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Abstract
Obesity, or Sthoulya, is a prevalent and rapidly expanding global health issue. The major causes of sthaulya in the
present day include changing lifestyles, bad eating habits, lack of physical activity, and an unruly daily routine.
According to Ayurveda, Agni, Prakriti, Aahar, and Vihar is crucial for preserving health. In Ayurveda, Sthaulya is the
closest clinical entity for obesity. The greatest remedy for this, according to Ayurveda, is Apatarpan, and Sthaulya is
Santarpanjanya Vyadhi.[1] Lekhan Karma, one of the treatments for Sthaulya, is a part of apatarpan. Treatment with
basti is advised for diseases that are caused by Strotodushti. Thus, one of the finest treatments for sthaulya (obesity) is
Lekhan Basti. Aahar's Pathya and Apathya are crucial for preserving health. The usage of guru and Apatarpan
Dravyas as a particular regimen for Sthaulya has been emphasized by Aacharya Charak. Without Pathya, therapeutic
procedures could be viewed as an unfinished therapy process.
Key words: Lekhan Basti, obesity, Medorog, Apathy, Aahar, and Sthaulya
P
ISSN No. : 2584-2757
Volume : 02
Issue : 04
DOI
: 10.5281/zenodo.16089235
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Corresponding author: Dr. Kanchan Gawande Article Info: Published on : 15/07/2025
Review Of Article On Effect Of Lekhan Basti And Pathya Apathya Aahar In
The Management Of Sthaulya
Dr. Kanchan Gawande 1 , Dr. Sanjay Chopkar 2 , Dr. Ramesh Waghmare 3
1PG Scholar, Department of Swasthavritta and Yoga, Vidarbha Ayurved Mahavidyalaya
Amravati,Maharashtra,India.
2Professor and HOD, Department of Swasthavritta and Yoga, Vidarbha Ayurved Mahavidyalaya
Amravati,Maharashtra,India.
3Professor and HOD, Department of Rognidan, Vidarbha Ayurved Mahavidyalaya Amravati,Maharashtra,India.
Cite this article as: - Dr. Kanchan Gawande (2025) ; Review Of Article On Effect Of Lekhan Basti And Pathya Apathya Aahar In
The Management Of Sthaulya ;Inter.J.Dignostics and Research 2 (4) 166-172, DOI : 1 0 . 5 2 8 1 / z e n o d o . 1 6 0 89235
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Introduction :
In Ayurveda, the term "Sthaulya" has broader
definitions than in current medical research, which
defines it as obesity. Sthaulya has been characterized
by Aacharya Charak as Ashthaunindit and
Santarpanjanya Vydhi. The cause of sthaulya is
Dushit Medadhatwagni . Because of
Medadhatwagnimandya and Medadhatwagni dushti,
Jatharagnimandya is responsible for the generation of
aam dosh. When this Aama attaches itself to other
dhatus, it produces dushti of those dhatus, such as
medadhatu, which creates excessive samameda and
strotorodha in different strotus, which is known as
Medorog. Obese persons suffer from mental illnesses
like anxiety and depression in addition to several
systemic problems like diabetes, hypertension,
coronary heart disease, infertility, and cancer.
Bheshaja, Aahar, and Vihar are necessary for Chikitsa
of Vyadhi. Aahar is regarded as Pran in Ayurveda.
Aahara and Vihara, which cause the sickness to be
pacified, are referred to as Pathya. The Aahara and
Vihara, which lead to complications and worsen the
illness, are referred to as apathya. Both illness control
and health promotion are possible with Ahara. Many
Pathya and Apathya have been listed by Acharyas for
Sthoulya.
Factors Responsible For Sthaulya Vyadhi .[2,3]:
Dosha: Kapha (kledak), Pitta (pachaka), Vata
(samana and vyana)
Dushyas: Rasa
Agni: Mandagni
According to acharya Shushruta in Chikitsasthan, the
greatest remedy for sthaulya is Lekhan basti, a form
of niruha basti, as previously mentioned. Since vata is
the samprapti ghatak of sthaulya, basti is the greatest
karma to manage the vitiated vata. Kapha and
meda also play a significant part in sthaulya's
samprapti. The best lekhana dravyas for bhedana,
lekhana, and chhedana of meda and kapha are found
in the lekhana basti. Lekhana is a process of
emaciation since it entails scarifying the kapha or
meda. According to Achraya Sharangdhara, lekhana
is a procedure whereby lekhanadrvyas scrape away
the elevated doshas, dhatus, or malas.
Sthaulya Definition.[4]:
A condition where mansa and medaa dhatu increase
excessively, causing mansa and meda to be deposited
at udar, sphika, nitamba, and sthana.
Aetiology.[5,6,7,8,9,10]:
Asana sukham, Mansa sevana, Bhojanottar snana,
Abhishyndhiahara, Nitya Harsha, Guru, Madhura,
Snigdha aahara, Avyavaya, Achinta, Navanna Sevana,
Diwaswapa, priyadarshana, Pishttanna Sevana, Nitya
Harsha, and so on.
Rupa(Symptoms) .[11]:
Chalasphik, chalaudara, chalasthana, and
atimedomasavruddhi are the Lakshanas of sthaulya,
according to Acharya Charaka.
1. Acharya Charaka said that there are eight
Doshas, or adverse repercussions,
associated with sthulya. Ayushorhasa
(shortened life expectancy)
2. Senile or Javoparodha
3. The sexual dysfunction known as
Krucchavyavaya
4. Daurbalya (weakness)
5. Bromhidrosis (Daugandhya)
6. Hyperhidrosis (Swedabadh)
7. Polyphagia or Atikshudha
8. Polydipsia or Atipipasa
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Samprapti [9] :
All srotasas, including annvahasrotas, are blocked by
meda. The vata dosha becomes vitiated in the stomach
and inhibits the jatharagni, which causes the meal to
be digested (pachan) quickly. The patient experiences
frequent hunger as a result. Overeating causes
medadhatu to accumulate excessively, which raises
sthaulya.
Ghatak is in charge of Samprapti. [12] :
1.Dosha:
Kapha- Kledakakapha
Vayu- vyanavayu, samanavayu
Pitta- pachaka pittaa
Pradhan dosha- Kapha pradhana tridosha.
2.Dushya: Rasa, Mansa, and Meda.
3.Strotas : Mansavaha, Medavaha
4.Agni:Jatharagni. Medao-Dhatvagni,
5.Sroto-dushti :Sanga (Margavarodha)
6.Adhishthana: Whole Body, especially udara,
stana,
and sphika
7.Udbhava sthana: Aamashya (Koshtha)
8.Vyaktisthana: entire body, especially the udara,
stana, and sphika,
9.Swabhava : Chirakalin
10.Rogmarga: Bahya
11.Sadhayatva-Sadhya: Krucchasadhya-
Samprapti :
Samprapti
Mode Of Action Of Basti .[13] :
The way that Basti works is that its sodium ion-
containing Sainddhava is absorbed by the intestines.
The elevated sodium ion concentration facilitates
sugar influx. A higher sodium concentration causes an
increase in osmotic pressure. As a result, water is
passively absorbed, and fatty acid molecules are
readily absorbed by the intestines.
Basti Dravya and its significance :
1. Saindhava Lavana: The greatest lavan
prakar, Saindhava Valavana, plays a key part
in basti absorption.
2. Madhu: Madhu reduces the irritation brought
on by Saindhava and aids in extending the
duration of basti retention for optimal effects.
3. Sneha: Sneha is crucial for the colon's
absorption of fat-soluble bastidravya proteins.
This makes it easier for lipid-soluble
compounds to enter cells, which can help
bastidravyas get to the cellular level.
4. Kalka: Kalka thickens the basti, extending its
retention time.
5. Kwatha: Kwatha is the decoction of dry herbal
medications, which can be made by boiling a
certain amount of water with a certain quantity
of herbs. In certain cases, dravyas like as
Gomutra, kanji, etc., might be used in place of
water in bastis, depending on the illness.
6. Avap Dravya: In order to make basti Tikshan
(intense) or Mrudu (light), Avap Dravyas are
utilized.
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Mode Of Action-:
Saindhava: Due of its
1. Sukshma Guna: It has the ability to affect the
organism at the cellular level.
2. The Ghana Dosha is liquefied by Snigdha
Guna.
3. Tikshana Guna: It restores Dosha Sanghata
and vitiated Mala.
4. Madhu lowers all of these because it has
qualities for Picchila, Bahula, and Kashaya.
5. Ayog of basti may result from insufficient or
nonexistent Saindhava.
6. It aids in the removal of Basti due to its
irritating properties.
7. Madhu Madhu's predigested sugar makes it
easy for the body to digest, absorb, and
assimilate, giving it a rapid boost of energy.
Sneha:
Sneha Dravyas eliminates srotorodh, destroys ghana
Mala, provides snigdhata to the body's microchannels,
and lessens vitiated Vata. In addition to generating
snighdhata within the body, Snigdha Guna liquifies
Dosha and Mala. Additionally, sneha shields the
mucous membrane from the irritating medications
included in Basti Dryava, such as saindhava.
Kwatha, Kalpa,Avap Dravya:
The primary components of the Basti Dravya are
Kwatha, Kalpa, and Avapa Drava. These can be
chosen based on the ailment, dosha, dushya, and
srotas. Utkleshana, Harana, and Shamana of Doshas
are their functions. Vitiated Doshas can also be
removed with Avapa Dravya.
Drug Of Lekhana Basti
Madhu
Saindhava lavana
Tila Taila
Prekshepa of Shilajita, Tuttha, Kasisa,
Yavakshara,
Hingu
Gomutra
Triphala Kwath
Lekhan Basti's impact on Sthaulya Roga .[14]:
Meda induced blockage results in vitiated vata, or
Saman vayu, remaining in kostha, which causes
sthaulya. As a result, agnisandhukshan occurs, and
obese persons exhibit the symptom of Atikshudha.
This causes vitiated Meda and Ama to be produced
once more when an Atikshudha individual obtains
Adhyashan through guru snigdha ahar. When this
cycle keeps happening, it becomes harder to treat the
illness. Therefore, basti is the greatest medication to
end this cycle. The Ras, Guna, and Veerya will
perform sampraptivighatan and basti will treat
vitiated vata.
Vipaka of the medications used in Rasa's lekhana
basti:
Virya: Ushna
Guna: Laghu-Tikshna-Shukshma
Rasa :Katu-Tikta Kashaya Vipaka: Katu
According to Rasa:
Ruksh (dry), Meda, and Kleda shoshaka (absorbent)
guna are present in Kashaya Ras.
Tikta Rasa: It has property in Khara (Rough).
Katu Rasa: Its qualities include Sneha, Meda,
Deepana, Pachana, and Kleda shoshak (absorptive).
Thus, it lowers the body's ativriddha Kleda and
functions as Ama pachak.
On The Basis Of Guna.[15] :
Agni is the cause of Krishata (dryness) and
Dhatukshaya (reduction of overnourished Dhatus),
while Akash Mahabhutas is the primary goal of
Lekhana karma. Due to its Sukshma Guna, which is
dominated by Vayu, Agni, and Akasha Mahabhuta,
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the medicine can reach at the micro level. The Dosha
Sanghata in Srotas is broken down by Tikshna Guna,
which is ruled by Agni Mahabhuta and aids in the
removal of Sanga in Srotasas. The removal of Sanga
maintains the usual state of Vyana Vayu's Sanchrana
Marga. As a result, Uttrotar Dhatu Nirmana occurs
correctly, and Vyana Vayu is able to carry the nutrient
to its associated Dhatu. As a result, the Medaovruddhi
procedure is examined. 60% of Ushna Veerya is
dominated by Veerya Lekhana Basti. Agni Mahabhuta
is dominated by Ushna Veerya, who also own Laghu
and Tikshna Guna. The decrease in Medaa is the fault
of Ushna Veerya. Additionally, it possesses the
qualities of Deepana, Pachana, and Kapha-
Vatashamaka. Deepana causes Pachana Karma Basti
Dravya to raise Agni at the second level, which
lowers Ama and fixes Medo Dhatwagni Mandya.
According to Vipaka-:
Lekhan Basti, Katu Viapaka dominates by 70%. Guna
lowers excessive MedaDhatu and creates
Dhatukshaya due to its Laghu and Ruksha.
Additionally, it calms and raises Kapha. 60% of
Lekhana Basti's properties are Kapha Vatashamaka,
according to Doshashamana karma. The primary
doshas implicated in the pathophysiology of
SthaulyaVyadhi are Kapha and Vata. Lekhana Basti is
precisely a Tikshna Shodhana Basti according to
Shodhanakarma, and it is mentioned in Bahudosha
Avastha, which also contains Medovruddhi. It causes
srotoshodhana by eliminating vitiated doshas from
the entire body. It breaks the Samprapti of Medo
dushti by further removing thedoshas from the body.
List of Pathya Ahara found in the disease Sthoulya
.[16,17]:
List of Pathya Ahara found in the disease Sthoulya
For Sthoulya, Ahara with Guru, Snigdha, Atidrava,
Pichila, and Abhishayandi Guna is regarded as
Apathya. To properly cure illness and sustain health,
one must be knowledgeable about Pathya and
Apathya. Pathya and Apathya for patients to improve
comprehension and lessen the severity of the illness.
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1. The individual has to comprehend the
specifics of the illness.
2. Dietary items that aggravate Kapha, such
as dairy products and fatty and fried
foods, should be avoided.
3. It's best to refrain from drinking too
much water just after eating.
Conclusion :
A metabolic disorder is Sthaulya. We employed
Lekhan Basti to treat it since it has the ability to
treat metabolic disorders, speed up metabolism,
and keep Saman Vayu at its ideal level. It feeds the
amount of nutrients and acts directly on the
intestines. It reduces ama from minute Strotas and
reaches the Dhathugat level due to its Tikshan
Guna. One of the Santarpanajanya Vyadhies is
Sthaulya, and the cure for it is Apatarpana. Due to
its quickest Apatarpana karma when made with
Apatarpaka or Lekhniya Dravyas, "Basti" appears
to be the greatest Ayurvedic therapeutic method.
Rasa, Guna, Veerya, Vipaka, Doshashamana
Karma, and Shodhana properties are therefore
helpful in reducing Kapha Vata Dushti, increasing
Agni, digesting Ama, correcting the
Medaodhatvagni Mandya, removing obstruction in
Medaovaha Srotas, and nourishing
Uttarottardhatus in light of the aforementioned
references from the classics of Lekhan Basti. As a
result, it becomes quite beneficial in Sthaulya.
Additionally, Pathya Aahara is crucial for
preserving the health of the well and regaining the
health of the sick. Medicine is not necessary if one
follows Pathya; conversely, if one does not follow
Pathya, medicine is likewise useless since it is
ineffective without Pathya. Therefore, in the case
of Sthoulya, better health results from avoiding
Apathya and adhering to suitable Pathya in
addition to lekhan basti.
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