Abstract

VASAMBU KAAPU IN PREVENTION OF COMMON PAEDIATRIC AILMENTS – AN OVERVIEW

Dr. A. F. Glara*, Dr. K. Sivaranjani, R. Ashmi and Dr. K. Shymala

ABSTRACT

The moment a child is born, modern medicines begin to intervene. The early month of child’s life is kicked into vaccines and medications even for minor ailments such as common cold, Indigestion, constipation etc. Though modern medicine offers instant solution it neglects the integrated whole body approach that siddha medicine has offered for centuries. Balavagadam a branch of Siddha system of medicine deals with paediatric disease and remedies. Acorus calamus (Vasambu) also called as Pillai Marunthu has been in use for paediatric ailments since ancient times. It is usually worn as bracelets, necklace, anklets around the childs body. Vasambu has both scientific and traditional evidence for paediatric usage. This paper explains how vasambu bracelets are made and its use in prevention of common pediatric ailments.

Keywords: Paediatric, Siddha medicine, Balavagadam, Vasambu, acorus calamus.