Diabetes and Ayurveda – Herbs and Tips
Diabetes is a growing disorder in the modern world and is reaching epidemic proportions. According to William Herman, director of the University of Michigan Center for Translational Diabetes Research and consultant to the World Health Organization, diabetes is truly an epidemic, both in the US and globally. According to recent studies, the WHO estimates that nearly 350 million people worldwide have the condition.
Diabetes, also known as Diabetes Mellitus, is a disorder characterized by an excessive amount of blood sugar or blood glucose, and is due to a lack of the hormone insulin in the body or because the insulin present in the body is inefficient at synthesize glucose and absorb it into the body.
What is the diabetes?
Diabetes is a group of metabolic diseases in which the person with diabetes has high levels of glucose or sugar in the blood, either due to inadequate production of insulin in the body or because the body’s cells do not respond properly to insulin. . Hunger, thirst, and frequent urination are common symptoms.
Different types
Diabetes is of three types, namely type 1 diabetes, an autoimmune disease; Type 2 Diabetes: The body does not produce enough insulin for proper function and gestational diabetes is seen to develop in women during pregnancy. Of these, Type 2 is the most common and Type 1 the least common.
common causes
Common causes of diabetes are high blood pressure, high cholesterol, insulin deficiency, or insulin resistance. It can be hereditary and also rarely due to the pancreas.
Symptoms
The main symptoms are extreme thirst, hunger, blurred vision, polyuria, weight loss, fatigue, and frequent urination.
Ayurveda and Diabetes
In Ayurveda, diabetes is known as “Prameha”. It is a chronic metabolic disorder, which makes the body unable to properly use the glucose produced, resulting in hyperglycemia (high blood sugar) and glycosuria (sugar in the urine). If left untreated, diabetes can lead to heart attacks, strokes, blindness, nerve damage, limb amputation, male impotence, and pruritus (itching).
Ayurveda has much more scientific information on diabetes, its symptoms and causes and has some of the oldest records on the disease. According to Ayurveda there are 20 forms of diabetes, 4 due to Vata dosha, 6 due to Pitta and the remaining 10 due to Kapha dosha. Diabetes is primarily a Kapha disorder.
From the Ayurvedic point of view, diabetes is mainly due to diet increasing Kapha dosha such as sugar, rice, fats and potatoes, lack of exercise, stress and mental strain, and excessive sleep.
Diet planning is the key factor in diabetes control. Adequate daily exercise and the restriction and reduction of excess weight play another role in the control of diabetes. Also avoid smoking, sleeping during the day, and stress. Practicing yoga can help reduce and control stress and tension.
Ayurvedic remedies
Some of the most useful herbs for treating diabetes are
• Bitter Gourd (Momordica charantia)
• Bael (Aegles marmelos)
• Gurmar leaves (Gymnema sylvestrae)
• Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum graecum)
• Turmeric (Curcuma longa)
• Onions (Allium cepa)
• Nayantatra (pink Vinca)
• Neem (Azadirachtha indica)
• Garlic (Allium sativum)
• Sagar gout (Ceasalpinia crista)
Some Ayurvedic tips for diabetes
1. Bitter gourd is considered the best remedy for diabetes. Consume a teaspoon of bitter gourd juice daily as it lowers blood and urine sugar levels. Also, having bitter gourd cooked in ghee and consuming it over a period of three months reduces diabetes to a significant level.
2. Indian gooseberry is considered an effective medicine to treat diabetes. One teaspoon of Indian gooseberry juice mixed with one cup of fresh bitter gourd juice, taken over a period of two months, will enable the pancreas to secrete insulin.
3. Tulsi leaves are packed with antioxidants that relieve oxidative stress and have essential oils that help lower blood sugar levels in the body. Sugar levels can be kept under control by drinking a glass of water with 10 Tulsi (Holy Basil) leaves, 10 Neem (Azadirachtha indica) and 10 Belpatras (Aegle marmelos) leaves early in the morning on an empty stomach.
4. Mix and grind fenugreek seeds, turmeric and white pepper. Take a teaspoon of this powder with a glass of milk twice a day.
5. Put a cup of water in a copper container at night and drink the water in the morning.
6. Boil 15 fresh mango leaves in a cup of water, let stand overnight and drink the filtered water first thing in the morning, as the tender mango leaves are very effective in treating diabetes by regulating the levels of insulin in the blood.
7. Eating a healthy diet that contains vitamins and minerals such as fruits such as apples, apricots, and berries, and vegetables such as carrots, beets, and bitter gourds is essential for keeping your body healthy and balancing blood sugar levels.
8. Fenugreek seeds contain useful fiber to control diabetes. Soak fenugreek seeds in water overnight and consume early in the morning before breakfast. The seeds can also be powdered and mixed with milk. This may enhance glucose-dependent insulin secretion. Repeat this remedy daily for a few months to control blood sugar levels.
9. Drinking a cup of green tea on an empty stomach is good for your overall health. Green tea is high in polyphenols, a strong antioxidant compound that is helpful in lowering the blood sugar insulin level in the body.
10. Also recent studies have found that yogurt and curd can help reduce the risk of diabetes.
dietary treatment
Diet planning is the key remedy to control diabetes. Avoid consuming sugary foods such as rice, bananas, potatoes, cereals and fruits with high sugar content. Include sour dishes in every meal, have leafy greens, black gram, soybeans, fish, etc.
Include vegetables like bitter gourd, green beans, cucumber, onion and garlic, fruits like Indian gooseberry, Jamul fruit and grapes and grains like Bengal gram and black gram in the diet. Also eat raw vegetables and herbs, as they play a key role in stimulating the pancreas and improving insulin production. Choose organic vegetables for best results.
To conclude, diabetes is not just a lack of insulin production in the body. It is due to poor maintenance of the body. Balancing the health of the body and the Doshas can only heal it. For this, it is important to have a healthy lifestyle.
