What
is Diabetes ?
Prameha
is a disease of profuse urination in Ayurveda. Not specifically a
urinary tract disorder, it is a dysfunction of the water system and
a water metabolism imbalance. Twenty such diseases are listed according
to the three humors that cause them, but diabetes as we commonly know
it, relates mainly to two types, diabetes insipidus and diabetes mellitus.
Diabetes
is a severe disease, difficult to treat and with many complications.
Natural remedies cannot often cure it, particularly that of juvenile
onset, but they can alleviate many of its side effects and improve
the quality of life and energy. For juvenile onset, and once the pancreas
function is totally lost, the condition is generally not reversible.
What
is the differentiation ?
Diabetes
manifests itself as excess thirst and excess urination. Initially,
it is primarily a Kapha (water) disease involved with obesity and
excess consumption of sweet foods. Kapha increases in the stomach
due to low pancreas function, then enters the other tissues, causing
frequency or turbidity of urination.
Long-term
diabetes involves thirst and wasting away of tissues, and is or becomes
primarily a Vata (air) disease. This is true in diabetes mellitus,
the most common type of diabetes. Vata accumulates in the large intestine
and travels to the pancreas, deranging pancreas function.
Pitta
(fire) can also cause diabetes. It accumulates in the small intestine,
and then travels to the liver and pancreas upsetting their functions.
Wrong
diet is often a causative factor in diabetes, with excessive consumption
of sugar, sweets, dairy products, alcohol, fat, and breads. It can
be caused by obesity, excessive sex, sleep in the day time, lack of
exercise, worry, stress and anxiety, or it may be hereditary. Psychologically,
diabetes is a disease of desire, thirst, and lack of contentment in
life.
What
is the general treatment ?
The
best general herb and common spice for regulating pancreas and liver
function, particularly useful in the initial stage of diabetes, is
turmeric, taken as a powder, 1-3 gms. two to three times a day with
aloe gel.
The
main Ayurvedic herb in more severe or long-term conditions is shilajit,
usually taken in the form of Shilajit compound. Another important
Ayurvedic herb is gurmar (Gymnema sylvestre). It is the subject of
modem scientific research throughout the world for its anti-diabetic
properties. Sushrut, one of the greatest ancient Ayurvedic doctors,
ascribed to it the property of destroying the taste of sugar (gur-mar
means sugar-destroying). It is able to reduce excess sugar in the
body.
Guggul
and myrrh are useful for the obesity that is often behind the problem.
Vasanta Kusumakara, a special mineral preparation, is helpful in severe
cases.
Though
sugar should be generally avoided, pure, unheated honey can be taken.
In
gem therapy, Jupiter stones, yellow sapphire or yellow topaz, are
helpful for improving sugar metabolism and for protecting the life.
They are usually set in gold and worn on the index finger of the right
hand.
What
is the specific treatment ?
For
Kapha (water) types, long term anti-Kapha diet is the main treatment.
Bitter melon is a good food for diabetes. Bitter taste is indicated
as it helps control sugar and fat metabolism and liver and pancreas
function. Good bitter herbs include aloe, gentian, katuka, neem, barberry,
turmeric, golden seal, and myrrh. Black pepper, cayenne and ginger
and other pungent herbs are helpful for weight reduction.
Vata
(air) type diabetes involves emaciation, thirst, dehydration, extreme
hunger, insomnia, low energy and burning sensation in the hands and
feet, as well as high blood sugar and profuse urination. Anti-Vata
diet is indicated, avoiding too much sugar and sweet juices. Complex
carbohydrates, nuts and dairy can be helpful. Meat can be useful,
particularly bone marrow soup. Ghee is very helpful and should be
taken 1-2 tsps. 2-3 times a day, particularly calamus or ashwagandha
ghee. Oil treatment is essential, particularly the application of
warm sesame oil to the head or forehead in a series of drops (shiro
dhara) at least two nights a week. (This can also be helpful for Kapha
types).
Herbal
treatment aims mainly at tonification using herbs such as shilajit,
ashwagandha, bala and shatavari and their formulas.
Pitta
(fire) type or Pitta stage diabetes involves fever, acidity, bleeding,
red, yellow or bluish urine, irritability and hypertension.
Treatment
is anti-Pitta. Bitter herbs are indicated as under Kapha, along with
cooling demulcent tonics such as shatavari, aloe gel or marshmallow
for weaker types.
We
offer some classical Indian supportive remedies for this disease which
are supposed to be taken strictly under medical supervision. Kindly
Ask a Doctor
