In Ayurveda, there are many diseases that are described in connection with three doshas- Vata, Pitta, Kapha. Among these, diabetes is a very common disease, known for high glucose levels in the blood, and repeated urination or its urge. Diabetes is one of the most severe diseases that can also have a damaging effect on other organs as well. It is divided into two subcategories- Diabetes Miletus and Diabetes Insipidus. Diabetes Miletus is usually caused when not enough insulin is being produced by the pancreas for some reason or other. It is further of two types- Type 1 and Type 2. Type 1 diabetes is an insulin-dependent autoimmune disease while Type 2 diabetes is the most common type of diabetes which is also called insulin-resistant diabetes. Diabetes Insipidus, also called Drinker’s disease, is caused by the deficiency of ADH. In this, the person suffers from polyurea.
Since diabetes is a chronic disease, Ayurveda doesn’t offer its permanent treatment. However, it does help in managing diabetes miletus.
Symptoms of Diabetes
- Increased thirst.
- Tiredness and Weakness.
- Blurred vision.
- Numbness or tingling in the hands or feet.
- Slow-healing sores or cuts.
- Unplanned weight loss.
- Frequent urination.
- Frequent unexplained infections.
- Dry mouth.
- In women- yeast or urinary tract infections may occur.
- In men- Erectile dysfunction, decreased libido and muscular strength may occur.
Diabetes and Ayurvedic Doshas
Diabetes is caused due to three doshas- Kapha, Vata and Pitta. Vata is a dry and airy dosha. Pitta is fiery and Kapha is slimy, cold, and heavy. The imbalance of each dosha causes the further problem. Diabetes is said to be Kapha dosha disease. However, only being a Kapha dominant person doesn’t cause diabetes, but if you do not have a balanced diet and healthy habits, it will lead to diabetes. Kapha dosha is known to be imbalanced and compounded with weak Agni and hence, the weak digestion. Therefore, the person with Kapha dominance should include airier and fire food and products in their diet, so as to balance this dosha.
In ayurvedic texts, the manifestation of diabetes is through excessive thirst or urination. Commonly caused due to Kapha Disorder and various reasons like obesity, an unhealthy lifestyle, or an increase in consumption of sweet foods or Kapha impacting foods. In this case, the poor pancreatic function increases Kapha in the stomach and this causes frequent urination.
Diabetes Miletus is known to be caused due to Vata disorder. In this, Vata gets collected in the large intestine and is passed to the pancreas in turn interfering with its function.
Sometimes, even pitta can cause diabetes. It gets accumulated in the small intestine before going to the liver and hence causes damage to the liver.
Types of Diabetes according to Ayurveda
There are two types of diabetes in Ayurveda- Avarana and Dhatuksyaya. Avarana is caused by Kapha Dosha when it blocks the channels of the body. This is the most common type of cause. The second type is when Dhatus or body tissues are affected or depleted. This usually happens in the case of juvenile diabetes.
Since this disease is caused by Kapha dosha. It is very important to take care of your diet. Try having warm food products than cold to keep up with the Agni or digestive fire, so that the digestion can be optimum. Also, the lunch must be heavy, unlike the light breakfast and dinner. This is the ideal way of having your meals. To avoid aggregation of Kapha dosha, do not consume sweet or sour products as they trigger it. Consume warm or hot water sip by sip throughout the day to provide warmth to your body. Keep your water in a copper bottle as this is the traditional aid to diabetes. Since digestion is weak, we need to enhance it, so you can always do it by having snacks in between the meals, it triggers digestion, also you can have certain ayurvedic herbs or formulations that help in the digestion.
Stress is another factor that is known to cause diabetes and Hypoglycemia is a treatment that can heal you beyond medications and diet. One should always avoid taking unusual stress and doing this, it will definitely help you balance your body doshas. Moreover, take proper sleep. It also helps in managing diabetes.
Each stage of life has a dominant dosha. In childhood, the Kapha dosha is dominant. Puberty to middle age is Pitta influenced and another stage is after the age of 50.
Having a Kapha aggravating diet can manifest Type-1 diabetes in childhood. Its treatment involves balancing the body doshas by changing lifestyles, managing stress, or giving ayurvedic treatments. Type 2 diabetes is called Apathyanimittaja in the Ayurvedic texts. In this, an aggravated Vata dosha further makes an aggravated Kapha dosha. Its treatment includes giving medications to balance the dosha and also lifestyle changes.
Can diabetes be cured completely by Ayurveda?
Ayurvedic formulations are always preferred to help diabetes, simply due to the holistic approaches and how it prevents the disease from entering the body. Sometimes, allopathic medicines are too much to handle and they require effective experience to notice what they want, while in Ayurveda, the problem is usually treated using formulations made from commonly used herbs or elements that people already consume in daily lives. Knowing these herbs will always help you in understanding these formulations better. Therefore, here are we listing a few of these elements-
- Amla- Rich in Vitamin C and antioxidants, amla is the potent herb that keeps diabetes in control. It has chromium which helps the body to respond to insulin, this further keeps the blood sugar in control as well. The other elements- calcium, phosphorus, and iron present in this wonder fruit help the body to absorb insulin and regulate blood sugar levels.
- Triphala- Triphala is a natural immunity booster and it also helps indigestion. A powdered formula consists of Haritaki, Amla, and Bibhitaki. This particular formula helps in preventing diabetes. The antioxidants present in it helps in maintaining a healthy heart and respiratory function.
- Cinnamon Powder- Cinnamon is another ayurvedic medicine for diabetes. It is an effective stomach cleaner and also helps in reducing sugar levels after meals. Also, it manages the Kapha and Vata doshas while increasing the pitta doshas.
- Turmeric- Turmeric powder is an anti-cancer, anti-allergic, anti-inflammatory, and one of the strongest agents that helps in controlling diabetes. It not only purifies blood but also opens body channels. Also, it helps in reducing the insulin-resistance and facilitates glucose entry into the cell. Turmeric is effective when combined with aloe vera.
- Saptrangi- The bark of the tree Saptrangi is known to be very efficient in regulating blood sugar levels and this is why it has been widely studied by western herbal universities. Saptrangi has been used in Ayurveda for centuries and is an excellent diabetes treatment.
- Vizaysaar- Likewise, Saptrangi, the bark of the tree Vizaysaar also has anti-diabetic properties. Diabetic patients usually keep water overnight in the glass made of the wood of the Vizaysaar tree and drink it in the morning. You must change the glass after your water stops turning brown.
- Bilva- The tree’s roots are covered in three leaves. In Ayurveda, any tree with three leaves is regarded as a divine and the abode of Lord Vishnu, Brahma, and Maheshwar. The leaves of these plants are dried, powdered, and then mixed with other herbs for treating diabetes. It also helps in treating irritating bowel syndrome.
- Tulsi- The plant that has uncountable medicinal benefits. This miraculous plant also helps in controlling your blood sugar level, if used regularly. Apart from diabetes, it helps in several other diseases like cancers, sore throats, cough, colds, and bacterial and respiratory infections.
- Karela- Karela Juice has so many benefits in regulating the blood sugar level and the complications of diabetes. For better performance, consume 30 ml of Karela Juice the first thing in the morning. You can also add amla juice in it to enhance its properties.
- Fenugreek- This spicy herb helps in reducing excess of Kapha in the body. It controls your blood sugar as well as your cholesterol levels. Patients usually use its seeds in powdered form.
- Neem- Neem is another herbal medicinal plant that is used to purify the blood and boost the immune system. It aids in the maintenance of normal blood sugar levels.
- Amla- Amla is the richest source of vitamin C and is also known for its commendable anti-oxidant properties. Having vitamin C three times that of orange can reduce the complications caused by diabetes. It also has anti-aging properties.
- Guggulu- It detoxifies the body by enhancing its metabolism and regulating the process of elimination of waste products. It thus helps in regulating diabetes by removing excess sugar and fat from the body.
Natural Ways of Controlling Diabetes
- Maintaining a healthy diet- The sole purpose of mentioning this point, again and again, is to put an emphasis on how important it is. It will not only help you in managing your diet but also will prevent you from catching many other diseases as well. Limit your carb intake as it breakdowns into glucose and thus increases blood sugar levels. Reach out to an ayurvedic doctor to know how to have a diet that balances your doshas.
- Having a meal schedule- Eating on time is as important as eating healthy. According to Ayurveda, proper digestion happens when Agni or digestive fire is at its best. There are certain herbs and formulations that support the digestion of the body. However, the Agni level also depends on the sun. It is known that digestion happens best when the sun is at its peak. Therefore, it is recommended to have a heavy lunch and a light dinner and breakfast. Eating heavy at night or having a midnight meal can be harsh on your digestive system. In addition, one must include a sufficient amount of vegetables, fruits, and fiber-rich products in the food.
- Drinking enough water- Diabetes leads to repetitive urination and hence you must drink at least 2 liters of water daily. This will help you in preventing the dry mouth and excessive thirst you might be facing due to this problem. It will also help in managing diabetes and won’t let it worsen.
- Proper Sleep- Don’t compromise with your necessary 8 hours of sleep at night. It not only takes care of your physical health but also your mental health. A negative sleeping schedule will adversely affect your blood pressure, glucose level, insulin sensitivity, and appetite. Ayurveda states that the digestive system and other body parts.
Can I get rid of diabetes permanently?
The answer is no. Diabetes can’t be cut from the root but one can always control it by having a healthy lifestyle, balanced diet, and medications. If you choose to have an ayurvedic treatment, it will work on reducing the effect of diabetes on your body and thus you can lead a healthy life. Waking up early, scraping your tongue to get rid of waste and then taking ayurvedic formulations along with bitter gourd juice or something else, are some general steps included in diabetic treatment.
Some potent Ayurvedic Medicines for Diabetes?
- Garlic
- Fresh Bilwa leaves
- 1 capsule of Shilajeet
- Fenugreek capsules – three capsules a day (for overweight patients)
- 6 tablespoons of Bitter gourd juice
Additional ways to control diabetes
- Don’t take mid-day naps.
- Reduce carbs in your diet.
- Do not smoke or drink.
- Exercise or walk daily.
- Regularly check your sugar levels through laboratory tests.
- Don’t skip your regular health check-ups.
- Don’t consume extra oil or fried items.
- One can also go for yoga or meditation.
We can totally understand what complications you or your loved ones may face due to diabetes, and hence, Getron pharmaceuticals offer a list of products that can help you in managing diabetes and its symptoms. Visit our shop to know more about them. Remember, We care for you!
