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Previous research:
Effect
of Virechana Karma on reduction of weight in management of obesity
Dr.Yogesh
Deole, Assistant Professor, Department of Kayachikitsa
GJ
Patel Institute of Ayurvedic Studies and Research, New VV Nagar.
Introduction
The
incidence of Obesity is high on rise in India. A report states that almost 65% of adult urban Indians are-either overweight or obese or have abdominal obesity. [1] Atisthaulya
is enlisted among the eight dosha in Ayurveda. All the classical texts have
given due importance to this disorder in reference to the Apataropana / Langhan
Upkrama. Moreover Obesity is the leading cause for co-morbid diseases like
dyslipidemia, Diabetes, Cardio-vascular disorders including Hypertension, PCOD,
Infertility, Osteoarthritis, etc. Many patients are being advised to reduce
weight to get freed from their sufferings.
Ayurvedic texts like Charaka Samhita,[2], [3], [4] Ashtanga
Hridaya have prescribed Samshodhana Chikitsa for the treatment of
Santarpanajanya diseases like Sthaulya. Vamana, Virechana, Lekhaniya Basti are
the most common procedures to be advised in Obesity. Considering the
co-morbidity of cardio-vascular diseases like Hypertension; convenience to the
busy patients, Virechana can be the safest procedure for elimination of Doshas
in Atisthaulya. A research is being conducted to study the effect of Virechana
Procedure on overweight and obese patients.
Aims and
Objectives
The present research is aimed to study the effect of Virechana on
reducing weight and BMI of the obese patients.
Material and
Methods
Patients from the OPD and IPD of SG Patel Ayurveda Hospital are
being studied under the present research trial.
Inclusion
criteria:
1. Overweight
and Obese patients with BMI above 25 are included for the study irrespective of
their sex, religion, occupation.
2. Patients
between the age of 16 years to 70 years are included.
Exclusion
criteria:
1. Patients not
fulfilling the inclusion criteria, with any other serious systemic illness and
who are not suitable for Virechana as per the classics are excluded.
Methods:
Classical
Virechana Procedure including Deepana-Pachana, followed by Abhyanatara
Snehapana ( Mahatiktaka Ghrita, Panchatikta Ghrita, Phala Ghrita, Dadimadi
Ghrita as per the co-morbid disease) until (Samyak Snigdha Lakhana are
observed), VIrechana and Samsarjana Krama is followed. The patients were
advised to follow a stipulated diet and lifestyle during Virechana schedule of
average 15 days.
Assessment
criteria:
Weight in
Kg., Body Mass Index ( kg/m2), and subjective feeling of well being
are assesses before and after the Virechana Procedure.
Observation and Results
Table 1:
Data of 25 patients of Obesity
Sr.No.
|
Criteria
|
Maximum
|
Minimum
|
Average
|
1.
|
Age ( in
years)
|
63
|
17
|
40.29
|
2.
|
Weight (
kg) Before Treatment
|
114
|
53
|
82.45
|
3.
|
Weight(
kg) After Treatment
|
111
|
50
|
77.37
|
4.
|
Snehapana
Dose (ml)
|
1350
|
90
|
416.25
|
5.
|
Virechana
Vega
|
24
|
5
|
9.79
|
6.
|
Weight
Loss after deepana- pachana
|
4
|
2
|
1.22
|
7.
|
Weight
Loss after Snehapana
|
7
|
-1
|
1.52
|
8.
|
Weight
Loss after Virechana
|
5
|
0
|
1.91
|
9.
|
Weight
Loss after Samsarjana
|
5
|
0
|
0.41
|
10.
|
Total
weight loss
|
11
|
1
|
5.08
|
11.
|
BMI Before
Treatment
|
41.37
|
25.08
|
32.57
|
12.
|
BMI After
Treatment
|
40.28
|
22.99
|
30.58
|
13.
|
%
improvement in BMI
|
13.41
|
1.17
|
6.14
|
Table 2:
Statistical Analysis
Sr.No.
|
Criteria
|
Mean ± SD
|
T value
|
P
|
|
BT
|
AT
|
||||
1
|
Weight
|
82.45 ±
195.83
|
77.37 ±
175.81
|
1.29
|
P<0.05
|
2
|
BMI
|
32.57
±19.16
|
30.57±
19.08
|
1.65
|
P<0.01
|
Graph 1 :
Weight loss pattern during Virechana
Total 24 patients are enrolled in the present study, out of which
15 were female and 09 were male. The observations and results of the treatment
are shown in the tables 1 and 2. The
pattern of weight loss during the procedure is shown in graph 1.
The
observations show that there is a steady weight loss pattern after
deepna-pachana ( average 3 days, 1.22 kg), the weight further reduces after
Snehapana ( after avg.5 days,1.52 kg) and it further continues to decrease
after virechana( after 4 days including vishrama of 3 days, 1.91 kg). It
decreases minimally after sansarjana krama. Thus after the treatment of Nearly
15 days of Virechana schedule, average 5.08 kg weight loss is observed. Some
patients reported pain in abdomen, burning sensation in abdomen after taking
Virechana yoga, which was reduced after Virechana was over and needful
treatment of Anulomana.
Discussion
The mode of
action of Virechana in reducing the weight needs to be discussed. Sthaulya is
predominantly a Rasaja Vikara as per Sushruta. Charaka states it as a Medoja
vikara. Agnimandya at the level of Rasa and Meda dhatu is the important factor which needs to be corrected. Virechana
is the Shodhana procedure which corrects the Agni at gross level as well as
Dhatu level. As observed the Deepana Pachana drugs can remove the obstruction
at the Dhatu, followed by Snehapana which can dissolve the Meda dhatu dosha (
mainly circulating fats). These wastes can further be eliminated by Virechana
procedure. The dissolving of fat into fat is a topic of further study. Moreover
Virechana can give additional benefits of feeling of well being in sense
organs, elimination of doshas from body, Good sleep, correction of appetite and digestion.
Conclusion
From the study, it can be stated that Virechana procedure is
helpful in reducing he weight of the obese patients.
Acknowledgement
The authors are highly thankful the management of CVM and SG Patel
Ayurveda Hospital, staff of Department of Panchakarma including Head Prof.MK
Vyas and Dr.Kundan Chaudhury for their support in the procedure. The authors
are also thankful to Dr.Somraj Kharche,Lecturer,Department of Kayachikitsa for
help. The authors admire the help of Dr.Pradnya Chauhan in recording the data
of patients.
References
[1] http://www.diabetes2bfree.com/blog/rising-prevalence-of-overweight-and-obesity-in-india/
downloaded on 03/07/2012
[2] Agnivesha Charaka Samhita. Sutra sthna 22/19, pg. 121
[3] Agnivesha Charaka Samhita. Sutra sthana 23/8, pg. 122
[4] Vagbhata, Ashtanga Hridaya, Sutra sthana 14/12, pg. 101
