Lok Sabha Question No. 427 (STARRED), answered on 2016-12-16
Subject: Treatment of Child Malnutrition through AYUSH
Ministry: AYURVEDA,YOGA & NATUROPATHY,UNANI,SIDDHA AND HOMEOPATHY (AYUSH)
Asked by: UDAY PRATAP SINGH

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF AYURVEDA, YOGA & NATUROPATHY, UNANI, SIDDHA AND HOMOEOPATHY

## LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 427 TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 16 TH DECEMBER , 2016 TREATMENT OF CHILD MALNUTRITION THROUGH AYUSH

## †427. SHRI UDAY PRATAP SINGH:

Will  the  Minister  of AYURVEDA,  YOGA  AND  NATUROPATHY, UNANI, SIDDHA AND HOMOEOPATHY (AYUSH) be pleased to state:

- (a) whether a large number of children are suffering from malnutrition and the details thereof; and
- (b) whetherAYUSH system of medicine provides affordable diagnosis, prevention, treatment and management of child malnutrition and if so, the d thereof?

## ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF STATE (IC) OF THE MINISTRY OF AYURVEDA, YOGA & NATUROPATHY, UNANI, SIDDHA AND HOMOE OPATHY (SHRI SHRIPAD YESSO NAIK)

- (a)&
- ( b) AStatement is laid on the Table of the House.

## STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 427*FOR 16 TH DECEMBER , 2016

(a) Yes.

However, the trend analysis of malnutrition as per National Family Health Survey (NFHS) and Rapid Survey on Children (RSoC) carried out in the countr has shown improvement in nutritional status of the children. At National lev prevalence of stunting, wasting and underweight among children under age of 5 yearshas  decreased  from  48 % (NFHS - 3;  2005 - 06)  to  38.7 % (RSoC;  2013 - 14); 20% (NFHS - 3; 2005 - 06) to 15.1 % (RSoC; 2013 - 14); 43 % (NFHS - 3; 2005 - 06) to 29.4 % (RSoC; 2013 - 14) respectively.

- b) Yes Sir, the AYUSH systems of medicine provide for affordable management of child malnutrition.

The diagnosis in AYUSH system s such as Ayurveda, Unani , Siddha and Homoeopathy is mainly based on clinical signs and symptoms and the fundament principles of respect ive AYUSH system. The diagnosis, wherever necessary, may be supplemented with laboratory investigations.

Poor and/ or imbalanced diet is the main cause of malnutrition. There all the AYUSH systems have emphasized on having proper balanced diet and g ood dietary habits. The systems have further elaborated the specific properties dietary substance, the diet to be taken as per age, as per season etc. In c birth  weight  babies,  under  nutrition  of  the  expectant  mother  is  the  main Therefore, specific diet and othe r measures have been advocated depending upon the stage of pregnancy.

The  mainstay  of  treatment and  management  include  dietary  intervention supported  with  AYUSH  medicines  to  improve  the  appetite,  digestion  an absorption o f the nutrients and improving immunity of child.

## Ayurveda

## Diagnosis, Treatment & Management:

Malnutrition / Nutritional disorders have been defined in Ayurvedic an classical texts as Kuposhanjanya Vyadhi. Disorders like Karshya, Phakka Ro Balshos ha, etc. come under this category. Specific symptoms of each of the di condition have been explained in the ancient texts. The diagnosis is done basis of Ayurvedic approach of Nidan Panchaka and the Dashavidha Pariksha. This could be further supported with various tools and scientific advances.

The prevention and treatment starts right from the stage of pregnancy. of the pregnant mother and the foetus should be taken to ensure the proper of the foetus so as to prevent low birth we ight of the new born.  For this purpose, Ayurveda  has  elaborately  described Garbhini  paricharya i.e. antenatal  care, which  also  includes dietary  and  lifestyle  advocacies  according  to  the  stage pregnancy. The line of treatment and management of undernour ished children is aimed  at  improving  Agni  i.e.  digestive  fire,  removal  of Ama i.e.  intermediate metabolites and improving the nutrition. Medicinal herbs like Sunthi (Dry Gi Pippali, Mareech etc are used to improve the Agni and removal of Ama . In case of breastfed  children,  mother  is  given  Shatavari  Churna,  Jeerakaadi  lehyam,  M modaka  etc  to  improve  lactation  and  its  quality.  Children  fed  only  on  mi given milk boiled with Sunthi. There are good numbers of single and compou poly - herbal medic ines which could be administered to children for th management  of  malnutrition.  These  include  Shatavari,  Vidaari  Kanda,  Amalk Jeeraka, Preenanamodaka, Rambhaphalarasayana, Ajamansrasayana etc. In addition to the internal medication, external application of oils in children, such as Chandan bala lakshadi taila, bala ashwagandhadi taila, mahamans taila etc ar useful.

## Homoeopathy Treatment & Management:

The  treatment  of  malnourished  children  in  Homeopathy  is  designed  b taking  into  consideration  the symptoms  present  in  the  child  as  well  as  other physical  characteristics  of  entire  body,  mental  characteristics,  past  and history  of  illness  of  the  patient.  Further  miasm  (internal  cause)  presen parents  are  also  considered  during  the  time  o f  treatment  of  a  malnourished children. During antenatal period, expected mother may be given anti - miasmetic treatment through constitutional Homoeopathic medicine to prevent malnutrit In  addition,  Homoeopathic  medicines  are  als o  given  to  address  the  u nderlying cause of malnutrition like worm infestation etc. However, treatment needs supplemented with adequate nutritional diet.

## Siddha Treatment & Management:

In case of malnutrition in breastfed children, Siddha advocates supplementation of Sowbakya suntee lehyam to the mother to improve lactati The  other  preparations  used  in  Siddha  for  prevention  of  malnutrition  in Thetran kottai lehyam, Urai mathirai etc.

## Unani Treatment & Management:

Unani medicin e believes that equilibrium in various elements and facult of human bodies depends upon six essential factors called Asbabe Sitta Zarooriya which  are  1)  atmospheric  air,  2)  food  and  beverages,  3)  bodily  movement repose,  4)  Psychic  movement  and  repos e,  5)  Sleep  and  wakefulness  and  6) Retention and depletion. Proper weight and nutrition of the newborn depends safe  motherhood.  Therefore,  the  expectant  mother  is  advised  to  take  pr nutrition. Some common remedies used to treat the undernourished children are Jawarish Amla, Sharbat Foulad, Habbe Jawahar, Kushta Khubsul Hadeed etc.