The foundations of healthy adulthood are laid down in
healthy childhood. Nature cure's very nature is prevention of diseases and promotion of
health. No parents on the face of the globe would like their children to get sick and then
refer them to specialist doctors who may prescribe a list of chemical drugs, (which might
cause adverse side effects) to cure the illness. Since Nature cure believes in the natural
ways of treatment, it could be one of the most acceptable way of healing, if it fulfils
the parents' expectations.
Physical Exercise and rest
Physical exercise is supposed to be very natural for children. Modern day
entertainments like satellite television plus the busy schedule of schools and tuitions
are keeping children away from play grounds, which is an important factor and may
deteriorate their health in general. The importance of physical exercise in maintaining
children's health is immense. Children should indulge themselves in at least two hours of
playing in an open space. Games like Kho-kho, Kabbadi, Badminton, Cricket, Football,
Basket-ball etc. are very good for their general musculo-skeletal development.
Physical exercise also helps in the assimilation of food that is eaten and in the
elimination of waste matter, it tones up muscles and enhances blood circulation in all
parts of the body. Yogic kriyas such as dhautis (cleansing of the stomach), netis
(cleansing of the nose) and asanas help in keeping the body fit.
Sleep
Children need approximately 8 -10 hours of sleep, depending upon the age
and the nature of their activities. A good period to sleep is between 9 p.m. and 6 a.m.
During summer, one can take half an hour of rest or one may go to sleep in the afternoon.
It is always beneficial to study in the early hours of the morning, than in the late hours
of the night, because the mind is fresh to record what is being read or written.
Diet
Meals : One must keep a gap between every two meals of about 3 to
4 hours. Have your meal 1 to 2 hours before going to bed. If breakfast is taken in the
morning at 8 a.m. then have your next meal in the afternoon at 12 noon and then in the
evening at 7.00 p.m.
An obese child should have frequent and small feeds consisting of fruits, vegetables and
salads and an underweight child should have three big meals consisting of rich foods.
A well-balanced diet containing proteins, fats, carbohydrates, vitamins and minerals in
correct proportions according to the needs of the person, is very essential. The food
should not, as far as possible, be greatly altered from its natural state by overcooking
and over-seasoning, as it is known that this reduces the vitamins and the other nutrient
content in the food. Artificial foods, junk foods like pizzas should be avoided, as they
create lots of toxins in the body.
All edible foods are divided into two categories : alkali-forming and acid-forming. Milk,
fruits and vegetables are considered to be alkali-forming, while meat, eggs and cereals
are acid-forming. A predominance of alkali-producing articles in one's diet is considered
desirable.
Fasting : Accumulation of waste products in the body, either due to
overeating or due to faulty digestion and assimilation, is considered as one of the major
causes of ill health. Fasting is the best way to eliminate these waste products.
Fasting is not at all recommended for children under the age of 5 years. Limited fasting,
like on fruits and vegetables could be carried out by children above eight years suffering
from childhood obesity, indigestion and overeating under the guidance of a Naturopath.
While reducing the body weight a little, a fast adds to the child's zest and health. The
good effects of fasting are enhanced by a preliminary cleaning of the bowels, which is
usually carried out by an enema or bowel wash.
Hydrotherapy (Use of Water)
A child should drink 1 to 2 liters of water daily, depending upon the season and
the need due to physical activity. A good time to drink water is in the morning, at night
before going to bed, one hour before meals and two hours after meals. If you want to drink
water with the meals, drink only three - fourth of a glass of water. If one has had water
an hour before one's meal, then there is no need to drink water during the meal. But if
one is thirsty at the time of meal, then drink a small amount of water. For obese
children, it is good to have a glass of water before meals and for thinner children a
glass after meals, to have a beneficial effect.
Water is used at different temperatures and in different forms for treatment. Cold water
causes the small blood vessels on the skin to contract. Soon afterwards, the contracted
blood vessels expand and the increase in blood supply brings redness. It is not the
initial but the later effect of cold water, the stimulating and tonic effect, that is made
use of. A cold water bath is given to children to invigorate the body and to strengthen
the vital force. Cold water is also made use of in the form of wet sheet packs. This is
very useful in cases of high fever. Cold water is also used for a hipbath. Steam is also a
very valuable therapeutic agent. It is used for inhalation in upper respiratory tract
infections like common colds, tonsillitis, pharyngitis etc.
Mud Packs or a Poultice
Gandhiji popularized using mud packs for constipation in India. For this purpose,
a mud poultice is made by mixing some clean dry earth with water and then packing it in a
piece of thin cloth, 3 inches broad, 6 inches long and 1/2 an inch thick. This is kept on
the abdomen throughout the night or early in the morning.
In the case of high fever, an application of the mud poultice on the head and abdomen is
very useful to absorb excessive heat from the body, thus reducing the fever.
Sun Bath
A sun bath has been found to be effective, especially in cases of chronic
diseases. An important nutrient for the proper growth of the bones and the teeth, that is
vitamin D, is synthesized under the skin only after exposure to sunlight.
In the morning, a sun bath it could be taken for as long as 15-30 minutes and for about
5-10 minutes during the mid-day with minimum clothes on. It is advisable for parents to
plan some games to be played in the sunlight.
