Natural Herbal Remedies and Cures

Obesity or overweight is a problem nowadays. Obese people are increasing in numbers each year. If obesity will not be taken care of, it can bring other illnesses that can affect your health such as high blood pressure, diabetes, cardiac ailments, and a lot more. Obesity can also lead to death. So you need to take care of your health and do not let obesity ruin your life.

Treat this problem before it is too late. There are ways to help you lose weight. If you really love your health, you have to be determined enough to lose it and fight obesity. More and more people are using herbal remedies in losing weight. Yes, there are lots of herbal remedies in the market and online which people can use to lose weight. Lots of people are into herbal remedies than prescribed medications since these medications are known to have side effects, reason why people are moving away from these medications.

One of the herbal remedies that holding its popularity is hoodia gordonii. Hoodia gordonii is a plant that looks like a cactus. It can be found at Kalahari Desert of South Africa. This plant was used by tribesmen for centuries to suppress their appetite. They chew this plant when they are out for long hunting. This is known to have active molecule which scientists called p57. This molecule works by tricking the brain in telling that you are full. It is also known without side effects up to now, so more and more people are switching to hoodia gordonii.

Hoodia gordonii is just one of those herbal remedies that you can use in losing weight. Yes, using herbal remedy can make you lose weight but make sure to use it properly. Follow directions and take the right dosage.

In order to see great results, you have to help out in the process of losing weight. Yes, it is a good idea to take herbal remedy but you can do some more to make sure the results will be shown quickly.

You have to do a lifestyle change. You have to change your eating and exercise habits. You have to maintain balanced diet. Eat foods that have proper nutrients which the body needs. Proper exercise is important as well. There are lots of physical exercises that you can do such as walking, dancing, running, jogging, swimming and so. Choose that one or few that can make you enjoy dong in this way; it can help you effectively in losing weight.

Suffering from obesity? It is high time for you to lose weight. Take herbal remedy. Make sure to choose the right one and associate it with eating healthy and proper exercise.

Eliza Maledevic Ayson

Hoodia Gordonii http://hoodiastore.org

Keeping a natural food style can help normal persons control obesity.

The main reason for obesity can be attributed to eating too much of processed food, sweetened food, frozen food, and preserved food. Genetic and endocrinal disorders too cause obesity, but such cases are extremely rare compared to normal obesity.

Obesity begins at childhood. We love our children so much that we let them eat whatever they find at a bakery or a eatery. There is no control in ice creams, chocolates, fried items, over cooked items, artificially colored items and food items that have preservatives added to them.

There is no control in food combination at a fast food center. Basic rules of healthy food combination go straight out of the window or burnt below the dishes.

Think about the amount of unhealthy fat, toxic combinations and chemicals that reach the body of a child before he or she turns 12 years. There you can find the root cause of obesity.

For a change, love your children less.

Don’t be too loving a parent to go for your pocket every time your kid saw something yummy at a bakery.

Make your kid suffice with few slices of mango, papaya, banana, whole wheat bread, oatmeal, milk, egg, tuna or moderately cooked lean meat. Don’t listen to his or her cries even if your ears become deafened.

Make your child drink at six to 10 glasses of fresh water instead of carbonated soft drinks or cola.

Make your child take food mildly warm instead of too hot or too cold. See it as a way of respecting the capacity of the digestive system of your kid.

Prevent your child chewing snacks. Replace those potato chips with an orange.

Ensure your child takes his food before seven in the evening.

Ensure the foods are not conflicting nature. Milk and meat are conflicting and can’t be taken together. Several other food combination rules are there in Ayurveda scripts. The easiest way to avoid them altogether will be to avoid catching that fast food restaurant.

The best way to make your child obey your rules will be to lead them by example. Can you ask your child not to snack when you are eating to your hearts content from that junk bag?

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.

3. Indian Gooseberry (Emblica officinalis)

Known as amalaki in Indian medicine, the Indian gooseberry is the richest source of vitamin C among all foodstuffs. Vitamin C can disintegrate fatty buildup in the body. Hence, it is a very effective herb for the treatment of obesity and related conditions. The amalaki is an integral component of Triphala, which is commonly prescribed in the treatment of obesity.

(2) Dietary Treatments for Obesity

There is a direct relation between the diet one eats and obesity. Controlling the diet is a sure method of controlling obesity. The following guidelines must be observed:-

1. Foods that are excessively rich in carbohydrates must be avoided. These include rice and potatoes. Wheat must be used instead of rice. Barley and maize can also be used effectively.

2. Fatty substances must be avoided. In obese people, the chances of cardiovascular problems such as atherosclerosis are high. Hence, people who consume lots of hydrogenated fats have greater risk of cholesterol buildup in their arteries.

3. Obesity increases the chances of diabetes mellitus. Hence, people who are overweight must reduce their intake of sugars and other sweet foods.

4. Bitter and pungent foods are found to be effective in the control of weight and also preventing the dangers of diabetes in obese people. The bitter gourd and the bitter variety of drumstick are beneficial in this aspect.

5. Obese people must avoid preserved foods. The same applies to refrigerated drinks and cold foods.

6. Among meats, avoid red meats as they have high fatty contents. While buying meats, ask for the lean cuts and get the fats trimmed from them before cooking.

(3) Ayurvedic Treatments for Obesity

Guggulu is prescribed by most Ayurvedic physicians as the drug of choice in the control of obesity. It may be prescribed in its pure form (in the dosage of one gram four times a day), or it can be given in a mixture form as Navaka Guggulu or Triphala Guggulu. These are given in tablet form, followed by some hot drink. Mineral supplements such as Tapyaadi Lauha and Shilajitawadi Lauha are given in conjunction with the Guggulu tablets.

(4) Home Remedies for Obesity

1. When you wake up in the morning, have a tablespoonful of honey mixed in an equal amount of water.

2. Drinking hot water continuously throughout the day also helps to dissolve the excess fat in the body.

3. Ginger is effective in dissolving fat. Have it twice or thrice a day in the form of tea.

4. Every one day a week, have a totally liquid diet. Fasting entirely can also be done if it is physically tolerable. This helps to flush out the toxins and excess fats accumulated throughout the week.

5. Regular exercise is one of the most important things. It helps to reduce the excess fats in the body and also keep the person fresh and active throughout the day.

Excess accumulation of fat in the body is called obesity. Scientifically, obesity is defined as having a body mass index greater than 30, and is considered a chronic disease, like high blood pressure and diabetes. Obesity is associated with multiple health problems and psycho-social difficulties. The incidence of obesity is rapidly on the rise, because food is abundant, and physical activity is optional.

A lot has been spoken and written about obesity. However, the bottom-line in the management of obesity remains unchanged over the years: less intake in the form of food, and more output in the form of work and exercise. Self-restraint and discipline are crucial to obesity treatment, and need to be followed for a life-time.

Obesity is known in Ayurveda as “Medo-Vruddhi”, and the ancient texts have recognized and specifically mentioned the difficulty in treating obesity, since a lack of self-restraint and discipline with respect to food habits and exercise, are usually the main contributing factors in obesity, though other causes like heredity and hormonal disturbances may also be responsible.

Traditional Ayurvedic medicines which are useful in obesity are: Arogy Vardhini, Chandraprabha Vati, Triphala Guggulu, Yogaraj Guggulu and Medohar Guggulu. Individual herbal medicines useful in this condition are: Guggulu (Commiphora mukul), Shilajit (Purified Bitumen), Shunthi (Zinziber officinalis), Marich (Piper nigrum), Pippali (Piper longum), Amalaki (Emblica officinalis), Bibhitaki (Terminalia bellerica), Haritaki (Terminalia chebula) and Kumbha (Leucas cephalotes). The main advantage of Ayurvedic medicines is that these can be taken on a long-term basis without a risk of serious side-effects.

Some Ayurvedic physicians recommend a body massage with talcum powder or the powders of Haritaki, Shirish (Albizzia lebbeck), Lodhra (Symplocos racemosa) and Naagkeshar (Mesua ferrea). This procedure also helps to reduce body odor. Warm water, taken with honey on a long-term basis, is also reported to help lose weight.

Medicines like Amalaki, Haritaki and Pippali not only reduce excess body fat, cholesterol and atherosclerosis, but also may actually slow down ageing at the cellular level. It is no wonder, then, that these medicines are classified in Ayurveda as “Rasayanas” (rejuvenatives).

All obese people need to draw up a comprehensive daily schedule to shed those extra kilos. What works for one person may be unsuitable for another. However, for the average person, a combination of about thirty minutes of vigorous exercise (cycling, jogging etc.), fifteen to twenty minutes of Yogic asanas, (permanent) diet control, and Ayurvedic medicines as supportive therapy, may work with definite and consistent results.

Some asanas which are useful in obesity are: Surya Namaskar, Sarvangasana, Paschimottanasana, Bhujangasana and Dhanurasana. It is absolutely necessary to study the proper technique of these asanas from an expert in this field.

Ultimately, the key to successful obesity control is to accept that it is mainly a lifestyle disease, and to make permanent lifestyle changes in day to day life.