Anorexia is a disease where the loss of desire to have food occurs, even when one is hungry. This disease is called as ‘aruchi’ in Ayurveda. Such conditions arise due to a sedentary lifestyle, stress and wrong eating patterns. In this condition, the person has no appetite for food due to indigestion or psychological causes. In some cases, the patient may get a bad taste in the mouth and is seen with no desire to swallow the food.
Know that anorexia (simple loss of appetite) is not anorexia nervosa (commonly known as anorexia), which is a serious psychological and physiological condition usually found in women where they develop an aversion to eating and have a bad body image and a fear of looking obese. A person with anorexia nervosa usually has severe and even life-threatening weight loss. On the other hand, anorexia (the simple loss of appetite) is often temporary and does not develop into anorexia nervosa.
Extreme weight loss: One of the most visible signs is when the individual appears malnourished.
Intense fear of putting on weight: Even if you are underweight, the fear of weight gain is always there.
Distorted body image: A harmful self-view that insists one is overweight when actually being underweight.
Food restrictions: Avoiding entire food groups or severely restricting food quantities.
Excessive exercise: Compulsive need to ‘burn off’ calories taken in.
Withdrawal from social activities: Especially those involving food.
Physical symptoms: Such as dizziness, fatigue, and a disruption of menstrual cycles in women.
Although the clear cause of anorexia is still not reasoned, it is generally believed to stem from a combination of the person’s psychological status along with some biological factors and environmental surroundings:
Anorexia is not just about food. Its repercussions can impact every other aspect of health:
If you or someone you know is having these signs of anorexia, seeking timely help is crucial:
Ayurveda does not look at anorexia as simply a disease to be treated physically. It is perceived as a disturbance of the mind. The Ayurvedic term for anorexia is ‘Aruchi,’ and it is believed to be caused by an imbalance in the bodily doshas, particularly a disturbance in the Agni (digestive fire).
There are many medicinal plants in Ayurveda that help in maintaining the digestive fire and improving the appetite. Common Ayurvedic Aushadis make use of Pippali, black and ginger pepper.
You will find that for anorexia, the Ayurvedic dietary suggestions comprise of foods that are warm or cooked and are easily chewable and acceptable to the digestive fire. Turmeric, cumin, coriander and cardamom, among other spices are highly recommended for the purpose of improving appetite and facilitating proper digestion.
Procedures like Panchakarma can cleanse the body of toxins that are believed to hinder the digestive system. Some common Anorexia Therapies include Vamana (therapeutic vomiting) or Virechana (purgation), but they need to be utilised under strict professional supervision to restore body balance.
Regular practice of yoga and meditation can help address the psychological aspects of anorexia by promoting a sense of peace and body awareness. Specific yoga poses like Pavanamuktasana (Wind Relieving Pose) and Surya Namaskar (Sun Salutation) are beneficial.
Integrating a routine, managing stress through mindfulness or meditation, and participating in anorexia therapies for mind wellness can create a foundation for recovery.
Starting with Nadi Pariksha, Jiva's certified Ayurvedic doctors use this traditional pulse diagnosis to detect imbalances and assess organ health, crucial for diagnosing Anorexia accurately.
Understanding your unique physical and psychological pattern allows us to tailor Anorexia treatment plan that not only addresses symptoms but aligns with your inherent constitution for lasting health.
In our investigations, we examine the if and how Anorexia is progressing by the dietary, lifestyle, and psychosocial aspects, identifying individual factors for customised intervention and pinpointing specific triggers for targeted treatment.
After that, we create a detailed Anorexia Ayurveda treatment plan, which consists of diet modifications, lifestyle adjustments, herbal medications, and specific therapies that aim to restore dosha balance and enhance digestive health.
Continuous tracking of treatment effectiveness allows us to make necessary adjustments, ensuring that you achieve the best results from your personalised Anorexia treatment plan with Jiva's ongoing support.
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78% of patients saw significant improvement in 3 months of treatment.
92% of patients stopped allopathic medicines completely.
Ayurveda views anorexia nervosa as a result of an imbalance in the doshas, particularly Vata and Pitta. This imbalance can lead to a disturbed appetite, altered metabolism, and a distorted perception of the body.
Yes, Ayurveda provides a holistic approach to treating anorexia nervosa. It focuses on restoring balance to the doshas, addressing underlying psychological factors, and promoting healthy eating habits.
There are two types of Anorexia: one is the restricting type, where individuals primarily restrict their food intake. Second is the Binge-eating/purging type, where individuals engage in binge-eating followed by purging behaviours such as vomiting, excessive exercise, or laxative abuse.
While both are eating disorders, the primary difference lies in the eating patterns: Anorexia Nervosa: Characterized by severely restricted eating and a fear of gaining weight. Bulimia Nervosa: This involves binge-eating followed by purging behaviours.
Some effective Anorexia nervosa therapies include: Panchakarma: A comprehensive detoxification and rejuvenation therapy. Lifestyle changes: Promoting healthy habits like regular exercise, stress management, and adequate sleep. Psychological counselling: Addressing underlying emotional and psychological issues.
