Dr. Jay Apte

Jennifer was puzzled. A friend had recommended Ayurveda for Jennifer’s son who had been diagnosed with, Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder, ADHD. She thought ADD, ADHD are such new diseases, how can Ayurveda, a 5,000 year old science, have a solution for it?

What Jennifer did not know was that Ayurveda is an energy science. Energy controls all actions and functions in the body. Disease is a manifestation of an imbalance in the underlying or primary energies known as Doshas in Ayurveda. Instead of treating the disease, Ayurveda treats the cause of the symptoms, removing the factors causing the disturbance and reestablishing the balance of Doshas or energies. ADD, ADHD, ADSD, SAD, PMS, PMDD, PAD or any other group of behavior symptoms such as these, can be effectively treated by Ayurveda with its understanding of primary energy forces in the body and its extensive knowledge of the factors that can influence these energies to rebalance themselves.

Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder is primarily seen in young children. They have difficulty sitting calmly or following instructions. They are fidgety, unable to listen, sit still or focus on progressive tasks and interrupt others. This type of hyperactive behavior, though appreciated in bumblebees does not bode well for school age children.

I observed Adam, Jennifer’s son at my office. He was a cute little boy, slender in body with a very expressive face. He ran around constantly, not paying attention to his mother. I took the opportunity to just hold him, gently rubbed my hands around his curly hair for few minutes and noticed how he calmed down, started smiling at me and then took off running again. I could see his major energy dosha was Vata.

Among the three energies; Vata, Pitta and Kapha dosha, Vata is the energy of action. It controls all the movements and nervous impulses in the body. Naturally when Vata is aggravated or increases, it results in more activity. Chronic aggravation of Vata energies in a Vata child will create the, ADHD syndrome.

When I asked Jennifer, about his appetite and elimination, she mentioned that “it goes up and down and he gets constipated often. The days he gets good bowel movements he is at his best behavior”. Jennifer hadn’t made that connection before.

What is the cause of Vata aggravation? Clearly toxins and waste material built up in a Vata body will cause an increase in motion, activity. But the remedy for this is found in simple nutrition and lifestyle alterations.

Our environment has become so active and fast paced. Everybody is busy doing something 24 hours a day. And children are not immune to speed and the frenetic pace of the world around them. They are surrounded by constant action, motion, noise, talking or walking toys, flashing colors, continuous stimulation on TV shows and video games. There is no space for peace and calmness.

I went to visit my grand daughter and accidentally I touched one of her toys. For the next five minutes I was listened to nursery rhymes, numbers, colors or some sort of sounds.

All this stimulation and action impacts a child’s psyche. They start by becoming more playful, then very active to hyperactive and then fidgety when they are requested to calm down.

In Ayurveda, the rule of thumb is: Like increases Like. Excess movement aggravates Vata and because of high Vata already in a child there is hyperactivity. Children of a Vata body constitution are prone to these kinds of behavioral syndromes.

Parents should think about balancing environment stimulation by including physical activities that burn energy and other quiet, calming activities involving touch and soft, gentle music into their child’s day.

What is the treatment for ADHD… balance the Vata dosha. Here are some simple but effective ways using diet and lifestyle changes to help your child become more centered, self directed and peaceful.

Diet:

• Replace sugar filled, processed foods with whole grains: bread, quinoa, rice, amaranth, whole wheat pasta etc.
• Root, squashes, pumpkins, zucchini, and okra, are more grounding vegetables than raw leafy vegetables.
• Replace cold fruit juices with fresh fruits.
• Serve your family unsalted nuts rather than candies.
• Warm foods will make them feel grounded more than cold refrigerated foods.
• A piece of pie will be a better choice than a scoop of cold ice cream.
• Eat meals at the dining table rather than in front of the TV. Stimulation while eating can disturb digestion and assimilation.

Lifestyle:

• Massage kids from head to toes with warm sesame oil 2-3 times a week. Leave the oil on for 20-30 minutes and follow with a warm bath. This is also great bonding time.
• Put 5 drops of sesame oil in both ears daily if you are able
• Massage inside the nostrils with brahmi oil.
• Do some fun activities sitting down - drawing, painting, and coloring during some part of the day.
• Do alternate nostril Pranayama (Nadi Shodhanam) in their presence. Kids always like to mimic adults.
• Do some yoga poses and don’t forget to end with Shavasana (laying down face up). You will be surprised to see your children lying down peacefully.
• Herbs such as Brahmi, Shankhapushpi and Jatamansi are nerve tonics and help to calm the mind down. Herbs like triphala or Haritaki help improve elimination and feel calm. Go to www.keralaayurveda.biz for these and other healing herbs.
• Paint the bedroom with calming colors like blue or green.
• Let them listen to tranquil music at bed time.
• Keep the temperature in the bedroom warm.
• Always protect their head and ears- from cold air.
• Limit TV time and Video games. (You may have to limit your TV watching time too Children don’t do what you tell them to do, they do what you do.
• Let them play outdoors rather than sitting in front of a TV

Ayurveda has very a unique approach to health and healing. Use Ayurvedic guidelines and watch your life, and the life of your child, transform.

Dr. Apte is the Director of Kerala Ayurveda Academy. She holds an integrated BAMS degree in Ayurvedic and Allopathic (conventional) medicine from the University of Poona, India (1973), and Dr. Apte has more than 30 years of experience in Ayurvedic practices and teaching. In 1997, she founded the Ayurveda Institute of America to offer the best quality education in the United States. Now, the Ayurveda Institute has merged into Kerala Ayurveda Academy. She is a past president of the CAAM and is on the NAMA board of directors.