Abstract

LITERARY STUDY OF IMPORTANCE OF SWEDAJANANA KARMA (THERMOGENESIS) IN TREATMENT OF OBESITY W.R.T CHARAKOKTA SWEDOPAGA MAHAKASHAYA

Dr. Parag M. Salvi*, Dr. Amit Mujumdar, Dr. Sudarshan K. Hande, Dr. Vishal Kulkarni, Dr. Santosh Chavhan and Dr. Kavita Turambekar

Abstract

Obesity is a complex metabolic disorder involving multi-systemic impairment due to accumulation of excess body fat. It is the outcome of long-term imbalance between intake of energy and its expenditure. Raised BMI is a risk factor for noncommunicable diseases such as diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, musculoskeletal disorders etc. which gradually decrease the life quality and expectancy. In Ayurveda classics, Obesity is described as Medo Roga or Sthoulya and is included under eight undesirable conditions (Ashtau Nindita), Shleshma Nanatmaja, Santarpana Nimittaja, Atinindita, Ati Brihmana Nimittaja and Bahu Dosha Janita Vikara. Thermogenesis is the increased heat produced by the body. It is either a mechanism to maintain body temperature or happens in response to food intake as heat is the normal by-product of all metabolic activities. As thermogenesis is the process of expending heat, it plays a crucial role in weight loss. Thermogenesis helps generate heat by burning calories. These calories, if left unburnt, accumulate as fat, causing weight gain. Thus, combining thermogenesis with a healthy diet and regular exercise can prove to be an effective way to burn body fat. Acharya Charak has described Swedopaga Mahakashaya which can be used for therapeutic thermogenesis in Obesity. Swedana refers to Sudation or Diaphoresis Therapy in Ayurveda. Swedopaga means the phenomenon which promotes or enhances the process of sudation in the body. Drugs included in Swedopaga Mahakashaya are known to possess Agnideepan (improving digestive fire), Srotorodhahara (channel clearing) and Srotomardavakara (channel softening) properties. Thus, a review of thermogenetic properties of herbs included in Swedopaga Mahakashaya has been done in this article.

Keywords: Sthoulya, Obesity, Swedopaga Mahakashaya, Thermogenesis.