Nowadays increasing weight and obesity has become a common problem. Most people consider the reason for this to be only wrong eating habits, but according to Ayurveda, increasing Kapha dosha in the body is also a major reason for weight gain. When phlegm increases, the body starts feeling heavy, appetite decreases, but fat increases rapidly. In Ayurveda this condition is called Sthaulya. Ayurveda states that the properties of Kapha are coolness, heaviness and stability. When these properties increase excessively, digestion becomes weak and metabolism slows down. The result is that fat starts accumulating in the body. Increase in fat, especially in the stomach, hips and thighs, is considered a major sign of increased phlegm.
If we talk about the reasons for increase in phlegm, then cold and heavy things like curd, ice cream, excessive milk consumption, fried and sweet food, fast food, heavy food late at night, less physical activity, sleeping till late and taking naps during the day increase this defect. Laziness and the habit of moving less also become its cause. Feeling heavy as soon as you wake up in the morning, loss of appetite but increased craving for sweets, puffy face, less sweating, feeling lethargic throughout the day, excessive sleep and slow digestion are its main signs. The problem of constipation also persists in many people.
Ayurveda believes that if Kapha is balanced then weight starts reducing automatically. For this, some easy changes need to be adopted. Start the day with lukewarm water or if you want, you can also drink lemon-honey water. Include light items in your diet like moong dal, porridge, khichdi, barley and seasonal vegetables. Things like bitter gourd, fenugreek, ginger, garlic and turmeric speed up digestion and help in reducing phlegm.
It is important to avoid sweet, fried food, curd, ice cream and cold drinks. Have dinner light and early. Make a habit of waking up early in the morning and do some yoga every day. Surya Namaskar, Kapalbhati and Agnisar Pranayam are very beneficial in reducing phlegm and increasing metabolism. Avoid sleeping during the day and keep meal times regular.
Once Kapha is balanced, digestion becomes stronger, the body feels light and weight gradually starts reducing naturally. Before starting any Ayurvedic remedy, it is better to consult an expert. Soaking fenugreek seeds overnight and eating them in the morning, taking Triphala powder on an empty stomach and drinking buttermilk mixed with rock salt are also considered effective in reducing phlegm.
