What We Do
Childrens Diseases
Child’s heath is important for its well-being and they need to protect against predictable vulnerabilities.
Most children will likely have some characteristics of all three doshas, this next section will help you to determine which traits from each dosha are most prevalent.
Vata manifests in children as a lighter, leaner build with an irregular appetite. Vata is present in children who tend to get cold fairly easily or who have a tendency toward dry skin. Vata hair is thin and may be tightly curled, while vata skin tends to be thinner and often leans toward darker tones. Vata also lends itself to quickness in the mind and body, as well as high levels of creativity.
As far as challenges go, excess vata is usually behind tendencies toward worry or anxiety, mental and physical restlessness, finicky eating habits, difficulty sleeping deeply or soundly, and can be blamed for any struggles with constipation as well.
Pitta is present in children with a moderate physical build, who have a rather sharp appetite. These children will need to eat regularly because they do not tolerate skipping meals. Pitta will cause children to be averse to hot weather because of their tendency to overheat.
Pitta hair is fine and straight, while pitta eyes are piercing and sharp. Pitta is attributed to reddish hues in the hair and skin, and also the presence of freckles and moles. When children have a sharp and capable intellect, articulate speech, and especially innovative minds, you can rest assured that pitta is at work.
The challenges associated with excess pitta include tendencies toward diarrhea, inflammation, sensitive or easily irritated skin, and a notable presence of sharp emotions like anger and frustration.
Kapha shows up in children as a solid and sturdy physique, with notable strength and endurance. These children will typically have a rather mild appetite and slower digestion but will likely also genuinely appreciate food and enjoy eating. Kapha skin is thick, oily, and very smooth, while kapha eyes are exceptionally large and captivating. Kapha hair is thick, abundant, and often wavy.
The kapha mind is very steady and compassionate, not easily ruffled, and can sustain an impressive level of focus for prolonged periods of time. Kapha sleep is quite sound and may be prolonged as well.
As for the challenges of excess kapha, these include sluggish digestion, chronic congestion, lethargy, excessive sleep, depression, and excess weight.
For children, constitution isn’t the only consideration. It’s also critical to understand that childhood is, by nature, considered to be the kapha stage of life. This is because kapha is directly related to our physical structure and is the primary support for all anabolic (building) processes that occur in the body.
Kapha is ruled by the water and earth elements, and it governs things like our fat reserves, fluid balance, hydration, and tissue nourishment—all of which are instrumental in the rapid growth and development that so uniquely characterize childhood.
The truth is, without a significant buffer of extra kapha, children would have a very difficult time pulling off the job of growing an adult human body. While this is not our focus here, you can learn more in our resource on The Three Stages of Life.
What’s important to understand is that with the extra kapha comes an increased vulnerability to a rather predictable set of challenges. Kapha is heavy, slow, cool, oily, smooth, soft, stable, substantive, and cloudy, which, in excess, can lead to congestion, coughs, runny noses, frequent colds, and excess mucus.
It is precisely because childhood is the kapha stage of life that we have come to expect these conditions in childhood more than at any other time of life. Many parents and caretakers are actually quite relieved to learn that children have to get sick in order to build healthy and strong immune systems. But there is no need for them to suffer endless colds, chronic infections, or frequent trips to the doctor.
Children are natural experts at making mucus, which serves them well in that it buffers their tissues against being overly dry or irritated as they are growing rapidly, but it can also leave children more susceptible to colds, the flu, other communicable illnesses, and infections of many varieties.
Simple measures to support the mucous membranes can do wonders for overachievers in the mucus-making department. Try lubricating the inside of the child’s nostrils with a small amount of Sesame Oil or Ghee on a daily basis. These substances can simply be applied gently with a pinky finger.
Older children may even be open to learning how to do a proper nasal rinse with a neti pot to help keep the nasal passages clear and healthy. Pacifying kapha throughout the body will also help to balance excess mucus production.
Because kapha is systemically elevated in childhood, it can be helpful to have a few tricks up your sleeve to keep the natural increase in kapha from becoming an imbalance. Kapha is pacified by increasing lightness, sharpness, heat, dryness, roughness, fluidity, mobility, subtlety, and clarity. This can be accomplished in a variety of ways, including diet, lifestyle, and the use of herbs and formulas.
We can keep kapha in check by feeding kids a balanced diet focused on naturally light, heating, dry, and fibrous foods like fresh fruits, vegetables, legumes, and whole grains. Ideally, we want these foods cooked, using generous amounts of warming, digestive spices such as garlic, ginger, cinnamon, and turmeric, and we want to serve them warm or hot.
