Obesity and being overweight is one of the most emerging lifestyle disorders around the globe. Also, it contributes to many other chronic disorders such as Diabetes, Hypertension, Ischemic Heart Disease, Arthritis and more.
In Ayurveda, obesity or being overweight is described as ‘Atisthaulya’ which occurs due to the accumulation of excess of fat tissue in the body. Indigestion due to disturbed digestive strength can also lead to the accumulation of toxins in the body leading to weight gain.
Women often undergo various hormonal changes during their lives through events such as pregnancy, childbirth, menopause, etc. and thus they often suffer with weight issues. Ayurveda has described various methods and techniques that can be used to detoxify your body and lose weight. Some of them are described here.
Ayurvedic Detoxification
Ayurveda is famous for its cleansing and purification techniques known as ‘Panchakarma’ or Five-fold detox. ‘Panch’ means five and ‘Karma’ means actions, thus Panchakarma describes five actions that we can use to purify our body, mind and spirit.
Ayurveda says that ‘Ama’ (undigested food) and corruption of the Kapha dosha is one of the major reasons behind weight gain. Thus, it is very important to expel excess Ama and corrupted Kapha dosha from your body to lose weight. Panchakarma allows us to expel such blemished Doshas and toxins from our bodies through various techniques and methods. The choice of the type of Panchakarma treatment for each individual differs according to their body constitution and body ailment, but can include enema programs that induce therapeutic diarrhea as well as vamana (vomiting) protocols.
Ayurvedic Scrubbing & Dry Brushing
‘Udvartana’ or Scrubbing Therapy in Ayurveda is done by massaging the dry powder of various medicinal herbs over the body in a rhythmic manner. It contains various herbal powders that melt excess fat and stimulate nerves. Generally, the agents used in the scrubbing therapy are of hot potency, so can work against the cold nature of Kapha dosha and can eliminate it easily.
After scrubbing the body with the herbs, it is exposed to hot and mild steam that opens the skin pores and helps in draining the Kapha dosha and toxins out of the body. Udvartan can also help in decreasing the Cellulite over the fatty areas and can help you to attain clear skin and complexion.
Dry Brushing or ‘Garshana’ is also another type of Ayurvedic weight loss technique that involves brushing the body with a brush. It also helps in melting excess fat tissues. Apart from weight loss, Udvartan and Garshan can have other health benefits as well such as good skin complexion, relaxation of body, removal of vein blockages, elimination of Kapha dosha etc.
Juice Therapy
You can also do a juice cleanse to eliminate the toxins out of the body. Consuming low fat and fibrous juices can help you to lose weight while providing you with enough calories throughout the day. Also, according to Ayurveda, consuming juices that have hot potency, bitter and astringent taste can help in burning excess body fat. However, you should consume juices according to your unique body constitution.
Some of the low-calorie juices that can be consumed to lose weight are Amla Juice, Beet Juice, Celery Juice, Carrot Juice and Lemon-Ginger Juice. These juices stimulate your metabolism and also help in cleaning the gut microbiota. However, you must take care while choosing a suitable Juice plan for your constitution. For instance, people with Pitta Dosha dominant body constitution must avoid consuming carrot juices in large quantities.
Before committing to a specific path, you should seek advice from an Ayurvedic expert to select a suitable juice plan for you.
Personalized Fasting Program
Typically, your digestive system works 24×7 to digest and absorb nutrients from the food you are eating. Sometimes, it needs some rest too. Fasting for a specific duration can help your digestive system to replenish its efficiency.
During fasting, your body tries to eliminate the remnants of undigested food that has been present in your intestine for a prolonged period. It opens up the veins and capillaries that are clogged due to toxins. It can be done in different ways according to your constitution (Prakriti). It is advisable to eat fruits and easily digestible foods during fasting. You should practice fasting according to your capacity and strength.
Intermittent fasting is another way to keep our digestive system in balance. Again, if an Ayurvedic path is being considered, do consult an Ayurveda expert to plan a good fasting plan and schedule that suits your body constitution and strength.
In Closing
Ayurveda has much to offer to help you lose weight, in harmony with mother nature, and keep it off by following some basic lifestyle principles. Here at Ayutherapy, we offer naturally derived weight loss solutions, including the ones detailed in this article, that can bring numerous added benefits way beyond just weight loss. Feel free to schedule a free 20 minute consultation to learn if Ayurveda could help you.