DRUG DOSAGES AND THERAPEUTIC PANCHKARMA STANDARDS OF KAUMARBHRITYA IN AYURVEDA: A REVIEW

Equilibrium of Dosha’s and freedom from all diseases is called health. For this purpose of health, Acharya’s have made Ayurveda. According to Acharya Kashyapa; Kaumarbhritya is one of superior branch among Ashtanga Ayurveda which deals with diseases of children and their practical treatment. In Ayurveda, the Matra (dose) of a drug has been mentioned in different treatises out of which Acharya Kashyapa is the pioneer of Ayurvedic pediatric medicine and he has well established the pediatric dosing system. Ayurveda physicians were using different Matra’s for different dosage forms and also the dose was fixed according to age and many other factors like Satva (mental ability), Prakriti (constitution), Bala (physical strength) etc. In Ayurveda treatment is chiefly divided into two procedures Shamana and Shodhana chikitsa. In Shamana chikitsa we control and manage dosha in body itself which includes Deepana, Pachana etc. and in Shodhana chikitsa is mainly for cleansing the body toxins i.e. cleansing the prakopita doshas which mainly included Panchkarma therapy. In present situation Panchkarma therapy looks difficult in pediatric practice because lack of knowledge about dosages, their mode of action and complication. Acharya Kashyapa explained all the Panchkarma procedure in details. This review article is related to pediatric drug dosages from different Ayurveda classics and gives utility of specific therapeutic Panchkarma procedure and their mode of action in pediatrics patient to strengthening immune system, restoring balance and well being.