Cough syrup tragedy: Experts urge parents to choose safe Ayurvedic remedies for children

New Delhi: In the wake of several tragic deaths of children in Madhya Pradesh allegedly caused by contaminated cough syrup, medical experts are emphasising the safety and efficacy of Ayurvedic remedies as a trusted alternative for treating coughs in children.

Dr R P Parasher, national president of the All India Doctors Association of Indian System, advised that Ayurvedic cough syrups, herbs, and home remedies can be safely administered to children over two years of age. His remarks come amid growing concerns over the toxic effects of some allopathic cough medications following multiple fatalities linked to contaminated medicines.

On October 3, the Director General of Health Services (DGHS) issued a nationwide advisory restricting the prescription of cough and cold medications in children under two years of age, stating that such medications are generally not recommended for children below five years. For children above five, any medication must be prescribed only after clinical evaluation with strict supervision, proper dosing, and caution against multi-drug combinations.

Dr Parasher recommended that for children below six months, gentle chest massage with slightly warmed ghee or oil can relieve symptoms. For those over six months, he suggested feeding milk boiled with herbs like basil, ginger, cloves, black pepper, and dates to boost immunity and alleviate coughs naturally.

Popular Ayurvedic cough remedies include syrups made from herbal ingredients such as basil, amaranth, liquorice, kakadsingi, bharangi, pushkarmool, baheda, mint, long pepper, black pepper, cinnamon, bay leaf, and talispatra. These natural remedies reportedly carry no side effects in children, according to Dr Parasher. Additionally, powders like Sitopaladi and Talishadi mixed with honey, as well as medicines such as Vasavaleha and Agastya Haritaki, are considered both safe and effective for pediatric care.

The advisory from health authorities was prompted by the deaths of at least 19 children in Madhya Pradesh’s Chhindwara district, linked to the consumption of Coldrif cough syrup contaminated with diethylene glycol — a toxic industrial solvent causing acute kidney failure. The state government has since banned Coldrif and suspended the sale of all products from the manufacturer, Sresan Pharmaceuticals, while launching investigations and compensation measures for affected families.

This tragic episode highlights the urgent need for safer pediatric treatments and responsible prescription practices. As a result, experts are urging parents and caregivers to consider Ayurvedic and home-based remedies, particularly for young children, until safer pharmaceutical options are assured by regulators.

With inputs from PTI