Contributions of Harita Samhita to Kaumarbhritya: A Review of the classical text's insights on Infant and Child Care

Abstract

Kaumarbhritya, a branch of Ashtang Ayurveda, focuses on the care of infants and children, including their diseases and management. Although Kashyap Samhita is considered the primary text on Kaumarbhritya, it is not entirely available. Therefore, scholars and physicians need to get information related to Kaumarbhritya on other texts, such as Harita Samhita, to gain knowledge and clarify their doubts. Written between the 6th and 7th centuries AD, Harita Samhita is a classical Ayurvedic text presented in a conversational format between Maharshi Atreya and Acharya Harita. Acharya Harita's contributions to Kaumarbhritya are extensive, covering topics like: Duties and responsibilities in Kaumarbhritya, Age classification (Vayo Bheda), Breastfeeding concepts, Management of recurrent miscarriages, Antenatal and postnatal care, Childhood rituals and sacraments, Common diseases and disorders in infants and children, Pediatric formulations and treatments, Fetal development sequence. This article aims to review and highlight Acharya Harita contributions to Kaumarbhritya, as presented in Harita Samhita, providing valuable insights into this ancient text.