Diabetes Mellitus - Ayurvedic Herbal Treatment

Diabetes mellitus is a medical condition in which the capacity to produce insulin in the body is marginally or significantly reduced. Because of this condition, glucose uptake by the body cells becomes deficient, and blood sugar levels increase. Type 1 diabetic patients produce little or no insulin, and hence need insulin injections to control their blood sugar. Type 2 diabetic patients can control their blood sugar with a combination of diet, weight management, exercise and glucose-lowering medications.



Diabetes mellitus is known in Ayurveda as "Madhumeha". Ayurveda describes the pathology of this disease as resulting from a disturbed "Meda, Kleda and Kapha". It is believed that all the body tissues lose their vitality because of this condition.



Type 1 diabetic patients who are dependent on insulin injections should monitor their blood sugar and continue the injections regularly. Type 2 diabetic patients may be able to control their blood sugar with Ayurvedic medicines and other measures like diet restrictions and weight control.



Traditional Ayurvedic formulations useful in diabetes are: Arogya Vardhini, Vasant Kusumakar Rasa, Chandraprabha Vati, Prameha Gaja Kesari, Lodhrasava, Khadirarishta, Jambvasava, Trivanga Bhasma, and Suvarna Makshik Bhasma. Herbal medicines useful in this condition are: Haridra (Curcuma longa), Nimba (Azadirachta indica), Karela (Momordica charantia), Saptakapi (Casearia esculenta), Musta (Cyperus rotundus), Daruharidra (Berberis aristata), Arjuna (Terminalia arjuna), Khadeer (Acacia catechu), Lodhra (Symplocos racemosa), Guduchi (Tinospora cordifolia), Patol (Trichosanthe dioica), Vata (Ficus bengalensis), Udumbar (Ficus glomerata), Jamun (Syzygium cumini), Bilwa (Aegle marmelos) , Gudmar (Gymnema sylvestre), Methi (Trigonella foenum-graecum), Asana (Pterocarpus marsupium),Shilajit (Purified Bitumen) and Kumbha (Leucas cephalotes).



Most of the herbal medicines mentioned above reduce blood sugar gradually, and stimulate the body to secrete insulin on its own. These medicines also act on the "Meda" and "Kapha" tissues, reduce "Kleda", and restore body vitality. Thus they act on the basic pathology of this disease. Taken for long periods, these medicines may help to reverse the disease process in diabetes, and give long lasting relief, or sometimes, even a permanent cure. Unlike modern medicines, medical emergencies like hypoglycemia (a sudden lowering of blood sugar) are not seen with the use of herbal medicines.



Long-term complications of diabetes include diseases related to the eyes, nerves, kidneys, heart, brain, intestines, sexual organs, skin and feet. Ayurvedic medicines are very effective in preventing or significantly reducing symptoms related to these complications, and are useful in both type 1 and type 2 diabetes. Ayurvedic medicines used specially for this are: Tapyadi Loha, Kaishor Guggulu, Agni Tundi Rasa, Vish Tinduk Vati, Kanchnaar Guggulu, Trayodashang Guggulu, Ekanga Veer Rasa, Vaat Gajankush Rasa and Amalaki (Emblica officinalis).



Thus, Ayurvedic medicines are useful both for reducing blood sugar and for treating long-term complications. These medicines can be used independently or as additional therapy to modern medicines. Ayurvedic treatment can significantly reduce the morbidity (severity of disease) and mortality (death rate) associated with diabetes mellitus.

Herbs and Ayurvedic Remedies for Diabetes Treatment

Diabetes mellitus, or madhumeha, is one of the twenty types of pramehas described in Ayurveda. It is the condition in which there is an excessive amount of sugar present in the bloodstream of the person, which is observed in the urine. It is a condition that cannot be treated, but by several methods it can be controlled. Though diabetes is one of the leading causes of metabolic deaths in the world today, by care and perseverance the disease can be controlled and people with diabetes can lead normally long lives.



(1) Useful Herbs in the Treatment of Diabetes



1. Bael (Aegle marmelos)



The leaves of the bael have anti-diabetic properties. Their extract must be consumed, preferably with a pinch of black pepper in it.



2. Bitter Gourd (Momordica charantia)



This is perhaps the most well-known food in the treatment of diabetes. The seeds of the karela, as it is locally called, have charantin, which helps in reducing the sugars in the blood. As the name suggests, the bitter gourd is indeed bitter and difficult to eat. But it must be eaten in as much bitter form as possible (without sweetening) or its properties will be lost.



3. Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum graecum)



Fenugreek can suppress the excretion of sugar through the urine. Thus it can relieve the symptoms of diabetes.



4. Garlic (Allium sativum)



Garlic has been shown in Ayurveda to contain the best vata pacifying properties. Since diabetes mellitus is a vata disorder, garlic is beneficial. Garlic contains allicin, which works at reducing the sugar level in the blood. It also brings about the disintegration of cholesterol in the body.



5. Jamun (Syzygium cumini)



The jamun is also known as the Indian plum. It has a specific action on the pancreas, which controls the conversion of starch to sugar. The seeds of the fruit have better effects than the pulp.



6. Neem (Azadirachtha indica)



The neem or the Indian margosa tree is known for its medicinally useful bitter leaves and other parts. A paste of its leaves taken daily has excellent properties in reducing the sugar content of the blood.



7. Onion (Allium cepa)



The onion has hypoglycemic (i.e. low sugar) properties. In Ayurveda, it has been investigated thoroughly for its rasayana property. Along with these properties, onion is also a mild aphrodisiac and it can promote the strength of the body. With all these properties, onion becomes a very valuable food in the treatment of diabetes.



8. Turmeric (Curcuma longa)



Turmeric is another useful remedy for diabetes. Its effects are felt better if it is t taken along with amalaki (Indian gooseberry).



(2) Dietary Treatments for Diabetes



Diabetes mellitus is a metabolic disorder, which can be severely aggravated by the wrong kind of diet. Hence the following dietary guidelines must be followed:-



1. Reduce or even completely eliminate sugar in the diet. A hypoglycemic diet must be taken.



2. Obesity is one of the leading causes of diabetes. Hence the food must be devoid of fats and cholesterol producing substances.



3. Include at least one bitter dish in every meal.



(3) Ayurvedic Treatment for Diabetes



If the person is obese, then diabetes becomes more of a problem. In such people, an elaborate Ayurvedic system of treatment is used. The preliminary methods are:-



a) Apatarpana (de-nourishment)



b) Shamshodhana (cleansing)



In these methods, the fats built up in the body are reduced by de-nourishment of the body. This is followed by a cleansing of the toxins that have accumulated in the body. The panchakarma method of cleansing the body may be used.



Once this is done, then the body has to be rebuilt. This is done by:-



c) Santarpana (replenishment)



d) Brumhana (promoting body bulk)



If the person is chronically ill with diabetes, then these methods work. This is effective in treating diabetes in people who are underweight. By these methods, the essential nutrients are allowed to flow into the body and the body is rebuilt in a healthy manner.



(4) Home Medications



1. Continue a diet of bitter gourd cooked in ghee for a period of three months. This will bring the diabetes down by a significant amount.



2. Soak a few seeds of fenugreek in water and keep them overnight. Have these softened seeds in the morning.



3. Have a breakfast of fruits such as oranges, tomatoes and jamuns.



4. Soak dry raisins in water overnight. Drink the water they were soaked in the morning.



5. Prepare a choorna (fine powder) of dry amalaki. Put this powder in water and let it stand for some time. Then filter the water and squeeze the juice of a lemon in it. This must be had early in the morning.



6. Prepare a choorna of amalaki, turmeric and fenugreek taken in equal amounts. Take this choorna with honey every morning, afternoon and evening. This system provides relief from diabetes within about two months.



7. Make a mixture of the juices of mango and jamun taken in equal amounts. This must be taken thrice a day.

Diabetes Complications - Ayurvedic Herbal Treatment

Diabetes mellitus is a metabolic disorder in which there is inadequate metabolism of glucose in the blood because of a reduced production of insulin. This results in excessive glucose in the blood which has an adverse effect on the entire body. Diabetes mellitus results in complications which affect the heart, kidneys, eyes, gums, nerves, skin, extremities, gastrointestinal system and the brain. This article deals with the Ayurvedic treatment of different complications resulting from diabetes.



Diabetes carries an increased risk of heart attack and stroke because of an increased tendency for atherosclerosis. Medicines use to treat this condition are: Triphala-Guggulu, Medohar-Guggulu, Panch-Tikta-Ghrut-Guggulu, Arogya-Vardhini, Amalaki (Emblica officinalis), Haritaki (Terminalia chebula), Behada (Terminalia bellerica), Sunthi (Zinziber officinalis), Marich (Piper nigrum), Pippali (Piper longum), Lashuna (Allium sativum), Psyllium (Plantago ovata), Kutki (Picrorrhiza kurroa) and Guggulu (Commiphora mukul). These medicines need to be given on a long term basis and are very useful in reducing cholesterol, lipids and atherosclerosis.



Diabetes can cause inflammation and damage to the kidneys, resulting in nephropathy and kidney failure in the long run. In order to prevent renal damage and failure, medicines like Gokshuradi-Guggulu, Punarnavadi-Guggulu, Chandraprabha-Vati, Gomutra-Haritaki, Gokshur (Tribulus terrestris), Manjishtha (Rubia cordifolia), Saariva (Hemidesmus indicus), Haritaki (Terminalia chebula), Punarnava (Boerhaavia diffusa), Bhrungraj (Eclipta Alba), Shilajit (Purified bitumen), Apamarga (Achyranthus aspera), Deodar (Cedrus deodara) and Patol (Tricosanthe dioica) are used.



Diabetic retinopathy can lead to early blindness. In order to prevent or reduce this risk, medicines like Punarnavadi-Guggulu, Saptamrut-Loh, Triphala-Ghrut, Panch-Tikta-Ghrut-Guggulu, Haridra (Curcuma longa), Shatavari (Asparagus racemosus), Yashtimadhuk (Glycerrhiza glabra), Mandukparni (Centella asiatica), Saariva and Tulsi (Ocimum sanctum) are used.



Diabetes affects the central nervous system by disturbing the blood supply to the nerves, thereby causing inflammation and damage to the nerves. This can be prevented or treated using medicines like Tapyadi-Loh, Ekang-Veer-Ras, Dashmoolarishta, Vish-Tinduk-Vati, Yashtimadhuk, Kuchla (Strychnos nuxvomica) and Nirgundi (Vitex negundo). This pathology also affects the gastrointestinal system, manifesting as alternating diarrhea and constipation or abdominal distention. Medicines used to treat these symptoms are: Kutaj-Parpati, Panchamrut-Parpati and Suvarna-Parpati.



People with diabetes are more prone to skin diseases and injury to the extremities, specially the feet. This can be prevented using medicines like Arogya-Vardhini, Maha-Manjishthadi-Qadha, Gandhak-Rasayan and Panch-Tikta-Ghrut-Guggulu. Adequate hygiene needs to be maintained and wounds need to be treated properly till they heal completely. Chronic depression is another common problem related to diabetes which can be treated using medicines like Laxmi-Vilas-Ras, Shrung-Bhasma, Brahmi (Bacopa monnieri) and Vacha (Acorus calamus). Maintenance of oral hygiene is important and medicines like Bakul (Aconitum ferox), Kattha (Acacia catechu), Lavang (Carophyllus aromaticus), Supari (Areca catechu) and Elaichi (Elettaria cardamomum) are used to keep the gums clean and reduce inflammation and infection.



Needless to say, all the above mentioned medicines can have maximum therapeutic effect only if there is an adequate control of diabetes mellitus. Medicines like Haridra, Amalaki, Mamejva (Enicostemma littorale), Gudmar (Gymnema Sylvester) and Vijaysaar (Pterocarpus marsupium) can be used for this purpose.