What is Swarnaprashana in Ayurveda?

Swarna Prashana is the ancient Ayurvedic oral vaccine that helped children fight deadly diseases centuries before modern vaccines were developed. It is a unique therapeutic method that builds long-lasting health, immunity, and intellect without causing harmful side effects.

The word ‘Swarna Prashana’ comes from two Sanskrit words: ‘Swarna’ and ‘Prashana’. Swarna translates to gold, and ‘Prashana’ means eating or ingesting. Swarna Prashana is the classical way of vaccination that strengthens the child’s immunity while supporting physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual well-being. 

The origin of Swarna Prashana traces back to the Vedic age. Several scripts, including Manusmriti, Kashyapa Samhita, and Vridha Jeevaka Tantra, mention the benefits of ingesting gold. It’s an old tradition in India that has been followed for ages.

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Swarna Bhasma

According to Ayurveda, when Swarna is converted into Swarna bhasma it acts as a therapeutic agent. Gold improves complexion, vigor, and detoxification. Further, it has the ability to treat Vishamajwara, Aantra jwara and weakness. Swarna bhasma is an excellent immune booster.

Research reveals that Swarna bhasma possesses anti-oxidants, anti-depressants and anti-cancerous properties. It also exhibits antibacterial, immune-modulatory, and anti-rheumatoid properties. Swarna acts as a nervine stimulant, which is very beneficial for children in growing age from birth till the age of 16. 

Moreover, studies confirmed that gold accelerates brain growth and improves grasping capacity.  It is also a great aid for strengthening digestion and improving complexion. 

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The ingredients of Swarna Prashana

Gold—Pure gold has preventive and curative qualities and is recommended for fatal disorders. Gold nanoparticles possess antibacterial, anti-cancer, and anti-inflammatory properties. Hence, they support immunity, development, digestive fire, memory, intelligence, growth, and strength in children. 

Honey – In low doses in childhood, Honey helps develop resistance to allergens. Also, Ayurveda says that honey is the best vehicle for medicine to reach the target organ in the human body.

Ghee – Cow’s ghee helps in immune-stimulating activities. It has memory-enhancing activity and promotes the healing of wounds. When you mix honey and ghee in unequal amounts, the anti-oxidizing activities increase. It helps increase the immunity of the infant to act on pathogens, cancer cells, and inflammatory agents. 

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Swarna Prashana in Jatakarma Samskara

Jatakarma Samskara is an ancient procedure in neonatal care. In ancient times, the Vaidyas gave Swarna Bhasma to the little one after birth. They processed the Swarna bhasma in pure honey and ghee enriched with herbal brain tonics. The ceremony of Jatakarma Samskara was done a while after birth.

Sushruta, Vagbhata, and other Acharyas mention gold-licking as an immune booster immediately after birth. According to Sushruta, breast milk secretion is inadequate in the first four days after delivery. Swarna Prashana can provide preventive and curative support to infants. Many scholars have written about the multidimensional benefits of Swarna Prashana for children. They call Swarna Prashana a gift of Ayurveda for a healthy childhood.

A child can take Swarna Prashana at any time from birth up to the age of 16. Ayurveda says the earlier it’s administered, the better. It is very helpful in building immunity and intelligence. The best time to administer Swarna Prashana is in the morning on an empty stomach. 

Swarna Prashana Samskara for immunity 

Swarna Prashana Samskara is an ancient oral immunity enhancer. Administering a small amount of gold in the form of bhasma, honey, and ghee has many benefits. It modulates immunity, enhances intellectual performance, and improves the quality of life. Further, it is a time-tested recipe with no adverse effects that have a positive physical, mental, and social impact.  

The gold particles in Swarna Prashana induce non-specific immunity by activating both cellular and humoral immunity. This non-specific immunity helps defend against pathogens and inflammatory substances that develop in our system. Also, the non-toxicity of gold nanoparticles makes it the next-gen vaccine.

Swarna Prashana for cognitive abilities 

A study examined Swarna Prashana’s nootropic activities on learning and memory. It found that it effectively improves memory, mood, and behaviour. It also showed a significant decrease in brain-degrading activities that result in Alzheimer’s. Swarna is very helpful for special children with autism, learning difficulties, attention deficit, hyperactivity, or delayed milestones. 

In addition, Gold nanoparticles are effective in treating and diagnosing neurodegenerative diseases. Research shows this is a potential platform technology for developing many other therapies. Swarna bhasma can dissolve the abnormal protein clumps linked with Alzheimer’s disease and other degenerative illnesses. 

Efficacy of Swarna Prashana in recurrent cough in children

Studies also found that Swarna amrita Prashana is effective in curing recurrent cough. A study observed 30 children aged 3 to 8 suffering from recurrent cough. They gave 1 ml of Swarnamrita Prashana in the early morning on an empty stomach for 30 days. 

This study found that Swarnamrita prashana provided a 43.83% reduction in the duration of bouts of cough. It also showed a 69.22% reduction in sleep disturbance, 66.70% reduction of inflammation of the pharynx, 50% reduction in inflammation of the tonsils, and 65.21% reduction in dyspnea. Thus, the study concluded that Swarnamrita prashana is an effective medicine for treating cough. 

Also Read: 10 reasons why you should take Ayurvedic medicine.

Efficacy of Swarna Prashana in enuresis

Shayyamutra (enuresis) is the most common psychosomatic disorder in growing children. Along with other medhya and balya medicines, it can be very effective in treating Shayyamutra. Research shows that 7% of male and 3% of female children suffer from nocturnal enuresis. 

A clinical study examined 40 children aged 6-16 who suffered from Shayyamutra. The study concluded that Swarna Prashana significantly reduced all signs and symptoms of nocturnal enuresis. Therefore, it makes an excellent natural remedy for bed wetting in children.

 The Promise of Gold: Claimed Benefits

When parents ask me about the benefits of Swarna Prashana, I’m reminded of a recent case. A couple brought in their 2-year-old son, concerned about his frequent colds and apparent developmental delays. After thoroughly examining and discussing their options, we decided to try Swarna Prashana.

Over the next few months, the changes were remarkable. The boy’s immunity improved significantly, with far fewer episodes of illness. His parents also noticed enhanced alertness and quicker learning. While I can’t attribute all these changes solely to Swarna Prashana, they are pivotal.

This anecdote aligns with the benefits traditionally attributed to Swarna Prashana

1. Medha Agni Bala Vardhanam

 Enhances intellect, digestion, metabolism, immunity, and physical strength

2. Ayushyam

 Promotes longevity

3. Mangalam

Considered auspicious

4. Punyam

 Believed to be virtuous

5. Vrushyam

 It may have aphrodisiac properties.

6. Varnyam

 Improves complexion

7. Grahapaham

Protects from evil spirits and microorganisms

Kashyapa even goes a step further, claiming specific benefits based on the duration of administration.

– If given for one month, The child becomes highly intelligent (Parama Medhavi) and resistant to diseases

– If given for six months: The child develops exceptional memory and retention power (Srutadhara)

Swarna Prashana in Modern Science – Nanotechnology 

Ayurveda’s breakthrough findings on gold are now researched by modern science. Today, scientists are increasingly using gold in nanotechnology. Be it diagnosis or treatment, gold can be the potential weapon for cancer, arthritis, Alzheimer’s, and other fatal diseases. Immuno-therapists are also harnessing the unique properties of gold nanoparticles to boost the body’s immune system. The gold nanoparticles interact with the white blood cells and can help deliver drugs where needed most.

Researchers are now probing the efficacy of gold nanoparticles in combating HIV and blood diseases. Gold acts as a broad-spectrum immune modulator without causing any adverse effects. Contemporary medical science is probing to understand the mechanism of its action on immunity modulation and intellectual function. Future studies are sure to establish the role of gold in preventive and curative therapies. 

Caution

Ayurveda states that gold must be used orally only when correctly processed and decontaminated. If gold is not decontaminated properly, it may result in life-threatening conditions. Also, indefinite use of gold in terms of dose and duration will result in adverse effects, especially in children. When gold is administered to children, even the slightest negligence can result in adverse effects. Hence, it is very important to administer Swarna Bhasma only with caution!

Safety and Efficacy of swarna bhasma

Numerous studies have concluded that Swarna Prashana does not affect infants’ normal growth. Ingestion of gold with herbs, honey, and ghee showed immunomodulatory effects. Infants can tolerate Swarna Prashana well with no adverse effects. 

Gold in other cultures

In China, gold is seen as an ‘immortal substance’ and is associated with longevity and vitality. Chinese medicine also uses gold to treat skin conditions. It is helpful in treating skin ulcers, smallpox sores, and measles. Swarna bhasma can also help detoxify the body, relieve Inflammation, and cure typhoid fever.

In India, Ayurveda uses Gold Bhasma in the preparation of several medicines. It helps the body to maintain an alkaline state. Gold bhasma also aids in absorbing calcium, cleansing vital organs, and supporting stronger bones. Further, it can help alleviate insomnia and depression and protect the body from free radical damage.

In Egypt, golden teeth are commonly found in mummies. Gold’s low toxicity, malleability, and resistance to corrosion made it the perfect material. Egyptians also used gold for internal medicine to purify their bodies. 

Swarna Prashana – An Ancient tradition and a modern weapon

The history of medicinal use of gold has spanned centuries and continents. This ancient Ayurvedic immunization technique, with no adverse effects, provides a good life with physical, mental, and social health. Several studies validated the efficacy of Swarna Prashana as an immunization program. Further scientific studies on using gold bhasma as a modern oral immunizer can establish the use of gold in health care.  

In conclusion, Swarna Prashana is an excellent guard for your overall health. Modern researchers must conduct more research on this subject to understand its full potential. This ancient oral vaccine can be the solution to many contemporary problems.