Child with cerebral palsy receiving Ayurvedic-inspired physical therapy

Cerebral Palsy Breakthrough: Can Ayurveda's Ancient Wisdom Help?

Nico Varela in Health & Wellness December 2025 • 4 min read.

"Exploring the potential of Samvardhana Ghrita in improving motor skills and overall well-being for children with cerebral palsy."

Cerebral palsy (CP) affects thousands of children, ranking as the second most common cause of disability in childhood next to Poliomyelitis. This neurological condition impacts movement, posture, and often speech and cognitive abilities, creating significant challenges for affected children and their families. While modern medicine provides various management strategies, complementary approaches are also being explored.

Ayurveda, the ancient Indian system of medicine, offers a holistic perspective on health and disease. Within Ayurveda, cerebral palsy can be understood as a 'Bala Samvardhana Vikara,' primarily involving an imbalance of 'Vata dosha,' which governs movement and neurological functions. This understanding opens avenues for exploring Ayurvedic therapies that aim to restore balance and improve motor functions.

Recent research investigates the potential of 'Samvardhana Ghrita,' a medicated ghee prepared with a blend of herbs known for their neuroprotective and Vata-balancing properties. This article delves into a clinical study assessing the efficacy of Samvardhana Ghrita, administered both orally and as a medicated enema ('Matrabasti'), in children with cerebral palsy, offering insights into a promising complementary treatment approach.

Samvardhana Ghrita: An Ayurvedic Approach to Cerebral Palsy

Child with cerebral palsy receiving Ayurvedic-inspired physical therapy

The study, conducted at SDM College of Ayurveda and Hospital in Hassan, Karnataka, India, involved 40 children aged 2-10 years diagnosed with cerebral palsy. These children were divided into two groups to assess the impact of Samvardhana Ghrita when administered through different methods:

Group A received 5 grams of Samvardhana Ghrita orally, mixed with honey ('Madhu') twice daily.

Group B received Samvardhana Ghrita via 'Matrabasti' – a medicated enema. This involved a preliminary massage ('Abhyanga') with 'Moorchita Taila' (processed sesame oil) followed by local fomentation ('Swedana') using the 'Nadisweda' method (steam therapy).
Both treatments were administered for 48 days, and the children were evaluated for improvements in various motor and cognitive functions.

The Samvardhana Ghrita used in the study was prepared using a specific formula of herbs, each chosen for its therapeutic properties, which includes Khadira, Prishnaparni, Arjuna Twak, Saindhava, Balamoola, Atibalamoola and Kebuka kanda.

The Promise of Samvardhana Ghrita: A Glimmer of Hope

The study revealed promising results, with both oral and 'Matrabasti' administration of Samvardhana Ghrita showing improvements in language, speech, fine motor skills (like grasping objects), and gross motor skills (crawling, sitting, walking). While both routes demonstrated positive effects, certain functions, particularly fine and gross motor skills, showed greater improvement with 'Matrabasti'.

These findings suggest that Samvardhana Ghrita, particularly when administered via 'Matrabasti,' may offer a valuable complementary approach in managing motor disabilities associated with cerebral palsy. The Ayurvedic perspective, focusing on Vata balance and neurological health, appears to hold potential in improving the quality of life for children with CP.

Further research with larger sample sizes and multi-center trials is warranted to validate these findings and explore the optimal usage of Samvardhana Ghrita in cerebral palsy management. This study opens new avenues for integrative approaches, combining the wisdom of Ayurveda with modern medical practices to provide comprehensive care for children with cerebral palsy.

About this Article -

This article was crafted using a human-AI hybrid and collaborative approach. AI assisted our team with initial drafting, research insights, identifying key questions, and image generation. Our human editors guided topic selection, defined the angle, structured the content, ensured factual accuracy and relevance, refined the tone, and conducted thorough editing to deliver helpful, high-quality information.See our About page for more information.

This article is based on research published under:

DOI-LINK: 10.7897/2277-4343.04313, Alternate LINK

Title: Clinical Study On The Efficacy Of Samvardhana Ghrita Orally And By Matrabasti In Motor Disabilities Of Cerebral Palsy In Children

Subject: Drug Discovery

Journal: International journal of Research in Ayurveda & Pharmacy

Publisher: Moksha Publishing House

Authors: Shailaja U, Prasanna N Rao, Arun Gr Raj

Published: 2013-06-22

Everything You Need To Know

What is cerebral palsy, and how does Ayurveda view this condition?

Cerebral palsy, often referred to as CP, is a neurological condition that affects movement, posture, speech, and cognitive functions. It's the second most common cause of disability in childhood, impacting motor skills and overall development. Ayurveda views cerebral palsy as a 'Bala Samvardhana Vikara', primarily due to an imbalance of 'Vata dosha', which governs movement and neurological functions. The goal of Ayurvedic treatment is to restore this balance and improve motor functions.

What is 'Samvardhana Ghrita', and how is it used in Ayurvedic treatment for cerebral palsy?

'Samvardhana Ghrita' is a medicated ghee, prepared with neuroprotective herbs and Vata-balancing properties, used in Ayurveda. It is administered orally or as a medicated enema ('Matrabasti') to potentially improve motor skills and overall well-being in children with cerebral palsy. The herbs Khadira, Prishnaparni, Arjuna Twak, Saindhava, Balamoola, Atibalamoola and Kebuka kanda are used in the preparation.

What is involved in the 'Matrabasti' procedure, and why is it used in conjunction with 'Samvardhana Ghrita'?

'Matrabasti' is a medicated enema using 'Samvardhana Ghrita', preceded by a massage ('Abhyanga') with 'Moorchita Taila' (processed sesame oil) followed by local fomentation ('Swedana') using the 'Nadisweda' method (steam therapy). This approach aims to enhance the absorption and efficacy of the 'Samvardhana Ghrita', potentially improving motor skills. It showed greater improvement with fine and gross motor skills in the study.

What improvements were observed in children with cerebral palsy who received 'Samvardhana Ghrita' either orally or via 'Matrabasti'?

The study revealed that administering 'Samvardhana Ghrita' both orally (mixed with 'Madhu', or honey) and via 'Matrabasti' (medicated enema) showed improvements in language, speech, fine motor skills (like grasping objects), and gross motor skills (crawling, sitting, walking) in children with cerebral palsy. While both methods were effective, 'Matrabasti' showed greater improvement, particularly in fine and gross motor skills.

What are the limitations of 'Samvardhana Ghrita' as a treatment for cerebral palsy, and what considerations are important when integrating it with modern medical approaches?

While 'Samvardhana Ghrita' has shown promise in improving motor skills in children with cerebral palsy, it's crucial to understand its limitations and potential implications. The study focused on a specific formulation and administration method, and long-term effects require further investigation. Additionally, Ayurveda emphasizes personalized treatment, so what works for one child may not work for another. Integrating 'Samvardhana Ghrita' with modern medical approaches requires careful consideration and collaboration between Ayurvedic practitioners and medical professionals to ensure the best possible outcomes and safety for children with cerebral palsy.