Children Fevers + cough/cold, Part-II

[Guest guest]

This is the continuation of the post on this subject yesterday.

 

One of the old patient from U.K., communicated that her child suffers from

frequent fever, subsequent weakness, lack of

appetite, cough and cold. Loss of weight is also experienced. When

children fall sick, their 'always happy' faces look like a weathered

flower and whole house takes grave subdued feelings.

 

Similar cases come from economically backward class mothers in Mumbai

slums. Govt. hospitals provide medicines, but ayurveda offers an

economic and durable alternative. The health is the best wealth.

Wealth, if lost can be earned again, but health is very difficult to

regain if lost. The disciplined intake of food, health promoting

environment and climate are important factors. It is not necessary

to spend a large sum after costly ayurvedic medicines containing

Gold, silver etc. A simple medicine can also show magical effects.

 

In India, one can prepare this medicine himself this way:

Take `Khapariyu' [Calamine prepreta ] 20 gms, white pepper 10 gms,

powder them together and add a little butter to create a thick

paste. This paste is to be ground with a little lime juice for 4 to

6 days alternately grinding in 'Kharal' and allowing it to dry. After

this process, you can make small 200 mg tablets by rolling in hand.

 

If you have no time to prepare, many pharmacies sell it under the

name `Laghu Vasant Malati' or simply `Vasant Malati Ras'.

One to two tablets of this medicine, when crushed and mixed with

honey, children can lick it easily. This is very simple and mild

medicine, gives much relief. Pacifies pitta, reduces low fever

slowly, reduces post fever weakness. This medicine is especially

developed for children, causing increase in appetite, reduction in

inflammation of eyes, feet. It also makes their skin smooth.

 

Calamine prepreta is used in a number of `Prickley Heat Powders' for

babies, so also in skin lotions such as "Lacto Calamine". Its skin

smoothening properties are exploited in such commercially available

formulations. See how Ayurveda has contributed to beauty products

also!

 

A number of querries on "pregnancy" safe foods and herbs were raised

in past. For those members, let it be known that Laghu Vasant Malti,

if taken 2 tabs twice daily with Honey up to seven months during

pregnancy, the new born child will not suffer from low fever

problems. The bones of the baby become stronger, baby starts talking,

walking at right time and develops strong teeth without

many "teething" troubles. This medicine is so well known in families

in India, that almost two out of three households know it if a

grandma is still alive.

 

When treating the child for old low fever, do not keep the baby on

green gram soup or milk alone. Mothers usually give Gripe water to

infants. For slightly elder babies, "Grape water" discussed under

Summer blues post can be given to keep their strength. As the hunger

develops, give solid food such as rice, khitchri, etc. The medicine

slowly kindles the "Agni", so that stools containing "Ama" reduce.

 

Other uses of this simple medicine are:

Reduces Leucorrhoea, vaginal heat, loss of glow on face,

depression.

Reduces sweating, inflammation of hands and feet lower

surfaces.

Epecially useful in summer/monsoons, child will not suffer

from allergy, kapha or anorexia.

 

Neem Tea:

This preparation is given for children upto age 12. For elders the quantity

needs to be doubled.

Fresh Neem leaves: 11

Fresh Tulsi leaves: 11

Black pepper: 2-3

Water : 125 ml

Mix everything and boil in a copper vessel (If available, else take stainless

steel or glass jar) on very low heat till 50% water boils out. Let cool, strain

and drink. Repeat this procedure 2 or three times a day.

After fever subsides, continue drinking this Neem Tea once a day for another

seven days. This allows digestion of AMA and fever, cough, cold does not recurr.

 

Unfourtunately, this is possible when Neem and Tulsi leaves are easily

available. All those who reside abroad, and getting sunlight through the window

for at least two hours a day, can carry Tulsi plant and a small neem plant when

they visit India. These plants may not grow well in foreign climates, but will

still provide fresh leaves when needed!

 

 

Dr. Bhate