Diabetes - Can Ayurveda Treat It?

Diabetes mellitus is a group of related diseases which prohibits the body from regulating the amount of sugar in the blood. The metabolism of the body does not allow proper utilization of glucose. In Ayurveda terminology, Diabetes is called ‘Madhumey’.

Types of Diabetes:

Diabetes can be broadly classified into two types:

• Type 1 Diabetes is said to occur when the body is not able to produce enough insulin.

• Type 2 Diabetes is the one in which the way the body processes glucose is affected.

Both the types have high risk of incorporating glucose into blood leading to increased blood sugar level, also called hyperglycemia, which causes serious health issues.

Cause as per Ayurveda:

Ayurveda states that good health is a perfect balance between Vata, Pitta, and Kapha doshas. Ayurveda explains that Diabetes is multifactorial having reasons varying from inherited as well as acquired or accumulated imbalances of these doshas. An excess of Kapha dosha is considered as the main contributor to Diabetes. Kapha dosha is related to having a sweet-tooth and overindulgence in sweets and carbohydrates.

Role Of Ayurveda In Treating Diabetes:

Ayurveda recommends eliminating Kapha dosha by decreasing consumption of sweets and carbohydrates and replacing them with bitter tasting fruits and vegetables.

• Eat light, non- greasy food. Prefer food which is prepared using a dry technique like baking and grilling.

• Reduce dairy intake specifically that with high-fat content.

• Consume hot ginger tea, green tea, etc.

• Consume all types of beans except soybean.

• Prefer lighter fruits including pears, apples, apricots, cranberries, and pomegranates. Avoid fruits like bananas, figs, and pineapples.

• Prefer whole grain like millet, corn, barley, rye, etc., and avoid wheat, rice, and oats.

• Use pungent spices like mustard, ginger, pepper, cayenne, etc.

• Consume a fibre- rich diet.

• Avoid consumption of meat and potato.

• Bitter gourd and fenugreek help a lot in managing Diabetes.

• Ivy gourd or kanduri has glucose-lowering characteristics.

• Hemp seeds, amla or gooseberry, and aloe vera help in controlling Diabetes.

• Cinnamon improves body’s ability to utilize glucoses in a number of ways.

• Turmeric helps in managing Diabetes.

• Use garlic, onion, spinach, raw banana, and black plum.

• Coccinia indica is a powerful anti-diabetic agent which regulates breakdown of starch.

• Bitter seeds and leaves of Azadirachta indica or neem improve glucose tolerance.

• Leaves of Morus indica or mulberry lower blood sugar level.

• Seeds and fruit of Eugenia jambolana stimulate insulin secretion, reducing the risk of kidney dysfunction due to diabetics and accelerating wound healing process.

• Drink water in a copper utensil to balance all the three doshas.

• Exercise regularly and adopt a healthy lifestyle.

• Try controlling obesity.

• Practice yoga as it will balance all the three doshas.

• Train to relax mind so that heartbeat, blood pressure, and other vital signs remain in control.

Why choose ayurveda?

Ayurveda is the best mode of treatment when it comes to treating and managing lifestyle problem like diabetes. The best part about Ayurveda is that it flushes out all the toxins from the body which help in normalising the insulin level and keeping the ill effects of diabetes at bay. Hence, visiting a good Ayurveda specialist in such situation can be of great help.

Take Away:

Diabetes management can be achieved through an organized diet. This is why Ayurveda manages Diabetes by adopting lifestyle changes which is a flawless and harmless approach for the same. To avoid excess sweets, Ayurveda encourages vegetables and whole grain intake in food for Diabetes management according to the field of medical science.