A CRITICAL REVIEW OF SUTIKA PARICHARYA WITH SPECIAL REFERENCE TO STANYA AND PUERPERAL PHYSIOLOGY

The postnatal or puerperal period is a highly significant phase in a woman’s life, marked by intense anatomical, physiological, and psychological transformations. Ayurveda describes this stage as Sutika Kala, in which the woman is known as Sutika—one who has just given birth. During this time, the mother’s body undergoes depletion of dhatus (tissues), imbalance of doṣas, and requires restoration of strength, energy, and lactation. The Ayurvedic regimen of Sutika Paricharya provides a holistic framework of diet, lifestyle, and medication to achieve complete recovery and ensure the well-being of both mother and child. This article presents a detailed review of classical Ayurvedic concepts and modern physiological perspectives, along with scholarly studies from various universities, to evaluate the relevance and scientific grounding of Sutika Paricharya and Stanya Pravartana (lactation).