A Critical Appraisal of Dietary Regimens (Pathya-Apathya) for Sthaulya in the Yogaratnakara
1 Third year P.G. Scholar, Upgraded P.G. Department of Dravyaguna, Government Ayurved College, Vadodara, Gujarat, India.
2 Assistant Professor, Upgraded P.G. Department of Dravyaguna, Government Ayurved College, Vadodara, Gujarat, India.
3 Professor & Head of Department, Upgraded P.G. Department of Dravyaguna, Government Ayurved College, Vadodara, Gujarat, India.
Corresponding Author:Ekta Loriya
Introduction
Sthaulya (obesity) is described in Ayurveda as a Santarpanottha Vyadhi caused by excessive nourishment and abnormal accumulation of Meda Dhatu. It is associated with aggravation of Kapha Dosha, Agnimandya, and Srotorodha, leading to various metabolic disturbances. Improper dietary habits such as excessive consumption of Guru, Snigdha, Madhura Ahara, along with sedentary lifestyle factors like Avyayama, Diwaswapna, and Atinidra, play a significant role in its development. Ayurveda emphasizes the importance of Pathya Ahara and Vihara (wholesome diet and lifestyle) as a fundamental component in the management and prevention of diseases, including Sthaulya. Materials and Methods: The present study is a literary review primarily based on the Ayurvedic text Yogaratnakara, particularly the Medoroga Chikitsa Adhyaya from the Uttarardha section. Relevant information regarding Nidana, Purvarupa, Rupa, Samprapti, Chikitsa, and Pathya Ahara-Vihara was collected and systematically compiled from the text and related literature. Observation: The study identified several etiological factors responsible for Sthaulya, including excessive intake of Madhura, Snigdha, Guru Ahara, Navanna, Dadhi, Ikshu Vikara, and sedentary habits such as lack of exercise and excessive sleep. Pathya Ahara recommended in Yogaratnakara includes Purana Shali, Mudga, Kulattha, Kodrava, Yava, Shyamaka, and Madhu, while Pathya Vihara includes Shrama, Adhwa, Vyavaya, and Ratri Jagarana. Analysis of the Rasapanchaka of these Dravya reveals predominance of Kashaya Rasa, Laghu and Ruksha Guna, and Medohara or Lekhaniya properties, which reduces excessive Meda Dhatu and support weight management. Discussion: Pathya Ahara plays a key role in the management of Sthaulya, as it helps reduce excess Meda through its Laghu and Ruksha properties. Millets, due to their high fiber and low glycemic index, support weight and metabolic control. The Mediterranean diet shows similar benefits by promoting balanced, wholesome eating, improving digestion, reducing inflammation, and supporting gut health. Thus, combining Ayurvedic dietary principles with millet-based foods and Mediterranean concepts provides an effective and practical approach for managing Sthaulya.
sellKeywords
format_list_numberedReferences
- 1 Acharya Vidyadhar Shukla, Charak Samhita of Agnivesha, Vol 1, Chaukhambha Sanskrit Pratishthana, Delhi 2019, Sutrasthana chapter 21.
- ii Acharya Vidyadhar Shukla, Charak Samhita of Agnivesha, Vol 1, Chaukhambha Sanskrit Pratishthana, Delhi 2019, Sutrasthana chapter 21, Verse 17, p.302.
- iii Kaviraja Ambikadutta Shastri. Sushruta Samhita, Sutra Tantra: reprint 2021, Chaukhamba Publications, Chaukhamba Sanskrit Sansthan; Sutra Sthana- 15, Verse- 37.
- iv Kashyap, Amlapitta Chikitsa Adhyay, editor Prof. P.V. Tiwari, Kashyap Samhita, first edition, Varanasi, Chaukhamba Vishvabharti, 1996; page- 468.
- v Agnivesha, Charaka, Dradhabala, Charaka Samhita, Sutra Sthana, edited by Pt. Kashinath Shastri, reprint edition, Chaukhamba Bharati Academy, Varanasi, Adhyaya, 2003; 25/45:478.
- vi Shrimad Vagbhatt, Ashtanga Hridaya, edited with Nirmala hindi commentary, Vyakhyakara Dr. Brahmanand Tripathi. Delhi: Chaukhambha Sanskrit Pratishthana; Reprint, 2017. Sutra sthana 1.
- vii Acharya Vidyadhar Shukla, Charak Samhita of Agnivesha, Vol 1, Chaukhambha Sanskrit Pratishthana, Delhi 2019, Sutrasthana chapter 21, Verse 04.
- viii Acharya Vidyadhar Shukla, Charak Samhita of Agnivesha, Vol 1, Chaukhambha Sanskrit Pratishthana, Delhi 2019, Sutrasthana chapter 28, Verse 15.
- ix Acharya Vidyadhar Shukla, Charak Samhita of Agnivesha, Vol 1, Chaukhambha Sanskrit Pratishthana, Delhi 2019, Sutrasthana chapter 21, Verse 04,09.
- x Prof. Vd. Yashvant Govind Joshi, Kayachikitsa, Pune Sahitya Vitarana, Maharastra.
- xi Acharya Vidyadhar Shukla, Charak Samhita of Agnivesha, Vol 1, Chaukhambha Sanskrit Pratishthana, Delhi 2019, Sutrasthana chapter 21, Verse 20.
- xii Acharya Vidyadhar Shukla, Charak Samhita of Agnivesha, Vol 1, Chaukhambha Sanskrit Pratishthana, Delhi 2019, Sutrasthana chapter 23, Verse 8-9.
- xiii Vaidya Lakshmipati Shastri, Hindi commentary, Yogaratnakar, Uttaradha, Medoroga Chikitsa Adhyaya, p.102.
- xiv Acharya Bhavamisra. Bhavaprakash Nigantu, commentary by K.C. Chunekar, Choukhambha Bharati Academy, Varanasi, Edition 2024.
- xv Bapalal Vaidya, Nighantu Adarsha, Vol.1&2, Vranasi: Chaukhambha Bharati Academy, 2016.
- xvi Sharma PV. Dravyaguna-Vigyan, Vol. II, Vol. III, Varanasi, Chukhambha, Bharti Academy. 2022.
- xvii Vaidya Jivana of Shri Lolimbaraja by Ayurvedacharya, Sahityacharya Pt. Kalilacharana Pandeya, Chowkhamba Sanskrit Series Office, Varanasi, 4th Edition, Vikram Savanta 2036, Cha.1/10, p. 4.
- xviii Seetha Anitha et.al., A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of the Potential of Millets for Managing and Reducing the Risk of Developing Diabetes Mellitus, Frontiers in Nutrition, Published: 28 July 2021. Available on: Frontiers | A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of the Potential of Millets for Managing and Reducing the Risk of Developing Diabetes Mellitus
- xix S Shobana et.al., Finger millet (Ragi, Eleusine coracana L.): a review of its nutritional properties, processing, and plausible health benefits, Pubmed, National Library of Medicine. Available on: Finger millet (Ragi, Eleusine coracana L.): a review of its nutritional properties, processing, and plausible health benefits - PubMed
- xx Seetha Anita et.al., Can Millet Consumption Help Manage Hyperlipidemia and Obesity?: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis, Pubmed, National Liberary of Medicine. Available on: Can Millet Consumption Help Manage Hyperlipidemia and Obesity?: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis - PubMed
- xxi Leena Chandrakar and Sanyogita Shahi, Millets and their Nutritional Value: A Review, Journal of Advanced Zoology, Volume 44, Page 1690-1697. Available on: (PDF) Millets and their Nutritional Value: A Review
- xxii Antonia Giacco et.al., Mediterranean Diet and Metabolic Syndrome, Nutrients, National Library of Medicine. Available on: Mediterranean Diet and Metabolic Syndrome
- xxiii Francesca De Filippis et.al., High-level adherence to a Mediterranean diet beneficially impacts the gut microbiota and associated metabolome, Gut microbiota, BMJ Journals, Published: 28 September 2015. Available on: High-level adherence to a Mediterranean diet beneficially impacts the gut microbiota and associated metabolome | Gut
- xxiv Seetha Anitha et.al., A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of the Potential of Millets for Managing and Reducing the Risk of Developing Diabetes Mellitus, Nutrition and Sustainable Diets, Pubmed, National Library of Medicine. Available on: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of the Potential of Millets for Managing and Reducing the Risk of Developing Diabetes Mellitus - PubMed
- xxv Ayushman Bharat, Traditional Food Recipes from Ayush System of Medicine, Ministry of Ayush, Government of India. Available on: ayushportal.nic.in/pdf/Food_Recipes_From_AYUSH.pdf
How to Cite
Loriya, E., Singh, D. S., & Jani, D. D. (2026). A Critical Appraisal of Dietary Regimens (Pathya-Apathya) for Sthaulya in the Yogaratnakara. International Journal of Ayurvedic and Herbal Medicine, 16(3). https://doi.org/10.47191/ijahm/v16i3.13
American Psychological Association Style