Babies do not need anything but mother’s breast milk for the initial six months. But during these months, baby care is very important, as a growing baby faces a few health worries such as baby reflux, baby cold etc. For this, in South Indian customs, a traditional method of home remedy is adopted. This is practised not only when the baby suffers from health problems, but as a daily routine starting from the 15th day to up to 4 – 5 months. This remedy is called
Suttu Khara, Gutti, Vasambu
Table of Contents
Preparation of home remedy
How to prepare Suttu Khara?
A sandalwood flat piece is taken. If that is not available, any clean, sterile flat surface is sufficient.
1 – 2 spoons of mother’s breast milk is put over it.
The following herb pieces are taken – as much as available – Licorice, Ashwagandha, Turmeric, Dry Ginger, Betel nut, Clove, Pepper, Nutmeg, Long pepper, Dry Amla, Dry Brahmi root, False black pepper (Vidanga, Vayuvilanga), Haritaki (Terminalia chebula).
These clean medicinal herbs pieces are taken and with each herb, a circle is drawn, with mild force, so that a very minute particle of the herb gets into the milk.
One circle of each herb is drawn. and finally a thin semisolid stuff will be produced, containing very small amounts of these medicinal herbs in the milk media. The baby is made to lick this semisolid stuff.
Benefits
- It is a very good baby cough home remedy & baby cold home remedy
- It is a very good home remedy for baby reflux and infant reflux.
- It takes care of the digestive problems and the respiratory problems of the baby.
- Helps build a strong immune system.
- Good for overall baby health maintenance.
Precautions
- All the herbs and materials should be very neat and clean.
- Look for abnormal spots, bad smell of the herbs. If present, do not use it.
- One herb piece can be used for 4 – 5 days, IF preserved in very clean condition.
- There is no chronology of herbs for drawing circles.
- No side effects, but usually babies will not like it, as overall taste will be slightly bitter.
- Usually given in the morning, after breakfast (=breast milk feeding)
Other remedies
Swarna Vacha – administered to improve speech and brain functions Read more
Swarna Bindu Prashana – administered to improve immunity, brain functions and strength. Read more
27 comments on “Suttu Khara, Gutti, Vasambu For Ayurvedic Baby Care”
Dr J V Hebbar MD(Ayu)
For a 2 + kid, this remedy will be too mild and lesser effective.
A simple water decoction of above mentioned spices might work well for kids.
Janhavi N
Hi! Can i give Haritaki (harad) to an 8mo baby?
Dr J V Hebbar MD(Ayu)
Hi, It is suitable only for kids upto one year. For a 4 year child, it is better to consult an Ayurvedic doctor directly for medicine advice.
kinjal
Hi
Can we also add gold in the mix??
Dr J V Hebbar MD(Ayu)
He, please consult a physician directly. Some blood tests may be required.
Dr J V Hebbar MD(Ayu)
Adding aloe vera and food rich in Vitamin E helps. – Sunflower seed, almond, pine nuts, peanuts, spinach, taro root, flaxseed oil, soyabean, pistachio.
Broccoli, carrots, chard, mustard and turnip greens, mangoes, nuts, papaya, pumpkin, red peppers
Dr J V Hebbar MD(Ayu)
Chronic loose motions can happen in children despite vaccination.
Dr J V Hebbar MD(Ayu)
Kerala Ayurveda Centre (Centre for Traditional Ayurvedic Treatments)
444 Serangoon Road Singapore 218136
Phone: +65 6392 4158 (Opposite to Sri Srinivasa Perumal Temple, Singapore)
Dr. Joshi (graduated from University of Madras) is the Doctor here.
Raihan
Please give the tamil names of all these ingredients.
Dr J V Hebbar MD(Ayu)
You can find them with simple google search. Please do so.
Dr J V Hebbar MD(Ayu)
Hi, sorry that I do not know about sttoushadhi.
Dr Malini Bhat
Hello sir, Would like to know his weight and height so that we can prescribe the medicines accordingly. Or do consult a ayurvedic physician for the same as he would prescibe the medicines accordingly.
Dr J V Hebbar MD(Ayu)
Hi, basic vacination schedule involving DTP, OPV, MMR and Hepatitis B are required, as per my belief.
Megha Srinivas
Dear Sir,
Can you please suggest me a doctor in Vasant kunj, Delhi?
Thanks
Divya
Hello Doctor,
My daughter is 3 months old and vomits a lot and is unable to put on weight.
Will this remedy help her or does it any alteration?
Also, what if we can’t find any particular herb? Will it be still ok to give this remedy?
Dr J V Hebbar MD(Ayu)
You may use this only after directly contacting a doctor. This remedy can be done with whatever the herbs are available.
Hemanth Shah
which ayurvedic toothpowder / toothpaste do you recommend for infants? as they swallow them?
Vaishnavi
Respected sir, my daughter is two months old and she is having difficulty in passing stools and cries a lot before passing stools/ urine
Dr J V Hebbar MD(Ayu)
Bala harad might not be effective. Please use nalpamaradi oil for massage everyday, 10 minutes before bath
Hemanth Shah
my son has some boils on his head (scalp) – not many about 5 or 6, I visited pediatrician and he said its an infection and gave a topical antibiotic ointment (mupirocin in a polyethelne glycol base). Any kottakkal oil / ayurvedic hair oil / cream you recommend that may be useful instead?
Arsha Anugraha
Greetings Doctor!
I would like to know is there any way in aayurveda to know how to bring-up children and child development from birth to age after age. That is to know how the child grows during first month after the delivery and second month and so on…. Regards.
Dr J V Hebbar MD(Ayu)
There is no definitive rulebook about year to year growth principles. I will try to cover this topic in future.
Dr J V Hebbar MD(Ayu)
Hi, all herbs in equal proportions. – Powder first, weigh and them mix with a spoon. Give this mix – 1 pinch (500 mg – 1 gram) per day, for 2 more months, along with ghee or honey.
Mansi
Hello doctor my dd is 2 month old, have started with the above herbs few days back and giving her with bm, what brand honeybdrop should I mix with it?
Mithila
Hello Dr.,my son is 7 months old n hez recurringly having cough his Ayurvedic medicines r going n but still the same now I have started back with allopathy would ask for remedy if any.
Dr J V Hebbar MD(Ayu)
Sorry that I do not know what is Anasaa mandu.
jani
Hello doctor, my 6 month old daughter having skin problem mostly seen in hand and neck. also she has greenish colour in motion.
whether she can given saribadyasava and amrutharishta in this age.
pls advise and what is the remedy for this