Ayurvedic Herbs That Actually Help Fight Obesity

Listed here are a few of the best herbs suggested by ayurveda for obesity. Check them out.

By Shabana

Friday, September 8, 2017, 14:51

We live in a world where pizzas and burgers sound much more appetizing than our regular sabji roti.

Preparing meals at home is considered to be a tedious process and people often find solace in a cheesy burger or noodles. Carrying tiffins to workplace is so passé.

Ordering out during the weekends is the new norm. Most people have desk jobs which are often sedentary.

All this unhealthy eating coupled with a stressful lifestyle leads to numerous diseases. No wonder, obesity is heard of everywhere.

Obesity is one of the most common chronic diseases affecting today's generation. You are said to be obese when your BMI is more than 30. BMI or the Body Mass Index is obtained by dividing your height in metres and weight in kilos.

India has the 3rd highest number of obese people in the world and the statistics are drastically increasing. It is a serious health concern as the youth are most affected by it.

Obesity is caused due to eating unhealthy food and leading a stressful and a sedentary lifestyle.

Obesity poses a grave risk to our life. Obese people often suffer from high blood pressure, high blood sugar and high cholesterol, which are the main causes of heart attacks. Obese people may also suffer from sleep apnea, varicose veins, arthritis and other skin problems.

There are various treatments available in the market to get rid of obesity. But what better way than plain old Ayurveda? It contains some powerful herbs which help you fight obesity without any side effects. Here is a list of a few such herbs:

1) Amla

Amla is the wonder herb which is the richest source of vitamin C. If you want to effectively lose weight you will benefit from amla greatly. It increases metabolism and helps you burn fat. It flushes out toxins from our digestive system, which disrupts its function.

It also acts as a laxative and cures constipation. You can include amla in your diet by eating dried amla candy or drinking amla juice regularly. Both of these are available at any ayurvedic outlets.

2) Guggul

Guggul is an active ingredient derived from the gum resin of the guggul tree. It contains ingredients that lower the cholesterol levels and also encourage the burning of fat cells. It also has anti-inflammatory and purifying properties. The best way to include guggul is to take 2-3 tablets of it along with triphala powder mixed in water. It is extremely effective to reduce weight naturally.

3) Shilajit

Shilajit is known as asphaltum in English. It contains high amounts of fulvic acid. It is widely used in ayurveda for its various benefits. Shilajit is known to cure obesity, Alzheimer's disease, prevent diabetes, detoxify the body and prevent asthama among others.

According to a recent study, shilajit if taken with triphala for three months is known to significantly reduce the circumference of the waist and hips. It also supports the body's metabolism and promotes healthy digestion. Simply mix shilajit powder in drinking water and consume it every day. Remember to use high-quality shilajit which is unadulterated.

4) Triphala

Triphala is usually a blend of three natural ingredients. That is where the name ‘triphala' comes from. It is a mixture of amla, bibhitaki and haritaki. It contains many anti-oxidant properties and helps check cholesterol levels. Triphala cleanses the body from the inside. It eliminates the toxic compounds from the body and speeds up the digestive system.

The most common way to consume triphala powder is by mixing the powder in warm water or tea. The taste may be bitter but you will eventually get used to it. Another option is triphala tablets. They are easier on your taste buds.

5) Turmeric

Turmeric is a powerful anti-obesity ingredient. It is rich in curcumin, vitamins B and C, sodium, proteins and fibre. It has anti-oxidant, analgesic and thermogenic properties. It helps by preventing the accumulation of fat. It also decreases the size of the adipose tissues, which are responsible for storing fat.

The sulphur present in it also prevents the body from depositing fat, thereby, helping in weight loss. Its thermogenic properties involve in burning of calories. Include turmeric in your diet every day in the form of supplements. 1 or 2 teaspoons of turmeric power 2-3 times a day will aid in effective weight loss. Also, turmeric tea and turmeric milk help reduce obesity.

Apart from the above-mentioned natural ingredients, following a healthy and balanced diet is extremely important. Regular exercise is also extremely important to burn off excess calories.

Ayurvedic physicians prescribe a light but spicy diet which will aid weight loss and act as a laxative. Keep sipping warm water throughout the day. All these tips will help you be on your way from fat to fit.