Down syndrome is the most common genetic disorder that causes
severe learning disability in children. Children with Down syndrome have some
distinctive features which include flattened facial features; a protruding
tongue; a small head; upward slanting eyes; unusually shaped ears; broad,
short, hands with relatively short fingers; and poor muscle tone causing
excessive flexibility. Down syndrome is not inherited, but is caused by 3 types
of genetic variations involving the 21st chromosome, which include the Trisomy
21, the Mosaic Down syndrome and the Translocation Down syndrome. Advancing
maternal age and a family history are risk factors for this condition.
Complications of this condition include heart defects, leukemia, a
susceptibility to infectious diseases, dementia in later life, and other
structural and functional problems in the body.
The Ayurvedic treatment of Down syndrome is aimed at improving
physical and cognitive deficits, preventing complications and attempting to
normalize life for the affected children, to the extent possible with
medicines. Medicines like Trayo-Dashang-Guggulu, Panch-Tikta-Ghrut-Guggulu,
Vish-Tinduk-Vati, Amalaki (Emblica officinalis), Haritaki (Terminalia chebula),
Sunthi (Zinziber officinalis), Marich (Piper nigrum), Pippali (Piper longum),
Yashtimadhuk (Glycerrhiza glabra), Nimba (Azadirachta indica), Patol (Tricosanthe
dioica), Draksha (Vitis vinifera), Musta (Cyperus rotundus), Kuchla (Strychnos
nuxvomica) and Indrayav (Holarrhina antidysentrica) can be used to improve
muscle tone and co-ordination. Massage of the entire body using medicated oils
like Mahanarayan oil, Mahamash oil and Mahasaindhav oil is also very helpful.
To improve cognitive performance and prevent dementia, medicines
used are: Brahmi (Bacopa monnieri), Mandukparni (Centella asiatica),
Shankhpushpi (Convolvulus pluricaulis), Vacha (Acorus calamus), Jyotishmati
(Celastrus panniculatus) and Kushmand (Benincasa hispida). In order to reduce
susceptibility to infectious diseases, medicines used are: Tulsi (Ocimum
sanctum), Shatavari (Asparagus racemosus), Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera),
Pippali, Yashtimadhuk, Abhrak-Bhasma, Laghu-Malini-Vasant, Madhu-Malini-Vasant
and Suvarna-Malini-Vasant. Medicines like Laxmi-Vilas-Ras, Shrung-Bhasma,
Laxadi-Guggulu, Arjunarishta, Arjun (Terminalia Arjuna) and Amalaki can be used
to reduce disability from heart defects. Medicines like
Panch-Tikta-Ghrut-Guggulu, Laxadi-Guggulu, Suvarna-Bhasma and Heerak-Bhasma can
be used to prevent or treat leukemia. In order to improve or correct hearing
loss and poor vision, medicines like Tapyadi-Loh, Kaishor-Guggulu, Punarnavadi-Guggulu,
Abhrak-Bhasma and Ekang-Veer-Ras can be used.
A judicious combination of Ayurvedic medicines can thus help to
reduce physical and mental disability and dramatically increase the life span
for people with Down syndrome. All such patients should be under the regular
care and supervision of a team of physicians specializing in Down syndrome.
Dr. A. A. Mundewadi is Chief Ayurvedic Physician at Mundewadi
Ayurvedic Clinic based at Thane, Maharashtra, India. He is available as an
online Ayurvedic Consultant at http://www.ayurvedaphysician.com The
online clinic offers Ayurvedic treatment for all chronic and refractory health
problems. Dr. A. A. Mundewadi uses high quality herbal extracts in tablet form,
which are easy to take, effective and safe for long-term use.
Dr. A. A. Mundewadi, B.A.M.S., has clinical experience of 24
years and clinical research experience of 10 years. He has conducted extensive
research in HIV infection, Schizophrenia and many other chronic diseases.
