Ayurveda For Weight Loss
The article, Ayurveda for weight loss, makes you clear on what is weight loss, the concept of dhatus in Ayurveda, signs of weight loss, causes, symptoms, complications, management, drugs use and other yogic approaches.
In Ayurveda, eight types of people with following features are considered as despicable.
- excessive tallness
- dwarf
- excessively obese
- excessively underweight
- excessively body hair
- absence of body hair
- extremely fair
- extremely dark (no intention of discrimination)
Weight loss
Emaciation is the condition of weight loss. It is called as Krishata in Ayurveda. Emaciation, itself is rarely a disease, but can refer to the important symptoms of other various diseases. Weight loss is one of the effects of malnutrition. First of all, we need to go through the concept of dhatus in Ayurveda for weight loss.
Concept of Dhatus in Ayurveda
Dhatu can be referred as the structural basis of our body. They are seven in number. They are Rasa (body fluids, lymph), Rakta (blood), Mamsa (muscles), Meda (body fat, adipose tissues), Asthi (bony structures), Majja (bone marrow) and Shukra (sperm and ovum).
Rasa dhatu is the primary one which is nourished from the food we intake. Then the other dhatus are subsequently formed from the previous one. If the Rasa dhatu is not formed properly, it will obviously reduce the formation of other dhatus and weight loss occurs.
Signs of weight loss
The definition in Ayurveda for weight loss includes the specific signs as follows:
- thinning of the muscles of the neck, abdomen and buttock region
- prominence of veins on the body surface
- the joints are seen enlarged
Causes
The broad concept in Ayurveda for weight loss includes the causes, its pathogenesis, signs and symptoms and the proper way of management. Among these, the causes of the disease are given more priority.
There is main role of the Vata dosha in causing Krishata (weight loss). So, the causes that vitiate Vata dosha are main responsible for it.
- Dietary causes
- excessive intake of dry food items
- fasting
- intake of less amount of diet
- excessive intake of astringent tastes
- no intake of balanced diet
- Habitary causes
- suppression of the natural urges
- improper sleep at night
- excessive indulgence in sexual activities
- excessive physical exertion
- suppression of hunger and thirst
- old age
- getting diseases at regular intervals
- improper use of detoxification techniques
- Psychological causes
- sadness
- fear
- anger
- grief
- Other causes
- malnutrition
- gastro intestinal diseases
- marasmus
- addison’s disease
- tuberculosis
- anorexia nervosa
- cancer
- diabetes
- suppuration
- hyperthyroidism
- chronic diarrhea
- stricture of oesophagus
- pyloric obstruction
- parasites infection
- loss of sleep
- exopthalmic goiter
- starvation
- AIDS
Symptoms
- thinning of the muscles of the neck, abdomen and buttock region
- prominence of the veins
- enlargement of the joints
- no interest in exercise and food
- laziness
- intolerance to hot and cold
- decreased stamina
- more prone to Vataja diseases
Complications
- Spleenomegaly
- Respiratory disorders
- Tuberculosis
- Dyspnoea
- Tumor
- Haemorrhoids
- GI diseases
- IBS
Management principles
- Avoid the causes
- Mild detoxification
- Use of drugs
- Yogic approach
Avoid the causes
The main treatment principle in Ayurveda for weight loss and every other disease is the avoidance of the causes (nidana parivarjanam).
Detoxification
- Oleation (external and internal)
- Vasti (enema therapy)
- Nasya (nasal enema / irrigation)
Use of drugs
- Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera)
- Shatavari (Asparagus racemosus)
- Amalaki (Phyllanthus emblica)
- Pippali (Piper longum)
- Bala (Sida cordifolia)
- Yastimadhu (Glycyrrhiza glabra)
- Kushmanda (Benincasa hispida)
- Milk
- Ghee
Oils / Ghee
- Ashwangandha oil
- Maha narayan oil
- Bala oil
- Triphala ghee
- Ashwagandha ghee
Others
- Chyawanapraasha
Yogic approach
- Pranayama
- Shavasana (Corpse pose)
- Sukhasana (Easy pose)
- Vajrasana (Diamond pose)
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