A Critical Analysis on the Ayurvedic Management of Sthaulya Vyadhi (Obesity)

Dr. Sanjay A. Dhurve

Abstract: Sthaulya Chikitsa: The first line of the treatment for Sthaulya is to avoid those factors which are responsible for the causation of the disease. All these factors are having SnigdhaGunadominance in general i. e. in GunaSamudaya in particular. NityaLanghan therapy and Langhana even in SisiraRutu is advised forSthaulya patients by Vagbhata (As. Su.24/13 Ah. Su.14/13). Ten types of Langhan therapy i. e. VamanaVirechanadi, AsthapanaBasti, Sirovirechana, MarutaSevana, Vyayama, Upavasa, PipasaNigraha and Pachana are advised for practice according to Vyadhibala and Dehabala by Charaka. (Ca. Su.22/18). Among ShadvidhaUpakrama, Langhana and Rukshana therapy are more suitable for management of Sthaulya. Vagbhata includes all therapies under two main headings i. e. Langhana and Brimhana, Langhana, the line of treatment for Sthaulya has been further dividedinto Samsodhana and Samshamana. (As. Su.24/13 - 16, Ah. Su.14/14).

Keywords: Sthaulya, Aoushadhi, Samsodhana, Samsamana, Langhana, Aharatmaka, Viharatmaka