As part of a series on children’s health, Hindu Parenting feature an interview with Dr. Kavitha Dev, an accomplished Ayurvedic physician with over 16 years of experience. She specialises in children’s health, family wellness, preventive healthcare and lifestyle medicine.

Q1: People often think of Ayurveda as a set of difficult-to-follow treatments for chronic ailments. Can Ayurveda be used by families to enhance daily health and well-being?

Absolutely! Ayurveda is primarily a preventive science focused on maintaining health rather than just treating disease. Families can incorporate simple Ayurvedic principles daily:

Following natural sleep-wake cycles (dinacharya), doing yoga, exercises or hobbies like dance / swimming & meditation, eating seasonally appropriate, simple home-made foods, seasonal fruits, drinking warm water, using spices like turmeric and ginger in cooking, and maintaining regular meal times.

These simple practices strengthen immunity, improve digestion, and promote overall wellbeing without any harsh treatments.

Q2: How much of Ayurveda is treatment and how much is diet-based?

Ayurveda emphasizes that food itself is medicine. Approximately 70-80% of Ayurvedic healing focuses on diet and lifestyle modifications (Ahara and Vihara), while only 20-30% relies on medicinal interventions.

The principle “Pathya” (appropriate diet) is considered half the treatment.

Ayurveda teaches that proper food choices according to one’s body constitution (Prakriti), season (Ritu), and digestive capacity (Agni) can prevent most diseases and support recovery.

Q3: Do you recommend different foods for children depending on their age?

Yes, definitely.

Infants (0-6 months): Exclusive breastfeeding

6-12 months: Introduce soft, easily digestible foods like rice porridge, mashed fruits, and vegetables

1-3 years: Include more variety with dal, khichdi, seasonal fruits, and mild spices

3-12 years: Gradually introduce all food groups with emphasis on fresh, warm, cooked meals

Teens: Need more protein and nutrient-dense foods for growth. The digestive fire (Agni) develops gradually, so foods should match the child’s digestive capacity at each stage.

Q4: One of the most common concerns of parents with young children is the frequency of falling sick.

Little children fall ill a lot. Can parents do anything to improve their immunity? Yes, parents can significantly boost children’s immunity through:

• Regular meal times with warm, freshly cooked food
• Adequate sleep according to natural rhythms
• Feed them according to their appetite.
• Don’t overfeed.
• Avoid excessive cold/refrigerated / packaged / processed foods.
• Regular outdoor play and sunlight exposure.
• Avoid suppressing natural urges (sneezing, urination, etc.)
• Minimise processed foods and excess sugar
• Building strong Ojas (vital essence) through proper nutrition and routine is key.

Q5: Parents are also concerned about diet for different seasons and weather patterns.

Seasonal dietary adjustments are important:

Summer (Grishma): Light, cooling foods – cucumber, watermelon, coconut water, rice, buttermilk. Avoid excessive spicy and hot foods.

Monsoon (Varsha):

Easily digestible, warm foods – soups, khichdi, ginger tea. Avoid leafy vegetables and street food.

Autumn (Sharad):

Transition foods – sweet, bitter tastes, ghee, rice. Avoid excessive yogurt and heavy foods.

Winter (Hemanta/Shishira): Nourishing, warm foods – nuts, sesame, jaggery, milk, ghee. Include warming spices.

Spring (Vasanta): Light, detoxifying foods – barley, honey, bitter vegetables. Reduce heavy, oily foods. Adjust quantities and preparation methods based on the child’s age and digestive capacity.

Q6: What are some easy changes we can make in our daily lives that incorporate Ayurveda to stay healthy?

Simple daily Ayurvedic practices:

• Wake up early (before sunrise if possible)
• Drink warm water first thing in the morning.
• Eat meals at regular times – lunch as the main meal.
• Use digestive spices like cumin, coriander, ginger in cooking.
• Avoid ice-cold drinks and refrigerated foods.
• Early, light dinner (before sunset ideally)
• Self-massage with warm oil once or twice weekly.
• Early bedtime for children (by 8-9 PM).
• Limit screen time, especially before bed.
• Eat seasonal and local produce.
• Practice gratitude before meals.

Q7: Is there anything special that you recommend for teens?

Teens need special attention as they undergo significant physical and hormonal changes:

• Adequate protein for growth and development
• Iron-rich foods especially for girls (dates, pomegranate, leafy greens)
• Healthy fats like ghee, nuts for brain development.
• Regular meal patterns to support metabolism.
• Stress management through yoga, meditation, adequate sleep.
• Avoid junk food, excess caffeine, and irregular eating.
• Good sleep hygiene – 8-9 hours minimum.
• Physical activity daily.
• Open communication about bodily changes.

Q8: These days we are concerned with children’s eyesight due to constant screen exposure. Is there anything we can do for eye health?

Ayurveda has comprehensive guidance for eye health (Netra Chikitsa):

Dietary recommendations and eye-nourishing foods:

• Ghee (clarifies vision, nourishes eyes)
• Vitamin A sources: carrots, papaya, mango, pumpkin
• Amla (Indian gooseberry) – best for eyes
• Green leafy vegetables
• Almonds soaked overnight
• Dates
• Fennel seeds (soak and drink water)
• Triphala

Palming: Rub palms together and place over closed eyes

Eye exercises: Looking at distant objects, rotating eyes

Adequate sleep is essential for eye rest

Screen management:

20-20-20 rule: Every 20 minutes, look at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds.

Limit screen time by age:

• Under 2 years: None
• 2-5 years: Max 1 hour
• 6-12 years: Max 2 hours
• Teens: Max 2-3 hours (non-educational)

Use proper lighting while using screens

Maintain distance from screens

No screens 1-2 hours before bed

Natural remedies: Triphala eye wash (mild decoction, cooled and filtered)

Lifestyle: Encourage outdoor play (natural light is essential)

Adequate sleep

Proper reading distance and posture

Good lighting for reading/studying

Prevention is key – limiting screen exposure and building healthy eye habits early is far better than treatment later.

To be continued…. many more important questions coming up in Part 2, including special advice for Hindu parents!

Dr. Kavitha Dev is a renowned Ayurvedic physician based in Chennai. You can get more details about her from her website.