The Ayurvedic Concept of Diabetes

Oja is the Ayurvedic term for the blood sugar. It is greasy and has the nature of sweetness. The blood sugar, whenever is counteracted with the physical properties of astringent taste, loses its greasiness. Because, the drying effect of the astringent taste is counteractive to the grease. The greaseless blood sugar cannot be assimilated for the nourishment of the bodily tissues and separated from the bodily fluid. In this condition, it dissolves easily in the bodily fluid and

elevates the sweet urine. That, in fact, is the fundamental cause of diabetes. The greaseless blood sugar is similar to the nature of honey, which has counteracting effect to grease. Therefore, Madhumeha, honey like sweet urine is the Ayurvedic name for diabetes.

The stimulated mucous membrane secretes more viscous slime or mucous, which can be the cause of blockage in the duct systems. The duct systems being blocked, the nervous system cannot function in proper way. In this condition the aggravated function of the nervous system, which causes dryness can counteract the grease of the blood sugar. In another sense, the person who is fat and has strong digestive power can have the problem of diabetes. This type of diabetes is called “Abrita

Madhumeha”. It is common to someone who has the nature or body of blood or mucous. The blood natured body type (Pitta Prakriti) can be identified with robust body, aggressive attitude, ego, attractive or dominating personality, careless behavior and selfish mentality. The mucous natured body type (Kapha Prakriti) can be recognized with fatty body, lazy or slow action, charming personality, compassion and careful behavior. The case of diabetes of the person who has the blood or mucous natured body type or combined of them is curable with proper treatment and diet.

The urinary diseases e.g. glycosuria, albuminuria, chyluria, hematuria, polyuria, phosphaturia etc. not being treated in proper way can be chronic. In this condition, the constant wastage of vital substances result in the aggravated function of the nervous system and counteracts the grease of the blood sugar, which finally leads to have the problem of diabetes. This kind of diabetes is called “Dhatuksayaja Madhumeha”, which is not curable, however can be maintained with proper treatment and diet. Diabetes whatever may be the cause of it, cannot manifest its real symptoms without aggravating causes. Sugar and sugar cane products; milk and curd; meat especially of cow, goat, buffalo and sheep; new rice (right after harvesting); sweet foods (anything which is sweet in taste); overeating; greed for eating; sleeping during the day; sedentary life; not to have exercise and bath, etc. are the aggravating causes of diabetes. Excessive or daily use of these foods and behaviours are found to be the main factors to have the counteracting situation of the blood sugar. It is especially true to someone who has no idea of combination of diet and indulges in the food what he likes. In general, the regular diet must be combined with ingredients, which are sweet, sour, salty, bitter, pungent and astringent in taste.

Ayurveda indicated that the kidneys while filtering the dirty bodily fluid of urine should protect the bodily grease including the blood sugar. This is very important. But, the grease of the blood sugar, whenever is counteracted in the situation of the aggravated nervous system, becomes no greasier. In this morbid condition, the kidneys can not

protect the blood sugar and causes urine with sugar. In regard to this condition, the patient of diabetes complains much urination, which is sweet astringent in taste, much thirsty, because the body has to keep the balance of water and loses weight very quickly, because, the bodily fluid, which is mixed with the blood sugar, is draining through urinary frequency and there is less nourishment for bodily tissues.

Causes of Diabetes

The fundamental cause of diabetes is the morbid condition, which counteracts the grease of the blood sugar. The greaseless blood sugar can be assimilated for the nourishment of the bodily tissues and increases in amount in the blood, bodily fluid. The main function of the kidneys is to filter the dirty bodily fluid or urine and to protect the greasy substance of the blood, which includes even the greasy blood sugar. The blood sugar when loses it grease mixes with bodily fluid, increases the amount of abnormal urine and escapes from the

kidneys because it is not greasy. The morbid condition of diabetic case, which counteracts the grease of the blood sugar, can be classified into the three stages. The first stage is directly concerned with the weak function of the pancreas.

The second stage is identified with the blockage of pancreatic duct system. And, the third stage is concerned with the wastage of the bodily vital substances caused by chronic urinary diseases. The person, who has nerve natured body type by birth, gets the weak, pancreas. The main cause of it is the over activity of the nervous system, which causes dryness and less fat formation. The pancreas as fatty organ when is counteracted with the over activity of the nervous system cannot develop in proper way. In this condition, any food or behaviour, which causes more problem of aggravated function of the nervous system, can be cause of diabetes (Dhatuksayaja Madhumeha). Excessive or daily indulgence in mental agony; traumatic problems; lack of nourishing foods; heavy labour; heavy work in the sun; withholding the urges of stool, urine or gas; awakening at night; problem of insomnia etc. aggravates the function of the nervous system. The patient who is suffering from diabetes gets worse the problems, if the diet contains sugar or sugarcane products; rice; meat; milk products; potato; sweet fruits etc.

The person, who has blood natured body type or mucous natured body type or combined with them, by birth, gets fat, because his pancreas is well developed and become active to consume more foods. In this condition, any food or behaviour, which causes more fat, can be the cause of diabetes (Abrita Madhumeha), if the pancreatic duct system is blocked with over fat formation. Excessive or daily indulgence is sweet, sour and salty foods; greasy foods; new rice (right after harvesting); newly made alcoholic beverage; overeating;

greedy for food what he likes; over sleeping; sedentary life; not to have exercise and thinking job etc. can increase more weight.

The person who has the problems of chronic urinary diseases, wastage the vital substances e.g. blood sugar, albumin, minerals etc. because the kidneys cannot protect them and drain these vital substances through the urinary frequency. In this condition, the nerves being aggravated finally causes diabetes (Dhatuksayaja Madhumeha) with the same character of the weak pancreas, which is common for the nerve natured body type.

Symptoms of Diabetes

Matting condition of hair, sweetness of the mouth, numbness, and hot sensation in the hand and legs, dry mouth, thirst, laziness, dirtiness on the skin, white coating on the tongue, waxy ears, and bad smell of the body, drowsiness, abnormal urination and sweetness of urine can be the primitive symptoms of diabetes. These symptoms come and go not even being known as the significance of diabetes.

The patient of diabetes having primitive symptoms, during the interval  of few days or weeks, complains much urination, which is sweet astringent in taste and clear just like water, much thirsty (no satisfaction with constant drinking of water), because, the body has to keep the balance of water and loses weight very quickly because, the bodily fluid which is mixed with the greaseless blood sugar is draining through urinary frequency. In this condition, the patient feels very weak and complains muscular cramp, dizziness, hot sensation

and lack of energy even to walk and stand.

The symptoms of diabetes at the beginning are very drastic, and then the patient adjusts them gradually because there is less bodily fluid with the greaseless blood sugar. In this condition, if he is careful in diet, slowly he can maintain his problems to survive, otherwise, coma, heart problems and insomnia can be developed which are considered

as complicative symptoms of diabetic case. Also, the strong desire for food, which in general is one of the worst symptoms of diabetic patient, can cause many indigestion problems along with deadly symptoms of coma etc.

The diabetic patient of nerve natured body type, if is not treated in proper way and proper diet, finally can have failure of kidneys, tremor, pulmonary tuberculosis and heart problems.

The diabetic patient of blood natured or mucous natured body type, if is not treated in proper way and proper diet, can have many problems of boils and pimples, hyperacidity, coma, urinary infection and common cold.

Treatment of Diabetes

The general treatment of diabetes is divided into two categories. The first treatment contains the drugs, which restore the balance of the nervous system, increase weight, promote digestion and reduce the abnormal blood sugar. This treatment has to be applied to the skinny person who is suffering from diabetes (Dhatuksayaja Madhumeha).

The drug, which restores the balance of the nerve, in general contains the sweet, sour and salty things, which are contradictory in the treatment of diabetes because, these ingredients increase the blood sugar. In regard to these facts, while treating to restore the balance of the nervous system, some drugs which have dilatory effect to increase heat and oily components to maintain the bodily heat, have to be prescribed in the treatment of diabetes.

Narayana tail, the oil preparation made from asparagus with some other herbs, is one of the best oil preparations. It is prescribed for internal use and cooking foods. It is well investigated that the bodily heat being preserved, the function of the nervous system cannot be aggravated. During the treatment of diabetes, the oily drug should be prescribed only in the condition when the diabetic person develops the adjusting power to face the problems of high blood sugar. At the beginning, when all the drastic symptoms of diabetes are getting worse, oily drug should not be prescribed.

The drug, which increases the weight, also, is sweet, sour and salty. In, the case of diabetes to increase weight something, which is sweet, sour and salty, should not be prescribed because they are contradictory to the drugs, which reduce the blood sugar. In this condition, while treating to gain weight, some drugs, which are bitter in taste, but increase weight, have to be prescribed.

Ashwagandha (Convolvulus arbensis) is one of the drugs to gain weight in the treatment of diabetes. Some meat from the wild animals and birds also has medicinal value to gain weight in the treatment of diabetes. It is very important to pay attention that any drug or diet, which increases weight, should not be prescribed at the beginning stage of diabetes. It is advised to prescribe only in the condition when the diabetic patient develops the adjusting power to face the problems of high blood sugar.

The digestive drug, which contains purified sulphur, black pepper, dry ginger, long pepper etc. is very important in the treatment of diabetes. This kind of drug, in general, stimulates the functions of the pancreas and promotes the power to digest the blood sugar. It is prescribed to take during the meal. Trikatu Rasayana is one of the best digestive drugs, which has to be prescribed from the beginning stage of diabetes.

The drug, which reduces the blood sugar, contains Vanga Bhasma (Tin oxide), Yashada Bhasma (Zinc oxide) Naga Bhasma and some other herbs, which has counteraction with the function of the mucous membrane and the effect of hyperglycemia. This Tribangayoga is one of the best remedies to reduce the blood sugar. It is prescribed from the beginning stage of diabetes along with the digestive drugs. Diabetes whatever may be the cause of it or character of it, the medicine to reduce the blood sugar and the digestive drug has to be prescribed side by side until the urine is free from sugar. In this condition, the patient of diabetes feels better; there is no more frequency and thirst; the condition of emaciation gradually disappears and gains weight. It is very important to pay attention the blood sugar being reduced and the urine free from sugar, the case of diabetes

should not be considered as cured. In this condition if someone is careless in diet, the problems can appear again. Therefore, the diabetic case especially of the nerve natured person is considered not to be cured.

In regard to this problem, it is well investigated that diabetes can be cured only in the condition, one who walks two-three hours a day and takes Shilajatu (a bitumen like rock secretion) for years with the proper diet along with symptomatic treatments against contradictory effect of diabetes (Abrita Madhumeha).

The second treatment which is applied to the person, who is fat and has the mucous natured or blood natured body type, contains the drugs, which restore the balance of the artery system (Kapha), reduce the abnormal blood sugar, promote the digestive power and decrease the weight. The drug, which restores the balance of the artery system, counteracts the effect of hyperglycemia and the stimulation of the mucous membrane. Chaturdasangayoga, a compound of Cinnamomum tamala and some other herbs is one of the best

remedies to restore the balance of the artery system. It is prescribed together with the medicine to reduce the blood sugar (Tribangayoga) and the digestive drug (Trikatu Rasayana). The use of Tribangayoga and Trikatu Rasayana is mentioned in the first categories treatment of diabetes.

Recommended Food For Diabetic Patient

The diabetic patient should know that there is no cure with any medicine without proper diet. The food arranged in proper way has medicinal value to control the problems of diabetes. In regard to this fact, Ayurveda presents some basic idea of foods. Barley, millet, corn, wheat etc. which are less sweet and have less grease are the main grains for bread and some other food preparations; Mung bean, lentil, orange lentil, horse gram, kidney bean etc. (not sprouted) are good for bean soup and some other food preparations; eggs and bird meat, especially wild bird meat, which is easy to digest are good for soup and some other food preparations; green vegetables, especially bitter in taste e.g. asparagus, bitter cucumber, fenugreek, lettuce, celery, mustard, spinach, watercress etc. are beneficial; linseed oil and mustard oil are good oil; cinnamon bark, bay leaf, cardamom, cumin seeds, ginger, black pepper etc. good for spice; ghee, butter, milk, cheese and yogurt can be prescribed moderately only in the condition when the diabetic patient adjusts the problems of high sugar. (At the beginning stage, the milk products are strictly prohibited); fruits e.g. prescribed moderately only in the condition of adjusting the problems (At the beginning stage, fruits are strictly prohibited); water infused with the powder of turmeric or beetle nut and cutch has medicinal value to drink especially at the

beginning stage; fatless meat and fish can be prescribed only in the condition when the patient adjusts the problems of diabetes and still is loosing weight (at the beginning stage, meat e.g. mutton, beef, fish, and buffalo etc. are strictly prohibited.).There must be three meals a day, but very small in amount arranged with grains, beans, meats, milk products, vegetables, fruits, oil and spices, which have to be changed time to time. Eating same food daily or in excessive amount is not good.

Prohibited Food and Behaviour

Sugar and sugarcane products; rice, especially new rice right after harvesting; potato, yam, and some other vegetable tubers; greasy yogurt; newly made alcoholic beverages; overeating; greed for foods; irregular time for food; sleeping during the day; not to have exercise and body clean; sedentary life; melancholy etc. are strictly prohibited.

Eight Ayurvedic Tips to Help Manage Diabetes

There are many ways in which you can manage your diabetes and untimely blood sugar fluctuation like by maintain a healthy diet. Ayurveda has many tips that could help you through.

Here are a few home remedies that the book suggests:
- Mix one part of guduchi, a part of shardunika, a part of kudki and 2 parts of punarnava and mix them well into a diabetic-friendly herbal mixture. Drink this herbal mixture for two to three times a day and consume with warm water.

- Turmeric Treatment: Increasing the intake of turmeric in the diet is also beneficial in diabetes management.

- Drinking Water In Copper Vessel:  Since time immemorial, drinking water from copper vessel has been considered very healthy for overall functioning of body. On reviving this practice may help prevent fluctuation of blood sugar levels. The water stored in a copper vessel is called 'Tamra Jal' and it helps in balancing of all three doshas. "Put one cup of water into a copper vessel at night and drink the water in the morning." 

2. According to Ayurvedic experts, diabetics should definitely have a stock of methi dana in their homes. You can consume methi dana sprouts or drink fenugreek water the first thing in morning. 

3. Bitter Is Better: In addition to refraining from sweets, loading up on bitter ingredients like hemp seeds, bitter gourd, amla and aloe vera have also been found effective in managing and controlling diabetes.

4. All ailments in Ayurveda are due to some imbalance in an individual's doshas. Type 1 is described as an imbalance of the Vata (air and wind) dosha. Type 2 is an excess of the Kapha (water and earth) dosha. Eating regimented meals that contain fewer fatty foods thrice a day is very important. Try and avoid dairy products and opt for skimmed milk and low-fat yogurt. Ginger tea helps stimulate digestion, which is very beneficial in reducing the excess Kapha in your system."

5. Use Your Spices Wisely: There are many spices that have shown antidiabetic properties. For instance, asafoetida, turmeric, cinnamon, mustard and coriander, use them in your meals, drinks and manage diabetes naturally.