Weight Loss with Ayurveda

Ayurvedic Medicine for Weight Loss

As per the figures released by WHO, there are over 300 million obese or overweight adults worldwide. Obesity has become a chronic disease today. Not only this, but the cases of childhood obesity being reported are also increasing at an alarming rate.

Cause of Obesity or Weight Gain 

The main causes of obesity are the lack of physical activity and the intake of foods rich in saturated fats and sugars. What’s more alarming news for obese people is that they become more susceptible to high blood pressure, insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes, coronary artery disease (heart attacks), cerebrovascular disease (stroke), gout, gallstones, colon cancer, sleep apnea, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, arthritis, anxiety, depression, etc.

In Ayurvedic texts, the cause of obesity is attributed to genetic and environmental factors. As far as environmental factors are concerned, diet plays an important role. Medha Dhatu (Fatty Tissue) is an element that causes obesity. When a diet rich in medha dhatu is consumed, it alters the fat metabolism in the body, & causes obesity. Some food items which cause increased production of Medha Dhatu include yoghurt and other milk products, fatty foods, etc.

Herbal and Natural Weight Loss Program in Ayurveda

The ayurvedic treatment includes Langhana Therapy as the herbal weight loss program in Melbourne, which means the body needs the therapies or herbal powder, which reduces the body mass index. Reducing body mass index and decreasing excess fats from the body is called Langhana Therapy in Ayurveda.

It helps include body detoxifications with anti-obesity herbs, improving body fat metabolism using specific ayurvedic medicines, and maintaining the natural mechanism of fat metabolism to prevent weight gain in the future.

A research paper presented by C. V. Chandrasekaran et al. mentions that Ayurveda’s priority is preserving and promoting health and treating various diseases. Obesity, or Medoroga, is one of the eight unwanted constitutions in the body. Natural products which are a concoction of herbs like Babbula (Acacia arabica), Guggulu (Commiphora myrrha), Jeeraka (Cumin cyminum), Chitraka (Plumbago europaea), Black Pepper (Piper nigrum) and many others have been used traditionally in Ayurveda for weight management. These products under clinical trials have also shown an effect in weight reduction and lipid levels, decrease in waist and hip circumference and BMI in all tested subjects.

Ayurvedic Herbal Remedies and Natural Medicine are used traditionally For Weight Loss

Many herbs may help fight obesity along with diet and lifestyle modification. Some of these herbs used since ancient times include Babbula (Acacia catechu), Narikela (Cocos nucifera), Guggulu (Commiphora myrrha), Jeeraka (Cuminum cyminum), Chitraka (Plumbago europaea), black pepper, etc.

Babbula (Acacia arabika) :

Babula is used in ayurvedic medicines to reduce kapha humour. Excess kapha is a cause of obesity. Babula has an astringent action and reduces fats, so it is beneficial for lowering body weight.

Kadamba (Anthocephalus cadamba) :

Kadam barks are bitter, acrid, astringent and anti-inflammatory. It is used in reducing inflammation, improving digestion, removing gas from the intestines and as a tonic. It also helps to reduce fats and prevents arthritic problems.

Guggulu (Commiphora wightii) :

Guggulu is a gum resin of the Commiphora mukul tree. It treats osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, gout, fibromyalgia and other inflammatory diseases. It is also helpful in obesity because of the presence of guggulipids. These alkaloids help in reducing body weight and improve metabolism in the body.

Jeeraka (Cuminum cyminum) :

Jeeraka improves taste, digestion, body strength and food absorption. It treats diarrhea, indigestion, malabsorption syndrome, fever, acidity, gas, low eyesight, recurrent infections, etc. It also works well in obesity. The main reason behind the beneficial effects of jeeraka in obesity is its property to metabolize and burn fats properly, so it prevents fat accumulation in the body and helps avert regain of body weight.

Chitraka (Plumbago zeylanica) :

Chitraka is acrid, hot, anti-cholesterol, appetizer and digestive. Due to these properties, it is useful in malabsorption syndrome, irritable bowel syndrome, high cholesterol levels, atherosclerosis, piles, skin diseases and obesity.

Black pepper (Piper nigrum) :

Black pepper is also used as culinary herbs in Indian kitchens. It has properties such as appetizer, digestive, carminative and anti-obesity. The black pepper helps with respiratory diseases, the common cold, indigestion, muscular strains, diarrhea, constipation and obesity. It helps to burn off the fats from the body. Thus, it helps in shedding off excess fats.

Natural Weight Loss or Obesity Remedies in Ayurveda

The following Ayurvedic natural therapies are used by Ayurvedic doctors of Pure Herbal Ayurved Clinic in Melbourne to help reduce excess weight.

Udwartana (Herbal powder Massage) :

Udwartana is also referred to as a herbal powder massage; it helps to burn fat. This full-body massage is performed using a combination of traditional herbal powder and herbal oils. The herbal powder mix has to be deeply massaged into the skin with specific movements to be effective. It aims to reduce cellulite and tone the muscles.

Herbal Steam Bath :

Herbal steam bath has also been used traditionally as an effective weight loss treatment in Ayurveda. It also helps in balancing the Vata and Kapha Dosha. In this process, the body is enclosed in a chamber and exposed to steam produced from ayurvedic medicinal herbs.

Virechana (Medical Purgation) :

It is also known as medicated purgation; the individual is fed a concoction of herbal purgatives, which helps clean the body. This therapy is strictly done under the close supervision of an Ayurvedic doctor. Please do not try this without consultation.

Basti or Vasthi (Medicated Enema) :

It is also known as a medicated enema; this treatment helps clean the lower alimentary canal. It also helps in clearing the ayurvedic brothas and channels in the body, aiming the body to absorb important nutrients properly.

Yoga For Weight Loss 

Yoga helps in obesity by lowering fat deposition and improving metabolism to burn the accumulated fats. In addition, yoga helps reduce emotional eating, stress and anxiety related to obesity by having better control of the senses. Regular practice can also prevent obese people from obesity complications such as heart diseases, joint disorders, elevated lipid profile, etc.

The helpful yoga poses include Tadasana (Triangle Pose), Pawanmuktasana (Wind-Relieving Pose), Uttanpadasana (leg raised posture), Bhujang Asana (Cobra Pose), Sarp Asana (Snake Pose), Shalabh Asana (Grasshopper Pose), Markatasana (Monkey pose) and Vajra Asana (Diamond Pose). 

Weight Loss Diet Plan

• Ayurveda Experts recommend eating only three times a day & snacking should be avoided where possible.
• A heavy meal should be reserved for lunchtime, while the breakfast and dinner should be light.
• Eat only when hungry and after the previous meal has been properly digested.
• A sedentary lifestyle should be avoided. Indulge in physical activities like jogging, swimming, brisk walking, etc., regularly.
• Emotional eating can be dangerous and harmful.
• Avoid foods rich in sugar and saturated fats, eventually leading to obesity.
• Practice yoga and exercise regularly.
• Eat a diet rich in fresh fruits and green vegetables.
• Follow a diet plan suited to your body type.

Contact the highly experienced and qualified Ayurveda doctors at Pure Herbal Ayurved Clinic in Melbourne, Australia, to determine your natural weight loss treatment.

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References:

1. C. V. Chandrasekaran et al.: Review Article: Herbal Approach for Obesity Management. American Journal of Plant Sciences, 2012, 3, 1003-1014. doi:10.4236/ajps.2012.327119

Published Online July 2012 (https://www.SciRP.org/journal/ajps)

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/236871903_Review_Article_Herbal_Approach_for_Obesity_Management

2. Dr. Mariam Arsiwala et al.: Unveiling the Approach of Obesity in Ayurveda. International Ayurvedic medical Journal {online} 2016 {cited 2016 July}

 https://www.iamj.in/posts/images/upload/3173_3179.pdf

If you wish to consult Ayurveda, you may contact one of our Ayurveda Practitioners, Gurnam Saini or Pooja Saini, in Melbourne. Both of our Practitioners are Qualified Ayurveda Doctors from India. You may contact us at "Pure Herbal Ayurved Clinic". People who can't reach us personally may choose online Ayurveda consultation.