
shown a significant reduction in the frequency of attacks. Their threshold has increased and
vulnerability much reduced. Dependence on antibiotics-steroids-inhalers has reduced. With this
newfound protocol, we could also notice a significant rise in the appetite and improvement in
digestion. A big number of children with acute, chronic and recurrent middle ear infection (Otitis
media) come with high-grade fever and acute pain in ear. This combination has shown highly
encouraging results in Otitis media too.

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I must note that, after coming across some Ayurvedic basic-concepts, I have started to advice people to
pay more attention to their lifestyle and food. For instance, we advice the patients who have recurrent
and chronic ENT ailments and allergies to avoid curds, yoghurt, guava, citrus fruits, strawberries,
grapes and bananas. This may sound contradictory to the popular belief that vitamin ‘C’ rich food
helps to improve the immunity and builds the resistance against ‘triggers’. However, I have seen very
significant improvements in patients after suggesting these changes.
2. Digestive system:
Anorexia:
‘My kid doesn’t eat!’ is probably the most frequently heard sentence in my clinic. Mothers, who are
generally anxious about their children not eating ‘enough’, develop a sense of depression when they
see their children not wanting to eat at all.
Loss of appetite can be associated to many other physical ailments like worms, liver malfunction, lack
of vitamins and minerals, malnourishment etc. We, as modern doctors would prescribe an
antihelmentic, an enzyme appetizer or a vitamin-mineral supplement. The problem about these
medicines was, their inheriting side-effects and inability to prescribe them for a long duration.
Nevertheless, with an Ayurvedic perspective, I started giving some syrups. These contain herbs like
Kumari (Aloe vera), Vidanga (Emblia ribes), Pippali (Piper longum), Draksha (Vitis vinifera/Grapes),
Honey, Shunthi (Ginger- Zingiber officinalis), Ajamoda (Carum roxburghianu), shatavari( Asparagus
racemosus), Common fennel.
These syrups boosted the appetite and improved absorption. Now the kids eat well and put on weight
faster. Now, their mothers are much happier than I am!
Constipation, Fissure:
Many children develop constipation at a very early age. An early ‘potty training’ is necessary which
the parents often take casually. Kids who consume dry and salty food with less roughage and fibres
develop chronic constipation. Constipation creates painful fissures, which make defecation an
agonizing procedure. This adds to the child’s reluctance to pas stools on time and stools become drier.
This vicious circle needs to be broken. Some laxatives help for some time. Ayurvedic preparations like
Triphala, Yashtimadhu, Draksha give a natural digestive-laxative advantage.
Triphala powder boiled in water and used for ‘seats’ bath’ relives pain, relaxes muscles and kills
bacteria.
Worms:
Worms can be found in many Indian children up to 14 years of age. Malabsorption, pica,
pigmentation on skin, nail biting, itching and Loss of appetite are generally found.
Antihelmentics are generally prescribed. I have started using Syrups containing*
Vidanga (Emblica
ribes), Sabja (Ocimum bacillicum), Palash (Butea frondosa), Kutki (Picrorhiza kurroa), Nagarmotha
(Cyperus rotundus), Chirayata (Swerita chirayata), Ajamoda (Alpium graveolens), Kala jeera (Carum
carvi), Kutaj (Holarrhena antidysentrica), Dikamali (Garderia gummifera), Anarmool (Punica

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grantum). According to Ayurvedic scripts and research, it helps to expel the worms, especially
roundworms and Tapeworms. Also helps to tone up digestion and prevents recurrence.
Diarrhoea:
Exposure through contaminated water and poor hygiene triggers the chances of Diarrhoea. Many
times, Diarrhoea is a difficult situation to manage. Kids lose weight and energy very fast. They may
have fever, vomiting, pain in abdomen and malaise. Antibiotics, antispasmodics, antipiratics help to
relive symptoms to certain extent. However, every Diarrhoea is not a bacterial Diarrhoea. Hence, these
medicines alone do not work. There are many Ayurvedic syrups available, which contain mainly the
following herbs*
:
Kutaja (Hollarhina antidysentrica), Bilwa (Aegle marmelos), Mochrasa (Salmalia malabarica), Hinga
(Asophoetida, Ferula narthex), Daruharidra (Berberis aristata). These syrups show a very rapid
improvement, faster control on number of stools and vomits and a better post-episode management.
3. Skin diseases:
Dry skin, Eczema, Dandruff and Erythema are some of the commonly found skin ailments among
children. Shatadhouta Ghruta (Ghee- specially processed in water/ Clarified butter), Oils like
Chandanbalalakshadi are found effective in the management of different skin disorders.
‘Suvarna Bindu’:
With a little research in the field of ‘using gold for health’, we found references6
in ancient Ayurvedic
texts about how Gold triturated and treated with different herbs and minerals can be used for health.
Since centuries, Ayurveda has been using a number of gold compounds in management of diseases
ranging from Paralysis to Arthritis and Infertility to Asthma.
‘Pushya Nakshatra’ is a very typical astrological formation of different planets and stars in reference to
the Earth. ‘Pushya Nakshtra’ comes once or twice every month and it is believed to have great
significance for health and prosperity. It is also believed that gold bought and ‘consumed’ on this day
brings longevity, health and beauty.
We organize a ‘Suvarna Bindu Prashan camp’ on every Pushya Nakshatra day.
Specially formulated drops of Ayurvedic Suvarna Bahsma, herbs Bramhi (Bacopa monieri), Vacha
(Acorus calamus), Haritaki (Terminalia chebula) in honey and Ghee are given to over 200 kids and
adults. After over 15 months, we have noticed a significant increase in the general health of the
children. They are eating better, falling sick less often and feeling more energetic and bright. A
significant control on mood swings and improvement in memory noted.
My experiences with Ayurveda in modern paediatric practice have come a long way. From scepticism
to confidence and from trials to new protocols. I look forward to documenting these encouraging
results and being able to present them to the global community through various scientific journals.

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I wish these efforts and observations prove at least a small step towards building a healthy childhood
and a better society.
References:
1. Sanjeevani Guti: Yog Ratnakar Ajeerna rog chikitsa
2. Tribhuvan Kirti: Yoga Ratnakar,
3. Sookshma Triphala: Yog Ratnakar
4. Laghoosootshekhar: Vruddha vaidya parampara
5. Sitopaladi Choorna: Yog ratnakar
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| || . . . २ / ४८
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| २३ / २३९ Charakasamhita Chikitsa sthaana 23/239
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|| ५ / १० Rasaratna samuchchaya 5/10
# Dr. Sarika Rakshe is panel paediatric consultant at various hospitals in Pune, founder member of Beyond horizons health and social circle
(BHHAS India) and associate director of Shree Niramay Ayurveda Kendra.
* Bhavaprakasha Nighantu
Kashyapasamhita