Autism Ayurveda Treatment

Autism is the end result of systematic toxins such as Mercury in the body causing this tridoshic disease which is especially a gross imbalance of vata and particularly prana vata which is the vata seated in the mind controlling all mental functions such as speech, concentration, memory, learning and neurological response. The protocol for autism is focused on removing toxins from the system and at the same time nourishing and energising the cells so that they may repair.

Mothers should follow this diet and protocol as strictly at possible for 6 months to a year and good effects will result. Besides diet specific practices such as massage, herbs and home-remedies have been indicated here. Autism should be treated with a multi-fold approach for quickest results.

General Diet Rules

Vata pacifying general diet should be followed (see recipes below for Vata diet)

Only ghee and olive oils should be used with a special emphasis on pure cow ghee.

Ghee goes in and pulls out lipid soluble chemicals from the brain and nerve tissue, thus it detoxes the brain, nourishes the brain cells and repairs damage from the toxins that have caused the autism.

To learn to make pure cow ghee please see recipes section below.

Organic ingredients should be used as much as possible.

Home made lassi (see recipes) should be served daily after lunch. ¼ cup of yoghurt to ¾ cups of water blended with spices such as cardamon, black pepper and cinnamon. A little jaggery or raw sugar can be added too. For a digestive lassi add cumin, coriander and ginger.

5-6 drops of coriander juice should be put into food each meal as a seasoning.

Diluted fresh pomegranate juice should be taken daily if possible (not easily available in South Africa but it does grow quite extensively so ask at local organic farmers market to find a source).

Avoid

All refined processed and chemical food (this includes white sugar, chips, chocolates, white flour, soft drinks and most anything you would find in a modern supermarket shelf)

Leftovers

Old cheeses

Cold foods and drinks

Microwaved food

Nightshades and legumes other than green and white mung should be avoided

All soya products and their derivatives should be avoided

If you are lactose intolerant and can’t take organic milk then make almond or rice milk (do not purchase ready made milk powders). To make almond milk, soak and skin some almonds and blend with water.

Water

Only filter water should be used for cooking and drinking. RO is the preferred method of filtration we suggest. Keep a few rose-quartz crystals in your water container to purify and energise the water.

Juices

Fresh sweet fruits should be juiced by a masticating juicer (such as an Oscar or Kempo) and taken every day at least 1-2 cup fulls apart from daily meals.

Recommended juices for autism:

Mango and Paw paw

Apple and grape

Grape and carrot

Apple and carrot

Paw paw and pineapple

Litchi and apple

Fresh fruit juices (especially if organic and in season) aid in detoxification of all tissues and are very calming and soothing to the mind and nerves.

NB: Only use fruits that are in season and ideally organic otherwise peel them.

Daily Practices

Vata oil should be applied daily to the entire spine slightly warmed and Vata Hair Oil should be applied to the head especially the crown of the head. Vata oil should also be applied on the third eye sand on the hands and up to the elbow. You can blend 50% vata oil and 50% cold-pressed sesame oil if your budget can not afford to always use the pure vata oil.

Almond oil should also be applied to the head and feet daily.

Mantras are very good for increasing Soma in the child and balancing the mind. Tapes of mantras should be used. The Mahamrtyunja mantra should be used as such.

                   Om triyambakam yajamahe sugandhim pushti vardhanam

                   Uvarukamiva bandhanan mrityor mukshia maamrutat

Herbal Medicines

These are ayurvedic herbal formulae, available  easily that will gently remove the toxins and also regenerate the damaged tissues as a result of the toxins. Please take medicines for 6 months at least as indicated below.

TIBB-Livotibb (Liv.52 – Himalaya Drug Company) – This medicine detoxifies the entire body and purifies the liver thus aiding the rapid removal of all heavy metals quickly from the body. It also amplifies the effects of the specific herbs such as Brahmi which are used to remove toxicity from the brain and purify the neural channels.

To be taken with hot water 2-3 tablets twice a day.

TIBB-Mentone (Mentat – Himalaya Drug Company) – This medicine contains Brahmi and Shankpushpi. It should be taken in a relatively large dose of at least 3-5 tables twice daily.

It can be taken with hot water as the vehicle of the medicine.

Special note if the child will not take tablets both products listed above are available as a syrup too but first try the tablets.

Hot spiced and sweetened (with jaggery) organic milk with brahmi powder (1 ½ tsp) should be taken first thing in the morning and just before bedtime. Brahmi with milk is a special elixir for autism. The milk must only be cows milk from happy organic cows. 

NB: Maharishi Ayurveda herbal medicines which are far superior and slightly quicker acting than those mentioned above are also available for autism from Ambrosia . 

Special Note:

If constipation is there, hot milk with ghee and ginger powder should be taken before bedtime as a home remedy. It can be slightly sweated with jaggery or raw organic sugar.

If constipation is more chronic take 1-2 tablets of Triphalla nightly with hot water.

Please be patient with herbs. You will need 2-3 months to start seeing results but please administer diligently. As children start to purify and regenerate the damaged tissues they will take more to the herbal medicines as they will know their efficacy from experience.

NB:

All vitamin supplements and any allopathic medicine should be stopped soon as possible. The body can not easily assimilate chemically extracted vitamins. Rather get your vitamins from a balanced nutrition and strong digestive fire. Allopathic medicines should be phased out and stopped as they further add to toxicity. Check with your doctor and find natural substitutes or consult with a qualified Ayurvedic doctor.

Make Brahmi Ghee by taking 2 cups of pure cow ghee and putting in brahmi powder and cooking it on a low heat for 3-4 hours. This should be taken daily with a little hot milk.

The brain tissue can be treated by correcting the metabolism of the "Majja" dhatu in the body. Medicines useful in this condition are: Pancha-Tikta-Ghruta Guggulu, Guduchi (Tinospora cordifolia), Amalaki (Emblica officinalis) and Musta (Cyperus rotundus).
In addition, Ayurveda mentions a category of medicines known as "Medhya", which improve the working capacity of the brain. This category includes medicines like Mandukparni (Centella asiatica), Yashtimadhuk (Glycerrhiza glabra), Guduchi, Padma (Nelumbo nucifera), Brahmi (Bacopa monnieri), Vacha (Acorus calamus) and Shankhpushpi (Convolvulus pluricaulis).
Normally, a combination of several medicines is used in the treatment and management of autism. In addition to the two categories of medicines mentioned above, other medicines like Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) and Shatavari (Asparagus racemosus) are also used routinely. Autistic children usually require a high dose of herbal medicines to get good results.

In addition to oral treatment, autistic children benefit from massage treatment all over the body using medicated oils like Chandan-Bala-Laxadi oil and Mahanarayan oil. Ayurvedic Panchkarma procedures like "Shirodhara" and "Nasya" are beneficial for the problems related to autism, but may be more suitable for older children and adults

With Ayurvedic oil massages, steam therapies, vata-balancing foods and herbs such as brahmi, shankha pushpi, ashvagandhas, gokshura and haritaki, We can  see fascinating results.