How to treat diabetes in Ayurveda and remedies

Diabetes! diabetes! diabetes! We all have heard too much about this lifestyle disease, as it is often called. The more information we get the tougher it gets to know what to understand. What we need is proper knowledge about this disease. Ayurvedic medicine for type 1 diabetes is not yet known. Ayurveda recommends following a restricted lifestyle with ayurvedic medicine for the same.

There are two types of diabetes. Diabetes insipidus and diabetes mellitus. Both are different. Diabetes insipidus is a condition where the brain releases hormones which stop the kidneys in producing so much urine, so as to retain water.

Diabetes mellitus is a condition where the body is inefficient in utilising the insulin produced. Sometimes inadequate amount of insulin is released.

Ayurveda describes three factors on which the well-being of an individual depends. They are:

• Vata
• Pitta
• Kapha

We have spoken about them in our earlier blogs. Diabetes is a serious illness because it can cause several other complications. Other vital organs like the heart, kidneys and eyes are affected by it.

Understanding the symptoms of diabetes:

Many people detect diabetes when it is too late. This is because they do not understand the signs and symptoms. The initial signs of diabetes include high blood sugars; this involves regular blood check-ups.

• Change in lifestyle:

Lately this menace has been named as a lifestyle disease than something that occurs due to old age. As mentioned before sugar occurs to people who lead a sedentary lifestyle, eat more and workout less.

In the urban world junk food is easily available and easy to prepare. Instant noodles for instance are an easy way of feeding yourself. Cooking a well-balanced diet seems to be rather tedious job in today’s time. Both type of diabetes has same initial symptoms:

• Hunger and lethargy:

Your cells need insulin to convert glucose into energy. If your body does not produce enough insulin or if your body starts fighting the amount of insulin produced then you will have excess blood glucose. As energy is not produced you are sure to feel lethargic and hungry.

• Urinating often and being thirstier than normal:

An average person urinates at least 2-7 times a day. A person with diabetes will urinate more. This is because your body absorbs glucose as it passes through the kidneys. The kidneys are unable to process this excess glucose thus releasing it in urine.

After we have known the symptoms of Madhumeha now it is time to know the ayurvedic remedies that can treat diabetes.

Some Ayurvedic remedies:

• Methi:

It is rich in fiber which helps to improve metabolic symptoms. These metabolic symptoms associate with diabetes. When soaked in water overnight, the water has the ability to reduce blood sugar levels. This water also helps the body to regulate the sugar in the blood.

• Bitter gourd or karela:

As the name suggests, bitter gourd is bitter in taste. This bitter taste helps in lowering the sugar levels in the blood. It also helps in controlling the glycemic index. Bitter melon is used as a complementary medicine so you should not leave your medications.

• Turmeric:

The turmeric plant has been used for ages in Ayurveda. It balances Kapha dosha. Manages and alleviates diabetic symptoms. For centuries, it has been used in eastern medicine for general health. Research shows that curcumin can decrease the level of glucose in the blood. Turmeric extract help stabilize blood sugar levels and make diabetes more manageable.

• Trikatu:

Trikatu is a combination of three plants pipali, dry ginger, and black pepper. Piperine is a potent bioavailability enhancer. It has shown

prominent positive on diabetic liver, kidney, eyes, and neural system complications.

• Gudmar:

It has an anti-diabetic activity which is attributed to the ability of Gymnemic acid that delay glucose absorption in the blood. It also helps in maintaining cholesterol levels.

• Jamun:

Daily consumption of Jamun fruit helps in lowering blood glucose levels. It enhances insulin activity and sensitivity. Jamun seeds powder is beneficial when intaken for both type 2 diabetes and insulin and non-insulin dependant diabetes.