Ayurvedic Aspect Of Obesity And Its Herbal Management

Abstract

Obesity (sthoulya) is a very common disease in this era. This is the medical problem which gives rise to many health problems and diseases such as cardiac disease, diabetes and many more. Ayurveda, an ancient medicine science, helps to treat obesity in many ways with the help of herbal medicines, panchkarma, and home remedies. In ayurveda there are 7 body tissues and due to over accumulation of fat tissues in specific parts of the body which causes hampering of meda dhatu which is further not converted into asthi dhatu. This condition is known as obesity (sthoulya). Further we will discuss its causes, pathology, and treatment in this article.

Introduction To Obesity

Obesity is a complex disease which gives rise to many health problems and diseases. It is the involvement of fat tissues which grow in excessive amounts in certain parts of the body. According to ayurveda there are 7 dhatus which balances the whole body - rasa dhatu (which is the part of the food digested), rakta dhatu (blood), mamsa dhatu (muscle), meda dhatu (fat), asthi dhatu (bone), majja dhatu (bone marrow), shukra dhatu (reproductive system). In ayurveda each dhatu is converted to other dhatu and nourishes the body. But in sthoulya (obesity) there is hampering of meda dhatu which further doesn't nourishes the other dhatu which leads to accumulation of fat tissues. Due to accumulation of more fat there is increase in digestive fire which leads to more appetite so which leads to more fat and heavy weight. According to acharya the stomach is the main storage house of meda dhatu and vata dosha also resides in the stomach so as vata dosha increases the digestive fires increase which leads to more appetite. Kapha dosha and fat tissues are related to one another as kapha increases the fat tissues also increase.

Causes Of Obesity (Sthoulya)

1. Excess of food intake - As taking more food leads to increase in digestive fire (agni) the body needs a way to digest whole food but due to blockage in meda dhatu more fat tissue so more weight. With more intake of heavy food, spicy foods, oily foods there is an increase in weight. As light food digest easily due to increase in digestive fire so people tend to eat heavy food which ultimately leads to heavy weight.
2. Lack of exercise - Due to this sedentary lifestyle people take up more calories than burning through exercise. This ultimately leads to weight gain.
3. Certain medications - Persons who suffer from cushing syndrome (when the body makes more cortisol hormone), who suffers from arthritis (suffer more) due to inactivity, medication of diabetes, anti seizure drugs.
4. Age - Obesity can be seen in any group, due to hormonal changes and less activity increase risk of obesity.
5. Pregnancy - Weight gain is common in pregnancy and many women found it difficult to lose weight after delivery.
6. Lack of sleep - If a person doesn't sleep properly due to changes in hormonal balance which increase in appetite.
7. Hereditary - Sometimes it is from genes.

Pathology

• Increase of agni - Due to more vata dosha there is increase in digestive strength so leads to more appetite and more food intake.
• Hampering of all dhatu - Due to blockage in medo dhatu it is not able to convert into asthi dhatu so more fat accumulates.
• Increase in kapha dosha - Is kapha dosha and fat tissues are related to each other so as we intake kapha ahara which leads to more fat, which is known as obesity (sthoulya).

Symptoms Of Obesity

• Excessive hunger
• Short life span
• Foul odor from body
• Loss of libido
• Weakness
• Sluggishness
• Excessive sweating
• Unable to perform heavy work

Complications

• Fistula in ano - Due to low intake of calories, fiber diet, low water intake and sedentary lifestyles, and due to elevated level of BMI there is risk of anorectal abscess.
• Piles - Due to long sitting the veins are pushed downwards and due to heavy weight they are more prone as heavy weight pushes more weight on the veins and it can worsen the situation.
• Diabetes - As in obesity the body uses insulin to control the blood sugar levels so patients become resistant to insulin and causes diabetes.
• Heart disease - Due to abnormal level of cholestrol there is more risk to heart disease in obese patients.
• Certain cancer - Obesity can increase the risk of cancer in the cervix, gallbladder, colon, rectum.
• Diarrhoea - Obese patients can ingest absorbed sugars which causes diarrhoea.

Treatment

• Exercise regularly (walking, jogging, cycling)
• Yoga and pranayam to relieve stress
• Powder form massage (udvartana) - also known as rooks udvartana using ingredients such as Devadaru, Rasna and many more. The purpose of this massage is to burn the fat deposited under the skin on areas such as the buttock, thigh region.
• First to balance vata and kapha dosha so one must adapt to eat the food which balance vata and kapha dosha (increase use of barley, avoid food which is hard to digest, no sleep at day time)
• In panchkarma various procedures are performed to balance dosha and take out various matter and expel it from the body. First oil massage is done which is further followed by vaman (vomiting), virechana (purgation therapy), basti (enema) which balances vata dosha and is useful in converting medo dhatu to asthi dhatu.
• Use of buttermilk in diet.
• Drinking more water helps to remove all the toxins out of the body.

Ayurvedic Management

There are some classical ayurvedic formulations used in Obesity

1. Arogyavardhini Vati

Arogyavardhini vati is polyherbal medicine in tablet form which is used to treat many diseases like obesity, chronic fever, and act as a catalyst. Useful in liver disorders and balanced pitta dosha used in many skin diseases, cholelithiasis (gallstones). Aarogyavardhini vati balances the tridoshas, and provides good health, maintaining a good circulatory and digestive system.

2. Triphala Churna

Triphala consists of three ingredients: Haritaki (Terminalia chebula), Vibhitaki (Terminalia billerica), Amla (Emblica officinalis), Yasthimadhu (licorice powder). Has good antioxidant properties, is a natural cleanser, and is used as rasayana. The powder of amla and licorice is mixed and applied over hair to get rid of gray color.

3. Trikatu Churna

Trikatu is a mixture of spices that has ushna veerya. Trikatu is good for liver disease, and it produces enzymes from the stomach, and is very effective in the respiratory system.

4. Shilajtu Rasayan

Shilajatu rasayan is mainly used in asthma, diabetes. It resembles coal tar and on drying gains shines. Available in hilly regions of Tibet, Kashmir, bhutan. Very helpful in breaking the closed channels and heals up very quickly.

Herbal Remedies By Planet Ayurveda

Planet Ayurveda is one of the GMP certified companies which formulates their own herbal products from managing health concerns. The formulations are free from any kind of preservatives, color, resins, and any kind of synthetic material. The formulations prepared don't produce any kind of side effects and are totally safe and made under supervision of the ayurveda team. For the purpose of managing obesity, Planet Ayurveda provides a Thinner You Pack which we are going to discuss in detail.

Thinner You Pack

1. Trim Support Capsules
2. Stholyantak Churna
3. Garcinia Capsules
4. Guggul Capsules

Products Description

1. Trim Support Capsules

Planet ayurveda's trim support capsules are herbal capsules with ingredients Vrikshamla (Garcinia cambogia), Mustak (Cyperus rotundus), Triphala (the myrobalans). These are effective in body fitness and maintaining fat metabolism. Garcinia is a useful herb for losing weight. Mustak is used to relieve spasms and pain and maintain body shape. Triphala means three fruits which remove fat from the body.

Doasge: 1-2 capsules twice daily with plain water after meals.

2. Stholyantak Churna

Stholyantak churna contain 13 ingredients containing Mustak (Cyperus rotundus), babool (Acacia arabica), Arjuna (Terminalia arjuna), Jamun (Syzygium cumini) and many more which is formulated by planet ayurveda. This herbal powder detoxifies the digestive system, helpful in reducing fat, and improves blood circulation. Stholyantak churan is rich in antioxidants and is a combination of rejuvenating herbs.

Dosage: 1 tablespoon twice daily after meals with plain water or can be taken along with apple juice. This powder can be mixed with 20-30ml of water.

3. Garcinia Capsules

Planet's ayurveda garcinia capsules contain standardized extract of garcinia (Garcinia cambogia). Garcinia helps to lose weight loss and reduces appetite, maintain intestinal problems, lower down the cholesterol level. These capsules are 100% vegetarian and have no side effects.

Dosage: 1-2 capsules twice daily with plain water after meals.

4. Guggul Capsules

Guggul capsules is one of the classical ayurvedic formulations which is available in tablet form , planet's ayurveda contains standardized extract of guggul (Commiphora mukul). Guggul is used to maintain body weight in both females and men, helpful in treating joint disease, quick in healing fractures and dislocation. It improves digestion, and provides tone to the body. Guggul older than 1 year is balancing tridosha and works as lekhana (scraping) and balances tridosha. Due to its sweetness it balances vata dosha.

Dosage: 1-2 capsules twice daily with plain water after a meal.

Conclusion

Obesity is a complex disease which gives rise to many health problems. There is involvement of fat deposition in the body tissues. Here we studied the ayurvedic aspect of dhatus, and many signs and symptoms of obesity. Ayurveda treats obesity and improves the health of patients using ancient methods and improves quality of life. So above mentioned herbal medicines of planet ayurveda are very effective in treating obesity. These medications are purely vegetarian and free from preservatives which hamper your health.

Obesity & Its Natural Treatment | Lose Weight Naturally

No one can enjoy and maintain good health in a state of obesity. The obese person does not look good, heavy and flabby body that leads to sluggishness, heaviness in breathing and lethargy. It also makes person inactive and puts serious effect on various organs of body.

What is Obesity

Obesity means overweight. It is the condition in which the excessive fat is deposited in the body. Nowadays obesity is very common problem that affects every generation like from children to senior citizens. The main factors that increase the risk of obesity include change in lifestyle, eating habits, lack of physical activity. A person can balance the body weight and develop personality by following different natural ways to lose weight. Sometime persons use medicines for weight loss that may put negative impact on their body. But Ayurveda provides natural treatment for obesity that has no side effects. Here we will discuss the risk factors of obesity and natural treatment for obesity.

Obesity means accumulation of too much fat in the body. It is a condition in which body's calorie intake is increased as compared to calorie burnt that leads to excess storage of calories in the form of fat in the body. It increases the risk of many diseases like diabetes, hypertension, arthritis, kidney and heart problems.

Risk Factors for Obesity

Obesity occurs due to imbalance between calories consumed and calories burnt. When people consume more calories than body needs, it increase the body weight. There are number of factors which may increase the risk of obesity which are given below:

• Lack of physical activity
• Genetics
• Overeating or Intake of excess food
• Medications
• Age
• Family lifestyle
• Health complications
• Pregnancy

Symptoms Associated with Obesity

The most common signs and symptoms of obesity are given below:

• Overweight
• Snoring
• Fatigue
• Pain in the joints and back
• Excessive sweating

Complications Associated with Obesity

Obesity is the major problem, if it is not treated with time it may results in severe complications or many diseases such as hypertension, diabetes, arthritis, joint pain, kidney problems, liver problems, heart problems.

Ayurvedic Outlook

Obesity is known as Sthaulya Or Meda rog in Ayurveda. According to Ayurveda, there are three main energies in the body- vata, pitta and kapha which are responsible for good health. Imbalance of any three energies results in any health complications. The main cause of obesity as per Ayurveda is aggravation of kapha. Kapha is one of the doshas in the body which is dense, heavy, slow, sticky, wet and cold in nature. It is responsible for structure and lubrication of all body parts. Apart from this, it is responsible for controlling weight and formation of main dhatus like rasa (lymph), Mansa (muscles), Meda (fat), Majja (nervous system) and Shukra (reproductive system). In obesity, meda is excessively nourished. When kapha is balanced, it provides nutrition to the different tissues. When kapha is imbalanced, toxins are produced in the body. These toxins get accumulated in the weaker part of body and cause blockage. In obesity, these toxins gets accumulated in the Medovahi Srotas (fat passage) that leads to increase in the production of medha dahtus (fat tissues) which directly increases the body weight.

Natural Treatment for Weight Loss

Obesity is one of the biggest problem that affects everyone from children to senior citizens. It can be managed with the natural ways like herbal medicines, exercise and diet. Ayurveda provides natural treatment for many problems like obesity without any side effects. As per Ayurveda, treatment starts with balance of all three doshas in body- vata, pitta and kapha which is the main cause of many disease. It can be done with the help of diet, herbal medicines that help to pacify the aggravated doshas. It mainly focuses on the cleansing of medovahi channels that helps to reduce the weight. There are numerous herbs present in nature that helps to lose weight in natural way such as garcinia, myrobalans, mustak etc.

Natural Treatment for Obesity by Planet Ayurveda

Planet Ayurveda provides natural supplements for weight loss which are purely herbal in nature. There are different herbal formulations offered by Planet Ayurveda which is obtained from pure herbs.

Herbs in combination give best results. These products are present in the form of pack named Thinner You Pack.

This pack contains:

1. Trim Support capsules
2. Garcinia capsules
3. Guggul capsules
4. Stholyantaka churna

THINNER YOU PACK

These products are explained in detail below:

1. Trim Supoort

This is effective herbal product of Planet Ayurveda for natural weight loss. People who are suffering from obesity, these capsules help a lot. It helps to burn the extra body fat. It helps to increase the fat metabolism and it helps to reduce the weight in a natural and healthy way. These capsules are obtained from the combination of various herbs which are discussed below:

• Vrikshamla (Garcinia cambogia) - It is found in the western regions of India. It is used in obesity from ancient time. It helps to control the appetite and prevents obesity. It also controls the fat deposition in the body tissues. So it helps to reduce the weight.
• Mustak (Cyperus rotundus) - It is one of the best herb for the digestive complications. It helps to reduce the fat deposition in the body tissues.
• Myrobalans or Triphala - It contains blends of dried fruits of Terminalia chebula (haritaki), Terminalia belerica (baheda) and Emblica officinalis (amla) in equal proportions. It is good natural remedy for metabolism, digestion and absorption. It also increases the fat metabolism of body.

Dosage - One tablet two times in a day with plain water after half an hour of meals.

2. Garcinia Capsules

Garcinia capsules is one of the wonderful natural remedy for obesity. These capsules are prepared from the pure extract of natural herb Garcinia cambogia. It is commonly known as gamboge. These capsules are 100% pure and free from any side effects. These capsules are helpful to maintain the healthy metabolism of body. It is fat burning agent and it also has anti-oxidant property.

Dosage - Two capsules, two times in a day with plain water after half an hour of meals.

3. Guggul Capsules

It is another wonderful herbal formulation of Planet Ayurveda for obesity. These capsules are prepared from the pure extracts of herb Commiphora mukul. This herbal product is beneficial to reduce the body weight in men and women both. It is best remedy for weight loss.

Dosage - One capsule, two times in a day with plain water after half an hour of meals.

4. Stholyantaka Churna

It is herbal powder formulation of Planet Ayurveda which is prepared from blend of different herbs which are given below:

Main ingredients of Stholyantak Churna:

• Mustak (Cyprus rotundus) - It is one of the best herb used in various digestive disorders. It also helps to reduce deposited fat in the body.
• Babool (Acacia Arabica) - It is very useful in treating various problems like cancers, liver problems, obesity. It helps to relieve obesity by suppressing appetite.
• Ashok (Saraca indica) - It helps to pacifying kapha doshas in the body which is the main cause of obesity.
• Tripahala (Myrobalans) - It is blend of dried fruits of haritaki(Terminalia chebula), baheda(Terminalia belerica) and amla(Emblica officinalis) in equal proportions. It is good natural remedy for metabolism, digestion and absorption and it also helps to increase the fat metabolism of body.
• Jamun (Syzigium cumini) - It is effective in treatment of obesity by controlling hunger.
• Vidang (Embelia ribes) - It is wonderful herb to treat obesity and removes excess fat and controls formation of new fat in the body. It helps to make body slim.
• Chitrak (Plumbago zeylanica) - It is useful in various digestive disorders like indigestion, loss of appetite, liver problems, worms, colitis.
• Sonth (Zingiber officinale) - It increases the metabolic rate of body that helps to burn the excess calories in body and removes extra fat from the body. So it is useful in obesity.

Benefits - These herbs have great medicinal properties. It is effective for the treatment of obesity. It helps to balance the three energies - vata, pitta and kapha in the body. It helps to enhance the fat metabolism and thus helps in the reduction of body weight. It reduces the fat deposition in the body by increasing the metabolism rate.

Dosage - 1 teaspoonful, two times in a day with plain water after meals. Decoction can also be prepared by mixing 1 teaspoonful of powder in glass of water and boiling is done until it get reduced to ¼ quantity.

Diet & Lifestyle

Obesity can be managed with the help of herbal medicines and diet. One can manage their weight with the help of some changes in daily routine which are given below:

• By eating many fruits and vegetables in place of fast food and junk food, people could avoid obesity.
• Take diet rich in antioxidants.
• Avoid intake of oily and fried foods, fatty foods like cheese, butter, cream, chocolate, cream etc.
• Increase intake of water.
• Increase physical activity like exercise, yoga, walking.