In part one of this series, we had talked about Ayurveda, immunity and children with special needs in a general, introductory way. Here, in part two, we will go into immunity and Ayurveda in this context in greater detail.
Children with special needs are those who, because of emotional, learning or medical problems need extra care in their lives, and they are put in an “Immunodeficient” category, susceptible to many medical issues, and that is what Ayurveda tries to correct.
This branch of Ayurveda is called Kaumarbhritya, a part of Ashtanga Ayurveda, and is concerned with the prevention and cure of childhood diseases.
Immunity is the “condition of being able to resist a particular disease especially through preventing the development of a pathogenic organism or by counteracting the effects of its products.”
Human immunity is provided by two cooperating defence mechanisms called, NonSpecific Innate Immunity and Specific Acquired Immunity.
NonSpecific repels all microorganisms equally, while Specific creates its response specifically to one particular organism. Both, thus work together to prevent harmful organisms from entering and breeding inside the body.
It is here that Ayurveda with its concept of whole-body healing; treating mind, body and spirit as one; becomes an effective method. It modulates or tunes or enhances the body’s immune responses by nonspecifically activating immunity using what are called Immunomodulatory Agents, often of plant/herbal origin. Ayurveda enhances the body’s natural resistance as a whole, rather than against one particular condition.
While medication, based on Brahmi, Shankhpushpi and Jatamansi; and therapies like Shirodhara and Shirobasti, have been found beneficial, current research has found that a holistic programme, starting early, is most effective.
These include sensory integration techniques, music therapy, exercises for the brain and yoga. This integrated approach has been found effective in treating children with cerebral palsy, autism, learning disabilities and hyperactivity.
Combining Ayurveda with physiotherapy and speech therapy also helps in developing fine motor skills, cognitive skills and functional skills.
Blog reviewed by:Dr Reshmi Pramod
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