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