We live in a mechanical and monotonous world today. Our lives are largely controlled by technology, which causes us to become inactive and passive. To go along with our sedentary lifestyle, we eat a diet that is high in processed foods, fast food, and sugary beverages, all of which have a very bad impact on our health. A fast-paced lifestyle and wrong eating habits have given a rise to many serious diseases that can be life-threatening. One such serious ailment is Diabetes.
Ayurveda is an ancient medicinal system that originated in India. It translates into English as ‘The knowledge of life’. Ayurveda focuses on the root cause of the disease and believes in the ideology that prevention is better than cure. Ayurvedic treatment uses natural herbs and plants as medicines for addressing an underlying disease. Diabetes is a disease that requires several precautions. Certain Ayurvedic herbs are proved useful for controlling this fatal disease.
In this blog, we will talk to you more about Diabetes and how Ayurveda can be helpful in managing it.
Types of Diabetes.
Diabetes is caused by an abnormal amount of glucose in the blood, also known as high blood sugar or hyperglycemia. When blood sugar levels rise, the pancreas releases insulin into the bloodstream. It is described as a metabolic condition in which an individual has high blood glucose (blood sugar) levels, either as a result of insufficient insulin output, or as a result of the body’s cells failing to respond properly to the generated insulin, or both!
Diabetes is generally divided into two types which are as follows:
Type 1 diabetes.
Type 1 also known as juvenile diabetes occurs when the body fails to produce insulin. People affected with type 1 diabetes are insulin-dependent, which means they should take artificial insulin daily to stay alive.
Type 2 diabetes.
Type 2 diabetes affects the way the body uses insulin, the cells in the body do not react to it as effectively as they once did. This is the most common type of diabetes which has robust links with obesity.
Ayurveda & Diabetes.
Ayurveda Prameha,“Obstinate Urinary Disease” in English, is a group of diseases described in Ayurveda. This category includes all urinary system disorders, such as excessive urination, diabetes, and others.
In Ayurveda, Prameha is classified into 20 forms based on the dominant doshas in the body. This equates to four Vata-related types, six Pitta-related types, and ten Kapha-related types. Diabetes mellitus also called Madhumeha is one type of Vata Prameha.
Causes of Diabetes according to Ayurveda :
Any specific disease has several underlying causes and the same is with diabetes. Common causes of this disease are:
• Excessive intake of foods which are difficult to digest.
• Lack of exercise.
• Mental stress and strain.
• Excessive sleep.
• Excessive intake of sugar and refined carbohydrates.
• Overloading of proteins and fats.
• Excessive yoghurt consumption.
• All other Kapha-inducing routines.
• Hereditary factors.
Signs and Symptoms of Diabetes:
We are aware of the types and causes of diabetes but how to identify if one is suffering from it? Here are some common symptoms and signs of diabetes.
Diabetes has three major signs (Rupas) according to Ayurveda. They are as follows:
• Polyuria (excessive urination).
• Urinary sweetness.
• The sensation of sweetness in the body.
Symptoms that can suggest diabetes are:
• Nausea.
• Vomiting.
• Blurred vision.
• Hunger.
• Dehydration.
• Weight loss and gain.
• Fatigue.
• Dry mouth.
• Slow healing wounds, cuts or sores.
• Itching skin.
• Excess thirst.
• Increased susceptibility to infections.
• High blood pressure.
• Polycystic ovary syndrome.
• Sedentary lifestyle.
• Diarrhoea.
• Burning sensation.
• General debility.
• Indigestion.
• Necrosis.
• Muscle wasting.
• Sluggishness.
• Neuropathies etc.
Ayurvedic Management of Diabetes.
When diagnosed and treated early, the reversal of Prameha is easier and quicker. The control of Kleda is the primary concern of the chikitsa Prameha. Stimulating the digestive fire (Agni) is very important. Let’s look at how Ayurveda manages diabetes:
- Juvenile Diabetes Mellitus (Type 1 Diabetes ):
Insulin is needed for those suffering from the juvenile type. However, even with insulin, a person can be weak all the time and susceptible to infection. In such cases, a combination of insulin and Ayurvedic treatment is the best solution (especially to prevent complications). Bhumiamalaki and Giloy
are two herbs commonly used in such situations, as well as a limited diet consisting of bitter and astringent foods.
If Dhatukshaya (tissue depletion) is detected, only small amounts of nourishing foods are given.
If an autoimmune factor is present, Ama must be treated first, before any treatment options are considered. - Maturity Onset Diabetes Mellitus (Type 2 Diabetes )
The treatment for this form of diabetes is determined by the stage of diagnosis. The following measures are usually suggested for Type 2 diabetes.
-Dietary restrictions and recommendations.
-Nutritional recommendations, food restrictions, and Yoga exercises.
-Shodhana (Ayurvedic detoxification, such as Panchakarma), dietary recommendations, Yoga exercises, and Ayurvedic herbal preparations.
If an individual is physically fit, all five Panchakarma acts can be performed. If an individual is physically poor, the best course of action is Basti (enema treatment).
Food:
Bitter, astringent foods can help to maintain blood sugar levels. Barley, mung beans, and bitter gourd, amla, garlic, Indian blackberry (Jamun seeds),bilva leaves, neem are all excellent choices. A pacifying diet for the Kapha dosha should be observed. It is helpful to consume a lot of cooked green vegetables. Any bitter plant or fruit seed is edible. Not everyone can take a bitter and astringent taste. The best ayurvedic tablets which can be helpful for them are — Tab Amla, Tab Neem, Tab Karela, Tab Jambubij — 400 mg per day or prescribed by an Ayurvedic Physician.
Yoga:
Yoga is a calming practice for the Kapha dosha. Yoga exercises are beneficial. Mayurasana is a very useful Yoga posture (peacock position) for diabetes. Surya Namaskara, Trikonasana, Bhujangasana, Shalabhasana, and Pavana Muktasana are some of the other poses. Pranayama for diabetes is alternate nostril breathing.
Note: Symptomatic management is possible without panchakarma but root level correction cannot be made as it is by Ayurveda.
Summing it up:
Ayurveda is a holistic approach to healing. Ayurvedic medicines and daily diabetes-relaxing yoga exercises help to strengthen the pancreas and rejuvenate it to secrete a sufficient amount of the human body insulin. But it is to be noted that there is no physician claiming to cure diabetes, in particular type I completely.
