Mental retardation (MR) is a medical condition signifying a low IQ and deficits in functional life skills. While the majority of individuals affected with mental retardation do not have an identifiable cause, an exposure to toxins in the prenatal or postnatal stage or a prenatal thyroid dysfunction are some of the causes believed to cause MR. This condition is more commonly seen in children born into families with low IQ, poor education, and a low socio-economic status. The common symptoms of MR include behavioural disturbances, language impediments, and neuromuscular incoordination and abnormalities. This neuro-developmental disability can originate at any stage right from conception up to the age of 18 years.
Ayurvedic herbal treatment for MR includes treating any known cause for the condition, as well as primarily giving treatment in order to improve the IQ of the affected individual, as well as providing treatment to strengthen the neuromuscular system of the body. A known exposure to toxins like lead as well as exposure to disturbed thyroid hormones is treated with the appropriate Ayurvedic herbal medicines, so that a detoxification of the entire body takes place, and the effect of disturbed, hormones on the body is reduced or neutralized. Ayurvedic herbal medicines are used in high doses in order to strengthen the brain cells and as well as the neurotransmitters connecting the different parts of the brain. This treatment also brings about a development of the brain, the spinal cord, the peripheral nerves as well as their connections to muscular structures throughout the body. Long-term treatment of the nervous system and brain gradually helps in reducing or reversing all the symptoms of MR such as behavioural and language problems, and dysfunction incoordination and movement.
While aggressive treatment needs to be given for about six months, maintenance, low dose treatment can be continued for another twelve months. This treatment brings about significant improvement in most individuals affected with MR, and can dramatically change the life of affected individuals for the better.
Ayurvedic herbal treatment thus has a significant contribution to play in the management and treatment of MR.
The writer, Dr. A. A. Mundewadi, is available as an online Ayurvedic Consultant at www.ayurvedaphysician.com
