Amid growing concerns over the safety of cough syrups being given to children, experts have highlighted Ayurvedic remedies as a completely safe and effective alternative.
Dr R P Parasher, national president of the All India Doctors Association of Indian System, stated on Tuesday that Ayurvedic cough syrups, herbs, and home remedies can be safely administered to children over two years of age.
His remarks come in the wake of recent deaths of several children in Madhya Pradesh, allegedly linked to contaminated cough syrups.
On October 3, the Director General of Health Services (DGHS) issued an advisory directing all states to restrict cough and cold medications for children below two years of age. The advisory emphasized that cough syrups are generally not recommended for children under five years. For children above five, any use must follow careful clinical evaluation, close supervision, correct dosing, shortest effective duration, and avoidance of multiple drug combinations. It also reiterated the need for judicious and rational prescription of cough syrups for children.
Dr Parasher added, “In case of cough, cold or chills in children aged under six months, their chest should be massaged with slightly warmed ghee or oil. Mothers of such children should refrain from consuming foods that are cool in nature and increase 'kapha' and 'dosha' in the body. Children aged above six months could be fed milk boiled with basil, ginger, cloves, black pepper and dates, and then filtered.”
He explained that this milk not only boosts immunity but also provides immediate relief from coughs and colds.
Ayurvedic cough syrups contain herbs such as basil, amaranth, licorice, kakadsingi, bharangi, pushkarmool, baheda, mint, long pepper, black pepper, cinnamon, bay leaf, and talispatra, which have no side effects in children, Dr Parasher said.
He further recommended that children can be given Sitopaladi powder and Talishadi powder mixed with honey, or prescribed medicines like Vasavaleha and Agastya Haritaki, noting that “all these medicines are completely safe and effective for children.”
[With PTI inputs]
Dr R P Parasher, national president of the All India Doctors Association of Indian System, stated on Tuesday that Ayurvedic cough syrups, herbs, and home remedies can be safely administered to children over two years of age.
His remarks come in the wake of recent deaths of several children in Madhya Pradesh, allegedly linked to contaminated cough syrups.
On October 3, the Director General of Health Services (DGHS) issued an advisory directing all states to restrict cough and cold medications for children below two years of age. The advisory emphasized that cough syrups are generally not recommended for children under five years. For children above five, any use must follow careful clinical evaluation, close supervision, correct dosing, shortest effective duration, and avoidance of multiple drug combinations. It also reiterated the need for judicious and rational prescription of cough syrups for children.
Dr Parasher added, “In case of cough, cold or chills in children aged under six months, their chest should be massaged with slightly warmed ghee or oil. Mothers of such children should refrain from consuming foods that are cool in nature and increase 'kapha' and 'dosha' in the body. Children aged above six months could be fed milk boiled with basil, ginger, cloves, black pepper and dates, and then filtered.”
He explained that this milk not only boosts immunity but also provides immediate relief from coughs and colds.
Ayurvedic cough syrups contain herbs such as basil, amaranth, licorice, kakadsingi, bharangi, pushkarmool, baheda, mint, long pepper, black pepper, cinnamon, bay leaf, and talispatra, which have no side effects in children, Dr Parasher said.
He further recommended that children can be given Sitopaladi powder and Talishadi powder mixed with honey, or prescribed medicines like Vasavaleha and Agastya Haritaki, noting that “all these medicines are completely safe and effective for children.”
[With PTI inputs]
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