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.