Semblance Of Ayurveda In Cerebral Palsy

Abstract

Cerebral palsy is one among the most common childhood  disabilities, which cripple and hamper the development of a child. It  is ubiquitous and it occurs all around the world, causing  considerable hardship to affected individuals and their families. It is  not a single disease but a name given to wide variety of static  neuromotor impairments syndrome occurring secondary to a lesion  in the developing brain. Cerebral Palsy is not curable. Several  advances in its management and research are going in various parts  of world with goal to improve the physical and functional status of  the CP child.Cerebral palsy cannot be co-related with any single  disease or condition in Ayurveda as it is a multifactorial condition.  All most all major neurological disorders are identified with  Vatadosha. So, considering the classification and their respective  

features, Cerebral Palsy can be compared to Vatavyadhi or Vikara, which may manifest itself in any form 

like Pakshaghata, Ekangavata, Pangu, Sarvangavata, Kampavata etc., and diagnosis is based on the  lakshanas. Cerebral palsy may also be considered as Shiromarmabhighatajavatavyadhi as caraka while  describing Shiromarmabhighataja has mentioned vatavikaras like Chestanasa (loss of motor activities),  

Hanugraha, Mukatva(dumbness), Gadgadatva, Lalasrava, Svarahani(aphasia)etc., and marmaaghata is  one of the causes of vatavikara.1 

The main causative factor is vata and all the acharyas including Kashyapa have mentioned vasti  karma as the best line of treatment in alleviating vitiated vata. Vasti provides strength, particularly in  children and aged people. Vasti is very important, as it radically expirates the morbid vata, the sole  dosharesponsible for the movements of all doshas, dhatu and mala within the body. Charaka aptly  highlighted Vasti - as Vastivataharanamshreshtha.2 Vasti indeed is the half of the entire management of  diseases. Vasti increases Agni, Medha, and Varna etc.In Cerebral palsy, as the main etiology is damage  to the brain, so along with shodanachikitsa a group of Medhya drugs, vataharadrugs are used.  AcharyaKashyapa had mentioned many Medhyarasayanas among which Yastimadhu, Vacha, Brahmi,  Ashwagandha.3