Abstract

REVIEW ARTICLE – THE CONCEPTUAL STUDY OF MEDOROGA (OBESITY)

Dr. Vimla Sidar*, Dr. Yashwanth Kumar Chandrakar Dr. Pradip Kumar Suryawanshi and Dr. Anita Sharma

Abstract

In Ayurveda, obesity has been described as Sthaulya or Medoroga in “Santarpanotha Vikara”. i.e. the disease caused by over nourishment. In the case of an obese person, Medovaha Srotas (fat channels) is affected and the site of metabolic disturbances in an obese individual is Medho Dhatu caused mainly due to excess intake of Madhura and Snigdha Aahara, when the body produces more fat tissues, it causes an increase in weight. Acharya Charak has very clearly described Sthaulya in Sutra Sthana chapter 21 in the context of “Astouninditiyapurush”. The person is called as over-obese who, due to excessive increase of fat and muscles, has pendulous buttocks, abdomen and breast and suffers from deficient metabolism and energy. In Ayurveda also Sthaulya person is considered as „Sadatura‟. Ayurveda concept has sthaulya–Nidan, roop, samprapti, sampraptighatak sampraptichakra and its management with pathyapathya. Pathya management is considered as the most remedial measure for losing weight and its maintenance.

Keywords: Medoroga, Obesity, Sthaulya, Nidana, Pathya, Aahara, Vihara.