Diabetes is a common condition these days and while most people rely on allopathic medicines to help control their blood sugar, there is a more holistic way to check the progression of diabetes.
Diabetes is a common condition these days and while most people rely on allopathic medicines to help control their blood sugar, there is a more holistic way to check the progression of diabetes — Ayurveda. We spoke to Acharya Balakrishna about Ayurveda and diabetes and how the form of medicine treats the quickly spreading condition. Here are excerpts from the interview.
What is diabetes according to Ayurveda?
The disease diabetes mellitus (DM) is as such not mentioned in Ayurvedic text, but the symptoms of the disease ‘Madhumeha’ which is one of the 20 types of Prameha roga, resembles the symptoms of DM. According to Ayurvedic texts the most important symptom ofPrameha is ‘Prabhutavila mutrata‘ that is excessive and dirty urination. The two types of Prameha / Madhumeha namely Sahajaand Apathya-nimittaj can be compared with insulin-dependent (juvenile onset) and insulin independent (maturity onset) diabetes mellitus respectively. Madhumeha when occurs as a primary disease (Avrit Vatajanya) it is comparable with juvenile onset diabetes mellitus.
What causes diabetes?
According to Ayurvedic text, Meda (Adiposity) is main contributory factors in the progression and onset of Prameha / Madhumeha and this disease mainly affects the Ojas (Immune status) of the body. The conventional system of medicine has also described central adiposity (fat in the mid section or around the tummy and abdomen) as the major cause of Diabetes Mellitus specially type 2 DM. Classical Ayurvedic texts have vividly described sedentary life styles and faulty dietary habits in its own words as the major cause of Madhumeha. Our texts has described various causes of Madhumeha as excessive consumption of curd (milk products), flesh and oily products along with sitting and sleeping for hours together on soft and comfortable mattresses which indicates sedentary life styles as per modern scenario which is major contributory factor in the pathogenesis and hazardous complications of DM.
How is it diagnosed in Ayurveda?
The most important symptom to diagnose Madhumeha, is excessive and dirty urination. Along with this Acharya Caraka has described few prodromal symptoms which help to diagnose Prameha / Madhumeha. They are
- Laziness,
- Foul smell from body,
- Lethargy,
- Coated tongue,
- Ear wax,
- Fat deposition in the thoracic region,
- Enlargement or thickening of hair and nails,
- Dryness of throat and palate,
- The feeling of sweetness in the mouth,
- Burning sensation in the hands and feet and
- Collection of ants on urine when collected and left out.
How can Ayurveda help treat diabetes?
The treatment of any disease including Prameha / Madhumeha, aims at restoring the balance of doshas and the normal function of Dhatu. If Doshas slightly increase, restriction of diet along with increased activity is sufficient as a therapeutic measure. If the doshas are moderately increased, one should administer medicines to neutralize thedoshasalong with dietetic restrictions and increased activity. If the Doshas are markedly increased, apart from dietetic restriction, exercise and medicines, one should also advise Panhcakarma i.e. emetics, purgatives, etc. so that the increased Doshas are eliminated from the body. As per Ayurvedic parlance the patients of Prameha / Madhumeha are of two types- Sthula (obese) and Krisha (lean). From the view of management, Sthula Pramehi is given Shodhana(purification method) therapy, while the Krisha pramehi has first to be given Brimhana (nutrition) therapy to provide him strength.
What do the specific treatments entail?
In Sthula pramehi with adequate body strength having intense increase of doshas, purification of the body is advocated depending on the doshas predominance i.e. people with Kapha are advised to have emetics, and those with elevated Pitta levels are advised to have purgatives. In krisha pramehi and weak patients are advised to haveBrimhana i.e. medications and diet which increase dhatus in the body. Qualitative medications depending on the symptoms and pre-dominance of doshas are advocated, and in case of weak patients Acharya Caraka advises ‘Santarpana chikitsa’ (a form of treatment that is meant to energise the body).
Main treatment options for Prameha / Madhumeha are Ahara, Vihara and Aushadh. The type of Ahara (food) mainly indicated for a Pramehi / Madhumehi is Yava (barley), bitter and astringent vegetables, meat of animal residing in hot climate and pulses like Adhaki, Kulattha, Chanaka and Mudga.
Vihara refers to exercise and physical activities. Acharya Caraka says that the symptoms of Prameha / Madhumeha are immediately relieved by different types of strenuous exercises, taking bath with medicated water prepared with the help of vijyasara and khadir and application of paste over body prepared with khas, dalchini, agar, elaichi and chandana. In Ayurvedic texts it is also mentioned that the lack of exercise is one of the main reasons for the onset of diabetes. It is very clear that exercise plays a key role in carbohydrate metabolism and diminishes the blood glucose level by burning peripheral glucose.
Aushadh (herbal drugs) used in the management of Prameha / Madhumeha are bitter, astringent and pungent in taste. Some of the importance drugs mentioned in Ayurvedic classics for the management for the Prameha / Madhumeha are – Darvyadi Kwatha, Phalatrikadi Kwatha, Amrita Swaras, Nisha Triphala Yoga, Triphala Churna, Sphatika Churna, Gokshuradi Vati, Chandraprabha Vati, Arogya Vardhini Vati, Shilajeet Vati, Basanta Kusmakar rasa, Vangeswar rasa, Chandrakala rasa, Trivnga Bhasma, Loha Bhasma, Roupya Bhasma, Naga bhasma, Vanga Bhasma, Madhvasava and Lodhrasava.
Can a person having diabetes be completely reversed?
No, as Prameha / Madhumeha (DM) is a hyperglycemic state which can be controlled by using any of the Ayurveda or Allopathic medication. Hence there is no question of complete reversal; the only thing is good control of glycemic state.
Is Ayurveda treatment is safe for everyone? Are there people who should not take these medicine?
Yes, there are certain drugs (Rasaushadhi) prepared with heavy metals. Which should be prescribed only after evaluating renal and cardiac functions in a diabetic patient. So before prescribing such medicine we should thoroughly examine the patient in each and every aspect. If we are prescribing such medicine after thorough examination, no any major or hazardous side effect is noted till now. But this is our responsibility that if patient is under treatment, we should screen the patient time to time for any related complication.
The conclusion is if someone wants to prevent himself from diabetes or a diabetic patient wants to prevent hazardous complications of diabetes, he or she should be follow dietary restriction as described in ayurveda as well as in the modern medicine. Along with dietary restriction one should take medication (Ayurveda / Allopathy) whatever he wants according to the glycemic status.
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