Not only is
being overweight
a matter of
social ridicule,
but it is also a
very dangerous
proposition
health-wise.
Obesity is an
open invitation
for six of the
most terrible
diseases known
to man ?
diabetes,
atherosclerosis,
cardiovascular
problems,
paralysis,
gangrene and
heart attacks.
Hence obesity
may not itself
be a disease,
but it could
definitely be a
life-threatening
condition.
In Ayurveda,
obesity is known
as Medo Roga.
It is simply
defined as the
condition in
which excessive
amount of fat is
accumulated in
the body. There
are two main
reasons for this
abnormal
deposition of
fat ? (i)
excessive fat
intake through
the diet and
(ii) some
metabolic
problem which
does not allow
the proper
utilization of
fat in the body.
Ayurveda holds
agni, or the
digestive fire,
responsible for
obesity. When
the agni is
vitiated, then
the ama (toxic
substances) is
built up in the
body, leading to
obesity.
The fat
accumulated in
the body could
lead to a
deposition of
cholesterol in
the arteries and
the veins of the
body. This
is where most of
the problems
begin. The
collection of
the cholesterol
can reduce the
diameters of the
blood vessels
leading to a
decreased blood
flow into
various
important organs
of the body,
including the
heart.
(1)
Useful Herbs in
the Treatment of
Obesity
1. Guduchi
(Tinospora
cordifolia)
Guduchi is an
indigenous
Indian herb
which is not
very well-known
out of India. It
is a commonly
prescribed herb
in Ayurveda for
the condition of
obesity. It
helps in the
proper
canalization of
fats in the body
and thus reduces
obesity.
2. Guggulu
(Commiphora
wightii)
A great deal of
research has
been done on the
guggulu plant in
recent times.
The
guggulsterone
present in it is
an alkaloid that
has been found
to be especially
effective in
heart ailments.
Among its myriad
other benefits,
one is the
reduction of fat
accumulation in
the body, giving
people a leaner
physique.
Guggulu is the
Ayurvedic drug
of choice for
obesity.