Ayurveda's vision of slimness
Ayurveda, the science of life, is the search for balance between the well-being of body and mind, through spiritual practices, hygiene and dietetics. Ayurveda is more about prevention than cure, and physical health is intimately linked to mental health.
In Ayurveda, lifestyle (Swastha Vrut in Sanskrit) is the key to health and longevity. Hygiene of life involves spiritual behaviors such as practicing yoga, meditation and conscious breathing, as well as physical behaviors such as getting enough sleep, avoiding anxiety and eating healthily.
In the West, the healthy diet has been somewhat turned upside down by the arrival of the industrial era, a more sedentary lifestyle and a desacralized diet. Meals in front of the TV, sweets when we're stressed, and ready-made meals have taken their toll on our equilibrium. This is where Ayurveda can help us refocus on ourselves and on the behaviours essential for a healthy balance. There's no such thing as a miracle slimming recipe, but Ayurvedic herbs can help you regain a stable weight or shed those few pounds you've been struggling to shed.
Plants to regain your body weight
The Ayurvedic slimming program, for example, is made up of 4 products renowned in Ayurveda: Triphala, Trikatu, Trimada and Guggul. This "slimming cure" is to be followed over a 90-day period.
- Triphala is made up of three berries recognized in Ayurveda: haritaki, amalaki and bibhitaki. Each balances one of the body's three doshas, or energies. Amalaki promotes gastrointestinal health and pleasant digestion. Haritaki balances and maintains regularity of elimination. Bibhitaki promotes digestion and elimination. In India, it is commonly used to help lose weight, regulate metabolism, lower cholesterol and blood pressure, and protect the heart and liver.
- Trikatu is a blend of three spices: black pepper, long pepper and ginger. Trikatu is a digestive stimulant recommended in cases of low metabolism, lack of appetite, indigestion, and to increase the digestive fire (agni, in Sanskrit).
- Trimada is composed of Fenugreek and Gymnema sylvestris. Fenugreek has digestive, laxative, antimicrobial and diuretic properties. Gymnema sylvestris balances blood sugar levels and reduces cravings for sweet foods.
- Guggul is a thyroid stimulant and metabolic regulator. In addition to its recognized anti-cholesterol virtues, it also helps eliminate toxins and waste from the body.
If you have a specific craving, such as snacking or sweet cravings, there are ayurvedic herbs that act naturally on your body.
For sweet cravings, Gymnema Sylvestris is just the thing: this Indian plant naturally reduces sugar cravings. To find out more, read our article on sugar addiction.
Garcinia cambogia is the ideal weight-loss aid if you're feeling the urge to snack or have an appetite that's too big for your needs! It acts as an appetite suppressant, and one of its active substances, HCA, inhibits fat production and creates a thermogenesis process that burns calories.
Coleus forskohlii is just the thing to help you lose the fat you've built up over time. Thanks to forskolin, its active ingredient, it's a natural fat burner that doesn't affect muscle mass - it's a kind of "fat eater".
