Obesity

Obesity is technically defined as having a body weight in excess of 10% of the recommended weight for height. In practice though, being obese depends on the accepted cultural standards. People in the West are generally far more sensitive socially, as compared to the orient.

Obesity has assumed epidemic proportions in the developed nations. Enormous amount of money is being put to find methods to stay thin. Ayurveda cautions us that attempts to stay artificially thin may be unhealthy and may aggravate vata dosha. According to ayurveda people with a kapha constitution are more likely to gain weight as compared to pitta people and predominantly vata people are the least likely to gain weight. So efforts at reducing body weight must take into consideration a persons constitution also.

Causes:
Overeating, heavy food, cold food, excessive sleep, sleeping in the day and hormonal imbalances. Ayurveda believes that excess body weight is due to a weak digestive fire or the ‘agni'.

Remedies:
The main thrust is to improve the digestive fire with the use of appropriate herbs combined with the correct lifestyle.

Fasting is considered beneficial but care must be taken to avoid fruit juices during the fast. Vegetable juices and herbal teas should instead be taken.

Mild laxatives like Triphala (3-5 gm at bed time) or Aloe gel can be used.
1 gm. of Guggul with ginger and honey taken three times a day is good.
½ gm of Shilajeet with ginger and honey can also be taken three times a day.
Trikatu powder which is made with black pepper, long pepper and dry ginger is also very good for improving the digestive fire.
Hot spices like cayenne, black pepper, ginger and garlic should be used in cooking.

Avoid fried and heavy foods.
Try to eat warm and freshly cooked meals.
Avoid sleeping in the day.