Brain is the command centre of the body. It enables thoughts, movements, emotions, and memory and regulates lots of other functions. So maintaining a healthy brain will pursue one's life towards longevity and health. In the present era, when we are looking ahead then it is becoming more evident that the prevalence of neurological disorders is increasing at a skyrocketing speed. One of the most common disorders among them is Autism. A condition related to brain development that majorly impacts a person's behavior. Here is everything about this as per Ayurvedic and modern aspects in detail.
WHAT IS AUTISM?
Autism is a rare disorder, also known as autism spectrum disorder. It defines a wide range of conditions like challenges with social skills, repetitive behavior, speech and non verbal communication which is devastating with time. As per some studies done recently, every 54th child is suffering from autism.
AUTISM - SIGNS & SYMPTOMS
Have you ever thought about how to identify the Autism patient?
Don't worry, I'll tell you! Autistic person may have the following symptoms:-
- Lack of speaking
- No interest in peer relationships
- No eye contact with others
- Motor mannerisms such as head shaking, twirling, etc
- Lack of make - believe play
- Watching something constantly by focusing their eyes on an object or part of an object.
The severity of symptoms gradually increases from mild to severe. Synaptic dysfunction can be one of the causes. As per the research done by columbia university in 2014, it is concluded that THE AUTISTIC CHILDREN DID NOT HAVE A LOSS OF BRAIN SYNAPSES!!! THEY HAVE TOO MANY BRAIN SYNAPSES!!!
Let's put some light on this Phrase. What does this mean?
This means there is overstimulation of lots of brain synapses at one time, so the autistic brain may be overloaded and unable to react or give a reaction at that particular time. For example, it’s difficult to understand 10 people who are talking to you at the same time.
At the time of birth, a person has all the brain cells they need in their entire life. But at that time there were no synapses. In the first year of life, there are trillions of synaptic connections but at the age of 2 the brain ends up making connections. So After 2 years of age, all the massive unwanted synaptic connections started to die, which is medically known as synaptic pruning. 50% of the synaptic connections are pruned when a person reaches 20 years of age. This is the way a normal brain protects itself from overstimulation.
But in the autistic brain, synaptic pruning is not being done properly due to some causes that further escorts their way towards autistic behavior or Autism. Here the question arises why does the synaptic pruning is not done in autistic Children?
The answer is a genetic abnormality that leads to overproduction of the compound named mTOR. It restricts the process of synaptic pruning in Autistic children.
Is there any way to inhibit the production of mTOR?
Yes! An antioxidant named Sulforaphane inhibits the production of mTOR. This is a sulphur compound only found in cruciferous vegetables such as Broccoli, Cabbage, Brussel Sprouts and Radish. These are the only edible items which contain Sulforaphane. It restricts the action of mTOR by crossing the Blood brain barrier and enables the synaptic pruning thus decreasing overcrowding of brain synapses.
According to some other research, there is some other genetic abnormality also, in which, the formation of a protein called CNTNAP2 leads to too many brain synapses, and this situation is called dysfunction synaptic firing. After lots of research and other things, some other causes are also found, this aids in causing dysfunctional synaptic pruning.
WHAT IS THE AYURVEDA ASPECT OF AUTISM?
Ayurveda is an ancient science which has a solution to every ailment. As per Ayurveda, all the diseases are caused due to imbalance of all or some of the three vital energies (tridosha) i.e., Vata, Pitta and Kapha. The reference of autism is not clearly or specifically mentioned but some scattered information is available. After compiling all the information available in classical texts it can be said that autism is due to Poorva janma krit karma (past deeds), Maithun charya of parents, situations during the conception, mindset of parents, position of parents during intercourse, mithya ahara vihara, Garbhaupghatkara bhava, etc. which results in impared brain and mind. These factors cause vitiation of kapha dosha, vata dosha, tam dosha and rajo dosha and consequently these vitiated doshas cause beeja dushti (genetic abnormality).
In Charaka Sharira Sthana, there is an adhaya (chapter) named atulyagotriyadhya, in which it is explained that a marriage should happen only in different gotra (subcaste). There is a reason behind this point that if we marry a person of the same gotra then the susceptibility to genetic disorders is more. This might be the reason for beejdushti thus leading to autism and other genetic disorders.
Some other factors which may escort itself to autism is Matraj and pittraja bhava (due to their impairment there is vaigunaya of dhee, dhriti, samriti, and atmaja bhava which are responsible for healthy functioning of mind and brain), gharbhaja bhava (Mother refuses to follow garbhini charya and leads to vata dushti thus causing impairment in budhi, cheshta), janmottara (vata vardhak ahara vihara and kaphaja ksheeraleads to vitiation of tridosha), agantuja (some internal or external injury).
AUTISM MANAGEMENT
Now, the main question is If Autism manageable or not?
In modern medical science, only palliative treatment is available just to subside the symptoms. But if we talk about Ayurveda, then we can manage this health condition with Medhya Rasayan and various other herbs. Let’s have a look at this management in detail!
Medhya Rasayan plays an important role in managing this condition. As per Acharya Charaka, there are four Medhya Rasayan and these are:-
- Mandukaparni (Centella asiatica)
- Mulethi (Glycyrrhiza glabra)
- Guduchi (Tinospora cordifolia)
- Shankhpushpi (Convolvulus pluricaulis)
All these Medhya Rasayanas can be given to the child in the form of swaras (juice), churna (powder), satva (extract).
In Autistic children, Ghrita (cow’s ghee) is also recommended. It has tridosha shamak, medhya, buddhi vardhak properties. In classical texts, ghrita pana is indicated best for mental health. The term for this is Achcha sheha pana. It is the paramukha kalapana of senhana. In this, direct administration of Sneha is done which aids in managing autism and various other disorders related to the brain.
Swarna Prashan can also play an important role in decreasing the severity of the symptoms. It is done every year for 16 years from the time of birth at pushya nakshatra. Administration of 4-6 drops of swaran parashan formulation is done including calx of gold, madhu, ghee with some medhya rasayana dravya. This procedure improves the intellect of the child, boosts memory and coordination also. It also strengthens the nerves and prevents the overcrowding of synapses.
One should also take care of the diet and lifestyle mentioned in ayurvedic classical texts. Acharyas very elegantly explained the diet and lifestyle to be followed during conception, antenatal period, delivery, postnatal period and also about the factors affecting child during pregnancy (Garbhaupdhatakara bhava). Keeping all these points in mind, we have to focus more on the guide to stay away from these kinds of disorders.
CONCLUSION
At last we can conclude that Autism is a neurodegenerative disorder which can be managed with ayurvedic remedies or by adapting a ayurvedic diet and lifestyle. “You are more precious to this world than you will ever know” So Stay safe and healthy always. For more queries you can consult online on herbalremedies123@yahoo.com.
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