A comparative clinical study on the combined effect of Ashtachurna and Kushmanda Rasayana in children with mild to moderate malnutrition

Malnutrition is a general umbrella term which addresses 3 broad groups like undernutrition, micronutrient related malnutrition and overweight. The term malnutrition addresses undernutrition, which includes wasting (low weight-for-height), stunting (low height-for-age) and underweight (low weight-for-age), Undernutrition impairs the immune function, which leads to growth retardation and impaired psychosocial and cognitive development in children.According to National Family Health Survey -5 (NFHS-5) carried out in 2019 – 2021, 35.5% and 19.3 % India’s children under 5 years are stunted and wasted respectively. 32.1% children under 5 years are underweight in India. In Karnataka, 11% and 5% children are malnourished and acutely malnourished.

Undernutrition in contemporary science resembles the clinical features of Karshya, in Ayurveda. Intake of faulty food habits like fast foods and nutrient poor foods like pizzas, burgers, carbonated drinks and chocolates  which are commonly found in children. Clinical manifestation of Karshya are presence of Shushka Sphik, Udara and Greeva (emaciation of buttocks, abdomen and neck), Dhamanijala santata (Prominent venous network in the body), Twagasthishisha (remained with skin and bones), Sthoola parva (prominent inter-phalangeal joints).Karshya is vata pradhana vyadhi , so Brihmana is a choice of treatment which gives Bala, Pushti and reduces Ruksha Guna of *Vata.*But when Agni is not good, Brimhana will not be effective as it affects digestion and absorption majorly. So the study hoypthesis that giving carmonative poly herbal drug along with nutritional supplement is more effective than giving nutritional supplement.