A Multi-Dimensional Shodhana Approach in Sthoulya -A Case study

Abstract

The WHO identifies main global leading risks factors causing today’s disease, disability & deaths. Obesity is one amongst these. Recent studies reported that globally more than 1.9 billion adults are overweight and 650 million are obese¹. Due to consumption of energy dense food(unhealthy food habits), sedentary lifestyle, misguidance for weight loss therapies¹. In India, 40.3% of population is affected by obesity². In ayurvedic system of medicine obesity is considered under the title of ‘Medorog’ which stands amongst ‘AshtaNinditapurusha’as‘SthoulyaRoga’ in charaksamhita. On other hand Sthoulya being the complex vyadhi with combination of Meda,Kapha&Vata, increasing Abhishyandatva in the strotas as margavarodh and thus the disturbance in Dhatuposhana with over nourishment of only medodhatu. A multi dimentional approach to do this sampraptivighatana and bring equilibrium in dhatu and dosha without aggravating each other. This can be achieved by alternate approach of ruksha and snigdha chikitsa upakramas. Acharya Sushruta mentions tikshna basti, lekhana Basti and Ruksha Udvartana in the treatment of sthoulya.

Udwartana is one amongst the rukhsa upakramas highly benefial in sthoulya as it does meda pravilayana and brings sthirikaranam anganam.Abhyanga and swedana helps to reduce kharatva of srotus thus getting doshas to koshta.Virechana not only helpful in avacuating the bowels but does the sroto shuddhi,Vatanulomana also. Basti therapy is considered as Ardha Chikitsa amongst all the therapeutic. Lekhaniya basti which is choosed here is anubhoota yoga,where Charakoktha lekhaniya Dashemani is used as Kalka and kwath dravya in basti form will be given. So the present study is designed to resolve stoulya with multi-dimensional shodhana approach.