Times of India
21 December 2010
By Jyoti Shelar

While the nation–wide pulse polio drive continues to give encouraging results, the state has decided to move a step further by focussing on immunity building in children. Starting Thursday, five Ayurveda colleges in city will start administering oral ‘magic drops’ to children between 0–6 years.

The ‘magic drops’, also know as Suvarnaprashan, is a combination of gold (suvarna bhasma), honey, ghee and various herbs. It is very popular in south India.

"Our main aim was to improve children’s health. Malnutrition still exists in the city and there is a lack of awareness about immunity in children. So we decided to use this ancient preparation," said K R Kohli, director of Ayurveda, Maharashtra. "We also wanted to popularise Ayurveda which is not considered important as compared to allopathy," added Kohli, who has been a consultant to the WHO.

A few months ago, the state sent a team of senior paediatricians to various parts of south India to study the use ayurvedic concepts. This team, along with principals of all ayurveda colleges and members of the Indian Association of Ayurvedic Paediatrics, came to the conclusion that Suvarnaprashan should be used for building immunity in children.

"We have decided to administer the drops just like the polio drops are given by the civic body," said Dr Satish Shah, trustee of the Ayurvedic Medical College, Sion.

"Due to their busy work schedule, parents often neglect their children’s health. We are aiming to build a defence mechanism in the children so that they do not contract infections," added Shah.
The drops will be administered once in a month at camps at ayurvdic colleges in the city.