Weight loss is a tricky journey. Sometimes you find yourself sticking to your daily routine and exercise regimen, but sometimes you slip up and eat unhealthy or don’t workout for days on end. Hence, wouldn’t it be nice to have a little help from nature while you are at it? Join us while we discuss some popular Ayurvedic medicines for weight loss!
Determine your Dosha for Ayurvedic Weight Loss
Ayurvedic philosophy functions according to the Tridosha philosophy. The human body is made up of 3 Doshas, namely, Vata, Kapha and Pitta. If these three doshas are balanced, an individual is leading a healthy life. A disbalance of these doshas leads to health problems such as weight loss.
But how can you determine your dosha?
Trusting in an Ayurvedic practitioner to determine which dosha is dominant in you is an excellent idea. Ayurvedic professionals are licensed, regulated and accessible in all regions of India.
Eating according to your dosha for effective ayurvedic weight loss
Here are some dietary guidelines for pitta-dominant individuals:
- Refrain from eating nuts and seeds.
- Make sure you eat raw vegetables and salads.
- Limit your intake of meat, eggs and seafood.
- Consume lentils and legumes moderately.
- Consume dairy products that have been sweetened.
Here are some dietary guidelines for Vata-dominant individuals:
- Make sure you eat 3-4 small meals daily about two hours apart.
- Eat lots of cooked vegetables.
- Avoid eggplant, peppers and tomatoes.
- Refrain from eating extremely raw or cold foods.
- Eat different types of nuts and seeds.
Here are some dietary guidelines for Kapha-dominant individuals:
- Eat in limited proportions.
- Refrain from eating foods that are high in fat and dairy quantity.
- Limit your protein intake.
- Eat astringent foods like peaches, cranberries, apples, and mangoes.
- Eat a high amount of leafy greens.
Ayurvedic Medicine For Weight Loss
Here are some of the Ayurvedic weight-loss medicines that you can use:
Ashokarishta For Weight Loss
Ashokarishta is an Ayurvedic medicine that’s composed of Ashoka bark and 14 other natural ingredients. Kalonji, Dhataki flowers, and ginger comprise some of these natural ingredients. Also known as black cumin, research suggests that Kalonji encourages weight loss in men with obesity. Ashokaristha also detoxifies your body which facilitates weight loss.
How to consume?
Take 10-15 ml of Ashokarishta syrup twice daily post meals. You can take two to three sips of water post consuming it.
Kadha For Weight loss
Another Ayurvedic treatment for weight loss that you can use is this Kadha. It includes spices and Ayurvedic herbs for weight loss that boost your metabolism. The higher your metabolism, the more calories you’ll burn.
That is why it’s essential to focus on your metabolism when trying to lose weight. This Ayurvedic medicine to reduce belly fat has ingredients that will kick start your metabolism.
Ingredients:
- 1/2 teaspoon of Turmeric
- 1/4 teaspoon of Cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon of Black Pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon of Dry Ginger Powder
How to consume?
- Take a glass and put all the ingredients in it.
- Add hot water and consume.
- For best results, take it early in the morning.
Read more: 5 weight loss tips for men with a crazy schedule
Triphaladi Churnam for Weight Loss
Made using Triphala, Triphaladi Churnam is another potent Ayurvedic medicine to lose belly fat. As a traditional herbal preparation, Triphala combines three superfruits. They include Amalaki (Indian Gooseberry), Haritaki (Terminalia Chebula), and Bibhitaki (Terminalia Bellirica).
These fruits flush out toxins and keep your digestive system healthy. As per a 2017 study, Triphala reduced blood glucose levels in individuals with type-2 diabetes.
How to consume?
- Add one tablespoon of Triphaladi Churna to a glass of water.
- Let it soak overnight.
- Drink the mixture first thing in the morning.
Ashwagandha for Weight Loss
Numerous Ayurvedic experts recommend Ashwagandha for weight loss. It is rich in antioxidants, aiding the weight loss process. Ashwagandha helps boost your immune system, redirecting all your body’s energy to the fat-burning process.
How to consume?
- Pluck a bunch of Ashwagandha leaves from the Ashwagandha plant.
- Once you have removed all the dirt and washed them properly, dry these leaves in the sun over the next 3-4 days.
- Once these leaves are dry, grind them into a powder.
- Add ½ a teaspoon of this powder to a cup of warm water or milk.
- Consume this drink twice daily.
- You can also add honey or cardamom to this mixture to help with weight loss and increase metabolism.
Kashayam For Weight Loss
Also known as Varundi Kwath, Kashayam is a herbal medicine that is no less than liquid gold. It is a decoction or water extract of multiple herbs.
To prepare this extract for obesity treatment in Ayurveda, readily available kitchen spices like cinnamon, pepper, garlic, and tulsi, amongst others, are used. Pepper is known to enhance fat metabolism, while ginger possesses anti-obesity properties.
How to consume?
Take 20-40 ml of the decoction before your meals. For best results, take it twice a day. You can also take it as a syrup. Mix 10-20 ml of the syrup in warm water and consume it 30 minutes before lunch.
Ayurvedic Diet For Weight Loss
We’ve compiled some tips and Ayurvedic weight loss secrets that you’ll find exceptionally beneficial.
Exercise
Both allopathic and Ayurvedic doctors believe that exercise is a vital part of your weight loss program. You can play a sport, go for a jog, cycle, or work out at home.
Mindfulness
The stress hormone in your body that’s associated with weight gain is called cortisol. An effective way to combat this hormone is by being mindful in everyday life. Practising meditation can help immensely. Another way is to be mindful even while eating your meals. It allows you to listen to your body and form a sacred bond with it.
Warm water with lemon
Lemon water aids digestion. As a result, it can be excessively beneficial for weight loss. Squeeze half a lemon, add some warm water, and enjoy!
Don’t compromise on sleep
While this might seem obvious, it’s important nevertheless. As per research, poor sleep leads to obesity and weight gain.
Obesity Treatment In Ayurveda
The Panchakarma treatment is extremely popular in the Ayurvedic discipline. It is an ancient method that detoxifies your body, manages your weight and boosts metabolism.
Ayurveda also believes that the body is usually self-repairing. However, due to poor lifestyle choices and decisions, we may need a little extra help from nature. Consult an Ayurvedic doctor to narrow down on the best Panchakarma treatment for your body type.
Are Ayurvedic Medicines Safe?
Ayurvedic medicines and concoctions are derived from nature. Hence, they have little to no side effects. One must only be cautious to see whether they are allergic to any of the ingredients in the Ayurvedic mixture they are consuming.
Ayurvedic Weight Loss Tablets & Capsules: Do They Really Work?
Ayurvedic weight loss capsules and tablets are effective when used as a modern therapy with conventional medical care. However, these aren’t magical pills. That is why it’s vital not to replace them with standard medical tablets.
Ayurvedic Weight Loss Tablets & Capsules: Are They Safe?
Yes, these Ayurvedic weight loss tablets and capsules are safe. However, one needs to be careful of tablets and Ayurvedic products for weight loss not regulated by the authorities.
It is equally vital to be cautious when finalising an Ayurvedic practitioner for consultation. Always talk to your family doctor about any capsule or tablet recommendation that you might receive from an Ayurvedic doctor.
In a Nutshell... How Effective is Ayurvedic Medicine for Weight Loss
Even though Ayurvedic remedies have been around for a long time, they are not approved by the FDA. Severe cases of obesity or weight loss management may require allopathic medical intervention. For easily treatable weight loss issues, Ayurvedic solutions are your best course of action.
Also read: Weight loss myths
FAQs
Which Ayurvedic Treatment is Best for Weight Loss?
Every individual is different and unique. When an Ayurvedic treatment for weight loss is recommended, the dominant dosha in the body causing problems is singled out. Hence, it is best to visit an Ayurvedic practitioner and expert to determine which ayurvedic treatment for weight loss suits you the most.
Are Ayurvedic Diets Healthy?
Let us rephrase this question. Are diets derived straight from nature healthy? Yes, of course, they are! However, make sure to craft your diet plan according to your body type, shape, size and weight.
Can Teenagers Follow an Ayurvedic Diet to Lose Weight?
Yes, teenagers, even children below the age of 15, can follow Ayurvedic diets as they are safe. However, Ayurvedic diets may be coupled with best practices to make your weight loss more effective. Some of these practices are:
- Not to eat anything while using technological devices such as tablets, phones, and laptops.
- Regulate the timings that you sleep and wake up
- Do not consume foods with high amounts of sugar.
- Make sure to eat more vegetables and fruits.
- Do not compare your weight loss journey with other kids your age.
References
Rachel P.Ogilvie (2017) The epidemiology of sleep and obesity (Science Direct) https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S2352721817301481?via%3Dihub
Christine Tara Peterson, Kate Denniston (2017) Therapeutic Uses of Triphala in Ayurvedic Medicine (National Library of Medicine) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5567597/
Alireza Tavakkoli, Vahid Mahdian (2017) Review on Clinical Trials of Black Seed (Nigella sativa ) and Its Active Constituent, Thymoquinone (National Library of Medicine) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5633670/
