Post natal Ayurvedic care can be done in three stages. This cure will have long terms benefits.

We know that the care given to the pregnant woman is for both the mother and child. But the care given after delivery is a life-long one for the mother. Plus it is intended to lend her the health to raise future generations.

Post natal care has three stages which can be categorised based on the medication used for post natal care.

Post natal uterus purification medicines for a week

These are medicines for removing the rheumatism related to delivery and strengthening the uterus for the next two week.

Medicines for physical fitness

Ayurveda refers to a woman as sutika for 90 days after delivery or until the onset of her next period. The science specifies special diet and care for the sutika to ensure a smooth recovery. Such care will enable the uterus to shrink back to its original state and also help produce sufficient breast milk and prevent infection.

Medicines needed in the first stage: Deepyakadi kashayam, Deepyakadi choornam, Panchakalosavam, Panchakolapoornam, Pulilehyam, Ashokarishtam, Hinguchadichoornam etc can be taken.

Medicines needed in the second stage: Anti-rheumatoid medicines, Dhanwantharam kashayam, Vidaryadi kashayam, Dasamoolam kashayam, Dhanwantaram gulika, Dasamoolarishtam, Jeerakadyarishtam, Dhanwantararishtam, Mritasanjeevani and Draksharishtam.

Medicines needed in the third stage: Sowbhagyasundi, Vidaryadi khritham, Chyavanaprasam, Aswagandhadi lehyam, Amritaprasam, etc for physical fitness should be taken as per instructions. Do not consume the above mentioned medicines without a doctor’s advice. Alter the quantity of intake according to physical condition.

For oil massage bath

Use any of Dhanwantaram thailam, Pindathailam, Lakshadi, Balasavagandhadi and Sahacharadi. Water boiled with ripe jackfruit tree leaves is good for bathing.

Avoid fish and meat in diet for up to 12 days after delivery. Take pearl onions and turmeric powder fried in ghee. Avoid green chillies, Malabar Tamarind, fatty food and water. Boiled water can be used. Avoid food that causes constipation. Instead have food with plenty of fibre in it, like leafy vegetables and fruits.

Points to note

Today delivery and caesarean sections take place only in allopathy hospitals. One thing to be noted here is that one usually approaches an Ayurveda physician for post natal care medicine only after exhausting the medicines and tonics given in the hospitals. By then the time for taking medicines would have been past. Therefore treatment can be started soon after delivery.

Another important thing is the tendency of medicines being prepared by women who assist in post natal care. In earlier days these were especially skilled people. It is not the case now. Medical texts are found not just in libraries today. It is the ill effect of them becoming roadside merchandise. The medicines are prepared and distributed not according to scientific rules. The medicine manufacture hardly takes into account the correct proportion of lehyams and khrithams.

Do not reheat honey

Ayurveda tells us that medicine with honey in it becomes toxic if reheated. Each yogam of medicine mentioned in the oushada yogams has its own definite proportions. It is ideal to make it as per these rules. A reduced or enhanced proportion will render it useless. Proper care and treatment given during pregnancy, delivery and post natal period will be beneficial till the end of life.

by Manorama