Nowadays, diseases due to over nourishment are on the surge. Eventhough we are happy to see the Santa clause and the laughing Buddha with their protruding bellies, nobody wishes to have tummies like them personally. Even then, a large number of people are under the pressure of excess abdominal fat. It is true that our present day sedentary lifestyle and unhealthy habits have contributed to this scenario. It can affect almost any age group and gender. The main culprit behind this is obesity. When we start moving towards obesity, the excess fat gets deposited in the abdomen at first and gets removed at last only despite of exercise and diet. Apart from general obesity, certain other factors like any underlying disease conditions of hypothyroidism, PCOS, abdominal tumors, cancers etc. can also result in pot belly. Hormonal imbalances and genetic factors may also lead to the accumulation of fat in the body. In Ayurveda, each of these conditions are addressed separately and effectively. Let us see, in general, what Ayurveda has to say about reducing belly fat.
According to Ayurveda, like any other disease, the first step towards an effective shedding of those extra pounds is 'Nidana parivarjana' (abstain from the causative factors) itself. This involves control over excess sleep, junk food, over food intake, inappropriate postures in sitting, standing and lying, sedentary lifestyle etc. This withdrawal should be gradual and not all of a sudden. Along with these, intake of certain Ayurvedic formulations, external applications and suitable Panchakarma therapies are advised in a customised manner for each individual.
Since many a times pot belly is associated with obesity, Ayurveda mainly applies sthoulya chikitsa (obesity treatment) for it which includes reduction therapies like deepana (carminatives), pachana (digestives), fasting, enduring thirst, exercises, sun basking and exposure to wind. The procedures are based on various criteria like strength of the individual, age, digestive capacity, constitution, season etc.
In Ayurveda, treatment for abdominal fat or pot belly aims mainly at reducing the medas (fat) and kapha dosha. Alongside this, such people may also have ‘srotorodha’ (blockage in their body channels) and ‘dhathukshaya’ (reduction in body tissues). These factors are also given prime importance while selecting the treatment procedures. For internal use, mainly those herbs possessing medohara (fat removing), lekhana (scraping) and kaphahara (kapha dosha pacifying) properties are generally used. Drugs with predominating bitter taste, hot potency and which are light and dry in nature are used for obtaining the hypo-lipidemic action. Herbs like Guggulu (Commiphora mukul), Triphala (Myrobalans), Trikatu (Piper longum, Piper nigrum and Zingiber officinale), Vidanga (Embelia ribes), Chitraka (Plumbago Zeylanica), Haridra (Curcuma longa) etc has got profound influence in weight reduction.
The procedure of ‘Udwarthana’ (powder massage) is worth mentioning here in this context. ‘Udwarthanamkaphaharammedasahapravilayanam’ which implies that Udwarthana has got both kaphahara and medohara action which are essential in cases of protruded belly and obesity. It has been included under Dinacharya (daily regimen) which can be practiced regularly. This powder massage is done all over the body in upward direction and can be done either dry (without adding lipids) or wet (by adding lipids). Triphala powder, kottamchukkadi powder, kolakulathadi powder and many more are used for this purpose.
Hanging belly can also be a cause of concern in the post-partum period. For this, ‘Udaravestana’ (abdominal binding with tight cloth) for 3-4 hours daily and certain exercises are recommended along with other post-natal care procedures. It helps in strengthening the lower back and abdomen.
Ayurveda advises to involve more of pungent, bitter and acrid tasting food in daily regimen to cut off excess fat and that too in limited quantity. Food items like ash gourd, bitter gourd, barley, green gram, horse gram, millets, whey, buttermilk, honey with water etc would be more beneficial in reducing unwanted fat. Alongside this, yoga practices, swimming, cycling, jogging or atleast simple walking should be made a part of life.
HERBAL REMEDIES FOR LOSING BELLY FAT FROM PLANET AYURVEDA
Planet Ayurveda introduces the 'THINNER YOU PACK' for reducing the excess body fat which contains herbal supplements like:
- Trim Support Capsules
- Stholyantak Churna
- Garcinia Capsules
- Guggul Capsules
Thinner You Pack
1. Trim Support Capsules
Trim support capsules are the herbal formulation from Planet Ayurveda which is efficacious in weight loss. It is made of ingredients like Vrikshamla (Cascina indica), Musta (Cyperus rotundus) and Triphala (Myrobalans). It helps in eliminating the toxins from the body. Triphala is a good anti-oxidant and balances the tridoshas. It cleanses the colon and helps in body weight reduction and belly fat. These capsules help in burning the body fat without any side effects. It corrects the metabolism and reduces body weight. Moreover, it improves the bone strength which is much required in obese people as there are chances for low bone density. It reduces abdominal fat as well as increases bone mineral density.
Dosage- 1 capsule twice daily with plain water after meals.
2. Stholyantak Churna
Planet Ayurveda brings the Stholyantak churna which provides best result against obesity including pot belly. It is a combination of herbs like musta (Cyperus rotundus), Balbach (Iris ensata), Ashoka (Saraca indica), Triphala (Myrobalans), Arjuna (Terminalion arjuna), Jamun (Syzigium cumini), Vidanga (Embelia ribes), Kalmegh (Andrographis paniculata), Dalchini (Cinnamomum zeylanica), Chirabilwa (Haloptela integrifolia), Babool (Acacia arabica), Chitraka (Plumbago zeylanica), and Sonth (Zingiber officinalis). These herbs help in weight reduction and abdominal fat loss by providing a rejuvinative effect. It scraps off the excess fat by activating the metabolism and without any side effect.
Dosage- 1 teaspoon twice daily with plain water after meals or in the form of decoction.
3. Garcinia Capsules
Garcinia capsules are prepared by Planet Ayurveda with the view of burning fat in obesity. It is extracted from the fruit rind of Vrikshamla (Garcinia cambogia). It improves the digestive strength and is good for pacifying kapha and vata dosha and is a cardiac tonic too. Since it is also very useful in bloating and flatulence, abdominal distension due to these can be combated through its consumption.
Dosage- 2 capsules twice daily with plain water after meals.
4. Guggul Capsules
The Guggul capsules from Planet Ayurveda are made from the standardized extract of Guggulu (Commiphora mukul). Excess fat can make the bones and muscles weak. It helps in strengthening the musculo-skeletal system which is essential in conditions like obesity and abdominal fat. Moreover its rejuvenating in nature. It improves the overall strength even after fat reduction. It clears the body channels and possesses scraping properties. Charaka Samhita mentions Guggulu as the best herb for obesity and vata dosha balance.
Dosage- 1 capsule twice daily with plain water after meals.
CONCLUSION
Ayurveda emphasize on the view that emaciation is better than obesity as the treatment is difficult in the latter case. So prevention would be the best option, if possible. The main focus in Ayurveda is on warding off the extra fat without disturbing any other bodily mechanisms. Rather it provides an overall energy and enthusiasm along with fat removal.