Ayurvedic Treatment for Cellulite

Ayurvedic Treatment for Cellulite
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Ayurvedic medicine might by a completely foreign concept for you, but it has actually been around for thousands of years. This ancient Indian medicine is used as an alternative therapy to treat various medical conditions that can include sexual health, emotional health and physical health. Using natural herbs and lifestyle modifications, ayurvedic medicine has an approach for treating cellulite.

Features

Ayurvedic medicine is an Indian medical practice that is used in modern medicine as an alternative therapy. According to the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine, the word ayurvedic means life and knowledge. This form of treatment is intended to balance the mind, body and spirit to treat and prevent illnesses. Ayurvedic medicine emphasizes holistic healing through massage, herbs, dietary changes, oils, minerals and behavioral changes.

Identification

Cellulite looks like small valleys and hills on the skin and most commonly forms on the buttocks, legs, arms and stomach. Your skin is held to underlying structures by connective tissue cords that separate fat cells into compartments. According to the American Council on Exercise, men have crisscross and horizontal compartment and women have honeycomb compartments in their connective tissue, which makes it easier for fat to protrude. When fat cells accumulate, they push upward against the connective tissue and form the dimpled skin you know as cellulite.

Herbal Treatment

Ayurvedic treatment focuses on using herbal remedies that can be digested or applied to cellulite. Ayurveda Herbal Remedy says gotu kola, dandelion, milk thistle, parsley, iodine and ginger are effective for flushing out toxins, improving circulation and repairing cells. These herbs can be eaten or added to hot water to make tea. Gotu Kola is used only as a paste that you apply directly to your cellulite. According to Ayurved Health Care, you can remove cellulite by applying vitamin K directly to the affected areas.

Diet

Another component of ayurvedic treatment involves dietary changes. A diet that is high in fat from fried foods is known as a kapha diet. Ayuerved Health Care says this type of diet causes cellulite and may lead to obesity. The goal is to eat a kapha decreasing diet. You should avoid olive oil, cheese, butter, fried foods, cold food, cold drinks and sweets.

Exercise

Daily exercise helps to reduce excess body fat while also strengthening your muscle tissue. This approach is used in Ayurvedic medicine and is also supported by the American Council on Exercise. Cardio or aerobic exercise enables your body to burn calories, which can lead to fat loss. Strength training exercises, such as push-ups, squats and lunges help maintain your muscle mass while forming new muscle tissue. Ayurveda Herbal Remedy also recommends the dandayamana dhanurasana, ardha chandrasana, utkatasana and salabhasana yoga poses.

Massage

Ayurvedic massage uses herbal oils, powders and gloves to reduce cellulite. According to Ayurveda Herbal Remedy, gharsana and udvartana are two distinct types of massages. Gharsana is performed with silk gloves to improve circulation and break up fat deposits. Udvartana uses an herbal mixture that can include almond oil with various powders to enhance the skin's texture and reduce cellulite.

References

Article reviewed by JPC Last updated on: Jun 14, 2011

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