Sthaulyahara (Anti-Corpulence) Powder:

Ingredients: Ten grams (10gms) each of the following - (i) Sauntha (dry ginger; Zingiber officinale Roscoe); (ii) Pipala (Poplar leaved Fig Tree; Ficus religiosa Linn); (iii) Kali Mirca (Black Pepper); (iv) Pipplamula (root of Pipala); (v) Anvala (Emblic Myrobalan; Emblica officinalis Geartn); (vi) Harada (Chabulic Myrobalans; Terminalia chebula Retz); (vii) Baheda (Beleric Myrobalans, Beddanut; Terminali belrica Roxb); (viii) Cavya (Piper officinarum Cas D.C.); (ix) Citrakamula (root of white leadwort; Plumbago zeylanica Linn); (x) Kali Jiri (Purple Flobane; Vernonia anthelmintica (wild)); (xi) Bakuci Bija (seeds of Malaya Tea; Psoralea corylifolia Linn); (xii) seeds of Circita or Apamarga (Prickly-chaff Flower; Achyranthes aspera, Linn); (xiii) Vayavidang (Barbreng; Embellia ribes Burn); (xiv) Sendha Namaka (Minearal Salt); (xv) Kala Namaka (Red or Rock Salt); (xvi) Sada Namaka (Common Salt); (xvii) Yavakshara (a carbonate of potash; potasii carbonas ); (xviii) Kantalauha Bhasm (Ayurvedically processed 'ash' of a special kind of ferrous ore).

Preparation and Dose: Mix all the eighteen ingredients in pure dry form. Grind the mixture into fine powder. Keep this powder in airtight glass bottle or any other airtight glass container. The average dose of this powder to be taken twice a day is -- about half to one gram (half teaspoon) in the morning empty stomach and same dose in the evening at least an hour before dinner and an hour after eating anything else. It is advisable to take this dose of the anti-corpulence powder with two teaspoons of honey. However, if pure, natural honey is not available or is not affordable, it can very well be consumed with little water.

The diet restrictions remain as in the case of using the decoction; that is, fried and high calorie stuffs should be avoided. An ideal diet is described below. This should be adopted as far as possible in general and is a must in case the disease (obesity) is very advanced or its cause is so intense that no other medication has been effective despite diet restraints. In any case one should drink sufficient water (minimum twelve glasses per day for an adult).

Ayurveda also advises that, except for heart patients or patients having other serious problems, every adult should take water empty stomach to its full capacity every morning. At least one glassful of water should be consumed 5-10 minutes before taking meals. The amount of water drunk during and immediately after meals should be kept to a minimum - say few gulps to keep the throat wet. At least one glassful or two of water should be drunk at a slow pace after about an hour after the meals. This simple practice prevents acidity and also helps reducing obesity. Pure drinking water is a rich source of energy and of many vital minerals and vitamins. It is also a necessary medium for many important biochemical reactions including those of metabolism and ionic balance. It thus helps freshening the brain as well. So consuming it in substantial amounts is generally good for healthy and hearty life.