For example, perturbation in secretions from the thyroid, pituitary and pineal glands generates many psychosomatic problems and also leads to uncontrollable loss of weight or, on the contrary, acute obesity. These and other endocrine glands are very sensitive to mental and emotional states. Emotional shock, suppression of loneliness in childhood or adolescence also lead to hormonal disturbances in the young age which often give rise to, among other health problems, obesity; hidden tensions are also found to be significant causes of obesity. In view of this, the healthcare approaches that focus on the emotional core and the mind-body system as a whole and do not cause any disturbance in the natural neuro-chemical, hormonal and physiological processes appear to be more suitable.

Ayurvedic scriptures advise several methods for uprooting obesity and also provide feasible ways for sustaining healthy and hearty life. These include easy-to-adopt disciplines of food, eating habits and living style and naturally effective medicines like rasayanas and decoctions prepared with the help of selected herbs/plant medicines. Yagya-therapy is prominent among the Ayurvedic methods of curing obesity. These modes of medication and healing applications cited in ancient Indian healthcare literature have also been found effective as per the findings of some modern laboratory experiments and clinical trials conducted at the Brahmvarchas Research Centre and the Dev Sanskriti University, Shantikunj, Hardwar. We shall cite some of the herbal/plant medicinal preparations in this regard.

Medanashaka Kwatha (Fat-destroying Decoction):

Ingredients: Equal quantities of (i) Anvala (Emblic Myrobalan; Emblica officinalis Geartn); (ii) Harada (Chabulic Myrobalans; Terminalia chebula Retz); (iii) Baheda (Beleric Myrobalans, Beddanut; Terminali belrica Roxb); (iv) Giloya (Tinospora, Guduchi; Tinospora cordifolia [wild] Miers); (v) Nagarmotha (Nutgrass; Cyperus rotundus Linn); (vi) Tejapatra (Tamala tree; Cinnamomum tamala Nees); (vii) Citraka (White leadwort; Plumbago zeylanica Linn); (viii) Vijayasara (essence/extract of Indian Hemp Cannabis Sativa, Linn); (ix) Haldi (Turmeric; Curcuma domestica Val); (x) seeds of Circita or Apamarga (Prickly-chaff Flower; Achyranthes aspera,