Diabetes and Ayurveda
This blog post explores how Ayurveda helps to treat diabetes including its application of various Ayurvedic procedures.
Ex : Panchkarma , yoga etc.
What is diabetes according to modern medicine?
Diabetes is mainly characterized into three groups:-
- Type 1 diabetes :
- It is an autoimmune condition, it results when the pancreas failed to produce enough insulin.
- This form previously refers to "Insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM ) "Or juvenile diabetes.
- Type 2 diabetes :
- It is the most common form. It begins with insulin resistance, a condition in which cells fail to respond to insulin properly. This form is called Non insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) or adult-onset diabetes.
- Gestational diabetes : It is a condition in which pregnant women without any history of diabetes develop high blood sugar levels and usually resolves after birth.
Common symptoms include
- Frequent urination
- Increased thirst
- Increased hunger.
How does Ayurveda understand diabetes?
- According to Ayurveda diabetes mellitus is known as Prameh.
- Prameh is characterized by increased frequency and quality of urination.
According to Ayurveda is classified into two different categories:
- Based on body :
- Sthula ( obese patients) : NIDDM
- Krusha ( lean patients ) : IDDM
- Based on doshas it is classified into 20 types.
If left untreated it leads to chronic metabolic Disorders affecting multiple body systems.
How does Ayurveda treat diabetes?
- Ayurvedic physician assessment:-
- An ayurvedic physician diagnoses the condition by understanding the doshas (Vata, pitta, kapha ), digestive fire, and toxic waste and by following -
- Physical examination: Excessive urination, sweetness in urine, increased hunger thirst, sudden weight loss or gain, fatigue, and weakness.
- By asking questions about family history, lifestyle, diet, and stress.
- By prakruti assessment making a personalized plan.
- Some investigations should be done to confirm about diabetes:-
- Fasting blood glucose ( FBG ) test, Oral glucose tolerance test, Random blood glucose test, and Hemoglobin A1c ( HbA1c) test.
- Some additional tests are - lipid profile, kidney function test, liver function test, ECG, foot examination, and fundoscopy.
What diet should be given to diabetes mellitus patient?
According to the Ayurvedic point of view diabetes mellitus ( Prameha ) is caused by the imbalance of kapha dosha, often involving pitta and vata dosha. Dietary modification aims to balance the imbalance of dosha and support metabolic health.
• Freshly cooked warm meals - According to Ayurveda regular meal time helps to regulate metabolism, warm and freshly cooked food is easy to digest.
• Light and warm food - These qualities counteract heavy, cold, and damp qualities of food and help in maintaining the balance of doshas.
• Moderate use of ghee and fats - These foods can increase kapha. These foods should be used in moderation to provide essential nutrients to the body.
• Fenugreek tea (Methi) - it helps to improve blood sugar levels. It enhances insulin sensitivity and lowers fasting blood glucose levels.
• Whole grains - Barley, Millet and Quinoa are lighter and easier to digest than wheat or rice these help in managing blood sugar levels.
• Specific vegetables - Gourd, Moring, and leafy green vegetables due to bitter taste, pulses, and mustard are helpful.
• Avoiding high glycemic fruits - Green apple, pear, fig, and semi-ripe berries instead.
These dietary modifications are part of the Ayurvedic approach to managing diabetes.
What Herbs to use for DM?
Here are some key herbs and their primary benefits:
Mesha shringi, gymnema sylvestre( gudmar ), Indian gooseberry ( amla ).
Fenugreek - Methi, turmeric, neem ,bitter guard, holi basil - tulsi, Indian kini tree ( vijaysar ) , cinnamon - Dalchini, bael - bilva , aloevera, shilajit, jambu - jamun, Ashvagandha, Triphala.
How can yoga and exercise help in managing diabetes?
In Ayurveda regular physical activity is considered essential for managing diabetes.
Practicing yoga and walking improves health and blood sugar level.
Yoga is combined with physical postures (Asana ) and breathing exercises ( Pranayam ) and meditation.
Following Asana are beneficial for diabetes -
• Bhujangasana ( cobra pose )
• Dhanurasana ( bow pose )
• Paschimottanasana ( seated foreward bend )
• Ardhamatsyendrasana ( Half lord of fishes pose )
• Mandukasana ( Frog pose )
• Vajrasana ( Thunderbolt pose )
How does Panchkarma help in the treatment of DM ?
- Panchkarama plays main role to treat DM.
- It is an intensive detoxification and rejuvenation therapy offers multiple benefits to those who are struggling with DM.
- Further procedures are helpful :-
- Snehana - Internal and external application of Medicated oil and ghee to loosen toxins.
- Swedana ( fomention ) - Induces sweating to metabolize toxins for elimination .
- Example: herbal steam bath.
- Vamana (Therapeutic Emesis) - To eliminate excess kapha by inducing vomiting using hearbal decoctions like Madanphala.
- Virechana (Therapeutic purgation ) - Administration of purgative herbs like Trivrit or Avipattikar churana.
- Basti ( Medicated Enema ) - Target Vata dosha and enhance metabolism, it reduces neuropathy and enhances insulin function.
- Types -
- Anuvasana basti - oil based
- Niruha basti - decoction based
Conclusion
- The Ayurvedic approach to managing DM offers sustainable solutions by addressing the root cause rather than just controlling symptoms.
- Personalized treatment like panchakarma, herbal formulations, dietary guidance, and lifestyle modification.
- Ayurveda helps in balancing doshas, enhances insulin secretion and improves overall health.
In the end, this blog post tells you why to choose Ayurveda over modern medicine because Ayurveda insures and cures the condition by root cause and not just managing problem superficially.
Consult your nearby Ayurvedic physician for a healthy life and to cure your disease with ancient science.
