If you are obese, Ayurveda recommends Apatarpana (de-nourishment of fats) and Samshodhana (cleansing of toxins) using medicines and therapies like Panchakarma. If you are chronically ill, with low immunity and are underweight, Santarpana (replenishment) and Brumhana (increasing body bulk) using oil massages and herbs like Ashwagandha are prescribed.
In today’s stressful modern living, incidence of Diabetes is definitely increasing. Ayurveda offers a comprehensive treatment solution for diabetes.

Symptoms Of Diabetes

  • Excessive urine formation and frequent urination
  • Burning of palms and soles
  • Increased hunger
  • Excessive Thirst
  • Sweet taste to mouth, etc.
  • Weight Loss
  • Blurry Vision
  • Wounds that take time to heal
  • Skin Infections
  • Unexplained extreme fatigue

Ayurvedic Treatment For Diabetes

Depending on the physical constitution or body type (prakriti) or the health status of an individual, ayurveda categorizes two types of treatment schedules for patients. They are:

1. Apatarpana (De-nourishment) and Samshodhana (Cleansing)

This treatment is prescribed if you are obese and heavily built. In this, along with anti-diabetic herbal medicines, importance is given on de-nourishment of fats and elimination of toxins by way of:
  • Various exercises
  • Fasting therapies – such as juice fasting, water fasting, etc.
  • Cleansing therapies – called panchakarma (five fold therapies viz. emesis, purgation, oil enema, decoction enema and nasal drops instillation)

2. Santarpana (Replenishment) and Brumhana (Body Bulk Promotion)

This is prescribed if you are chronically ill, with low immunity and underweight due to the draining of essential nutrients. This therapy helps in providing the easily acceptable nutrients and micro-nutrients to rebuild body tissues and help strengthen the defence mechanism, without increasing circulating blood sugar and fat tissue. This prevents further damage and ensures enhanced healing and repair. This is achieved by:
  • Oil enema therapies (Anuvasana Basti)
  • Nourishing massages like Navarakizhi
  • Oil massage
  • Administration of nourishing Ayurvedic herbs such as Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera),Vidari (Pueraria tuberose), Shatavari (Asparagus racemosus), Aloe Vera, Pomegranate and nuts.

Ayurvedic Anti-Diabetic Herbs

Jambul (Eugenia Jambolana)

The jambul fruit is regarded as a specific traditional ayurvedic medicine because of its action on the pancreas. The fruit, the seeds and the whole fruit juice are all useful in the treatment of diabetes. The seeds contain jamboline, which controls the excessive conversion of starch to sugar.
For internal usage, dry the seeds, powder them, and take 3 grams, twice daily with water or butter milk.

Bitter Gourd/Bitter Melon (Momordica charantia)

The fruit and seeds of this plant contain most active blood sugar-lowering components. This contains an active principle called charantin. For better therapeutic benefits, extract juice from four to five bitter melon’s every morning and consume on an empty stomach. You can take the seed powder either directly or in the form of a decoction.

Bel (Aegle Marmelos)

Though this plant is famous for its fruit, the leaves have been scientifically proven to be anti-diabetic. Drink fresh juice of the leaves daily along with pinch of black pepper. This will take care of your excess body sugar.

Fenugreek (Trigonella Foenum Graecum)

The medicinal qualities of fenugreek seeds are described in ayurvedic literature. In recent studies, it has been reported that the decoction of fenugreek seeds suppressed the urinary excretion of sugar and relieved symptoms of diabetes.
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It contains trigonelline, and an alkaloid known to reduce blood sugar levels.

Turmeric

Ayurveda recommends turmeric as an exclusive remedy for diabetes. It is more effective if taken with an equal amount of amla powder.

Neem

Neem is an age-old remedy and is easily available anywhere. Its juice or paste can be taken internally to lower blood sugar levels.

Useful Ayurvedic Medicines For Diabetes

  1. Dhatri Nisha: A combination of Turmeric powder and Amla powder and has to be taken early morning and is especially useful in Diabetic eye problems (diabetic retinopathy).
  2. Triphala – A simple combination of three fruits – Terminalia chebula, Terminalia bellirica,Emblica officinalis helps reduce blood sugar levels, relieve constipation and provides eye care. It is a very good source of antioxidants.
  3. Asanadi Kashayam – Useful in diabetes associated with obesity, non-healing wounds and diabetic carbuncles.
  4. Chandraprabha Vati – Useful in diabetes associated with recurrent urinary tract infection and diabetic nephropathy.
  5. Pathyakshadhatryadi Kashaya – Rich in anti-oxidants.
  6. Shilajatu vati – Useful in diabetes associated with premature ejaculation, erectile dysfunction, etc.
  7. Panchanimba churna – Helps treat diabetes associated with repeated skin infection disorders.

Other Useful Anti-Diabetic Medications

  • Nishakathakadi Kashayam
  • Kathakakhadiradi Kashayam
  • Varanadi Kashayam
  • Varadi Kashayam
  • Aragwadhadi Kashayam
  • Jeevanthyadi Kashayam
  • Nimbamritadi panchatiktakam Kashayam
  • Niruryadi gulika
  • Dhanwantaram ghritam
  • Trikantakadi ghritam

Useful Herbs In The Management Of Ayurveda

  • Asana – Pterocarpus marsupium Linn
  • Nimba – Azadirachta indica A. Juss.
  • Bilva – Bael tree – Aegle marmelos Corr.
  • Haridra – Turmeric
  • Lodhra – Symplocos racemosa Roxb.
  • Jambu – Jamun seeds
  • Saptaparna – Alstonia scholaris R. Br.
  • Meshashringi – Gymnema sylvestre R. Br.
  • Kathaka – Strychnos potatorum Linn.
  • Khadira – Acacia catechu Willd.
  • Guggulu – Commiphora mukul (Hook. Ex. Stocks.) Engl.
  • Mamajjaka – Enicostemna littorale Linn
  • Shilajatu – Asphaltum punjabinum

Wholesome Diet For Diabetics

  • Shigru (drum stick)
  • Haridra (turmeric)
  • Amalaki (goose berry)
  • Yava (barley)
  • Godhuma (wheat)
  • Mudga (green gram)
  • Kulattha (horse gram)
  • Patola (snake gourd)
  • Karavellaka (bitter gourd)
  • Maricha (pepper)
  • Lashuna (garlic)
  • Jambu (blue berry)
Along with the above medicines and remedies, Ayurveda also recommends regular yoga, meditation and Pranayamato prevent or treat stress.
Also, indulge in regular oil massages to treat muscle and joint aches, regular eye exercises and therapies like the Tarpana treatment to prevent and treat retinopathy and foot massage with Neem-based oils to prevent and treat wounds and ulcers.