Haritaki benefits autism

Haritaki has been found to benefit autism

Benefits:

  1. Haritaki is of great help with digestive issues such as constipation. Autism frequently has as a side effect constipation. By reducing the constipation and speeding up the passage of waste through the system  behaviors such as grumpiness, restlessness, irritability are reduced.
  2. Brain function is increased with the use of haritaki. This can help the autistic person be more calm and collected in their thoughts.

How to use haritaki to benefit autism:

Plan on taking haritaki in the evening after food and before bed. Start with small amounts, 1 capsule or if taking powder 1/2 teaspoon of powder. As any symptoms of constipation are reduced increase the amount of haritaki taken daily. Haritaki can also be taken in the morning. There are two options:

  1. Brush the teeth with haritaki. This increases circulation in the mouth and gums
  2. Take half the quantity that is taken in the evening with breakfast

Order Haritaki here

http://www.atreya.com/ayurveda/Autistic-Boy.html

ANSWER: The fingernail groves are coming from a high level of vata – problem of apana vayu. This is coming from the chronic constipation and the accumulation of ama in his colon. The vata reducing lifestyle with oil massage is very important, good advice.

For additional treatment he could take a 1/2 of a level teaspoon of ghee in warm water to hydrate the colon and increase the bowel movements, do this 2 times per day, morning and evening. Any oil would work for this – it just depends if he can do it. The advantage with this method (internal snehana) is that it reduces vata very quickly. It is better for a child than using laxative herbs which tend to over stimulate apana vayu.

Another easy thing to do is to get triphala in tablets or capsules and give him one (dose of 400 to 500 mg) morning and another in the evening after food. Triphala is not as specific as Haritaki for this problem, but Triphala is also more balanced for a child. This will reduce vata in the colon and increase absorption of nutrients in the colon. By doing this the grooves in the fingernails will disappear in a year or so.

Basically autistic behavior is a vata condition. Of course like all disorders in Ayurveda there are different doshas that cause different forms of autism as any dosha can cause vata to become disrupted. We can say that autism is a hypo-vata condition where the normal movement of vata is suppressed.

Autism appears to have its roots in very early brain development. However, the most obvious signs of autism and symptoms of autism tend to emerge between two and three years of age. Studies also show that autism is four to five times more common among boys than girls. An estimated 1 out of 42 boys and 1 in 189 girls are diagnosed with autism in the United States. ASD affects over 3 million individuals in the U.S. and tens of millions worldwide. Moreover, government autism statistics suggest that prevalence rates have increased ten to seventeen percent annually in recent years. There is no established explanation for this continuing increase.

Other Ayurvedic practices that help autism

  1. Use of sesame seed oil for massage is highly recommended. Massage soothes the person in ways that are very profound
  2. Enema will help with the cleansing of the intestines
  3. Tumeric on the forehead cleanses the brain, which increases clarity
  4. Onions applied to the soles of the feet also increase brain function
  5. Daily neem tea keeps parasites out of the body

Here is a video explaining how haritaki benefits autism:

Here is some great background information about autism itself: Source: https://www.autismspeaks.org/what-autism/symptoms

Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are characterized by social-interaction difficulties, communication challenges and a tendency to engage in repetitive behaviors. However, symptoms and their severity vary widely across these three core areas. Taken together, they may result in relatively mild challenges for someone on the high functioning end of the autism spectrum. For others, symptoms may be more severe, as when repetitive behaviors and lack of spoken language interfere with everyday life.

How haritaki helps autism. Look for the areas of behavior identified as being helped
How haritaki helps autism. Look for the areas of behavior identified as being helped

This video for parents of autistic children  is helpful in increasing the amount of water ingested, which also helps constipation in parallel with haritaki.