The Ayurvedic system of medicine and self-care treats disease by restoring balance to the body's energies, or doshas, with a combination of diet and lifestyle changes and herbal remedies. Ayurvedic practitioners believe that excessive weight gain is caused by such an imbalance and treat it with herbal medicines and dosha-specific exercise and dietary recommendations.
Ayurvedic Doshas
According to the Ayurvedic system, disease is caused by imbalances between the three types of physical energy, or doshas. Each of the doshas -- vata, pitta and kapha -- is present in varying degrees in each of us, though usually one is dominant. Vata is the energy of creativity, intellect and spirituality. In the physical system, it is responsible for circulation and heartbeat. Vata types are physically thin and fine-boned with dry hair and skin. Pitta forces regulate digestion and elimination, including liver function, and pitta types are characterized by their sensitive skin and hot tempers. Kapha energy controls growth, moisture and the immune system. Kapha types tend to gain weight easily, have oily skin, abundant hair and calm, loving personalities.
Imbalances Leading to Weight Gain
An excess of or imbalance in the kapha system can cause weight problems. While kapha-dominant people are more prone to this problem, pitta types may also suffer from weight gain due to poor digestion. When out of balance, normally thin vata types may gain weight by eating too many kapha-dominant, sweet, oily foods. Weight gain can also be caused by a buildup of ama, or toxins, in the body. Ayurvedic practitioners will often first address the cause of the ama, such as poor diet, bad habits or emotional problems, and then work on clearing it from the body with cleansing herbal remedies like turmeric, trikatu, triphala and barberry.
Ayurvedic Herbal Treatments for Weight Loss
The Interdisciplinary School of Ayurvedic Medicine conducted a study on the efficacy of Ayurvedic herbal weight-loss supplements, published in the "Journal of Ethnophramacology" in 1990. This double-blind, placebo-controlled study treated 70 overweight people with the herbal blends triphala, gokshurandi guggul, sinhanad guggul and chandraprabhavati. Participants followed a moderate exercise program, but no dietary restrictions. Over three months, the groups treated with the herbal medicines had lost significantly more weight than the placebo group, who received similar instructions regarding exercise. Waist circumference, cholesterol and triglyceride levels also dropped.
Ayurvedic Approach to Weight Loss
An Ayurvedic practitioner can diagnose the cause of your weight gain and prescribe specific weight-loss foods, herbs and practices. However, most people trying to lose weight will benefit from eating foods that stimulate digestion, like ginger, papaya, pineapple, bitter greens and bitter melon. Exercise recommendations depend on one's dominant dosha as well. Vata types should stick to yoga, tai chi, walking and light work with weights for their more sensitive constitutions. Pitta types will benefit from vigorous walks and runs outdoors, or competitive games. Kapha types need more vigorous exercise because of their tendency to become overweight. Running, long hikes and swimming will help keep their kapha energies in balance.
References
- AyurBalance; Ayurvedic Guide to Wellness: What Is My Dosha?; 2005
- University of Maryland Medical Center; Ayurveda; Stephen Ehrlich; 2009
- Pacific College of Oriental Medicine; Weight Control, Ayurveda, TCM and Stress; Steve Goodman; 2009
- HolisticOnline.com: Ayurvedic Remedies for Obesity
- "Journal of Ethnopharmacology"; Ayurvedic Treatment for Obesity; Prakash Paranjpe; 1990
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