Abstract

BREAST MILK – A CRITICAL STUDY

Dr. Bhawana*, Dr. Shaveta Sawhney and Dr. Priyanka Wadhwa

Abstract

Stanya or Breast milk is considered as a one of the Updhatu of Ras dhatu in Ayurveda. Stanya is a prime source of nourishment to the new born. According to Ayurvedic literature, breast feeding has beneficial role on both mother and child. The seat of Ras Dhatu is Hridya which is prime Centre of Psyche (Mana). References of sleep(nidra), stress, Heart diseases, Pandu, etc. reveal this fact. So, one can say that the function of Ras dhatu and Stanya has both psychic and somatic component.

Keywords: Stanya (Breast milk), Stana, Rasa Dhatu, Updhatu, Hridya.