The incidence of diabetes is increasing day by day. Being a silent killer, it is attacking the young generation secretly that increases the burden of exchequer on the people as well as the government. Two things are common these days- Side effects and Insulin resistance among the people who are taking modern medicines for diabetes treatment. It leads to searching of alternative system of medicine where Ayurveda has greater application and importance. Ayurveda treats diabetes through drugs, diet, panchakarma and exercise.
Diabetes Mellitus is a chronic metabolic disorder in which the body is unable to make proper use of glucose, resulting in the condition of hyperglycemia (high blood sugar). Excess glucose in the blood ultimately results in high levels of glucose being present in the urine (glycosuria). This increases the urine output, which leads to dehydration and increased thirst.
Glucose comes from the food we eat and is also made in liver and muscles. The blood carries glucose to all the cells in our body. Insulin, a chemical (or hormone) produced in the pancreas, is responsible for the uptake of glucose into cells for energy. Decreased levels of insulin affects this mechanism leading to increased glucose in the blood stream.
Causes
Factors that are often responsible for causing diabetes are excessive intake of foods which are difficult to digest, such as fried foods, creams, etc. Lack of exercise, mental stress and strain, excessive sleep, overeating and consequent obesity, excessive intake of sugar and refined carbohydrates, Overloading of proteins and fats can also lead to diabetes. Hereditary factors also play role in causing diabetes.
Symptoms
- Fatigue
- Weight loss or weight gain
- Frequent urinary tract infections
- Blurred vision
- Excessive sweating
- Excessive thirst
- Excessive hunger
- Frequent urination in large quantity
Simple Ayurvedic cure for diabetes
Bitter Gourd Juice:
Juice of Bitter melon/Karela (30 ml) may be taken on empty stomach daily in the early morning. Simple recipes of it can also be consumed. It is considered as one the best remedies for diabetes. How to prepare:
Crush the bitter melon into a grinder after separating its seeds. Little bit of water may also be added. Sieve this to have juice.
Cut the bitter melon into small and thin pieces. Put small quantity of mustard oil and salt as required into the fry pan. Heat the ingredients along with onion and green chili for about 10-15 minutes.
Ground bay leaf & Aloe Vera:
The mixture of ground bay leaf (1/2 tbsp), turmeric (1/2 tbsp) and aloe vera gel (1 tbsp) if taken twice a day before lunch and dinner, is helpful to control sugar in blood thus effective for the problem.
Methi Seeds:
Fenugreek seeds or its combination with ayurvedic herbs are useful remedy to lessen the signs and symptoms of diabetes. How to prepare:
Grind seeds of Methi (100 gm) and turmeric (25gm) are taken along with a glass of milk twice a day.
Soaked fenugreek seeds in warm water overnight followed by chewing it in the morning.
Soak 4tbsp of the seeds in 300 ml water overnight. Crush them in the morning and strain the mixture. Drink it daily for 3 months.
Chapattis are also prepared by adding methi powder.
Jamun Seeds:
The seed powder of Eugenia jambolana (1 tsp) twice a day along with lukewarm water is good in curing of it. The chewing of Jamun leaves prevents the conversion of starch into sugar.
Amla:
The juice of Amla (Embelica officinalis) (20 ml) twice a day is good for diabetic patient. The powder of Amla fruit may also be taken twice a day.
Banyan tree bark:
The decoction of the bark of ficus bengalensis is consumed (50 ml) twice a day. Preparation method: 20 gm of ficus bark is heated in 4 glass of water. When the mixture remained approx. of 1 glass, it may be taken after make it cold.
Cinnamon powder:
This is one of the important natural home remedies. How to prepare: First take one litre of drinkable water. Add 3-4 tbsp of cinnamon powder and heat it for 20 minutes. Strain the mixture and made it cool. Drink it every day.
Vijaysar Churna:
Pterocarpus marsupium is helpful in curing of diabetes mellitus: How to use:
Pterocarpus marsupium bark may be taken in the form of powder twice a day.
The cube of vijaysar may be kept in water overnight. Drink it in the morning empty stomach.
Patients also like to take cubes of vijaysar.
Triphala:
Triphala along with other ingredients are useful in lowering the sugar levels in blood. How to use: The decoction of equal parts of Triphala, root of barberry, colocynth and moth (20ml) may be taken along with turmeric powder (4gm) twice a day.
Ginseng
Ginseng is a collective name for a variety of different plant species.
In some studies utilising American ginseng, decreases in fasting blood glucose were reported. Varieties include Korean ginseng, Siberian ginseng, American ginseng and Japanese ginseng.
In some fields the plant, particularly the panax species, are hailed as ‘cure-all.’ As is the case with many of the herbs employed around the world in the treatment of diabetics, further long-term studies are needed to verify the efficacy of ginseng.
Gymnema sylvestre
Gymnema sylvestre is also employed in traditional ayurverdic medicine. The plant grows in the tropical forests of southern and central India, and has been linked with significant blood glucose lowering. Some studies in animals have even reported regeneration of islet cells and an increase in beta-cell function.
Momordica charantia
Momordica Charantia goes under a variety of names and is native to some areas of Asia, India, Africa and South America. Marketed as charantia, it is also known as karela or karolla and bitter melon. The herb may be prepared in a variety of different ways, and may be able to help diabetics with insulin secretion, glucose oxidation and other processes.
Ayurvedic food for diabetes
As per ayurvedic lifestyle, following types of food may be taken and permitted by diabetes patient.
These wholesome foods are bitter gourd, amla, snake gourd, turmeric, drum stick, barley, wheat, green gram, horse gram, pepper, garlic, blue berry, soyabean, cucumber, spinach, fenugreek seeds, jamun, bel, tulsi,