Diabetes Mellitus – Ayurvedic Herbal Treatment
Diabetes mellitus is a medical condition in which the body’s ability to produce insulin is marginally or significantly reduced. Due to this condition, the absorption of glucose by the body’s cells becomes impaired and blood sugar levels rise. Type 1 diabetic patients produce little or no insulin and therefore need insulin injections to control blood sugar. Patients with type 2 diabetes can control their blood sugar level with a combination of diet, weight control, exercise, and glucose-lowering medications.
Diabetes mellitus is known in Ayurveda as “Madhumeha”. Ayurveda describes the pathology of this disease as a result of disturbed “Meda, Kleda and Kapha”. It is believed that all the tissues in the body lose their vitality because of this condition.
Patients with type 1 diabetes who are dependent on insulin injections should monitor their blood sugar level and continue injections regularly. Type 2 diabetes patients can control their blood sugar level 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. Useful medicinal herbs 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 herbs mentioned above gradually lower blood sugar and stimulate the body to secrete insulin on its own. These drugs also act on the “Meda” and “Kapha” tissues, reduce “Kleda” and restore the vitality of the body. Thus they act on the basic pathology of this disease. Taken for long periods of time, these medications can help reverse the disease process in diabetes and provide long-lasting relief or sometimes even a permanent cure. Unlike modern medicines, medical emergencies such as hypoglycemia (a sudden drop in 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 helpful in both type 1 and type 2 diabetes. Ayurvedic medicines used especially 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).
Therefore, Ayurvedic medicines are useful both for lowering blood sugar and treating long-term complications. These drugs can be used independently or as additional therapy to modern drugs. Ayurvedic treatment can significantly reduce the morbidity (severity of disease) and mortality (death rate) associated with diabetes mellitus.