Ayurvedic Herbs & Formulations to Boost Your Child's Immunity
The role of your immune system is crucial as it enables you to combat harmful external invaders and internal changes in your body. A robust immune system is necessary for maintaining good health and longevity, and the same applies to your child. There are several approaches to enhance your child's and your own immune system, including powerful Ayurvedic immunity booster remedies. Continue reading to learn more about how your child's immunity works and the steps you can take to strengthen it.
Introduction to Immunity
Immunity pertains to your immune system's capacity to combat various infections and shield you from diseases. Composed of an extensive network of cells and tissues, your immune system is constantly vigilant for foreign invaders such as bacteria, viruses, or parasites, and mounts an immune response upon detecting them.
- The immune system's key organs are the bone marrow and thymus.
- The bone marrow generates new blood cells, including those that offer immunity.
- The thymus produces thymosin hormone, which facilitates the production of immune cells, particularly T-cells and B-cells.
Basic Functioning of Your Immune System
Upon encountering a target, also known as an antigen, your white blood cells or leukocytes proliferate and send signals to other cells to do the same. There are two primary types of leukocytes: phagocytes and lymphocytes. Phagocytes engulf pathogens and break them down by consuming them.
Lymphocytes assist the body in remembering previous invaders and identifying them if they return to mount an attack, by releasing antibodies. B-lymphocytes generate antibodies, whereas T-lymphocytes eliminate compromised cells within the body.
Consequently, when your body confronts the same antigen once more, your immune system produces a comparable immune response to the first time, preventing illness or the recurrence of the same infection.
Immunity in Children
Kids tend to experience sickness frequently due to their lower immunity. As a concerned parent, despite your diligent efforts to safeguard your children from the germs and bacteria they encounter, they may succumb to infections easily. Immunity strengthens in children as they age. Similar to adults, kids possess two types of immunity:
A child's innate immunity (present from birth) is their initial response to foreign body invasion.
Adaptive immunity, also known as acquired immunity (developed when the body is exposed to microbes), arises from B-lymphocytes following the body's exposure to certain invaders.
Due to their vulnerable and maturing immunity, kids are more susceptible to contracting illnesses such as colds, the flu, diarrhea, ear infections, and food allergies in contrast to adults. Adopting a healthy lifestyle and consuming nutritious food can naturally enhance your child's immunity. Prior to exploring specific Ayurvedic remedies for boosting your child's immunity, it is important to comprehend what Ayurveda is and how its principles can be applied to your child's health.
Ayurveda for Children
The vast knowledge of Ayurveda is applicable to children, and introducing them to an Ayurvedic lifestyle can establish healthy habits that will benefit them for life.
Ayurveda is an ancient science focused on life and longevity that aims to balance the body, mind, and spirit. According to Ayurveda, each person is born with five natural elements: Earth, Air, Water, Fire, and Space.
The balance of these elements is known as Dosha or mind-body principles. There are three primary doshas:
Vata (composed of space and air, representing energy of movement)
Pitta (composed of fire and water, representing digestion and metabolism),
and Kapha (composed of water and earth, representing structure and lubrication).
An imbalance in one or more doshas can lead to illness and health issues. It is believed that each child has one or two dominant doshas that determine their characteristics. Understanding your child's prakriti or constitution (the unique combination of the three doshas) can help you better manage imbalances in your child's health.
The three doshas are described below with their corresponding characteristics:
• Vata dosha governs movement and flow, including impulses, creativity, and waste elimination. Children with a vata-dominant constitution tend to be quick, sensitive, and restless. They may experience health issues like cold, cough, dry skin, or constipation.
• Pitta dosha governs growth, development, metabolism, digestion, and endocrine processes. Children with a pitta dominant constitution are often charismatic, athletic, enjoy challenges, and have a sharp intellect.
• Kapha dosha is the most prominent in childhood and is linked to cold qualities. Kapha dominant children are typically slow, patient, and easy-going, with a loving and caring nature.
Boosting Your Child’s Immunity the Ayurvedic Way
The Ayurvedic method is a great way to naturally enhance your child's immunity. Ayurveda provides a wealth of effective healthcare and disease-prevention strategies for children. According to Ayurveda, immunity is closely tied to a child's digestive system. It is important to keep in mind that children often fall sick due to various digestive disorders.
Your child's gut, which contains immune cells and healthy bacteria, prevents the growth of microbes and fights off pathogens and toxins that are consumed with their food. Therefore, strengthening your child's digestive system will naturally support and enhance their immune system.
Certain natural herbs that are beneficial for children are:
Turmeric (Curcuma longa): Is rich in antioxidants and has antimicrobial properties. This herb is also known as haldi and is known for its strong immunomodulatory effects that can help regulate the activity of immune cells. Consuming a cup of turmeric milk can help boost your child's immune system and reduce the frequency of illnesses such as the flu and cold. Turmeric is heavily incorporated into various ayurvedic immunity boosters as well.
Turmeric milk, also known as “golden milk” owing to its colour, is an effective remedy to reduce your child’s nasal congestion or soothe a sore throat, during a fever.
Turmeric milk is safe to introduce to babies who are 9 months and older.
Boil a cup of milk with 1 teaspoon of turmeric in it and give it to your child once a day.
2. Amla or Indian Gooseberry (Emblica officinalis). Amla is a rich source of vitamin C and dietary fibre. Vitamin C is known to support the functions of your child’s digestive and immune system.
You can give them as whole raw fruit and in the form of murabba (sweet fruit preserve that is made with amla) as well.
Include amla in your child’s diet in the form of amla chutney (an Indian condiment usually made with veggies, coconut, nuts, spices & herbs) or in the form of amla juice.
Excessive amla juice can cause digestion problems in your child. Introduce 1/4 or half a cup of amla juice in your child’s daily diet initially. Gradually increase the dosage as per your child's tolerance level. Chop 500g of amla into small pieces and blend it in a mixer to make a paste. Strain out the paste. Add water, pepper and honey to the strained amla juice.
3. Ginger (Zingiber officinale): This is an effective remedy to prevent and treat seasonal flu and cold, which children are more susceptible to due to weak immunity. Symptoms of these conditions include sudden onset of fever, dry cough, headache, and muscle and joint pain. Ginger possesses potent antiviral and antibacterial properties that can help strengthen your child's immunity safely at home.
Giving your children ginger tea or ginger with honey in lukewarm water can help strengthen their immunity. Adding rock salt to it can enhance its taste and benefits.
Brewing a cup of soothing tea by adding 20-40 grams of sliced ginger into hot water for about 5 minutes and then adding honey can also be beneficial.
Ginger can improve your child's appetite and digestion, eliminate toxins from their bloodstream, and protect their liver.
Maharishi Ayurveda’s Recommendations for a Healthy Liver
Maharishi Amrit Kalash
Regarded as the best immunity booster ayurvedic medicine in India, Maharishi Amrit Kalash is an Ayurvedic supplement that enhances children's immunity by combining natural herbs, fruits, and spices with immune-boosting properties. It comprises key ingredients such as amla, ashwagandha, guduchi, and turmeric that work together to reinforce the body's natural defences, protecting against illnesses and diseases.
Chyavanprash
Chyavanprash is an Ayurvedic rejuvenation technique for the body and mind that restores youth and prolongs life. This essential formulation helps in enhancing immunity, strength, and longevity, thereby being the key to good health. As per ancient scriptures, Chyavanprash is the most potent Rasayana, which nourishes the elderly and weak. It helps in improving memory, preventing illnesses, promoting longevity, aiding digestion, and relieving asthma symptoms. Chyavanprash is also a well-known ayurvedic immunity booster for children, who find it easier to consume something sweet and can be taken with ease, mixed with warm milk or water.
Swarnprashan
Swarnprashan is a traditional Ayurvedic preparation given to children to enhance their immunity and overall health. It is a blend of gold ash, honey, ghee, and herbs that offer several benefits to the body, including improved immune function, digestion, memory, and well-being. Swarnprashan is usually administered on specific days of the month, based on the lunar calendar, and is thought to be more effective during certain astrological alignments. It is crucial to consult an expert Vaidya about the dosage as it varies based on the child's age and weight.
Drakshalevha
Drakshavleha is an Ayurvedic immunity booster formulation made with the goodness of grapes, honey, and herbs. It is a highly beneficial tonic for children as it helps improve their digestion, appetite, and overall health. Drakshavleha is also known to boost immunity and provide relief from cough, cold, and other respiratory problems. It is a sweet and tasty medicine that children can consume without any difficulty, and it is completely safe for regular use. The natural ingredients in Drakshavleha help nourish the body and mind, making it an excellent supplement for growing children.
Kasni Syrup
Maharishi Ayurveda Kasni cough syrup is a combination of potent herbs which are carefully curated by Ayurvedic experts as an effective remedy for all types of cough. It causes no side effects. This herbal formulation is pleasant in taste and can be consumed by patients of all age groups.
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