How to Use Ayurveda To Combat Common Baby Health Problems

Going the natural way perhaps is what everyone’s grandmothers taught them. My paternal grandmother always had a recipe that she would quickly put together and brew, grind or mix to give us for our colds, coughs and stomach problems.  Here is a look at some natural remedies I’ve used and come across for the most common problems that plague babies: constipation, cold and chest congestion and skin problems. 

Eating healthy and administering simple home remedies to keep your baby healthy and happy is the key.  In times when parents are pushed to their limits with work pressures, what I’ve tried to put across is some simple ways that can be used by anyone anywhere.  None of this takes up a lot of time and the good part is the quick relief for your baby.  While you take time to stock up on antibiotics a trip to the herb store is all you need to get the above ingredients together. Now isn’t that easy?

Constipation

Constipation in babies and younger children can be painful and the problem is compounded because the child gets restless and is unable to let us know what’s wrong.  Food is the most natural way of administering treatment and nourishing our bodies.  Which is why soaked raisins or dates (in milk or just warm water), high quality organic honey, bran, sesame seeds, fruits like mango, papaya, grapes and fresh figs (mashed or diced depending on the child’s age) work well as natural laxatives. 

If you are looking for a really quick and simple solution to the problem then nothing works better than a cup of warm milk before bedtime with one teaspoon of ghee (clarified butter) added to it. 

Cold and Fever

As parents it’s natural to get a little more than rattled if your child has fever but the key here is not to suppress it.   Apply fresh onion juice to the child's navel region at the same time applying a cool cloth to the forehead to protect the brain.  Pomegranate or fresh orange juice is nutritious and effective in controlling fever if consumed in moderate quantities. 

Other useful drinks are ginger tea and Tulsi tea which can be prepared as follows:

Ginger combined with equal parts Yashti madhu (Licorice root) and some raw honey helps in decongesting the chest. Tulsi tea can be prepared by adding 1 teaspoon of Tulsi powder to 1 cup of hot water. Chest congestion or restricted breathing can be eased by warming sesame oil, or ghee with a pinch of rock or black salt and massaging it onto the chest followed by a eucalyptus steam inhalation. 

Skin Care

Which parent hasn’t dealt with diaper rash?  This big demon of childhood can be scared away by adding 1 to 2 teaspoons of Kumari (Aloe vera) juice into the baby's drinking water. Not only will it soothe the rash, it is also a great way to tone tissues, promote overall healthy skin and aide digestion.