Countless diets and exercise routines, yet the weight just won’t budge.

It’s a familiar story, isn’t it?

But take heart, you’re not alone. The struggle with weight management is a shared experience, and it’s perfectly normal to feel overwhelmed at times.
When it comes to managing weight, a one-size-fits-all approach rarely works.

What you need is a personalised plan that takes into account your unique body constitution.

Ayurveda, with its holistic approach, can direct you towards a healthier lifestyle and assist you in achieving and maintaining your ideal weight. 

To know more, let’s read this blog post.

Heavy and Lightweight Drawbacks on Our Body

Imagine yourself having excessive weight. You might not feel anything at that time, but did you know obese people suffer from several health conditions like heart disease, diabetes, and joint problems? You might find it challenging to do everyday activities and experience low energy most of the time.

Conversely, underweight people face various health challenges, such as weakened immunity, nutrient deficiencies, and decreased muscle strength.

Therefore, weight management is paramount because anything in the extreme can harm one’s quality of life. So, let’s find a balanced approach to keeping your weight in check.

Causes of Unbalanced Weight

Whether it’s weight gain or weight loss, both indicate something is wrong with the body. Several factors can contribute to unbalanced weight. Understanding these reasons and taking steps towards achieving a healthy weight is crucial.

1.Poor Diet:

If you’re consuming sugars, processed foods, and unhealthy fats regularly, it can lead to weight gain. Conversely, not eating enough nutrient-dense foods can result in weight loss. So, track what you’re eating to understand the cause.

2. Sedentary Lifestyle: 

Are you lazy and not much interested in physical activities? This can cause weight gain, as the body stores unused calories as fat. On the other hand, a stagnant lifestyle can also lead to muscle loss, contributing to a lower body weight.

3. Stress and Emotional Eating: 

Job, studies, family, and whatnot! We live in a fast-moving world, and unfortunately, stress is everywhere. It can trigger overeating or undereating. Emotional eating often involves high-calorie comfort foods, while stress can also suppress appetite, leading to weight loss.

4. Hormonal Imbalances: 

In addition to the conditions mentioned above, other conditions like hypothyroidism can slow metabolism and cause weight gain, while hyperthyroidism can speed up metabolism and lead to weight loss.

Are you sleeping well? If not, it’s important to understand that  poor or insufficient sleep can disrupt hunger-regulating hormones, leading to overeating and weight gain. Prioritising good sleep is a crucial step in maintaining a healthy weight.

5. Medical Conditions: 

Certain illnesses and medications can impact weight. For example, depression and gastrointestinal disorders can lead to weight loss, while some medications can cause weight gain.

Weight Management Herbs

Ayurveda emphasises the use of natural herbs to support weight management. Here are some powerful Ayurvedic herbs you must consider:

Guggul:

Benefits: Guggul is a resin obtained from the Commiphora mukul tree. It has cholesterol-lowering properties and promotes a healthy metabolism. Guggul helps to break down fat cells and eliminate toxins from the body.

Usage: You can take it as a supplement or as part of an herbal formula.

Triphala:

Benefits: Triphala is a combination of Amla (Indian Gooseberry), Bibhitaki, and Haritaki. It aids in digestion, detoxification, and weight loss. It cleanses your digestive tract, enhances nutrient absorption, and improves overall gut health. Impressive, right?

Usage: You can consume it in a powder form, mixed with warm water, or taken in capsule form.

Garcinia Cambogia:

Benefits: Garcinia Cambogia is a tropical fruit known for its appetite-suppressing properties. It has an active ingredient, hydroxy citric acid (HCA), which helps to prevent fat storage and control hunger. Garcinia Cambogia also boosts serotonin levels, which can help reduce emotional eating.

Usage: Garcinia Cambogia is often taken before meals to help reduce appetite and inhibit fat production.

Ashwagandha:

Benefits: Ashwagandha is an adaptogen. It means it helps the body adapt to stress. It lowers cortisol levels, balances hormones, and supports overall well-being. By managing stress and improving energy levels, Ashwagandha can aid in weight management.

Usage: Ashwagandha can be taken as a powder mixed with milk or water or in capsule form. If you use it regularly, it can help balance the body’s stress response and support healthy weight management.

Turmeric:

Benefits: Turmeric is also known as “Kitchen King.” It contains curcumin, an active compound with powerful anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. It supports digestion, enhances metabolism, and helps regulate blood sugar levels.

Usage: Turmeric can be added to meals as a spice, taken as a supplement, or consumed as a tea. It makes it more effective to combine turmeric with black pepper to improve curcumin absorption.

Ayurvedic Diet Plan for Managing Healthy Weight

Ayurveda recommends a balanced diet that tailors your body’s constitution or “dosha.” Let’s explore Ayurvedic dietary recommendations for both weight gain and weight loss.

Weight Gain 

If you struggle with being underweight and want to gain weight, Ayurveda suggests focusing on nourishing, grounding foods that enhance your vitality. Here’s a sample Ayurvedic diet plan for healthy weight gain:

Breakfast: Start your day with a bowl of warm oatmeal cooked with whole milk and topped with nuts, seeds, and honey. Add a dash of ghee for extra nourishment.

Mid-Morning Snack: You can make a smoothie of ripe bananas, dates, and almond butter. Also, don’t forget to include a pinch of cardamom for flavour and digestion.

Lunch: For lunch, you must opt for a hearty meal of quinoa or rice with lentils, steamed vegetables, salad and yoghurt. Also, use cumin, coriander, and turmeric to aid digestion.

Evening Snack: If you have a slight craving in the evening, munch on a handful of mixed nuts and dried fruits. These provide healthy fats and essential nutrients.

Dinner: You can have a warm bowl of vegetable stew with root vegetables like sweet potatoes and carrots. You can have it with whole-grain bread or roti.

Before Bed: For peaceful sleep, drink warm milk with a pinch of saffron and nutmeg to promote sound sleep and muscle repair.

 

Weight Loss

For those aiming to shed excess kilos, Ayurveda recommends a diet that boosts metabolism and reduces toxins. Here’s a sample Ayurvedic diet plan for healthy weight loss:

Breakfast: Begin your day with a glass of warm water with lemon and honey to kickstart your metabolism. Follow with a bowl of fresh fruit or a light porridge made from millet.

Mid-Morning Snack: Around 11 am, you can sip on herbal tea, such as ginger or peppermint, which aids digestion and curbs appetite.

Lunch: For lunch, you must choose a substantial yet light meal of steamed vegetables, brown rice, and a small portion of lean protein

Afternoon Snack: For an afternoon snack, enjoy seasonal fruits, such as an apple or pear, to keep energy levels stable.

Dinner: Dinner should be light, so opt for an easily digestible meal like vegetable soup or a salad with colourful veggies. Always avoid heavy foods and eat late at night.

Before Bed: Drink warm herbal tea, such as chamomile or fennel, to aid digestion and promote relaxation.

Conclusion

Attaining a healthy weight is more than just a numerical goal; it’s about feeling your best and leading a vibrant life. Ayurveda, with its unique approach that takes into account your constitution and strives for a holistic balance of body, mind, and spirit, offers a path to sustainable weight management and overall wellness.

By integrating Ayurvedic principles, herbs, and a personalised diet plan, you can set a clear and effective journey towards a healthier you. Remember, the key to success is to live mindfully and consistently.

 

Have you ever felt like, “This is not me; I was a happy and energetic person who loves to do everything on my own”?But now, snapping at everyone without any reason,  feeling tired most of the time, and even experiencing weight management issues?

If you can relate to this, then no worry! It could be a hormonal imbalance issue, which can be resolved naturally. Many people grapple with hormonal imbalance without even realizing it.

But there’s hope!  Ayurveda offers a potent solution to restore hormonal balance. All you need to do is have faith in the process.
So, are you ready to wake up every day feeling emotionally stable, energized, and healthy? Yes?

Let’s dive in to learn how to achieve hormonal balance with Ayurveda.

What are Hormones?

Hormones are your body’s chemical messengers. They voyage through your bloodstream to tissues and organs, regulating processes such as metabolism, growth, mood, and reproductive health.

Picture hormones as the managers of your body’s functions. They ensure everything runs smoothly. When they’re in balance, you feel great. When they’re not, your body starts to show signs of distress and feel out of sync.

Symptoms of Hormonal Imbalance

There are various signs of hormonal imbalance that you should not ignore. Let’s check them out.

Fatigue: If you constantly feel tired even after getting enough sleep, it indicates a hormonal imbalance affecting your body’s energy.

Weight Gain: If you’re following a proper diet and exercising and still finding it challenging to lose weight, or if you’re experiencing unexplained weight gain, it might be a result of a hormonal imbalance that is affecting your metabolism.

Mood Swings: In addition to these, experiencing sudden changes in mood, irritability, or anxiety can also be linked to hormonal fluctuations.

Sleep Issues: Are you having difficulty staying asleep, having difficulty falling asleep, or experiencing restless sleep? These issues are often related to hormones that regulate sleep cycles.

Digestive Problems: Bloating, constipation, or diarrhea have become your buddies. Well, it can result from hormonal imbalances affecting your digestive system.

Skin Changes: Dry skin, acne, or other skin conditions might indicate hormonal imbalances like estrogen and testosterone.

Hair Loss: Did you have strong, shining, and thick hair, but are you now facing hair loss and thinning? Pay attention to hormonal changes that impact your hair growth cycles.

Irregular Periods: Many of you may not know, but changes in menstrual cycle regularity or intensity often point to imbalances in reproductive hormones.

Low Libido: Not much interest in sexual activity nowadays? This cannot be ignored. It can be a result of imbalanced sex hormones.

Memory Issues: Some people have difficulty concentrating and forgetfulness. This can also relate to hormonal imbalances affecting brain function.

Causes of Hormonal Imbalance

There are myriad reasons for hormonal imbalance:

Stress: Nowadays, our lives are like burning the candle at both ends with all these deadlines and appointments. We’ve become so busy that we don’t have time for ourselves, which results in chronic stress.

As a result, it increases the production of the stress hormone, cortisol, which can adversely affect other hormones like estrogen and testosterone. Prolonged stress can lead to adrenal fatigue, further disrupting hormonal harmony.

Diet: To deal with stress, many of us eat junk food, which contains excessive sugar, and processed food. This causes inflammation and disrupts the balance of hormones like insulin, leptin, and ghrelin. Nutrient deficiencies also affect hormone production and function.

Lack of Sleep: If you’re getting inadequate sleep, it interferes with the production and regulation of melatonin, cortisol, and growth hormone.

Additionally, poor sleep patterns can also disrupt your circadian rhythm, impacting overall hormonal balance and increasing appetite and weight gain.

Environmental Toxins: In today’s times, chemicals are found in almost everything, including plastics, pesticides, and household products. It can mimic or interfere with the natural hormones in your body.

Medical Conditions: In addition to this, conditions like polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), thyroid disorders, diabetes, and adrenal insufficiency directly affect hormone levels. These conditions can cause irregular menstrual cycles, weight gain, fatigue, and other symptoms of hormonal imbalance.

Medications: Sometimes, we take certain medications, such as birth control pills, hormone replacement therapy, and antidepressants, for more extended periods. It results in altered hormone levels in the body.

Age: Hormonal changes naturally occur with aging, particularly during puberty, pregnancy, and menopause. During these times, significant shifts in hormone levels can cause symptoms such as mood swings, weight changes, and altered energy levels.

Understanding these causes can support you in taking steps to maintain hormonal balance through lifestyle changes, ayurvedic herbs, and stress management.

Ayurvedic Herbs for Hormonal Imbalance

Ayurveda offers a holistic approach to balance your hormones using natural herbs. Here are some powerful herbs that you should know and how they support your body:

Ashoka Powder

Ashoka Powder is renowned for its benefits in female reproductive health. It supports the menstrual cycle, alleviates menstrual pain, and helps manage symptoms of menopause.

It regulates the estrogen hormone and ensures that the female reproductive system functions smoothly.

Suggested Use: In the morning, take 1-2 teaspoons of Ashoka powder mixed with warm water or milk, preferably on an empty stomach. It is paramount to consult an Ayurvedic practitioner for a personalized dosage.

Shatavari

Shatavari is a versatile herb known as the “Queen of Herbs” for female health. It enhances fertility, balances hormones, and supports lactation.

Shatavari’s adaptogenic properties support the endocrine system, helping balance stress-related hormones like cortisol.

Suggested Use: Take one teaspoon two times a day with room temperature water or as your healthcare practitioner directs.

Ashwagandha

Ashwagandha is an adaptogenic herb that helps lessen anxiety and stress, which can affect hormone levels. It supports the adrenal glands, enhancing energy levels and improving sleep quality. Ashwagandha also helps balance thyroid hormones and supports reproductive health.

Suggested Use: You can have one teaspoon twice daily with room temperature water or warm milk or as directed by your health practitioner. Store it in a cool and dry place.

Kaunch Seed
Kaunch Seed is known for enhancing mood and improving reproductive health in both men and women. It increases dopamine levels, promoting well-being and reducing stress, which is crucial for hormonal balance.

Suggested Use: Take 1-2 teaspoons of the powder daily, mixed with water or juice. Follow the recommended dosage and stay within its dose with the guidance of a healthcare provider.

Conclusion

Hormonal imbalances affect your quality of life, but Ayurveda offers various natural and effective solutions. Incorporating Ayurvedic herbs like Ashoka Powder, Shatavari, and Ashwagandha into your routine can help restore hormonal balance and promote overall well-being.
Ayurveda provides a holistic approach to health by addressing the main reasons that trigger hormonal imbalance and supporting your body’s natural processes. So, embrace these ancient remedies and experience the transformative power of balanced hormones. 

If we say the world we’re living in is not the same world where our grandparents lived, then it wouldn’t be wrong. They led healthier, more balanced lives despite having fewer modern conveniences. Do you know what’s the secret behind it? It’s their connection with nature and Ayurveda.

However, in today’s world, stress, pollution, and poor dietary habits often adversely affect our health. Many of us are seeking natural ways to restore balance and vitality to our lives.

Imagine waking up daily feeling rejuvenated, with a robust immune system and a calm, focused mind.

How will it feel? Amazing, right?

It’s time to draw some lessons from the past and seek help from Ayurveda. If you’re still in doubt and have questions, like why Ayurveda is important in modern life, check this out.

But if you know how Ayurveda offers a treasure trove of herbal wisdom to help us achieve balance, we have five must-have supplements for you. They seamlessly integrate into our daily routines and enhance our overall well-being.

Let’s explore them.

5 Herbs For Everyday Use To Improve Overall Health

Have you ever felt exhausted, even after a full night’s sleep? Or found yourself battling frequent colds despite your best efforts to stay healthy?

Yes? No worries! These five ayurvedic supplements will help enhance your quality of life.

Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera)

Ashwagandha, also known as Indian ginseng. It is renowned for its powerful adaptogenic properties. 

Benefits: If you easily get stressed and experience anxiety, Ashwagandha may help you. It reduces anxiety and enhances mental clarity.

Additionally, it balances Vata and Kapha dosha and also supports energy levels and endurance, making it a fantastic ally for those managing demanding schedules.

How to Use: Incorporating Ashwagandha is easy and simple. You can take it in capsule or powder form, typically 300–500 mg daily, preferably with warm milk before bedtime for better absorption and a calming effect.

2. Turmeric (Curcuma longa)

Turmeric, the golden spice, is glorified for its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. 

Benefits: Turmeric has an active compound, curcumin, which not only supports joint health but also boosts the immune system and improves digestion. 

To reap the full benefits of turmeric, pair it with black pepper or a fat source like coconut oil, as it enhances its absorption.

How to Use: If you don’t like to take turmeric in capsule form, incorporate this versatile herb into various dishes as it comes in powder and juice forms.

3. Triphala

Triphala, a potent Ayurvedic remedy, is a blend of three beneficial fruits: Amla (Emblica officinalis), Haritaki (Terminalia chebula), and Bibhitaki (Terminalia bellirica). 

You might be amazed to know that this tridoshic formulation balances all three doshas (Vata, Pitta, and Kapha) and is popular for its gentle detoxifying effects. 

Benefits: Triphala aids in digestion, promotes healthy elimination, and enhances nutrient absorption. Triphala is also great for improving metabolism.

How to Use: You can consume Triphala powder with warm water before bedtime. Alternatively, triphala capsules can be taken once or twice a day, as recommended by an Ayurvedic practitioner. 

4. Tulsi (Ocimum sanctum)

Tulsi, often known as Holy Basil, is a sacred plant in Ayurveda, valued for its purifying and healing properties.  You can find this plant in most Indian homes. 

Benefits: It supports respiratory health, relieves stress, and enhances mental clarity. Tulsi tea is an easy way to enjoy the benefits of this herb.

How to Use: You can drink tulsi tea daily or take tulsi supplements in capsule form. If you’ve got a tulsi plant at home, you can chew fresh tulsi leaves or add them to meals for additional health benefits.

5. Shatavari (Asparagus racemosus)

Shatavari is often popular as the “Queen of Herbs.” It has been used for centuries to promote overall health and well-being, particularly for women. 

Benefits: Shatavari supports reproductive health and balances hormones. It also enhances vitality, boosts immunity, and is a natural diuretic. If you’ve tried this, it’s time to take your wellness journey to the next level by incorporating Shatavari into your daily routine.

How to Use: Take Shatavari powder with warm milk or water. It is also available in capsule form for convenience. 

Also, consult with your Ayurvedic practitioner before starting any supplement.

Dincharya: Integrating Ayurveda into Your Daily Routine

In Ayurveda, Dincharya refers to a daily routine designed to maintain balance and promote health. Incorporating these Ayurvedic supplements into your Dincharya can amplify their benefits. 

Want to know how to integrate them seamlessly?

Read further!

Morning Rituals

Start with Tulsi

Imagine sitting quietly, savoring the aromatic flavor, and feeling a sense of calm and readiness for the day ahead.Yes, you can experience the same. Begin your day with a cup of Tulsi tea to revive your senses and boost your immune system.

Turmeric Boost

Now, it’s time for a turmeric boost. Add a teaspoon of turmeric to your breakfast smoothie or morning oats for an anti-inflammatory boost. You can use black pepper for better absorption, as we mentioned before. 

Midday Balance

Ashwagandha for Energy

Suppose you are in a high-stress meeting but remain calm and focused, thanks to this adaptogenic herb. You can take an Ashwagandha supplement mid-morning to maintain your energy levels and keep stress at bay.

Digestive Aid with Triphala

Before lunch, consider a dose of Triphala if you don’t want to experience bloating or indigestion. Think of it as a gentle digestive aid that helps your body process food efficiently, which will leave you comfortable and energized.

Evening Wind Down

Relax with Shatavari

Mix Shatavari powder into warm milk, and enjoy a moment of peace that helps you transition from the day’s busyness to a restful state.

Finish your day with Ashwagandha

Take a second dose of Ashwagandha before going to bed. It can help you relax and feel a wave of calm washing over you, leading to deep, restorative sleep.

Takeaway

Including Ayurvedic supplements in your daily routine can be a transformative step towards attaining optimal health and well-being. These time-tested herbs—Ashwagandha, Turmeric, Triphala, Tulsi, and Shatavari—offer a holistic approach to managing stress, enhancing immunity, and improving vitality.

By embracing the principles of Dincharya, you can experience profound benefits that resonate with the ancient wisdom of Ayurveda. So, what are you waiting for?

Begin your journey towards balance and vitality today, and let these natural treasures support you in living a healthier, happier life.