Bala Chikitsa, also known as Kaumarabhritya, is a branch of Ayurveda that deals with the health and well-being of children from the prenatal stage to adolescence. It emphasizes preventive measures that ensure the healthy growth and development of a child, such as providing a healthy and peaceful environment for the mother before conception, adopting nutritious dietary patterns, and providing a sterilized living space for the baby.

Kaumarabhruthya recognizes the uniqueness of every child and emphasizes the need for individualized care. The branch emphasizes the importance of the child's physical and mental development, and it recognizes that any imbalance in the doshas can affect the child's overall health.

Bala Chikitsa in Ayurveda

Bala Chikitsa also provides curative measures for common childhood ailments like cough, cold, fever, and digestive problems. Ayurvedic treatments for children involve using herbal remedies, special formulations, and lower doses of medicines tailored to the needs of the child. Diagnosis of diseases can be difficult in children, and therefore, Ayurveda takes a holistic approach to treating children by focusing on the overall growth and development of a child.

The aim is to create healthy, productive members of society by ensuring the healthy growth and development of children. Ayurvedic texts, such as the Ashtanga Samgraha and Ashtanga Hridaya, provide detailed guidance on prenatal, natal, and postnatal care to be given to children. Bala Chikitsa highlights the importance of a healthy body and mind and how they are interdependent, providing a comprehensive approach to the care and treatment of children.