Ayurvedic Treatment For Diabetes Mellitus With Herbal Remedies

ABSTRACT

Diabetes Mellitus is one of the most common diseases, especially in India. It is a lifestyle disorder which is increasing day by day due to bad diet and lifestyle habits. It causes disturbance in the carbohydrate, fat and protein metabolism. This affects insulin production and raises the body’s glucose levels. In Ayurveda, it can be correlated with madhumeha. Madhumeha is a type of prameha. Prameha means to pass excessive urine. There are 20 types of prameha and madhumeha is one of them. It is of Vata-Kapha predominance. In madhumeha one passes sweet and turbid urine somewhat like honey. Ayurveda can help greatly in managing this otherwise incurable disease as well as its complications.

INTRODUCTION

Out of all the developing countries, 80% of diabetic population is in India. This reflects greatly on the diet and lifestyle being followed. It is also referred to as ‘the silent killer.’ It is said so because over a period of time, it leads to serious damage to the heart, blood vessels, eyes, kidneys and nerves. The most common type of diabetes is type 2. About 422 million people worldwide have diabetes.

SYMPTOMS

• Increased urination frequency
• Losing weight without trying
• Feeling of burning sensation in the palms and soles
• Unctuous and slimy skin all over the body
• Tired, weak and thirsty more than usual
• Feeling of sweet taste in mouth
• Mood fluctuations from normal to irritable
• Blurry vision
• Urine with sweet taste and bad smell
• Having slow-healing sores
• Increase in infections, i.e. skin, vaginal, etc

SIGNS

• Passage of excessive or turbid urine
• Presence of ketones in urine (ketones are a byproduct of the breakdown of muscle and fat that happens when there’s not enough insulin)
• The urine has honey-like features
• The entire body becomes sweet

TYPES OF DIABETES MELLITUS

There are two types of Diabetes Mellitus

• Type 1: It is also called juvenile diabetes or insulin dependent diabetes. It is usually diagnosed at an early stage i.e. in children or young adults. It may also develop in adults. It is an auto-immune disorder which causes complete destruction of Beta cells of pancreas. Due to this, the body is unable to produce insulin. 
• Type 2: It is also called adult onset diabetes as it is majorly seen in adults but can occur in childhood too. It is the most common type on the basis of occurrence. It does have a hereditary factor. It begins with insulin resistance and excess levels of insulin circulating in the blood.  Eventually the pancreas loses its ability to make insulin and diabetes develops.   

CAUSES

Diabetes can occur due to the following reasons

• Cells of the body become resistant to insulin. As a result, glucose does not reach inside of the cells and keeps circulating in the bloodstream (Type 2).
• The pancreas can’t make enough insulin to keep blood sugar levels within a healthy range (Type 2)
• Due to genetic factors (Type 1)

DIAGNOSIS

Diagnosis is done on the basis of signs and symptoms along with the following tests

• Blood glucose – It can be random, fasting or postprandial.
• HbA1C Test (Glycated hemoglobin test) – It shows average blood sugar level in the body for the previous 3 months.
• OGTT (Oral Glucose tolerance test)
• Urine Tests – To test for glucose presence, proteinuria presence can detect other complications
• Lipid profile
• Liver biochemistry

RISK FACTORS

• Genetics: Risk of diabetes increases if a parent or sibling has diabetes as well.
• Geography: The number of people who have type 1 diabetes is higher in regions away from the equator.
• Age: Type 1 diabetes can appear at any age however it shows two age peaks. The first peak occurs in children between 4-7 years of age. The second peak is between 10-14 years. The risk of type 2 diabetes increases with advancing age, especially after 35 years.
• Body Fat Distribution: Majority of fat accumulated in the abdominal area increases the risk.
• Physical Inactivity: Less physical activity increases the risk
• Lipid Levels: Low levels of HDL and high levels of triglycerides increase the risk.
• Pre-diabetic: Prediabetic people are more likely to develop diabetes because their blood sugar level is already on the higher side. 
• Diseases: Gestational diabetes, PCOD, etc increase the risk

COMPLICATIONS

• Metabolic complications – Keto-acidosis, hyper-osmolar coma.
• Infective complications – Bacterial and fungal infections of the skin, mucosa, soft tissues, bone, urinary tract and lungs. 
• Chronic complications – Atherosclerosis, coronary heart disease, cerebro-vascular disease, cataract, diabetic ulcer (diabetic foot), nephropathy, retinopathy, dermopathy, neuropathy, etc. 
• Complications from treatment – Hypoglycemia, insulin resistance, insulin allergy, lipodystrophy, lactic acidosis, depression of bone marrow. 

LINE OF TREATMENT

Treatment plan for Type 1 diabetes

• Insulin injections
• Insulin pump
• Regular blood glucose level monitoring
• Islet cell transplant

Treatment plan for Type 2 diabetes

• Monitoring blood glucose level
• Oral medications like Meglitinides, SulfonylureasDPP-4 inhibitors,SGLT2 inhibitors etc
• Insulin therapy

AYURVEDA ASPECT

In Ayurveda Diabetes is correlated with Madhumeha. Madhumeha is one of the four types of Vataja Prameha. It is a disease in which urine as well as the body of the patient becomes sweet like madhu (honey). The urine in madhumeha becomes excessively sweet (one can see ants over it) and astringent in taste, whitish in color and rough to touch.

• Acharya Sushrut named such urine as ‘Kshaudrameha.’
• Acharya Charaka has mentioned ‘Madhumeha’ in Nidansthana:

“कषायमधुरं पाण्डु रूक्षं मेहति यो नर: |
वातकोपादसाध्यं तं प्रतीयान्मधुमेहिनम् ||“

(Charaka samhita, Nidana sthana 4/44)

Above shloka states that the incurable disease in which Vata aggravation causes the patient to pass urine that is astringent, sweet, white and dry, is called madhumeha.

According to Acharya Vaghbhata

“मधुरं यच्च मेहेषु प्रायो र्माघ्वव मेहति |
सर्वेअपि मधुमेहाख्या माधुर्याच्च तनोरत: ||”

(Astanga Hridayam, Nidana sthana 10/21)

The above shloka states that the disease in which a patient passes urine similar to the color and properties of honey, sweet in taste and whose body remains full of sweetness, that disease is called madhumeha.

CAUSATIVE FACTORS OF MADHUMEHA

Diet

• Eating heavy, unctuous and fatty foods excessively.
• Excessive intake of salty and sour foods.
• Consumption of new grains.
• Consumption of fresh wine.

Lifestyle

• Sleeping a lot.
• Sedentary lifestyle.
• Carefree nature or lack of mental exercise.
• Not performing body detoxification through panchkarma procedures like vamana and virechana.
• Due to over indulgence in santarpana (nutritive treatment).

ORIGIN OF DISEASE

In Charaka Samhita, Sutrasthana, Acharya Charaka has separately described the Nidan Samprapti (etiopathogenesis) of Madhumeha

‘’श्लेष्मा पित्तं च मेदश्च मांसं चातिप्रवर्धते || तैरावृतगतिर्वायुरोज आदाय गच्छति | यदा बस्तिं तदा कृच्छ्रो मधुमेह: प्रवर्तते || स मारुतस्य पित्तस्य कफस्य च मुहुर्मुहु: | दर्शयत्याकृतिं गत्वा क्षयमापयाय्यते पुन: ||’’

(Charaka Samhita, Sutrasthana 17/79-81)

Due to nidana (causative factors) Kapha Dosha, Pitta Dosha and Mamsa Dhatu (muscle tissues) increase in the body. Due to the obstruction caused by them, Vata dosha gets aggravated and enters the urinary system and localizes in basti (urinary bladder) along with Ojas (immunity). This causes a difficult to treat condition called madhumeha. Symptoms of vitiated Vata, Pitta, Kapha are seen fluctuating frequently (sometimes decreasing or increasing).

DOSHA INVOLVED

It has Vata Dosha predominance. It is called Vataj Prameha.

TREATMENT

According to Acharya Charaka, the chikitsa sutra (line of treatment) of Madhumeha is as follows

‘‘स्थूल: प्रमेही बलवानिहैक: कृश्स्तथैक: परिदुर्बलश्च् |
संबृंहणं तत्र कृशस्य कार्यं संशोधनं दोषबलाधिकस्य ||’’

(Charak Samhita, Chikitsasthana, 6/15)

Depending upon body type, Madhumeha patient can be of two types

• Sthula (obese) and powerful
• Krisha (slim) and weak

1. Apatarpan Chikitsa (Anti-Nutritive treatment) – The sthula (obese) patients are first given Sansodhan (purification) therapy. It removes the vitiated Doshas and maintains equilibrium in the body. First, snehana (pre-purification procedure by oleating the body) is done and when the body becomes snigdha (unctuous) then shodhana (purification) is performed by Vamana (emesis), Virechana (purgation) etc.
2. Santarpana Chikitsa (Nutritive treatment) – This is the treatment of choice in krisha (slim) patients. It is also called brihanam. Because of excessive Vata aggravation, patients are given food and medicines that increase the strength of the body. In this type of patient, sanshodhan (purification) chikitsa is not done. 

HALLE BERRY’S JOURNEY WITH DIABETES

Halle Berry is one of the fittest female celebrities. The marvel movie star is now 57 years old and still inspires millions of her fans and followers with her dedication towards health and fitness. Her health journey however wasn’t as smooth as most people’s. In 1989, when she was barely 22 years old, she suddenly fell into a coma. Soon she was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes. This was about the same time she started her prime time in her career. Juggling between her condition and her busy schedule, she managed to keep a balance. A statement given by her created controversy when she said that she has managed to wean herself off insulin and now comes under type 2 diabetes category. Many doctors were interviewed and they were informed that in Type 1 diabetes, the body’s immune system completely destroys insulin making part of the pancreas. Even with a good diet it is impossible to cure type 1 diabetes. Hence, it was clear that Halle Berry was either mistaken, misinformed or misdiagnosed and that she always had Type 2 diabetes. Since her diagnosis, she has been an advocate for diabetes awareness. She became the first ambassador for the National Diabetes Education Program in 2004. She also launched an app called Re-spin in order to provide people accessibility to health and wellness content and products.

HERBAL REMEDIES FOR DIABETES MELLITUS FROM PLANET AYURVEDA

Planet Ayurveda is a GMP certified company that offers an array of herbal supplements and wellness products formulated using traditional Ayurvedic principles and potent herbs. Planet Ayurveda offers an amazing combination of herbal remedies like the Diabetes Care Pack for herbal treatment of diabetes. These remedies help in controlling high blood sugar. All these products have zero chemicals in them and are made keeping in mind your optimum health

1. Dia-Beta Plus
2. Karela Capsules
3. Madhumehantak Churna
4. Fenugreek Capsules
5. Diaplan Tea

Product Description

1. Dia-Beta Plus

These capsules contain an herbal blend of Gurmar (Gymnema sylvestre), Karela (Momordica charantia), Saptrangi (Salacia oblonga), etc. Each capsule contains 500 mg standardized extract of these optimal quality herbs. These herbs have anti-diabetic action. They bind with glucose molecules in the intestines and inhibit their entry into the blood. This results in lowering blood sugar levels.

Dosage: 2 capsules twice daily with warm water before meals.

2. Karela Capsules

Karela capsules contain standardized extract of karela (Momordica charantia). It is called bitter gourd in english. It’s quite popular in the diabetic community. These capsules have low glycemic index and thus maintain blood sugar levels.

Dosage: 2 capsules twice a day with warm water after meals.

3. Madhumehantak Churna

This powder is a blend of herbs like Saptarngi (Salacia chinesis), Tulsi (Ocimum sativum), Babool (Acacia arabica), etc. It can control complications arising due to diabetes like non healing wounds, increased infections, etc.

Dosage: 1 teaspoon twice daily with warm water before meals.

4. Fenugreek Capsules

These capsules contain extractof a potent herb called fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum). It reduces the absorption of sugar in the body and increases the release of insulin thus, helping in diabetes.

Dosage: 2 capsules twice a day with warm water after meals.

5. Diaplan Tea

This herbal tea has been prepared through a group of herbs such as Jamun (Syzygium jambolanum), Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum), Cinnamon (Cinnamomum zeylanicum), Cardamom (Elettaria cardamomum) etc. This tea helps in reducing glucose levels. It also has a positive effect on the digestive system. It can act as a tonic for the whole body.

Dosage: 1 cup of Diaplan tea once a day.

CONCLUSION

Diabetes has gained a place in society because of the increase in the prevalence of sedentary lifestyle and obesity. It can be prevented and managed through lifestyle modification, diet control, control of overweight and obesity. Hence, pathya (healthy) ahara (diet) and vihar (lifestyle) should be followed. Planet Ayurveda is offering many herbal remedies that have been mentioned above. These have been found useful in the treatment of diabetes. Recent research in Ayurveda has also proved the efficacy of various herbal drugs in diabetes. These herbal remedies are quite safe for long term use.