| Ayurvedic medicine, also called the Science of Life | | | | combination requires somewhat different |
| has promoted healthy weight management for | | | | treatments for successful weight loss. |
| centuries. Embracing health holistically, the principals | | | | Six tastes are recognized in Ayurvedic medicine; |
| of Ayurveda include the mental, social and spiritual | | | | salt, sour, sweet, bitter, pungent and astringent. |
| aspects of life as well as the physical. Every | | | | Each dosha thrives on certain combinations of |
| Ayurvedic diagnoses assesses the individual as a | | | | those tastes and becomes unbalanced by others. |
| whole. | | | | Foods or herbs that might assist one dosha in |
| The ancient teachings of Ayurveda include | | | | losing weight could be less beneficial or detrimental |
| admonishments to use this life for a higher | | | | to another. Ayurvedic medicine is highly |
| purpose and health is considered essential to | | | | individualized and there are no 'one size fits all' |
| attaining that goal. Illness is considered an | | | | prescriptions. |
| imbalance. This lifestyle is aimed at preventing any | | | | Common Ayurvedic recommendations for all |
| imbalance or interruption of optimum health. | | | | individuals wishing to rebalance their health by |
| Therapeutic measures for any such imbalance or | | | | achieving a proper weight include getting enough |
| interruption, such as abnormal weight are | | | | sleep, exercising and drinking water. However, |
| individualized. | | | | how much sleep is enough, what kind of exercise |
| Treatment for weight loss, as for any other | | | | might be most beneficial and how much water to |
| perceived imbalance is specific to the individual, but | | | | drink might depend upon the individuals primary |
| certain general principles may apply. Purification, a | | | | dosha. |
| process modern medicine might label detoxing or | | | | A before dinner drink containing fresh ginger, salt |
| fasting may be a first step. The Ayurvedic | | | | and lemon juice in water is thought to activate |
| physician might then recommend digestive | | | | the salivary glands and promote digestion for all |
| exercises, sunshine and fresh air as well as | | | | doshas. Iced or very cold drinks are to be |
| specific foods or herbs to eat or avoid. | | | | avoided at mealtime. |
| Foods and herbs considered beneficial or | | | | Bitter, astringent, or pungent herbs such as |
| detrimental depend upon the individuals primary | | | | cayenne pepper, black pepper, cumin, mustard |
| dosha, the determining of which is a complex | | | | seed and ginger are considered conducive to |
| assessment of temperament, or constitution. Each | | | | weight loss. Tumeric, Barberry and certain |
| of the three doshas, Vata, Pitta, and kapha are | | | | Ayurvedic herb combinations are also considered |
| said to contain two elements and each | | | | helpful. |