Balamaya Pratishedham (Treatment of diseases of children)


The 2nd chapter of Uttara Sthanam of Ashtanga Hridayam is named as Balamaya Pratisedha adhyāyaṃ. This chapter deals with the explanation of ‘Treatment of diseases of children’.

Ashtanga Hridayam Uttarasthanam Chapter 2: Balamaya Pratishedham (Treatment of diseases of children)
The 2nd chapter of Uttara Sthanam of Ashtanga Hridayam is named as Balamaya Pratisedha adhyāyaṃ. This chapter deals with the explanation of ‘Treatment of diseases of children’.

The topics covered in this chapter include –

  • Trividha Balaka – three kinds of children
  • Adushta and Dushta Stanya Lakshana – properties of non-vitiated and vitiated breast milk
  • Ruk Nirnaya – deciding the pain
  • Dhatri Cikitsa – treatment to the mother
  • Stanya Dushti Cikitsa – treatment of vitiated breast milk
  • Kshiralasaka
  • Dantodbheda Roga – diseases due to eruption of teeth
  • Bala Roga cikitsa – principles of treatment of diseases of children
  • Bala Sosa
  • Lakshadi Taila
  • Use of Ativisa
  • Treatment of vomiting of milk
  • Hanugata Vata
  • Sadanta Janma
  • Talukantaka
  • Gudakuttam
  • Mrit Bhakshanaja Roga Cikitsa

Pledge by the author (s)
अथातो बालामयप्रतिषेधं व्याख्यास्याम: ।
इति ह स्माहुरात्रेयादयो महर्षय: ।
After having offered prayers to the God, henceforth we are going to explain the chapter pertaining to the explanation of ‘Treatment of diseases of children’. Thus say (pledge) Atreya and other sages.

Trividha Balaka: Three kinds of children

त्रिविधः कथितो बालः क्षीरान्नोभयवर्तनः ।
स्वास्थ्यं ताभ्यामदुष्टाभ्यां दुष्टाभ्यां रोगसम्भवः ॥ १ ॥
Children are said to be of three kinds, viz, ksira Vartana (drinking milk only), annavartana (eating solid food) and Ubhayavrtana (consuming both). Their health depends when these (milk and solid food) are not vitiated (contaminated), where as diseases develop when these are vitiated.

Adushta and Dushta Stanya Lakshana: Properties of non-vitiated and vitiated breast milk

यदद्भिरेकतां याति न च दोषैरधिष्ठितम् ।
तद्विशुद्धं पयो वाताद्दुष्टं तु प्लवतेऽम्भसि ॥ २ ॥
कषायं फेनिलं रूक्षं वर्चोमूत्रविबन्धकृत् ।
पित्तादुष्णाम्लकटुकं पीतराज्यप्सु दाहकृत् ॥ ३ ॥
कफात्सलवणं सान्द्रं जले मज्जति पिच्छिलम् ।
संसृष्टलिङ्गं संसर्गात्त्रिलिङ्गं सान्निपातिकम् ॥ ४ ॥
यथास्वलिङ्गांस्तद्व्याधीन् जनयत्युपयोजितम् ।
That which becomes homogeneous (mixes with water) and which has no signs of presence of the doshas is the pure (non-vitiated) breast milk. That vitiated by Vata, floats on water, is astringent, frothy, dry, and causes obstruction tothe feces and urine. That vitiated by Pitta, is hot, sour, pungent, produces yellow-coloured lines in water and gives rise to burning sensation. That vitiated by Kapha is slightly salty, thick, sinks in the water and slimy. when it is vitiated by two doshas produces mixed symptoms and features of three Doshas will be found, when it is vitiated by three doshas simultaneously. When consumed, it gives rise to diseases arising from the corresponding Dosha (or Doshas) vitiating the milk.

Ruk Nirnaya: Deciding the pain

शिशोस्तीक्ष्णमभीक्ष्णं च रोदनाल्लक्षयेद्रुजम् ॥ ५ ॥
स यं स्पृशेद्भृशं देशं यत्र च स्पर्शनाक्षमः ।
तत्र विद्याद्रुजं मूर्ध्नि रुजं चाक्षिनिमीलनात् ॥ ६ ॥
हृदि जिह्वौष्ठदशनश्वासमुष्टिनिपीडनैः ।
कोष्ठे विबन्धवमथुस्तनदंशान्त्रकूजनैः ॥ ७ ॥
आध्मानपृष्ठनमनजठरोन्नमनैरपि ।
वस्तौ गुह्ये च विण्मूत्रसङ्गोत्त्रासदिगीक्षणैः ॥ ८ ॥
Pain in children should be understood by intense (loud) and repeated crying. The part of body which the child touches frequently and does not allow to be touched by othera (tenderness) is to be understood as having pain. Pain in the head should be understood by the closing of the eyelids. Pain in the area of the heart (chest) by biting of the tongue and lips, dysponea and clenching of the fist; pain in the abdomen by constipation, vomiting, biting of the breast, intestinal gurgling by flatulence, bending the back, and elevating the abdomen; pain in the urinary bladder and genitals by obstruction to elimination of the feces and urine and frightened look.

Dhatri Chikitsa: Treatment to the mother

अथ धात्र्याः क्रियां कुर्याद्यथादोषं यथामयम् ।
The mother should then be treated, appropriate to the Dosha and the diseases (found in the child).
Stanya Dushti Chikitsa: Treatment of Vata vitiated breast milk
तत्र वातात्मके स्तन्ये दशमूलं त्र्यहं पिबेत् ॥ ९ ॥
अथवाऽग्निवचापाठाकटुकाकुष्ठदीप्यकम् ।
सभार्गीदारुसरलवृश्चिकालीकणोषणम् ॥ १० ॥
ततः पिबेदन्यतमं वातव्याधिहरं घृतम् ।
अनु चाच्छसुरामेवं स्निग्धां मृदु विरेचयेत् ॥ ११ ॥ वस्तिकर्म ततः कुर्यात्स्वेदादींश्चानिलापहान् ।
रास्नाजमोदासरलदेवदारुरजोऽन्वितम् ॥ १२ ॥
बालो लिह्याद्घृतं तैर्वा विपक्वं ससितोपलम् ।
पित्तदुष्टेऽमृताभीरुपटोलीनिम्बचन्दनम् ॥ १३ ॥
When the breast milk is vitiated by Vata, the mother should drink for three days (the decoction of) Dasamula i.e.Bilva – Aegle marmelos ,Agnimantha – Premnamucronata,Shyonaka – Oroxylum indicum , Patala – Stereospermumsuaveolens,Gambhari – Gmelina arborea
Shalaparni – Desmodiumgangeticum ,Prishniparni – Urariapicta, Brihati – Solanum indicum , Kantakari – Solanum xanthocarpum, Gokshura – Tribulus terrestris or (the decoction of) agni – Plumbago zeylanica, vacā – Acorus calamus, pāṭhā – Cissampelos pareira, kaṭukā – Picrorhiza kurrooa, kuṣṭha – Saussurea lappa, dīpyakam – Apium graveolens, bhārgī – Clerodendrum serratum, dāru – Cedrus deodara, sarala – Pinus longifolia, vṛścikālī – Heliotropium indicum, kaṇa – Piper longum ūṣaṇam – and Piper nigrum. Next, she should drink any other medicated ghee which mitigates vata / diseases caused by vata, followed by drinking of clear wine and unctuous, mild purgative should be administered, followed by enema therapy should be done and also sudation therapy etc., which are capable of mitigating vata. Powder of Pluchea lanceolata, ajamodā – Trachyspermum ammi, sarala – Pinus longifolia, devadāru – and Cedrus deodara mixed with ghee should be given to lick to the child cooked with sugar candy.

Stanya Dushti Chikitsa: Treatment of Pitta vitiated breast milk

पित्तदुष्टेऽमृताभीरुपटोलीनिम्बचन्दनम् ॥ १३ ॥
धात्री कुमारश्च पिबेत्क्वाथयित्वा सशारिवम् ।
अथवा त्रिफलामुस्तभूनिम्बकटुरोहिणीः ॥ १४ ॥
शारिवादिं पटोलादिं पद्मकादिं तथा गणम् ।
घृतान्येभिश्च सिद्धानि पित्तघ्नं च विरेचनम् ॥ १५ ॥
शीतांश्चाभ्यङ्गलेपादीन् युञ्ज्याच्छ्लेष्मात्मके पुनः ।
When the breastmilk is vitiated by Pitta, both the mother and child should drink the decoction of amṛtā – Tinospora cordifolia, bhīru – Asparagus racemosus, paṭolī – Trichosanthes dioica, nimba – Azadirachta indica, candanam – Santalum album śārivam – and Hemidesmus indicus or decoction of Triphala (Haritaki – Terminalia chebula Vibhitaki – Terminalia bellerica & Amalaki – Emblica officinalis), musta – Cyperus rotundus, bhūnimba – Andrographis paniculata kaṭurohiṇīḥ – and Picrorrhiza kurroa; śārivādiṃ – or of herbs of Sarivadi, paṭolādiṃ – patoldi, or padmkadi gana (vide chapter 15 of Sutrathana). Medicated ghee prepared with the above (group of) herbs purgatives which mitigate Pitta, massaging and application of pastes over the body which are coolant should be done.

Stanya Dushti Chikitsa: Treatment of Kapha vitiated breast milk

यष्ट्याह्वसैन्धवयुतं कुमारं पाययेद्घृतम् ॥ १६ ॥
सिन्धूत्थपिप्पलीमद्वा पिष्टैः क्षौद्रयुतैरथ ।
राठपुष्पैः स्तनौ लिम्पेच्छिशोश्च दशनच्छदौ ॥ १७ ॥ सुखमेवं वमेद्बालः तीक्ष्णैर्धात्रीं तु वामयेत् ।
अथाचरितसंसर्गी मुस्तादिं क्वथितं पिबेत् ॥ १८ ॥
तद्वत्तगरपृथ्वीकासुरदारुकलिङ्गकान् ।
अथवाऽतिविषामुस्तषड्ग्रन्थापञ्चकोलकम् ॥ १९ ॥
When it is vitiated by shleshma (Kapha) the child should be given to lick, the ghee mixed with the powder of yaṣṭyāhva – Glycyrrhiza glabra and rock salt or of rock salt and Piper longum, the paste of flowers of Randia dumetorum made with honey, should be applied on the breast of the mother over bite mark and lips of the child; By this the child will get easy vomiting; The mother should be made to vomit by using strong herbs. After emesis and regimen of diet, she should drink the decoction of herbs of mustadi Gana (vide chapter 15 of sutrasthan) similarly of Valeriana wallichii, Nigella sativa, Cedrus deodara and Holarrhena antidysenterica or of Aconitum heterophyllum, Cyperus rotundus, Acorus calamus and Pancakola-Pippali- Piper longumPippalimula – Root of Piper longumChavya – Piper retrofractumChitraka- Plumbago zeylanica and Shunti – Zingiber officinale.

Kshiralasaka

स्तन्ये त्रिदोषमलिने दुर्गन्ध्यामं जलोपमम् ।
विबद्धमच्छं विच्छिन्नं फेनिलं चोपवेश्यते ॥ २० ॥
शकृन्नानाव्यथावर्णं मूत्रं पीतं सितं घनम् ।
ज्वरारोचकतृट्छर्दिशुष्कोद्गारविजृम्भिकाः ॥ २१ ॥
अङ्गभङ्गोऽङ्गविक्षेपः कूजनं वेपथुर्भ्रमः ।
घ्राणाक्षिमुखपाकाद्या जायन्तेऽन्येऽपि तं गदम् ॥ २२ ॥
क्षीरालसकमित्याहुरत्ययं चातिदारुणम् ।
तत्राशु धात्रीं बालं च वमनेनोपपादयेत् ॥ २३ ॥
विहितायां च संसर्ग्यां वचादिं योजयेद्गणम् ।
निशादिं वाऽथवा माद्रीपाठातिक्ताघनामयान् ॥ २४ ॥
पाठाशुण्ठ्यमृतातिक्ततिक्तादेवाह्वशारिवाः ।
समुस्तमूर्वेन्द्रयवाः स्तन्यदोषहराः परम् ॥ २५ ॥
अनुबन्धे यथाव्याधि प्रतिकुर्वीत कालवित् ।
The breast milk vitiated by the three Doshas (increasing together) which has bad smell, uncooked (not properly processed by the heat of the body) and resembles water; By drinking it, the child eliminates feces which is hard, thin, broken, frothy, of many colours, accompanied with many kinds of discomfort / pain. The urine is yellow, white and thick; fever, loss of taste / appetite, thirst, vomiting, dry belching, too much of yawning, breaking pain in the body parts, throwing of body parts, sounds (from intestine),tremors, giddiness (dizziness) suppuration of nose, eyes and mouth etc. develop and many other diseases This disease is called as Ksiralasaka and is very dreadful and difficult to cure. Both the mother and child should be treated with emesis therapy immediately, suitable samsarjana (liquid diet) processed with herbs of either Vacadi gana or Nisadi Gana (chapter 15 of Sutrasthana) or mādrī – with Aconitum heterophyllum, pāṭhā – Cissampelos pareira, tiktā – Swertia chirata, ghanā – Cyperus rotundus, āmayān – Saussurea lappa, should be consumed. pāṭhā – Cissampelos pariera, śuṇṭhi – Zingiber oficinale, amṛtā – Tinospora cordifolia, tikta – Andrographis paniculata, tikta – Picrorhiza kurroa, devāhva – Cedrus deodara, śārivāḥ – Hemidesmus indicus along with musta – Cyperus rotundus, mūrvā – Mersedenia tenacissima, indrayavāḥ – seeds of Holarrhena antidysenterica are the best in removing the Doshas (contaminants) of the breast-milk (breast-milk purifiers). Other accompanying diseases should be treated Mat the proper time.

Dantodbheda Roga: Diseases due to eruption of teeth

दन्तोद्भेदश्च रोगाणां सर्वेषामपि कारणम् ॥ २६ ॥
विशेषाज्ज्वरविड्भेदकासच्छर्दिशिरोरुजाम् ।
अभिष्यन्दस्य पोथक्या विसर्पस्य च जायते ॥ २७ ॥
पृष्ठभङ्गे बिडालानां बर्हिणां च शिखोद्भवे ।
दन्तोद्भेदे च बालानां न हि किञ्चिन्न दूयते ॥ २८ ॥
यथादोषं यथारोगं यथोद्रेकं यथाभयम् ।
विभज्य देशकालादींस्तत्र योज्यं भिषग्जितम् ॥ २९ ॥
Even the eruption of the teeth is also a cause for all the diseases (in children) especially so for diseases such as fever, diarrhoea, cough, vomiting, headache, conjunctivitis, pustule on the eyelid/ style, and herpes are manifested. During the period of bending of the back (straightening of the vertebral column) in cats (kitten), appearance of the crown in (young) peacocks and eruptions of teeth in the children, not even small part of the body is without pain. (every part is having some discomfort or disorder). The physician should cure the disease by administering treatment appropriate to the Dosha (which has increased), disease (primary or secondary, severe or mild etc.) appropriate to Udreka (predominant dosha among the increased Doshas or predominant diseases among many diseases present) appropriate to the worrying factors, after determining the nature of the habitat, season etc.

Bala Roga chikitsa: Principles of treatment of diseases of children

त एव दोषा दूष्याश्च ज्वराद्या व्याधयश्च यत् ।
अतस्तदेव भैषज्यं मात्रा त्वस्य कनीयसी ॥ ३० ॥
सौकुमार्याल्पकायत्वात्सर्वान्नानुपसेवनात् ।
The same are the Doshas, tissues and waste products, diseases such as fever etc. (in both children and adults). Therefore the methods of treatment / medicines are also the same (in both the children and adults) whereas the dose (of medicines and of therapies) are the minimum for children since they are tender and small physical body and not indulging in all kinds of food.

Administering Vamana without Snehapana

स्निग्धा एव सदा बाला घृतक्षीरनिषेवणात् ॥ ३१ ॥ सद्यस्तान् वमनं तस्मात्पाययेन्मतिमान् मृदु ।
Children are always unctuous since they consume ghee and milk only. Hence the wise physician can give them (to consume) mild emetics (herbs producing vomiting) straight away (without giving oleation therapy).

Principles of Panchama treatment

स्तन्यस्य तृप्तं वमयेत्क्षीरक्षीरान्नसेविनम् ॥ ३२ ॥
पीतवन्तं तनुं पेयामन्नादं घृतसंयुताम् ।
वस्तिं साध्ये विरेकेण मर्शेन प्रतिमर्शनम् ॥ ३३ ॥
युञ्ज्याद्विरेचनादींस्तु धात्र्या एव यथोदितान् ।
Child subsisting on milk only and subsisting on milk and solid food should be made to vomit after making them content with breastmilk (feeding them to their satisfaction). The child who is subsisting on solid food, after making him drink thin peya (gruel) added with ghee (to his satisfaction). Enema should be given (for children) in diseases which require purgative therapy for their cure; pratimarsa (nasal therapy) in diseases which require Marsa nasal therapies, purgation and others (therapies) indicated should be administered only to the mother, as previously stated.

Bala Roga chikitsa: Principles of treatment of diseases of children: Murvadi Churna etc.

मूर्वाव्योषवराकोलजम्बूत्वग्दारुसर्षपाः ॥ ३४ ॥
सपाठा मधुना लीढाः स्तन्यदोषहराः परम् ।
दन्तपालीं समधुना चूर्णेन प्रतिसारयेत् ॥ ३५ ॥
पिप्पल्या धातकीपुष्पधात्रीफलकृतेन वा ।
लावतित्तिरिवल्लूररजः पुष्परसद्रुतम् ॥ ३६ ॥
द्रुतं करोति बालानां दन्तकेसरवन्मुखम् ।
वचाद्विबृहतीपाठाकटुकातिविषाघनैः ॥ ३७ ॥
मधुरैश्च घृतं सिद्धं सिद्धं दशनजन्मनि
Powder of mūrvā – Marsdenia tenacissima, vyoṣa – Vyosa (Black pepper – Piper nigrum, Long pepper fruit – Piper longum and Ginger – Zingiber officinale), Vara (Haritaki – Terminalia chebula, Vibhitaki – Terminalia bellerica, Amalaki – Emblica officinalis), kola – Ziziphus jujuba, jambūtvak – bark of Syzygium cumini, dāru – Cedrus deodara, sarṣapāḥ – Brassica juncea sapāṭhā – and Cissampelos pareira licked with honey cures diseases caused by vitiated breast-milk effectively.
The ear lobe / gum of the child should be smeared with the powder of pippalyā – Piper longum mixed with honey or with the powder of flowers of Woodfordia fruticosa and juice of fruits of Emblica officinalis. Powder of dried meat of common quail and black partridge mixed with Pusparasa (honey) and if applied makes the face of the child resemble the stamen of lotus flower (light red in colour) very soon. Medicated ghee prepared with vacā – Acorus calamus, dvi bṛhatī – the two Brhati (Bruhati – Solanum indicum & Shveta Brihati – Solanum torvum Swartz (white coloured flower), pāṭhā – Cissampelos pareira, kaṭukā – Picrorhiza kurroa, ativiṣā – Aconitum heterophyllum, ghanaiḥ – Cyperus rotundus, and Madhura (sugar, milk, honey) is efficient for providing good eruption of teeth.

Rajanyadi Churnam

रजनीदारुसरलश्रेयसीबृहतीद्वयम् ॥ ३८ ॥
पृश्निपर्णी शताह्वा च लीढं माक्षिकसर्पिषा ।
ग्रहणीदीपनं श्रेष्ठं मारुतस्यानुलोमनम् ॥ ३९ ॥
अतीसारज्वरश्वासकामलापाण्डुकासनुत् ।
बालस्य सर्वरोगेषु पूजितं बलवर्णदम् ॥ ४० ॥
Powder of rajanī – Curcuma longa, dāru – Cedrus deodara, sarala – Pinus longifolia, śreyasī – Scindapsus officinalis bṛhatī dvayam – the two Brhati (Bruhati – Solanum indicum & Shveta Brihati – Solanum torvum Swartz – white coloured flower), pṛśniparṇī – Uraria picta and śatāhvā -Anethum sowa and licked with honey and ghee is best for stimulating the duodenum, causing downward movement of Mruta (vata); cures diarrhoea, fever, dyspnoea, jaundice, anaemia, and cough, reputed remedy in all the diseases of children and confers strength and complexion.

Samangadi ghritham

समङ्गाधातकीलोध्रकुटन्नटबलाद्वयैः ।
महासहाक्षुद्रसहामुद्गबिल्वशलाटुभिः ॥ ४१ ॥
सकार्पासीफलैस्तोये साधितैः साधितं घृतम् ।
क्षीरमस्तुयुतं हन्ति शीघ्रं दन्तोद्भवोद्भवान् ॥ ४२ ॥
विविधान् आमयान् एतद्वृद्धकाश्यपनिर्मितम् ।
Medicated ghee prepared with the decoction of samaṅgā – Rubia cordifolia, dhātakī – Woodfordia fruticosa, lodhra – Symplocos racemosa, kuṭannaṭa – Oroxylum indicum balādvayaiḥ – the two Bala (bala – Sida cordifolia & Atibala – Abutilon indicum) mahāsahā – Teramnus labialis, kṣudrasahā – Phaseolus trilobus, mudga – Vigna radiata, bilva śalāṭubhiḥ – Tender fruit of Aegle marmelos and fruits of sakārpāsī – Gossypium herbaceum processed in water, added with milk and mastu (water of curds) cures quickly all the diseases arising from eruption of teeth. This was formulated by Vrddha Kasyapa.

Restriction for excess treatment and diet

दन्तोद्भवेषु रोगेषु न बालमतियन्त्रयेत् ॥ ४३ ॥
स्वयमप्युपशाम्यन्ति जातदन्तस्य यद्गदाः ।
In diseases caused by the eruption of teeth the child should not be restrained too much (regarding food and other activities) those diseases caused by eruption of teeth subside even by their own accord after the teeth erupt.

Bala Shosha

अत्यहःस्वप्नशीताम्बुश्लैष्मिकस्तन्यसेविनः ॥ ४४ ॥
शिशोः कफेन रुद्धेषु स्रोतःसु रसवाहिषु ।
अरोचकः प्रतिश्यायो ज्वरः कासश्च जायते ॥ ४५ ॥
कुमारः शुष्यति ततः स्निग्धशुक्लमुखेक्षणः ।
Sleeping too much during day, drinking cold water, drinking breast milk vitiated by Kapha by these, the channels of Rasa (first fluid tissue) gets blocked by kapha in the child. Then the child develops loss of taste / appetite, Nasal catarrh, fever, cough, the child becomes emaciated with its face and eyes being unctuous (greasy) and white.

Bala Shosha: Treatment

सैन्धवव्योषशार्ङ्गष्टापाठागिरिकदम्बकान् ॥ ४६ ॥
शुष्यतो मधुसर्पिर्भ्यामरुच्यादिषु योजयेत् ।
अशोकरोहिणीयुक्तं पञ्चकोलं च चूर्णितम् ॥ ४७ ॥
बदरीधातकीधात्रीचूर्णं वा सर्पिषा द्रुतम् ।
Powder of Rock salt, vyosa (Black pepper – Piper nigrum, Long pepper fruit – Piper longum, Ginger – Zingiber officinale) śārṅgaṣṭā – Marsdenia volubilis, pāṭhā – Cissampelos pareira and girikadambakān -Sphaeranthus indicus, mixed with honey and ghee should be given to the emaciated child having loss of taste etc. Powder of Pancakola -Pippali- Piper longum Pippalimula – Root of Piper longum Chavya – Piper retrofractum Chitraka- Plumbago zeylanica and Shunti – Zingiber officinale along with Asokarohini -Picrorhiza Kurroa or the powder of badarī – Ziziphus mauritiana, dhātakī – Woodfordia fruticosa dhātrī – and Emblica officinalis boiled in ghee should be given soon.

Bala Shosha: Sthiradi ghritham

स्थिरावचाद्विबृहतीकाकोलीपिप्पलीनतैः ॥ ४८ ॥
निचुलोत्पलवर्षाभूभार्गीमुस्तैश्च कार्षिकैः ।
सिद्धं प्रस्थार्धमाज्यस्य स्रोतसां शोधनं परम् ॥ ४९ ॥ सिंह्यश्वगन्धासुरसाकणागर्भं च तद्गुणम् ।
Medicated ghee prepared with one Karsa (12 grams) each of sthirā – Desmodium gangeticum, vacā – Acorus calamus dvibṛhatī – the two Brhati (Bruhati – Solanum indicum, Shveta Brihati – Solanum torvum Swartz – white coloured flower), kākolī – Fritillaria roylei, pippalī – Piper longum, nataiḥ – Valeriana wallicii, nicula – Barringtonia accuntangula, utpala – Nymphaea alba, varṣābhū – Boerhavia diffusa, bhārgī – Clerodendrum serratum, and mustai – Cyperus rotundus (made into decoction) half Prastha (384 grams) of ghee is best to clear the channels. That (medicate ghee) containing / prepared with siṃhī – Solanum indicum, aśvagandhā – Withania somnifera, surasā – Ocimum sanctum and kaṇāgarbhaṃ – Piper longum possesses the same properties.

Bala Shosha: Yashtyahvadi Ghritham

यष्ट्याह्वपिप्पलीलोध्रपद्मकोत्पलचन्दनैः ॥ ५० ॥
तालीशशारिवाभ्यां च साधितं शोषजिद्घृतम् ।
Medicated ghee prepared with yaṣṭyāhva – Glycyrrhiza glabra, pippalī – Piper longum, lodhra – Symplocos racemosa, padmaka – Prunus cerasoides, utpala – Nymphaea alba, candanaiḥ – Santalum album, tālīśa – Abies webbiana and śārivābhyāṃ -Hemidesmus indicus cures emaciation.

Bala Shosha: Shrungyadi Ghritham

शृङ्गीमधूलिकाभार्गीपिप्पलीदेवदारुभिः ॥ ५१ ॥
अश्वगन्धाद्विकाकोलीरास्नर्षभकजीवकैः ।
शूर्पपर्णीविडङ्गैश्च कल्कितैः साधितं घृतम् ॥ ५२ ॥
शशोत्तमाङ्गनिर्यूहे शुष्यतः पुष्टिकृत्परम् ।
Medicated ghee prepared with decoction of the head of a rabbit, added with the paste of śṛṅgī – Pistacia chinensis, madhūlikā – Marsdenia tenacissima, bhārgī – Clerodendrum serratum, pippalī – Piper longum, devadārubhiḥ – Cedrus deodara, aśvagandhā – Withania somnifera, dvikākolī – the two Kakoli (Kakoli – Fritillaria roylei & KshiraKakoli – Roscoea purpurea), rāsnā – Pluchea lanceolata, ṛṣabhaka – Manilkara hexandra, jīvakaiḥ – Malaxis acuminata, Surpparni (Mashaparni – Teramnus labialis & Mudgaparni – Phaseolus trilobus), and viḍaṅgai – Embelia ribes (and Ghrta / ghee) is best to nourish the child who is becoming emaciated.

Bala Shosha: Vachadi Thailam

वचावयःस्थातगरकायस्थाचोरकैः शृतम् ॥ ५३ ॥
बस्तमूत्रसुराभ्यां च तैलमभ्यञ्जने हितम् ।
Medicated oil prepared with the decoction of vacā – Acorus calamus, vayaḥsthā – Emblica officinalis, tagara – Valeriana wallichii, kāyasthā – Terminalia chebula ¬and corakaiḥ – Angelica glauca, with the addition of Goat’s urine and wine for massaging and bath is beneficial.

Lakshadi Taila

लाक्षारससमं तैलप्रस्थं मस्तु चतुर्गुणम् ॥ ५४ ॥
अश्वगन्धानिशादारुकौन्तीकुष्ठाब्दचन्दनैः ।
समूर्वारोहिणीरास्नाशताह्वामधुकैः समैः ॥ ५५ ॥
सिद्धं लाक्षादिकं नाम तैलमभ्यञ्जनादिदम् ।
बल्यं ज्वरक्षयोन्मादश्वासापस्मारवातनुत् ॥ ५६ ॥
यक्षराक्षसभूतघ्नं गर्भिणीनां च शस्यते ।
Medicated oil prepared with one Prastha (768 ml) of sesame oil equal quantity of Solution of Laccifer lacca four times that quantity of water of curd, equal quantity of decoction of equal parts of aśvagandhā – Withania somnifera, niśā – Curcuma longa, dāru – Cedrus deodara, kauntī – Vitex agnus-castus, kuṣṭha – Saussurea lappa, abda – Cyperus rotundus, candanaiḥ – Santalum album, mūrvā – Marsdenia tenacissima, rohiṇī – Picrorhiza kurroa, rāsnā – Pluchea lanceolata, śatāhvā – Anethum sowa madhukaiḥ – and Glycyrrhiza glabra the prepared oil is known as Laksadi Taila, used for massage and bath. It bestows strength, cures fever, consumption, insanity, dyspnoea, epilepsy and mitigates Vata and wards off Yaksa, Raksas and Dhatus (all are evil spirits). It is good even for pregnant women.

Use of Ativisha

मधुनाऽतिविषाशृङ्गीपिप्पलीर्लेहयेच्छिशुम् ॥ ५७ ॥
एकां वाऽतिविषां कासज्वरच्छर्दिरुपद्रुतम् ।
The child suffering from cough, fever and vomiting should be made to lick the powder of ativiṣā – Aconitum heterophyllum, śṛṅgī – Pistacia chinensis pippalī: – Piper longum madhunā – mixed with honey or the powder of ativiṣāṃ -Aconitum heterophyllum alone.

Treatment of vomiting of milk

पीतं पीतं वमति यः स्तन्यं तं मधुसर्पिषा ॥ ५८ ॥
द्विवार्ताकीफलरसं पञ्चकोलं च लेहयेत् ।
पिप्पलीपञ्चलवणं कृमिजित्पारिभद्रकम् ॥ ५९ ॥
तद्वल्लिह्यात्तथा व्योषं मषीं वा रोमचर्मणाम् ।
लाभतः शल्यकश्वाविद्गोधर्क्षशिखिजन्मनाम् ॥ ६० ॥
The child which vomits the breast milk every time it drinks, should be made to lick the fruit juice of the two Vartaki (Bruhati – Solanum indicum Shveta Brihati – Solanum torvum Swartz, white coloured flower) and powder of Pippali (Piper longum), Pippalimula (roots of Piper longum), Chavya (Piper retrofractum), Chitraka (Plumbago zeylanica) and Nagara (Shunti – Zingiber officinale) with honey and ghee and (powder of) Piper longum Pancalavana – 1. Saindhava Lavana – Rock salt 2. Souvarchala Lavana – Sochal salt 3. Bida / Vida Lavana – A type of black salt / Sodium sulphate 4. Samurda Lavana – Common salt (Sodium Chloride) 5. Romaka / Sambhara Lavana – Earthen salt, kṛmijit – Embelia ribes, pāribhadrakam – Erythrina variegate may be licked; similarly, charcoal powder (?) Vyosa (Black pepper – Piper nigrum, long pepper fruit – Piper longum and Ginger – Zingiberofficinale), and hairs and skin and also the ash of porcupine, hedgehog, iguana lizard, bear, or peacock whichever is available.

    Treatment of vomiting of milk : Khadiradi Ghrita

    खदिरार्जुनतालीशकुष्ठचन्दनजे रसे ।
    सक्षीरं साधितं सर्पिर्वमथुं विनियच्छति ॥ ६१ ॥
    Medicated ghee prepared with the decoction of khadira – Acacia catechu, arjuna – Terminalia arjuna, tālīśa – Abies webbiana, kuṣṭha – Saussurea lappa candanaje – and Santalum album, along with milk cures vomiting.

    Hanugata Vata

    हनुमूलगतो वायुर्दन्तदेशास्थिगोचरः ।
    यदा शिशोः प्रकुपितो नोत्तिष्ठन्ति तदा द्विजाः ॥ ६१+ (१) ॥
    रूक्षाशिनो वातिकस्य चालयत्यनिलः सिराः ।
    हन्वाश्रयाः प्रसुप्तस्य दन्तैः शब्दं करोत्यतः ॥ ६१+ (२) ॥
    Vata located at the root of the lower jaw moving (functioning) in the region of the bones of the teeth, when aggravated in children, then the teeth does not erupt in children who consume dry foods (which increase Vata) and in children of Vata consititution, the vata causes movement of the siras (veins); getting located in the jaws, because of this children grind their teeth during sleep.

    Sadanta Janma

    सदन्तो जायते यस्तु दन्ताः प्राग्यस्य चोत्तराः ।
    कुर्वीत तस्मिन्नुत्पाते शान्तिं तं च द्विजातये ॥ ६२ ॥ दद्यात्सदक्षिणं बालं नैगमेषं च पूजयेत् ।
    The child is born with erupted teeth, or the child which develops teeth first in the upper jaw in both cases a Santi (propitiatory rite) should be performed. The child should gift with Daksina (money) to the twice born (Brahman) and Naigmesa (an evil spirit) should be worshipped.

    Talukantaka

    तालुमांसे कफः क्रुद्धः कुरुते तालुकण्टकम् ॥ ६३ ॥
    तेन तालुप्रदेशस्य निम्नता मूर्ध्नि जायते ।
    तालुपातः स्तनद्वेषः कृच्छ्रात्पानं शकृद्द्रवम् ॥ ६४ ॥
    तृडास्यकण्ड्वक्षिरुजा ग्रीवादुर्धरता वमिः ।
    Kapha getting increased in the muscles of the palate, produces the disease Talukantaka. In this, there is depression on the skull at the region of the palate, prolapse of mucous layer of palate, aversion to the breast, difficulty in sucking, elimination of watery faceces, thirst, irritation / itch in the mouth, pain in the eyes, inability to hold the neck straight and vomiting.

    Talukantaka treatment

    तत्रोत्क्षिप्य यवक्षारक्षौद्राभ्यां प्रतिसारयेत् ॥ ६५ ॥
    तालु तद्वत्कणाशुण्ठीगोशकृद्रससैन्धवैः ।
    शृङ्गवेरनिशाभृङ्गं कल्कितं वटपल्लवैः ॥ ६६ ॥
    बद्ध्वा गोशकृता लिप्तं कुकूले स्वेदयेत्ततः ।
    रसेन लिम्पेत्ताल्वास्यं नेत्रे च परिषेचयेत् ॥ ६७ ॥

    For that, the palate should be elevated and smeared with alkali prepared of Hordeum vulgare mixed with honey similarly with powder of kana – Piper longum, śuṇṭhī – Zingiber officinale, juice of fresh cowdung added with rock salt The bolus of the paste of śṛṅgavera – Zingiber officinale, niśā – Curcuma longa bhṛṅgaṃ – and Eclipta Alba covered with tender leaves of Vata, given a coating of cow dung and subjected to cooking in a burning heap of husk. It is later removed and juice taken out from the paste. It is applied to the palate and mouth and poured into the eye.

    Talukantaka remedy : Haritakadi Yoga

    हरीतकीवचाकुष्ठकल्कं माक्षिकसंयुतम् ।
    पीत्वा कुमारः स्तन्येन मुच्यते तालुकण्टकात् ॥ ६८ ॥

    Paste of Harītakī – Terminalia chebula, vacā – Acorus calamus, kuṣṭha – and Saussurea lappa added with mākṣika – honey and consumed along with breast-milk. By this, the child gets cured of Talukantaka.

    Gudakuttam

    मलोपलेपात्स्वेदाद्वा गुदे रक्तकफोद्भवः ।
    ताम्रो व्रणोऽन्तः कण्डूमान् जायते भूर्युपद्रवः ॥ ६९ ॥
    केचित्तं मातृकादोषं वदन्त्यन्येऽहिपूतनम् ।
    पृष्ठारुर्गुदकुट्टं च केचिच्च तमनामिकम् ॥ ७० ॥
    Either due to coating / sticking of the feces or of sweat, ulcers arising from rakta (blood) and Kapha which are coppery in colour, itching ,accompanied with many complications / secondary diseases, develop inside the rectum of the child. Some authorities call this as Matraka Dosha, some other as ahiputana yet others as Prstaru, Gudakutta and even as anamaka.

    Gudakuttam: Treatment

    तत्र धात्र्याः पयः शोध्यं पित्तश्लेष्महरौषधैः ।
    In this disease, breast milk of the mother should be purified by use of herbs which mitigate Pitta and Kapha.

    Gudakuttam treatment

    शृतशीतं च शीताम्बुयुक्तमन्तरपानकम् ॥ ७१ ॥
    सक्षौद्रतार्क्ष्यशैलेन व्रणं तेन च लेपयेत् ।
    त्रिफलाबदरीप्लक्षत्वक्क्वाथपरिषेचितम् ॥ ७२ ॥
    कासीसरोचनातुत्थमनोह्वालरसाञ्जनैः ।
    लेपयेदम्लपिष्टैर्वा चूर्णितैर्वावचूर्णयेत् ॥ ७३ ॥
    सुश्लक्ष्णैरथवा यष्टीशङ्खसौवीरकाञ्जनैः ।
    शारिवाशङ्खनाभिभ्यामसनस्य त्वचाऽथवा ॥ ७४ ॥
    रागकण्डूत्कटे कुर्याद्रक्तस्रावं जलौकसा ।
    सर्वं च पित्तव्रणजिच्छस्यते गुदकुट्टके ॥ ७५ ॥
    Water boiled and cooled, and made still colder with addition of Emerald mixed with honey should be used as a drink and also for application to the rectal ulcer. The rectum should be bathed by pouring the decoction of triphala (Haritaki – Terminalia chebula, Vibhitaki – Terminalia bellerica & Amalaki – Emblica officinalis), tvak – barks of badarī – Ziziphus mauritiana plakṣa – and Ficus lacor, kāsīsa – then either the paste of ferrous sulphate, rocanā – Cow bezoar, Purified Copper Sulphate, Realgar, āla – Arsenii trisulphidum and extract of Berberis aristate macerated with any sour liquid should be applied or the fine powder of these should be sprinkled over the ulcer; or the powder of Glycyrrhia glabra, Convolvulus pluricaulis, Sauvirakanjana – collyrium is prepared with Antimony Sulphide or of Hemidesmus indicus, Conch shell or of bark of Pterocarpus marsupium (may be sprinkled). When redness and itching are severe, blood should be let out by using leeches. All treatments prescribed for the cure of ulcer of Pitta origin are beneficial in Gudakutta.

    Mrit Bhakshanaja Roga Chikitsa

    पाठावेल्लद्विरजनीमुस्तभार्गीपुनर्नवैः ।
    सबिल्वत्र्यूषणैः सर्पिः वृश्चिकालीयुतैः शृतम् ॥ ७६ ॥
    लिहानो मात्रया रोगैर्मुच्यते मृत्तिकोद्भवैः ॥ ७७अब् ॥
    Medicated ghee prepared with the decoction of pāṭhā – Cissampelos pareira, vella – Embelia ribes dvi rajanī – the two Rajani (Haridra – Curcuma longa & Daruharidra – Berberis aristata), musta – Cyperus rotundus, bhārgī – Clerodendrum serratum, punarnavaiḥ – Boerhavia diffusa, bilva – Aegle marmelos, tryūṣaṇaiḥ – Tryusana (Black pepper – Piper nigrum, Long pepper fruit – Piper longum and Ginger – Zingiber officinale) and Gymnema sylvestre licked in appropriate doses cures the child of diseases produced by eating mud.

    Mrit Bhakshanaja Roga Chikitsa

    व्याधेर्यद्यस्य भैषज्यं स्तनस्तेन प्रलेपितः ॥ ७७च्द् ॥
    स्थितो मुहूर्तं धौतोऽनु पीतस्तं तं जयेद्गदम् ॥ ७७एf ॥
    The herbs which cure specific diseases should be applied (in the form of juice or nice paste) over the breasts of the mother, allowed to remain there for a Muhurta (48 minutes) and then washed, the child made to suckle milk from that breast gets cured of the concerned diseases.

    इति श्री वैद्यपति सिंहगुप्तसूनु श्रीमद्वाग्भटविरचितायामष्टाङ्गहृदयसंहितायां षष्ठे उत्तरस्थाने बालामयप्रतिषेधो नाम द्वितीयोऽध्याय: ॥ २ ॥
    Thus, ends the chapter-BalamayaPratisedha the second in Uttarasthana of Astanga Hrdaya Samhita composed by Srimad Vagbhata, Son of Sri Vaidyapati Simhagupta.



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