Scientific applicability in day-to-day practice on Granthokta Sutika Paricharya

Abstract

Being a mother is most challenging and most rewarding position a woman ever holds, so motherhood is wonderful at the same time its hardest phase for woman. Giving birth to a new life is a beautiful moment a women will cherish forever. But after the delivery, mothers body encounters many physical and psychological changes which may lead to the generalized weakness and backache etc., if proper postnatal care is not taken. Mother needs to recover and heal from the physical and emotional distress experienced during the delivery. So, proper care in postnatal period is essential. Ayurveda classics emphasize on both prenatal and postnatal care of the mother. There is detailed description of postnatal period and care known as Sutika Kala and Paricharaya respectively. After the childbirth when placenta is expelled out then women is termed as Sutika^[1] and Paricharya means following the diet, regimen and medicines (Aahara, Vihara and Aushadha) during the Sutika Kala (postnatal period). According to Acharyas, Mithyaachrana during Sutika Kala may result in incurable disease, so extreme care must be taken during this period.^[2] The main prospective of the Sutika Paricharya is to retrieve the strength and vitality of the mother’s body same as non-pregnant state along with stabilization of the physiological and psychological health. It also improves the quality and quantity of breast milk of mother. In present time due to changing lifestyles and food habits Sutika Paricharya can be a solution to many problems faced due to Mithyaachrana during the Sutika Kala.