Contribution of Ashtanga Hridya in the field of Kaumarbhritya

Abstract

Vagbhata is one of the three classic writers of Ayurveda, along with Charaka and Sushruta. It has attracted the attention of medical experts due to large number of commentaries by scholars of Ayurveda and translation into other languages. Kaumarbhritya is one of the eight branches of Ayurveda which presently deals with care of infants and children, their diseases and treatment. Though main text of this branch is considered to be Kashyapa Samhita which is incompletely available, thus scholars have to look upon other authoritative texts for knowledge of the subject. Ashtanga Hridaya being a comprehensive text and a part of Brihattrayi is apt for quenching thirst of knowledge. This article aims at reviewing the knowledge about Kaumarbhritya available in Ashtanga Hridaya. Acharya Vagbhata has mentioned about Navjaat Shishu Paricharya (concept of neonatal care), Navjaata Shishu Pariksha (Examination of newborn child), Balyakala Samskara (Childhood sacraments), Garbhvyapada (Fetal abnormalities), Vayovibhajan (Classification of age), Prasavkaleenjanya Abhighata (Birth injuries), Balshosha (Malnutrition in children), Stanya and Stanya Dosha (Breast milk and its related diseases), Shishurudan and Vedna (Different activities during cry and Pain), Dantoudbhedjanya Vyadhi (Dentition related diseases), Balayakala Vyadhi (common diseases of infancy and childhood), Lehana (electuary), Aushdhiya Yoga (Formulations) used in children.