Abstract

SWARNAPRASHANA: A GIFT OF AYURVEDA FOR THE HEALTHY CHILDHOOD

Dr. Dattatrya G. Parde*, Dr. Laxmikant G. Thakare and Dr. Vidya S. Ingole

Abstract

Administration of treated gold in children is an exclusive preparation stated in Ayurveda as “Swarnaprashana” by Acharya Kashyapa thousands of years ago. He described unmistakably the administration of Swarna (gold) in children for the welfares of improving intelligence (Brain power), digestion and metabolism, somatic strength, insusceptibility, skin texture, potency (fertility), and life span. There are several preparations of gold and medicated preparations also described by many Acharya for persistent practice in children. The use of Swarnaprashana in children is mainly associated with two Ayurvedic contexts i.e. Lehana (supplementary feeds) and Jatakarma Samskara (newborn care). This review article is an effort to judgmentally evaluate the existing information, which might be supportive in clearance of the some misconceptions on the subject. The age and way of administration, advantages, disadvantages and dose as per many classical textbooks of Ayurveda are debated here along with the reports of associated scientific studies. This review suggests that the benefits of Swarnaprashana can be attained at various stages like as a general health promoter and in specific to improvement of intelligence, ingestion, metabolism, invulnerability, physical power, skin texture, or fertility. Ayurveda mentions only sanitized and treated form of gold for oral administration. The time at which Swarnaprashana must be administered and its period can be determined depending upon the wanted result for healthy childhood.

Keywords: atakarma Samskara, Lehana, treated gold, Swarnaprashana, Hiranya, healthy childhood.