ayurvedic approach to diabetes
OUR AYURVEDIC APPROACH:
Ayurvedic treatment differs from person to person. In
the beginning, medicine is given according to the
personal criteria. After monitoring the blood sugar
level in the stipulated time, maximum dosage of the
medicine is given. Medicine is continued until blood
sugar level comes to normal. It is the turning point.
From then onwards, gradually the dosage of the
medicine is reduced. Then either patient will be
maintained in minimal dosage or without the medicine!
This kind of approach gives hopes to diabetics where
there is possibility of stopping the medicine.
Moreover, extra medicines for constipation, drug
induced hyper acidity, general debility, sleeplessness
are not at all needed. Complications such as sudden
hypoglycaemia or hyperglycaemic shocks are extremely
rare. Complications of long standing diabetes are
uncommon if the patient is taking Ayurvedic treatment.
DIET:
The patients have to effect certain changes in their
food. Dietary therapy in diabetes needs to be
evaluated for individual needs depending upon the
patient’s activities, his weight work status etc. Till
the disease in completely cured they should not take
excess carbohydrates, proteins, fats and sugar.
Generalisation like "no sugar" or "no rice" is not the
correct way of dietary therapy your doctor is the only
person who can advise you about your diet. Use of
alkaline substances is rendered indispensable in order
to equalise the enhanced percentage of blood sugar.
The following substances provide the necessary
alkalis: Green vegetables, dry fruits, fresh fruits,
sprouted Moong, ‘Ragi’, Chana, are which should be
taken daily.
SOME HOUSEHOLD REMEDIES:
One can try any one or more of the following home made
remedies. But kindly monitor your blood sugar levels.
Take 3gm Triphala powder with 0.5gm Shilajith.
Take 2 spoonful of turmeric juice or 2gm turmeric
powder twice a day with water.
Take Gudmar leaf powdered 2gm twice with honey.
Bitter guard: It is grated in ½ glass of water and
allowed to remain soaked for about an hour or so and
is given on an empty stomach in the morning and also
in the evening. During off-season of this vegetable,
powder of sun dried stored seeds of bitter gourd is
taken either with water in the morning and evening or
with boiled rice in both meals.
One teaspoon of Methi seeds powder is effective and is
to be taken daily in the morning on an empty stomach.
Tender leaves of Neem tree are chewed raw in the
morning followed by a glass of water.
Neem leaves roasted dry can be taken by the patient
after grinding them.
Jambun seeds are finely powdered and one teaspoon
consumed daily with a glass of water.
Also finely ground green leaves of Jambun (10 leaves
approx.) are given in the morning with water for only
10 days.
Guava leaves 125 gm are soaked in water overnight and
strained and drunk in the morning on an empty stomach.
Mango leaves (sheded ones and not plucked) are finely
ground and a dose of 2 gm is taken both in the morning
as well as in the evening with water. Treatment is to
be continued for two weeks. Also plucked fresh green
mango leaves and boiled in ½ Litre of water till
reduced to ¼th. The decoction is strained and taken in
the morning and evening.
Bael leaves are effective in controlling diabetes and
are taken in various combination as under:
Five leaves of Bael, Neem and Tulasi each with 5
pepper and few Gurmar leaves are grounded into fine
paste and made into small pills and taken daily.
Bael leaves by themselves, also serve as medicine.
Bael is quite efficacious in bringing down blood sugar
level 10gm. Bael leaves to be grounded and taken every
morning on empty stomach for 7 days.
Bay leaf (Tejapatra) powder taken after lunch is
highly effective.
Four white Sadabahar flowers boiled in water into
decoction and taken once daily for 7 days.
Amla juice extracted from fresh fruits and mixed with
honey is given twice a day.
Black gram (Besan) flour is mixed with barley flour
and made into Chapatis. These are given to the patient
instead of wheat flour Chapatis.
FOLLOWING YOGASANA AND PRANAYAMA ARE USEFUL IN
DIABETES:
Sarpasana, Suryanamaskara, Pashchimottanasana,
Janushirshasana, Suptavajrasana, Halasana,
Sarvangasana, Mayoorasana, Chakrasana, Ardha
Matsyendrasana and sheershasana.
Nadi Shodhan Pranayama, Uddiyan Bandha and internal
Kumbhaka are also useful to diabetics.
Regular Yogasana and Pranayama helps in better glucose
utilisation and reduces the requirement of drugs. It
also helps in maintaining optimum weight.
Apart form this, after the practice of Kunjal and Neti
for one month Shankha Prakshalan is required at once.
This should be undertaken at an interval of one month
for four times.
If diabetics practice above Asanas and meticulously
follow the rules of eating then they would derive
benefits without fail.
SUGGESTIONS TO THE PATIENTS:
Follow the diet, daily and seasonal regimen advised by
the doctor. "First diet, then drugs".
Follow the Yogasanas and pranayama prescribed by the
doctor.
Take your medication in prescribed doses at prescribed
timings.
If you feel a sudden ravenous appetite, trembling,
sweating, palpitation, restlessness, you must be
suffering from hypoglycaemia i.e. a sudden drop in
blood sugar. Immediately take half a glass of water
with 3 to 4 teaspoons of glucose in it.
If a diabetic lapses into unconsciousness take him to
hospital immediately.
If any change is observed in the body structure or