Ayurvedic Weight Gain Management: Being lean and thin like you would collapse any moment has to be the most ignored topics amongst population nowadays. In this era, where physical appearance plays a significant role in each and every place.
Being under weight or malnutritioned hampers mental health as well like it deteriorates physical health. The constant taunting knowingly or unknownily puts yourself in a place where you start hating your own body. While some think being thin is good for their appearance, Ayurveda says it also leads to various disorders. Don’t listen to Instagram baddies all over and better to focus on overall nourishment.
We all are aware of the reasons and consequences of being emaciated. It gives invitations to duseases like anemia, loss of strength, low immunity, and more. The list of drawbacks is as long as the Great Wall of China. I can continously talk about the disadvantages and each one of you would agree. Without beating around the bush, in this article we are merely focusing on the natural ways to gain some weight.
Ayurvedic Perspective on Malnutrition
Karshya is a nutritional disorder described in Ayurveda Samhita, and it is possibly related to underweight. In the present era, today’s lifestyle has led to an increase in the incidence of many vata vikaras like karshya. Etiological factors of karshya include vatalahar sevan (dry food), kshut-pipasa nigraha (ignorance of hunger and thirst urges), krodh (anger), and atishram ( overexertion), among others. All these factors favor the aggravation of vayu, which is the cause of the upshoshan (depletion) of Rasa dhatu.
The exaggerated ruksha guna of vayu, ushna (hot) guna of pitta, and the loss of snigdha. (soft) guna of kapha lead to the shoshan (drying) karya (function) of Rasadhatu, resulting in rasadhatu not forming properly. It is also a condition where the person has low Mamsa (muscle) and Meda (fat) dhatus. It is also caused due to disturbed Agni.
There are numerous reasons behind emaciation ranging from diet to lifestyles to medicines as well. In this article, we won’t be dealing with the cause of symptoms but only the right way of weight management.
Charaka Samhita Sutrasthana 21/20:
“अल्पस्नेहाभिषेकार्थं कृशं कुर्यात्समं वपुः।”
A Karshya person is one who has lean or emaciated body with less unctuousness and fat.
While doing the research for this particular topic, I came across various articles discussing how Ayurveda can help in your weight gain journey. It’s true that Ayurvedic principles can surely do that but the fact all over the internet are very misleading. With this particular article, I shall be discussing the management of weight gain but with the facts which are rightfully aligned with sacred knowledge of Ayurveda.
Ayurvedic Weight Loss Management: Effective Ways for Weight Loss
Ayurvedic Weight Gain Management
Ahara
The diet plays a major role in weight gain journey. If you are tired from trying so called tips to gain your weight and still not seeing results. Make sure to add and replace your diet with these foods items that work like magic for weight gain.
“शाल्यन्नं मधुरं स्निग्धं पिष्टं गोधूमसम्भवम्।
माषोदनं गुडं सर्पिर्दधिक्षीरघृतानि च॥
स्वस्थवर्णबलायुक्तं बृंहणं चोपयोजयेत्॥”
1. Rice (shashtika and shali)
Add it in your diet because it is nourishing, easy to digest. Moreover it strengthen the body and gets quickly digested which leads to continuous hunger. It leads to eating more amount of food and hence weight gain.
2. Wheat
It promotes development of all 7 dhatus and overall weight gain.
3. Black gram
They are highly nourishing which increase strength and body mass altogether.
4. Milk
It is considered as one of the Rasayana. It promotes Ojas (immunity) and leads to body nourishment.
5. Curd
It enhances digestion and also promotes Kapha dosha leading to weight gain.
6. Jaggery
It increases energy and also improves digestion.
7. Ghee
The best for your weight gain journey. It is called Balya (strength-promoting) in Ayurveda. It enhances absorption and tissue bulking.
8. Meat Soup
With the principle of Samanya, it helps in promoting muscle strength. It increases muscle mass and is a ideal food for weight gain.
These foods help nourish the depleted Meda (fat) and Mamsa (muscle) dhatus. They support Agnideepana (digestive fire) while giving direct nutrition.
Charaka Samhita, Sutra Sthana 22/25
“मांसं क्षीरं घृतं तैलं नवनीतं स मण्डकः।
ससर्पिर्दध्यमाषश्च बृंहणं परिकीर्तितम्॥”
The nourishing food for weight gain are meat, milk, ghee, oil, butter, rice gruel with ghee, curd and black grams.
Sometimes gaining weight is co related with eating a lot and eating unhealthy food items, but let me burst the bubble that it won’t help you in gaining weight infact it would harm your health adversely, so eating in right proportion and at right time is important. Your digestion has to be good so that the food that you consumed helps you in weight gain. You need to have a balanced and healthy meal containing carbohydrates, proteins, fats, minerals, vitamins & fibres
Vihara
Nidra (Sleep regulation): Sleeping at daytime mainly increases Kapha dosha leading to weight gain. It also enhance tissue health.
Abhyanga (Oil massage): It improves overall circulation. Helps in nourishment and also calms down Vata dosha. Use Abhyanga with Bala Taila or Ashwagandhadi Taila.
Warm water baths: Opens all strotas (channels) and helps in proper absorption of food.
Mental Peace: It induces various hormones leading to healthy body. It also promotes d8gestion a d assimilation.
Yoga Asanas: Practice yoga asanas (postures) that focus on building muscle strength and mass, such as Bhujangasana Virabhadrasana (Cobra Pose), (Warrior Pose), and Dhanurasana (Bow Pose).
Pranayama: Incorporate Pranayama (breath control) techniques like Bhastrika and Kapalabhati to improve metabolism, enhance energy levels, and support overall well-being.
Avoid overexertion especially in summer season. Avoid fasting, excessive dry foods, late-night waking.
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Aushad: Ayurvedic Weight Gain Management
The best herbs for weight gain is Brimhaniya dravya. Brimhaniya Mahakashaya is a group of ten herbs used to promote body growth and strength, particularly in cases of weakness and emaciation.
Charaka Samhita, Sutrasthana 4/11:
“क्षीरिणी राजक्षवकाश्वगन्धा काकोली क्षीरकाकोली वाट्यायनी भद्रौदनी-भारद्वाजी पयस्यर्ण्यगन्धा इति दशेमानि बृहणीयानि भवन्ति|”
- Kshrini (Mimusops hexendra)
- Rajakshavaka (Euphorbia thymifolia)
- Ashvagandha (Withania somnifera)
- Kakoli (Roscoea procer)
- Kshirakakoli (Lilium polphyllum)
- Vatyayani (Sida cordifolia)
- Bhadraudani (Abutilon indicum)
- Bharadvaji (Thespasia)
- Payasya (Peuraria tuberosa)
- Rshyagandha (Withania coagulens)
These drugs are mainly useful in
krisha and kshina (thin) sharira so they provide strength and immunity in emaciated and weak person. These all drugs are basically having madhura rasa so there is predominance of Jala and Prithvi mahabhuta and because of these two drugs of this gana gives compactness and energy to the body.
Herbal Formulation:
Ashwagandhadi Lehyam
According to many Acharyas, it helps to strengthen muscle and promotes weight gain.
Chyavanprash
It is considered as the Rasayana as it helps in nourishment. It also enhances Ojas and promotes Brimhana.
Shatavari Kalpa
As mentioned in Bhaishajya Ratnavali, it enhances Dhatus and improves digestion.
Vidaryadi Ghrita
According to Acharya Charaka, it increases Meda and Mamsa Dhatu. It is considered one of the Rasayana.
Drakshadi Kashayam
A traditional Ayurvedic decoction prepared from grapes and other herbs, Drakshadi Kashayam is one of the best Ayurvedic medicines for weight gain as it supports digestion and boosts energy.
Weight gain powders
Ayurvedic weight gain powders, such as Ashwagandha, Shatavari, Vidari Kanda, and Gokshura when combined with a balanced lifestyle, can support muscle strengthing and weight gain.
Make sure to consult a Ayurvedic Practitioner before taking any herbs or formulations. Each person is unique according to Ayurveda with its prakruti, hence not all the herbs are appropriate for each person.
Line of Treatment ( Chikitsa Sutra)
Karshya is a Vata pradhana (prime) vyadhi (disease), primarily caused by dhatukshay (emaciation). Therefore, the general line of treatment, known as vata upakram (initiative), can be considered. All the Acharyas have observed that Brimhan therapy should be of a laghusantarpan (a light offering) nature, especially in kapha patients, as their agni, sharirbala (bodyweight), and other related aspects are functioning poorly.
Samshaman: Many Acharyas believed that drugs with rasayana, vrishya, balya, brimhan, and jivaniya properties should be administered in cases of karshya.
Samshodhan: Karshya is an aptarpanjannya (protein energy malnutrition) vyadhi. Hence, the most important therapy is Brimhan therapy. Mridu (light) Samshodhan (rectification) can be advised to the patient. For bahirparimarjan (external application), we can advise taila (oil) abhyanga (massage) and snigdha udvartan (soft powder massage). For antaparimarjan (internal insertion), basti karma is the choice of panchakarma procedure that will reduce vata. Acharya Sushruta and vlVagbhata recommend Brimhan basti, having mridu and snigdha properties like kshirbala taila basti.
Adapt real and authentic Ayurveda to experience the magic of sacred knowledge. Be aware and prevent yourself from falling into traps. Better to stop your brain from feeding misleading information. Choose wisely before making it a part of your lifestyle.
