An Ayurevedic approach to childhood teething

Teething
For babies getting their first teeth is often accompanied by a snotty nose, red cheeks, sore gums and loose bowels. While some children hardly seem to notice it, others become distressed when their teeth are coming through. Ayurveda understands that the act of teeth cutting through the gums aggravates Pitta dosha resulting in Pitta imbalances such as inflammation, excess heat, diarrhoea and even fevers. In reaction to the sharp, heat exhibited by these Pitta symptoms, the body produces excess Kapha to soothe Pitta's heat. Babies tend to have runny noses and dribble more around this time.

Balancing Pitta is the first step to making teething more comfortable for your child. Cooling fruit such as watermelon, pears and grapes can soothe the discomfort of inflamed gums. If the child has a few teeth already, a cold apple peeled or grated can be very satisfying and pacifying to chew on. Reduce Pitta increasing food such as pineapple, tomatoes, oranges and food with colouring or preservatives. Water play, cool baths and being in nature not only helps to take your child's awareness from their discomfort but these soothing activities also help reduce Pitta's fire.

Fevers
Children with a predominance of Pitta in their nature are more prone to childhood fevers. To help manage a fever general Pitta pacification is the key. Cool baths, cooling food such as watermelon, sucking ice and applying ghee on the soles of the feet can reduce internal heat and make your child more comfortable. The ghee draws out the heat through the feet and can help your feverish child to sleep more easily. Ghee is made by clarifying unsalted butter by removing the milk solids and is best homemade. Pitta tea drunk at room temperature and Pitta pacifying aromas can also help to soothe a child with a fever.

Nappy rash, dry or irritated skin
Vata predominant children tend to have drier skin, Pitta types have fair, reddish or freckly skin and Kapha natured children tend towards lustrous, thick, olive skin. All skin types can benefit from the soothing touch of massage. An Ayurvedic oil massage called Abhyanga promotes softness and lustre of the skin, lubricates the muscles and joints and reduces bacterial infection on the skin. For babies warm almond oil is best while most toddlers and older children are best suited to sesame oil. A daily oil massage has been found to promote endurance and immunity while a number of studies have also connected Abhyanga with increased weight gain and responsiveness in new borns. The warm, heavy qualities of the oil pacify Vata helping babies and children to settle and sleep better.

Sesame oil is great for most types of skin however if there is excess heat or irritation, almond or olive oil is a better option. For localised conditions of extreme irritation coconut oil or ghee can be applied topically as these oils are cooling in nature. Ghee and coconut oil can be used to soothe nappy rash or skin that has been over exposed by the sun. Dry Vata skin soaks up the nourishing effect of the oil while sensitive Pitta skin requires smaller amounts or it can get congested. Kapha skin is predominantly moist by nature so smaller amounts of oil are best. Other than ghee and coconut oil, oils are best cured first as it makes them is more easily absorbed by the skin. This can be down by heating them on a low temp to the boiling point of water. To test put a couple of drops of water in with the oil and when they pop, the oil is cured and can be stored for up to a month ready to use.

Foods that can aggravate skin problems include fish, tomatoes, oranges, pineapple, cheese, chilli, onion, preservatives and food colouring. Filtered water and fresh juices are good for purifying the skin. Leafy greens and bitter tastes balance Pitta and are good for stimulating the function of the liver. The liver and skin are closely connected; when the liver is struggling to process impurities or heavy foods, the skin will often take over.

Wendy Rosenfeldt is a Maharishi Vedic Health Educator, Maharishi Ayur-veda (R) Consultant and teacher of Transcendental Meditation. Wendy gives personal Ayurvedic consultations and runs seminars in all areas of Maharishi Ayurveda specializing in women's and children's health. www.wendyrosenfeldt.com