Overweight or obesity occurs mostly in people with predominantly kapha-type dosha although obesity is seen in people with the other two doshas as well. In people with vata dosha underweight rather than overweight is the problem generally.

In Ayurveda strategies for weight loss are designed for each person after a thorough assessment of his/her- mind, body, and the soul. The specific remedy or ayurvedic medicines are decided based on the dosha of the person.

Advice for ayurvedic treatment for overweight people from a professional practitioner generally includes:

Follow a regular lifestyle regimen and diet according to your constitution.

Increase intake of foods that enhance your digestive fire or digestive power. Foods which enhance digestive fire are Ginger, Papaya, Mango, Pineapple, and Bitter melons.

Other methods to improve digestion: Take sips of hot water throughout the day, drink ginger tea 2-3 times per day; fast one day a week (you can take liquids, fruit or vegetable juices, warm skim milk, light soups, teas, etc); use herbs and spices like cumin, ginger, mustard seed, cayenne, and black pepper generously in your cooking.

Do exercise, yoga, meditation, and pranayama (breathing exercises) regularly according to your body type. 

Herbs for ayurvedic treatment of obesity

Take herbs like gotu kola, amalaki, and shilajit in powder or capsule form.

Take a teaspoon of guggul with ginger and honey two or three times daily.

Mix chitrak (Plumbago zeylonica), kukti, and trikatu in equal parts. Daily take 1/2 teaspoon of this herbal blend with warm water.

These remedies are recommended for everyone irrespective of their dosha. Herbal ayurvedic remedies based on dosha type should be taken under care of a professional ayurvedic practitioner. A through analysis by a professional will surely lead to better ayurvedic treatment for overweight condition.

Caution: A professional ayurvedic prescribes a remedy based on your symptoms and dosha type. If you are on at-home ayurvedic treatment, and your weight does not improve in one to two months see a professional ayurvedic doctor.