Obesity Ayurvedic Treatment

In Ayurveda, obesity is often viewed as a result of an imbalance in the three doshas—Vata, Pitta, and Kapha—and an accumulation of toxins (ama) in the body. Ayurvedic treatment for obesity aims to restore balance in the doshas, improve digestion, and eliminate ama through lifestyle modifications, dietary changes, herbal remedies, and stress management. It’s important to note that Ayurvedic treatments are individualised, and recommendations may vary based on an individual’s unique constitution (Prakriti) and current imbalances (vikriti).

What is obesity?

“ Obesity” specifically refers to an excessive amount of body fat, while     “ overweight” refers to an excessive amount of body weight that includes muscle, bone,fat , and water .According to  WHO , Obesity and Overweight are defined as adnormal or excessive fat accumulation that prevents a risk to health .A body mass index(BMI) over 25 is considered as overweight and over 30 is obese.

How is obesity measured?

Standard of measurement – body mass index (BMI)

It is calculated by dividing weight in kilograms by his height in square meters.

Types of obesity :

Ayurvedic view of obesity 

In Ayurveda, Atisthaulya ( obesity ) is described as the accumulation of meda (fat/adipose tissue ) and mamsa (flesh/muscle tissue ), leading to flabbiness of the hips, abdomen, and breasts. It is considered as one of santharpanotta vikaras (disease due to consumption of excessive calories ). Medodusti is one of the factors for ischemic heart disease ( IHD).Characteristic of obese people are disfigured with pendulous buttocks , belly and breasts and whose increased bulk is not matched by a corresponding increase in energy 

Causes for Obesity :

The causes of obesity are 

• Genetic factors 
• Environmental factors – diet and physical activity 
• Social factor – lower level of education 
• Cultural factors – type of food , way of cooking,etc
• Diseases like hypothyroidism, Cushing syndrome , PCOD ,etc 
• Drugs like Steroids and antidepressants.

Causes according to ayurveda :

1. Aharatmaka nidana :

• Atisampuram – excess intake of food 
• Guru ahara sevana – heavy to digest 
• Madhura ahara sevana – sweet foods 
• Sheeta ahara sevana – sheeta virya /cooling 
• Snigdha ahara sevana – unctous (oily) food 

2.Viharaja nidana 

•  Avyayama – lack of physical exercise 
• Avyavaya – abstinence fom sex 
• Diva swapna – day time sleeping 

3.Manasila nidana 

• Harshanityatvat – uninterrupted cheerfulness 
• Achinthanat – lack of mental exercise 

4.Beeja svabhabat – genetic factors 

Ayurvedic Treatments for Obesity 

 Ayurveda, the traditional system of medicine from India, categorizes the management of obesity into two main approaches: Shodhana Chikitsa (purification or detoxification therapy) and Shamana Chikitsa (palliative or pacifying therapy). Both approaches aim to restore balance to the body and mind, but they differ in their methods and intensity

Shodhana Chikitsa (Purification Therapy):

This involves the elimination of toxins and excess doshas (Vata, Pitta, Kapha) from the body.

Panchakarma is a well-known form of Shodhana Chikitsa and includes therapies such as:

• Vamana (therapeutic emesis)
• Virechana (therapeutic purgation)
• Basti (medicated enema)
• Nasya (nasal administration of medicated oils or powders)

Panchakarma helps to eliminate accumulated ama (toxins) and balance the doshas.

Shamana Chikitsa (Palliative Therapy):

This  focuses on alleviating symptoms and balancing the doshas through dietary and lifestyle modifications, herbal remedies, and yoga.Dietary recommendations often include foods and herbs that pacify the aggravated doshas associated with obesity.

Exercise and yoga practices are recommended to improve metabolism and promote weight loss .

Panchakarma Treatment for Obesity

Panchakarma is a therapeutic procedure used in Ayurveda to purify and detoxify the body. The term “Panchakarma” translates to “five actions” in Sanskrit, referring to the five main procedures involved in this cleansing process. These procedures aim to eliminate toxins (ama) from the body and restore balance to the doshas (Vata, Pitta, and Kapha). 

The five main procedures of Panchakarma are:

Vamana (Therapeutic Vomiting):

This procedure is designed to eliminate excess Kapha dosha. 

The actual Vamana procedure involves administering emetic substances to induce therapeutic vomiting. This process helps expel accumulated Kapha and toxins from the upper gastrointestinal tract

Virechana (Therapeutic Purgation):

Virechana is intended to eliminate excess Pitta dosha and toxins from the body. The individual is given purgative substances to induce controlled bowel movements, helping to cleanse the digestive tract and eliminate accumulated toxins.

Basti (Medicated Enema):

Basti is a procedure that involves the introduction of medicated substances into the rectum. It is considered a powerful method for balancing Vata dosha and addressing disorders related to the colon and nervous system.

There are two types of Basti: Kashaya Basti (decoction enema) and Anuvasana Basti (oil enema). Both types serve different purposes and are chosen based on the individual’s condition.

Nasya (Nasal Administration):

Nasya involves the administration of medicated oils or powders through the nostrils. Nasya helps to cleanse the nasal passages, improve respiratory function, and alleviate conditions associated with excess Kapha in the upper respiratory tract.

Raktamokshana (Bloodletting):

Raktamokshana is the least commonly used procedure in modern Panchakarma. It involves the removal of a small amount of blood to eliminate toxins and address conditions associated with impure blood.

This procedure is usually reserved for specific conditions and is not a routine part of Panchakarma .

The mostar suitable Panchakarma treatment for obesity are  virechana and lekhana vasti . Along with these ayurvedic procedures like langhana ( fasting ) ,ama pachana ( oral use of digestives to augment to the fat metabolism ) ,ruksha udwartanam ( dry powder massage ) , physical exercise and mental work are also recommended.

Single Drugs : Guduchi , Vidanga , Musta ,Sunthi , Amla , Vaca, Daruharidra, Guggulu ,etc 

Diet and Lifestyle Changes for ObesityAyurvedic Treatment

Unhealthy diet results in the building up of adipose tissue in the body, resulting in weight gain and obesity . Physical activity lessens the energy imbalance between calories consumed on the one hand, and calories expended on the other hand, resulting in weight gain and obesity. Hence Ayurvedic Diet and Lfestyle Changes are highly recommended for obesity management . 

Ayurvedic diet and lifestyle  for obesity includes 

1. Eat three meals a day , without snacking in between 
2. Be Mindful ,  even when you eat 
3. Eat seasonal foods 
4. Consume kapha pacifying diet 
5. Perform a dietary cleanse 
6. Cooperate cooked vegetables , lentils and grains in your diet 
7. Exercise regularly 
8. Consume your meal 3 hrs prior to bed time 
9. Get enough sleep 
10. Add Yoga and meditation in your routine 

Life Style modifications that can be included are 

• Mild to Moderate exercise according to individual capacity.
• Regular habit of Brisk morning walk for 30 minutes.
• Avoid sedentary habits.
• Avoid excessive sleep.
• Avoid watching TV while having food.
• Avoid Alcohol and Smoking

Obesity Ayurvedic Treatment: Prevention

Obesity Ayurvedic treatment includes healthy diet and lifestyle , yoga and meditation , and also some preventive measures that can help in losing weight ands also for better life . The preventive measures that can be followed are :

DO s 

• Take low-fat and low-calorie food items.
• Take more proteins to stay longer without food.
• Steamed/ boiled and baked vegetables rather than fried.
• Take frequent small meals to avoid food cravings.
• Drink skimmed milk instead of whole milk.
• Take Healthy foods such as – oatmeal, walnuts, salads, bitter gourd (Karela), drumstick (Shigru), barley (Yava ), wheat, Green gram (Moong dal), honey (Madhu), Indian Gooseberry (Amla), pomegranate (Anar) and snake gourd etc and skimmed Buttermilk.
• Include cabbage in daily meal. It will stop the conversion of sugars to fat.
• Use warm water for drinking.
• Include lemon in diet and drinks.

DONT s

• High carbohydrate vegetables like – potato, rice etc.
• More sugary or sweet products, more dairy products, fried and oily foods, fast foods, excess salt.
• Salty foods or excessive salt in meals.

Recommended Yoga Poses for Obesity

1. Trikonasana ( triangle pose ) 

•  Regularizes digestive capacity 
• Reduces lower abdomen fat depsotion 
• Improve blood circulation 

2. Dhanurasana ( bow pose ) 

• Improve your muscle strength 
• Helps to reduce your belly fat 
• Improve body circulation 

3. Virabhadrasana ( warrior pose ) 

•  Improve your muscle strength
• Reduce4 belly fat 

4. Sarvangasanam ( shoulder stand ) 

• Improve your digestion 
• Improve your strength of abdominal muscles
• Helps i  balancing thyroid level 

5. Sethubandha sarvangasana ( bridge pose ) 

• Reduces your back pain 
• Regulates thyroid level 
• Improve your metabolism 

6. Surya Namaskara  (sun salutation ) 

• Helps to reduce weight 
• Helps in mental relaxation 
• Improve flexibility and strength 
• Stimulate digestive strength 

These are some of the major yogasanas recommended for obesity treatment . The best result are obtained when praticesed only under the guidence of a registered yoga instructor . 

Obesity Ayurvedic Treatment at Dheemahi Ayurveda

Dheemahi Ayurveda is deeply rooted in the tradition of Ayurveda and is dedicated to prioritizing the health and well-being of our patients. We have  rich tradition of Ayurvedic wisdom passed down through five generations suggests a long-standing commitment to the principles and practices of Ayurveda.

Having a team of expert doctors  and professional staffs who are committed to guiding patients on your healthy journey indicates a commitment to providing personalized and comprehensive care. Dheemahi Ayurveda places a strong emphasis on the supervision and follow-up of patients throughout their treatment journey, especially during Panchakarma therapies.