If I say there exists a technique by which your child’s immunity, appetite, grasping power can increase within thirty days, wouldn’t you call it magic? Well, Suvarna Prashan Sanskar is no magic!This ancient Ayurvedic science to boost child’s immunity.
Also known as ayurvedic immunization, it is one of the 16 essential rituals (Sanskars) described in Ayurveda for children. In this article, I am going to illustrate all about Suvarna Prashan Sanskar from what it is, how it’s done to its benefits and side effects.
Table of Contents
What Is Suvarna Prashan Sanskar ?
Suvarnaprashan is an Ayurvedic technique which is meant for overall mental and physical development of a child. I also like calling it as ayurvedic vaccination because it prevents diseases by building immunity against bacteria and viruses.
However, Suvarnaprashan does not affect any individual disease like a modern vaccine, but it improves the overall immunity of children. Suvarnaprashan as the name suggests is comprised of Swarna or ‘gold‘. It is a process in which Swarna bhasma (gold ash) with some other ingredients is taken in semi-liquid form and given to a child through the oral route.
The history of Suvarna Prashan Sanskar goes back into ancient times where a newborn baby was made to lick honey from a gold stick.
There are also some other popular names like Swarnaprashana, Suvarnaprashana, Swarnamritha Prashana and Swarna Bindu Prashana.
An ancient pediatrician named Maharshi Kashyanin in his book ‘Kashyapa Samhita’ described the benefits of Suvarnaprashan as:
Suvarnaprashan hi etat medhagnibalavardhanamm|
Aayushyam mangalam punyam vrushyam grahapaham||
Maasat paramamedhave vyaadhirbhirnn cha dhrushyate|
Shadbhirmaasai shrutdhar suvarnaprashanad bhavet||
(Sutrasthanam – Kashyap Samhita)
This Sanskrit paragraph when translated into Hindi means, Suvarna prashan improves digestive fire, intelligence, and physical power. It provides a long, healthy, holy and saintly life. It gives rejuvenating effects and tones up the skin.
Also, improves immunity greatly by preventing the child from viral and bacterial infections. 6 months regular usage of suvarnaprashan helps a child get his best immunity to defeat diseases, also improves memory and intelligence to a great extent.
Importance Of Gold
Remember how we hear stories about kings eating in gold utensils, well there are reasons attached to it other than gold is expensive. Gold is scientifically known to improve immunity when absorbed in the body. That is why Hindu culture suggests wearing gold, eating gold utensils and even donating gold.
Ingredients
You will be surprised to note that there are only four major ingredients used in suvarnaprashan that are:
- Swarna bhasm
- Clarified butter(Ghee)
- Honey
- Water
Other ingredients are in less amount like Vacha, Shankh Pushpi, Brahmi, and Ashwagandha. Also, they were not included in the ancient Suvarna Prashan Sanskar.
So this implies suvarna prashan is nothing but calcinated gold particles used with medicated or ayurvedic ghee and honey in ‘unequal’ amounts, where gold is the most important and major component. Unequal amounts of honey and ghee are vital. Mixing equal amounts violates the principles of Ayurveda and hence should be taken care of.
Age
The exact age of when Suvarna Prashan Sanskar should be taken is not mentioned in ayurvedic texts, but it is a well-known fact that human brain grows rapidly from 0-16 years of age and 90% development takes place up-to the age of 5.
Also, the capability of building resistance against various diseases and infections is highest during childhood, so the use of Suvarna Prashan Sanskarn is recommended during this period.
Saying that after the age of 16 suvarnaprashan will not work is untrue, but its effect will not be very prominent, though it helps in maintaining overall health in all ages especially if taken with chawanprash in older ages can be helpful in improving immunity. So is best to use suvarnaprashan between the ages of 0-16.
Dosage Of Suvarnaprashan Sanskar
The exact dosage of Suvarna Prashan is not mentioned in Kashyapa Samhita, so it has to be calculated according to the age of the child. Also if you are preparing it yourself, the quanitity of ingredients will depend on the age of a child.
The main component to keep in mind is Swarna bhasma which should vary from 1-15mg per dose for infants and 15-30mg per dose for grown-ups. So the number of Swarna prashan given can be calculated on this basis.
Some ayurvedic doctors calculate dosage according to body weight, i.e., 0.25mg-0.5mg per kg body, but in any case, the dosage should not exceed 30mg even if the child is overweight.
Now either suvarnaprashan can be bought readymade or can be prepared on your own.
If you are buying, there are a few things to keep in mind, ask the seller the amount of Swarna bhasm present in a single does, that should match the above-given directions, if not then it may not be very effective.
Generally, from birth to 1 year, two drops are recommended, and 1-16 years four drops are recommended.
If you are preparing Suvarna Prashan yourself then the contents of a single dosage should be as follows:
- Swarna bhasm should be between 1-30 mg where 5 mg is ‘recommended for infants’ and 15 for ‘older children.’
- Ghee (Clarified butter) should be 500mg
- Honey should be double that of ghee, i.e., 1000mg
The amount of ghee and honey can be varied but should remain in the ratio of 1:2. Also, an infant’s digestive system is not very efficient for digesting ghee and honey properly so their amount should be kept minimal.
However, in almost all cases there is no trouble indigestion. Ghee can be either cow’s ghee or medicated ayurvedic ghee; both have their benefits.
In ancient time’s suvarnaprashan was made rubbing pure gold in the water on a grinding stone facing east direction, then mixing gold ash with honey and cow’s ghee.
Nowadays some other components are mixed and also the process of making Swarna bhasm has changed which has better safety and efficacy. It reduces the possible unwanted effects.
When To Give Suvarnaprashan Sanskar?
Suvarna Prashan can be given either on a daily basis for a minimum of 1 month to a maximum of 3-6 months or a monthly basis for a minimum of 30 months to a maximum of 90 months.
If not 90 months you could also complete 60 days on a daily basis and then continue on a monthly basis for 30 months after a one-month break.
Though even a single optimum dosage of Suvarna Prashan can be effective to prevent common infections but to use it for 30 days regularly is helpful for maximum benefits. According to Kashyapa Samhita, if the dosage is continued for six months the child becomes capable of learning very quickly and remembering whatever he hears.
Time
The best time to give Suvarna Prashan to a child is early morning and early morning in Hindu traditions means before sunrise, i.e., approx. 4-5 am. Also, note that it is to be taken in empty stomach.
Follow this if you are using Suvarna Prashan on a daily basis. If you are using it on a monthly basis, then Suvarna Prashan should be given on an auspicious day called pushya nakshatra, given on this day it bestows abundant benefits. This day comes after every 27 days and is of great importance.
Health Benefits Of Suvarna Prashan Sanskar
Suvarnaprashan targets almost every vital system in the body. It improves physical as well as mental growth.
1. Immune System
It is known to improve the immune system to a great extent; it helps the child to achieve his best immunity and fight against all general diseases. The immune system protects the child from viral and bacterial infections.
It protects the child from different kinds of allergies. Overall helps the child from falling ill very often by increasing non-specific immunity.
2. Intelligence
Suvarnaprashan targets the nervous system and hence is known to improve memory. It is said that the child who has completed the course of suvarnaprashan can remember what he hears. It also improves reasoning power and analyzing capability.
3. Skin
It improves skin texture, makes it glowing and healthy. Prevents skin diseases.
These were the major benefits of Suvarna Prashan Sanskar, apart from these there are several other benefits such as:
4. Increases physical strength and growth or in other words improves stamina
5. Improves digestive power (because it’s an appetizer)
6. Detoxifies body
7. Treats different fevers like Vishajwara and Aantra jwara
8. Helpful in general weakness
9. It is Antiarthritic
10. It is Anticancer
11. Precludes common cold and flu
12. Improves appetite
13. Specifically helpful with ailments occurring in teething phase
14. Helps to recover early in case of illness
Suvarnaprashan is also known to help special children with autism, attention deficit, learning difficulties, hyper active, etc.
The reason that suvarnaprashan is capable of doing all this lies in science. It is scientifically proven that gold ash or Swarna bhasm is known to have anti-oxidant, anti-depressant and anti-cancer properties.
Tests have been conducted on normal babies and have shown excellent results. Hence suvarnaprashan is of great value.
Side-Effects Of Suvarnaprashan Sanskar
It is hard to imagine that so much good comes without side-effects, but yes, results show that suvarnaprashan are likely safe for most children. If taken the recommended dosage, no side effects have been reported.
So overall, Suvarna Prashan Sanskar is an ancient health tonic for children, it nurtures a child and helps build a stronger human being. The power of gold helps to produce a golden future without any side effects, so it’s worth a try.
Do respond back to your experiences. Stay Natural!!
