In This Article
In Ayurveda, children’s health is closely linked to the concept of “balancing the doshas,” which is crucial for overall health and well-being. The three doshas, Vata, Pitta, and Kapha, all play a role in children’s health and can affect different aspects of a child’s well-being.
For Vata children, maintaining balance in the digestive system is crucial for overall health. Vata children tend to have a lighter appetite and may struggle with constipation or gas. To support digestion, Vata children should focus on eating warm, grounding foods that are easy to digest, such as soups and stews. They should also avoid foods that are dry, cold, or raw.
Pitta children, on the other hand, tend to have a strong appetite and may struggle with acid reflux or heartburn. To support digestion, Pitta children should focus on eating cooling foods that are easy to digest, such as fresh fruits and vegetables. They should also avoid spicy or acidic foods.
Kapha children tend to have a slow metabolism and may struggle with weight gain. To support digestion, Kapha children should focus on eating warm, light foods that are easy to digest, such as steamed vegetables and soups. They should also avoid heavy, oily foods.
In addition to focusing on diet, children can also support their digestive health by incorporating regular exercise, managing stress, and practicing good sleep hygiene. Herbs such as ginger, turmeric, and licorice root can also be beneficial for children’s digestion.
Herbal Supplementation
Herbs play a crucial role in Ayurvedic medicine, as they possess unique healing properties that can be used to address a wide range of health issues and bring balance to the doshas. Each dosha has unique needs when it comes to supporting children’s health, and certain herbs can be more beneficial for each one.
Vata children are characterized by the qualities of lightness, dryness, and coldness which can lead to imbalances such as dry skin, constipation, and anxiety. They may benefit from herbs that are warm, nourishing, and grounding.
- Ashwagandha: the most well studied adaptogen. It is able to support deep sleep while boosting daytime energy, stamina, mood, and immunity. Balances vata and kapha.
- Elim 1: a blend of three fruits (amla, haritaki, and bibhitaki) along with slippery elm, licorice and a microdose of psyllium husk. This helps to tone the bowel while combating dryness and sluggish elimination that is commonly seen in vata imbalances.
- Gentle Digest: a blend of five herbs (ginger, cumin, fennel, coriander, and cardamom) that balance vata and help to relieve gas and bloating while improving digestion.
Pitta children are characterized by the qualities of heat, sharpness, and lightness which can lead to imbalances such as hot flashes, skin irritation, and irritability. They may benefit from herbs that are cooling, calming, and soothing.
- Chyawanprash: a powerful herbal paste that supports immunity in children.
- Manjistha: a blend of Ayurveda’s primary lymphatic circulation herbs that support a healthy lymphatic immune response in children.
- Bacopa Boost: studied to be a brain derived neurotrophic factor that builds brain cells while supporting mood, memory, focus, and energy in children.
Kapha children are characterized by the qualities of heaviness, moistness, and stability which can lead to imbalances such as weight gain, congestion, and sluggishness. They may benefit from herbs that are light, dry, and warming.
- Mucus Destroyer: a combination of ginger, turmeric, sitopladi churna, and black pepper that is used to support a healthy respiratory system in children.
- Chyawanprash: a powerful herbal paste that supports immunity in children.
- Bacopa Boost: studied to be a brain derived neurotrophic factor that builds brain cells while supporting mood, memory, focus, and energy in children.
- Ashwagandha: the most well studied adaptogen. It is able to support deep sleep while boosting daytime energy, stamina, mood, and immunity. Balances vata and kapha.
If you are new to taking Ayurvedic herbs or supplements, we highly recommend downloading this short free ebook to set you out on the right track from the get-go:
Dinacharya (Ayurvedic Daily Routine)
Dinacharya, or daily routine, is an important aspect of Ayurvedic medicine and can greatly support children’s health. Some practices that can support children’s health include:
- Waking up early: Rising early and starting the day with a sense of freshness can help regulate the hormone levels and improve energy levels.
- Jihwa Prakshalana (tongue scraping): Scraping the tongue can remove bacteria and toxins from the tongue, which can improve oral hygiene and taste.
- Drinking warm water: Drinking warm water first thing in the morning can help stimulate the kidneys and flush out toxins. Option: add juice of ¼ lemon.
- Gandusha (oil pulling): In the shower, have the child swish oil around the mouth for 10-15 minutes to support a healthy mouth microbiome and protect against undesirable bacteria and gum issues. We recommend using LifeSpa’s Swish Oil Pulling Therapy.
- Nasya (nose oiling) and Karna Purana (ear oiling): In the shower, add a few drops of LifeSpa’s Nasya Oil in the child’s nose and ears. This is an easy way to keep the sinuses, eustachian tube, and cervical lymph lubricated, clear, healthy, and functional.
- Abhyanga (self-massage): Applying warm oil to the child’s body while showering or before bathing can calm Vata, fight stress, improve circulation, and stimulate immunity. We recommend using LifeSpa’s Tri-doshic Massage Oil or Lymphatic Massage Oil.
- Grounding practices: Encouraging the child to practice yoga, pranayama (breathing), meditation, or other forms of exercise in the morning before starting your day can help reduce stress and improve overall health. Practice my One Minute Meditation up to ten times per day to help cope with stress, anxiety, and depression.
- Eating at regular intervals: Eating at regular intervals can help regulate hormone levels and prevent overeating or undereating. Make breakfast and lunch the main meals of the day.
- Eating a balanced diet: Eating a diet that is balanced in terms of the six tastes (sweet, sour, salty, pungent, bitter, and astringent) can help ensure that all the necessary nutrients are being consumed and support hormone balance.
- Avoiding eating late at night: Eating late at night can disrupt the body’s natural rhythms and negatively impact hormone levels.
- Avoiding eating in front of the TV or computer: Eating while distracted can lead to overeating and poor digestion.
- Get to bed early: Settle into bed early around 9:30 PM so you are asleep by 10 PM.
In Ayurveda, the daily routine, known as Dinacharya, is considered a crucial aspect for leading a fulfilling life, which is why I created the 28-Day Ayurveda Challenge. Each day in this eCourse, you will learn a new challenge to incorporate into your daily routine that relieves stress, promotes health, and quiets the mind. By the end of the Ayurveda Challenge, you will have effortlessly incorporated a daily routine that lasts for 20-30 minutes, and it will be simple, enjoyable, and impactful. You will soon experience feelings of calmness, focus, and increased energy. This daily routine will not be seen as a chore, but rather a means of reward, as the benefits far outweigh the small time investment.
Nutrition
According to Ayurveda, each dosha has specific dietary needs and practices that support children’s health.
For Vata children, it is important to consume warm, cooked foods that are easy to digest, such as soups and stews. Spicy, cold and dry foods should be avoided, as they can aggravate Vata. It is also beneficial to include foods that are high in healthy fats, such as cultured ghee, olive oil and avocado, to help lubricate the digestive tract. It is recommended to eat at regular times and to chew food well. Although it is important for everyone to eat seasonally all the time, it is especially important for Vata individuals to eat seasonally during the Fall and Winter seasons when Vata individuals are at greater risk of accumulating an excess of Vata that can lead to fatigue, weak immunity, and poor sleep.
We recommend downloading our Winter Grocery List for examples of what to eat as a Vata during this season. For Vata body types during the winter months, it is especially important they follow these Vata-balancing dietary rules:
- Reduce foods that are pungent, bitter, and astringent or have a cold, dry, and light quality.
- Increase foods that are sweet, sour, and salty or have a heavy, oily, and hot quality.
For Pitta children, it is important to consume cooling foods such as fruits and vegetables. Spicy and sour foods should be avoided, as they can aggravate Pitta. It is also beneficial to include foods that are high in healthy fats, such as coconut oil, cultured ghee and flaxseeds, to help cool the digestive fire. It is recommended to relax and eat at regular times and to chew food well. Although it is important for everyone to eat seasonally all the time, it is especially important for Pitta individuals to eat seasonally during the Summer when Pitta individuals are at greater risk of accumulating an excess of Pitta that can lead to indigestion, irritability, and skin concerns.
We recommend downloading our Summer Grocery List for examples of what to eat as a Pitta during this season. For Pitta body types during the summer months, it is especially important they follow these Pitta-balancing dietary rules:
- Reduce foods that are pungent, sour, and salty or have hot, dry, and light quality.
- Increase foods that are sweet, bitter, and astringent or have a heavy, oily, and cold quality.
For Kapha children, it is important to consume warm, light and dry foods such as salads and steamed vegetables. Heavy and oily foods should be avoided, as they can aggravate Kapha. It is also beneficial to include foods that are high in fiber, such as fruits and vegetables, to help keep the digestive tract moving. It is recommended to eat at regular times and to chew food well. Although it is important for everyone to eat seasonally all the time, it is especially important for Kapha individuals to eat seasonally during the Spring when Kapha individuals are at greater risk of accumulating an excess of Kapha that can lead to fatigue, sadness, congestion, and heaviness.
We recommend downloading our Spring Grocery List for examples of what to eat as a Kapha during this season. For Kapha body types during the spring months, it is especially important they follow these Kapha-balancing dietary rules:
- Reduce foods that are sweet, sour, and salty or have heavy, oily, and cold quality.
- Increase foods that are pungent, bitter, and astringent or have a light, dry, and hot quality.
It is important to note that these are general recommendations and it is always best to consult with an Ayurvedic practitioner to determine the best dietary plan for your individual needs.
As humans have advanced, we have grown more and more disconnected from the natural cycles and circadian rhythms which leaves many of us scratching our heads when we’re asked to eat seasonally. To help us reconnect with these rhythms, I created a free program that delivers seasonal guidance and recipes every month directly to your inbox. I call it the 3 Season Diet Guide, I highly encourage you to check it out. New research suggests that our gut microbes are meant to change seasonally with the foods we eat. Seasonal microbes optimize digestion, mood, and immunity, the way nature intended!
Cleansing
Cleansing plays a crucial role in Ayurveda as it is aimed at purifying the body and restoring balance to its natural systems. At times, the imbalances in our doshas can become so severe that regular dietary changes, herbal remedies, and lifestyle practices are not sufficient to bring us back into balance. In such cases, a more comprehensive detoxification program, known as a cleanse, may be necessary. Cleansing can correct doshic imbalances that are negatively affecting our physical and emotional health, thereby enhancing our overall well-being. These cleanses can be performed seasonally, in Spring and Fall, or as needed to support the body’s natural cleansing processes. LifeSpa offers a wide variety of cleansing options to fit your unique needs, discover the perfect cleanse for you here.
Further Education
Expand your knowledge by exploring these comprehensive ebooks and engaging online courses related to children’s health:
- Perfecting Digestion: Gateway to Emotional Freedom (eCourse)
- Ayurveda for a Healthy Family (free eBook)
- Short Home Cleanse (free eBook)
Getting Started
Ayurvedic Guide to Your Child’s Body Type, or Dosha
5 Back-to-School Tips for Healthy Kids
Podcast Episode 065: Technology + Your Kids
How to Inspire Kids to Exercise, the Ayurvedic Way
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