Effect of Vachadi Gana in Sthaulya (Obesity): A Review

In today’s era Obesity is one among the major diseases. It is a predisposing factor for so many diseases like cardiovascular diseases, diabetes mellitus etc. Obesity is a major problem both in developed and developing countries affecting both children as well as adults. In Ayurveda, so many drugs are advocated for the management of Sthaulya. One of them is Vachadi Gana that is mentioned in different texts of Ayurveda for the management of Sthaulya. Here Vachadi Gana from Ashtang Hirdiya is taken to study its effect on Sthaulya. It consists of six drugs – Vacha (Acorus calamus), Nagarmotha (Cyperus scariosus), Devdaru (Cedrus deodara), Shunthi (Zingiber officinale), Atish (Aconitum heteropyllum) and Haritaki (Terminalia chebula). The purpose of this paper is to provide a comprehensive review on the actions of all ingredients of Vachadi Gana separately on Sthaulya. Compelling evidences by present extensive literature survey are suggestive of potential of all these drugs of Vachadi Gana in the management of Sthaulya.