Basic Ayurvedic Treatments And Herbal Remedies To Cure Obesity

Introduction

Obesity is an accumulation of excess fat in the body which may lead to negative effects on health, reduced life expectancy, and increased health problems.

It is the most common nutritional disorder of the modern age. Continuous indulgence in high-fat, fried foods, along with a sedentary lifestyle results in excessive fat getting blocked in various body channels. Obesity in turn causes several metabolic disturbances such as hypertension, diabetes, irregular digestion, etc. It can affect social life too. If we are not able to control overweight, that may lead to obesity.

In Ayurveda, Atisthaulya (Obesity) is described as excessive accumulation of Meda (fat/adipose tissue) and Mamsa (flesh/muscle tissue) leading to flabbiness of hips, abdomen, and breast. It is considered as one of the diseases due to increased consumption of Kapha
Vardhak Ahar and Vihar. There are remedies in Ayurveda for weight loss and to maintain health for people who are overweight.

Symptoms Of Obesity

• Breathlessness even on little exertion or physical activity.
• Lack of interest in doing work.
• Profuse sweating with foul body odor.
• Excessive hunger.
• Feeling of tiredness.
• Excessive sleep.

Causes Of Obesity

• Increased intake of energy-dense foods that are high in fat, carbohydrates.
• Overeating and Irregular food habits.
• Lack of physical activities due to the sedentary lifestyle.
• Genetics, endocrine disorders, Medical Reasons or Psychiatric illness.
• Day-time sleeping.

Ayurvedic Management Of Obesity

Some of the treatments that are effective for obesity are as follow:

1. Shamana (Palliative) Treatment:

Shamana therapy is a palliative approach that normalizes the doshas rather than expelling them from the body (Samshodhana). Palliation involves enkindling Agni and stimulating digestion through fasting, which in turn neutralizes the toxins. There several types of Shamana Treatment including:

• Langhan (Fasting)

  Fasting in Ayurveda means ‘holding onto your hunger’. Ayurvedic principles state that fasting is depleting therapies that inspire a true need for food to be taken in a balanced amount. The type of fasting varies according to the dosha. Vata people can do a fast on hot liquids, pitta can fast on a liquid diet like fruit juices and Kapha people can do an actual fast (not having anything/ skipping a meal) which can be a great struggle.

• Ruksha Udwartan (Dry medicated powder massage)

  It is very effective in reducing cellulite and fat accumulation. Overweight people can also get benefits from this technique to control their body weight. Rubbing herbal powder helps to break down the cellulite and increases the burning accumulated fat.

• Heavy and non-nourishing diet

  Items like Honey, salad, etc are advised for people who have overweight. .

• Physical exercises, mental work

  Physical activity increases people's total energy expenditure, which leads them to stay in energy balance or even lose weight. It helps to burn extra calories. Physical activity decreases fat around the waist and total body fat, slowing the development of abdominal obesity. Mental work like yoga is a good remedy to cure obesity. Dhanurasana, bhujangasana, shalabasana, ardha matsyendrasana, trikonasana and vakrasana are few of the asanas of yoga postures for losing extra fat. This will be more effective when practiced with pranayama and a proper diet.

2. Samshodhana Chikitsa (Purificatory Procedures):

• Panchakarma

  Appropriate Panchakarma therapies are also administered based on the requirement of the individual. One of the proven and effective ways of weight loss is to undergo panchakarma therapy. The accumulated toxins prevent the body from exfoliating the dead cells, thus aiding in weight gain.

• Vamana (Therapeutic emesis), Vamana treatment is targeted to expel increased Kapha Dosha out of the body. Vaman is one of the five therapies of Panchakarma in Ayurveda. Vaman means therapeutic vomiting which is a medicated emesis. This treatment is done for the aggravated Kapha dosha, which dislodges the toxins mainly from the respiratory and gastrointestinal tract.
• Virechana (Therapeutic purgation)

  As per Ayurveda Virechana is effective in the management of obesity as it helps to reduce colonization of aerobic bacteria. During the procedure, the patient is subjected to Oleation first, then Fomentation, which is followed by Emesis and Samsarjana Karma (postoperative). The internal Oleation is followed for three to seven days. Thereafter, a medicated steam bath is performed for three days.

• Lekhan Basti (Medicated enema)

  It is a type of enema(given through the anorectal route) that contains ayurvedic drugs which cause the excoriation of the excessive fat from the body. The drugs which are used in the preparation of Lekhan Basti are Triphala decoction, Honey, Gomutra, Saindhav salt, Hing, Yavakshar, Kasis, Shilajatu which are all fat-reducing by their properties, etc. .

Preventive Measures

Some of the preventive measures to avoid the symptoms of overweight are as follow:

• Intake of a healthy diet consisting of sufficient fiber.
• adopting an active lifestyle and practicing Yoga and Meditation.
• Regular habits of a brisk morning walk for 30 minutes.
• Avoid sedentary habits.
• Avoid excessive sleep.
• Avoid watching TV while having food.
• Avoid Alcohol and Smoking.

Home Remedies To Cure Obesity

• Add tomatoes, carrots, and dark leafy vegetables to your daily diet and keep your stomach full throughout the day. These vegetables are low in calories and good for your health.
• Green tea is one of the most effective remedies for weight loss. Include 2-3 cups of green tea in your daily routine to fight obesity.
• Exercise helps burn up extra body fat and keeps you healthy. So, it is better to start doing exercise daily.
• Make a mixture of 1 teaspoon of honey and lemon juice in a glass of warm water and have this mixture every day in the morning.
• Mint leaves are very useful to lose weight. Add them into your daily diet in the form of peppermint tea. also, chew them after your meals.
• Apple cider vinegar is very effective in breaking down body fat. Make a mixture of 1 teaspoon of lemon juice and 1 teaspoon of apple cider vinegar in a glass of warm water and take it every day on an empty stomach.

Herbs Helps To Manage Sthaulya (Obesity)

Some useful herbs which are useful for the management of Sthaulya (Obesity)

• Triphala

  It is the combination of 3 healing herbs, ie, Amalaki, Haritaki and Bibhitaki, and their fruits are used. The effects of Triphala are- all dosha balancing, very good bio-cleanser, purify the blood, and a rejuvenating herb. It decreases excessive Meda, reduces serum cholesterol, reduces plaque formation in the arteries, high blood pressure, and provides remarkable protection in CVD.

• Guggulu (Commiphora Mukul)

  It is a strong detoxifying, cleansing, and rejuvenating herb. Guggulu is mentioned as the best for the disorder of Vata and Meda. So, Guggulu can be used for the treatment of Medavrita Vata's condition.

• Vidanga (Embelia Ribes)

  It can be used to manage certain bacterial infections due to its antimicrobial activity. It also helps in weight loss by improving the metabolism of the body. It is used to manage abdominal problems and also acts as an anti-inflammatory and an antifertility agent.

• Vrikshamla (Garcinia Indica)

  Vrikshamla prevents the unhealthy accumulation of fat in the body. Serotonin is an important chemical in weight control as it gives a feeling of satiety and fullness, thus reducing overeating. Vrikshamla is an herb that helps increase the availability of serotonin in the brain.

• Shilajit

  Shilajit contains fulvic acid (organic acids) and more than 84 minerals, so it offers numerous health benefits. It can function as an antioxidant to improve your body's immunity and memory, an anti-inflammatory, an energy booster, and a diuretic to remove excess fluid from your body. Shilajit is beneficial for women who want to lose weight and it helps break down fat by boosting metabolism.

Sthaulya (obesity) is a predominant metabolic disorder. Sedentary life, lack of exercise, faulty food habits, urbanization, psychological factors along genetic predisposition are some of the reasons for such unhealthy conditions. Kapha Prakriti persons are more prone to become obese (Sthaulya). Some herbal medicines like Guggulu, Vrikshamla, Shilajit Triphala, Guggulu, etc. Yoga, Pranayam and Panchakarma therapy are found very effective for the management of Obesity. By adopting a simple lifestyle and healthy food habits anyone can enjoy life optimally without having lifestyle diseases like Obesity.

Conclusion

The information related to obesity is based on various Ayurvedic resources. Always seek the advice of an Ayurvedic practitioner before starting any Diet or Ayurvedic herbs for the treatment of overweight.