What Happens In Diabetes & How To Control It Naturally With Ayurvedic Herbal Medicines?

ABSTRACT

Insulin is a polypeptide hormone which is mainly secreted by beta cells of the islets of Langerhans of the Pancreas. Insulin regulates glucose levels in the bloodstream and induces glucose storage in the liver, muscles, and adipose tissue. The major purpose of insulin is to regulate the body’s energy supply. It also modifies the activity of enzymes. Insulin is the main key that carries glucose in the bloodstream.  It helps in converting food into energy. When there is a deficiency in insulin production by the pancreas cells, the disease is known as Diabetes. Insulin regulates the level of glucose in the bloodstream, hence its deficiency causes a rise in glucose levels in the blood and causes Diabetes.

INTRODUCTION

Diabetes is a chronic disease that occurs either when the pancreas does not produce enough insulin or when the body can not effectively use the insulin it produces. Insulin is the hormone that regulates blood glucose. Hyperglycaemia, also called raised blood glucose or raised blood sugar, is an effect of uncontrolled diabetes. This results in severe damage to the body system especially the nerves and blood vessels. It is a group of common Endocrine diseases in which the sugar level of the blood is high. Diabetes can be controlled and treated with a proper healthy diet, exercise, regular checkups and medication. Diabetes, if not controlled, can lead to many more complications in future and give rise to many other diseases. So patients who are prone to diabetes, have symptoms of diabetes or have any family history of diabetes should visit healthcare centres regularly for checkups so that chances of Diabetes can be decreased and there may not be any complications in future. Now, in this article, we are going to look at a detailed study of Diabetes, its causes, symptoms, types and diagnosis. Also, we took a look at the adverse effects of allopathic medicines and their long-term use. In the end, we discuss the natural control of Diabetes and the role of Garlic capsules, Karela capsules and Curcumin capsules in the treatment of Diabetes.

TYPES OF DIABETES

There are many types of Diabetes. The most common forms of Diabetes include

• TYPE 1 DIABETES –  It is also called juvenile/ insulin-dependent/child-onset diabetes. In this type of diabetes, loss in the production of Beta cells in the Pancreas results in less insulin production and a low level of insulin production leads to Type 1 Diabetes. In this type of Diabetes, there is a loss of beta cells by a T-cell-mediated autoimmune attack and this loss of Beta cells results in insulin deficiency. Patients have irregular blood sugar levels due to very low insulin.  As a result, the patient requires daily administration of insulin. Type 1 diabetes can occur at any age, and significant cases are diagnosed during adulthood.
• TYPE 2 DIABETES – It is previously called non-insulin-dependent, or adult-onset diabetes and is characterised by insulin resistance, which may be due to reduced insulin secretion. This type of Diabetes consists of a high ratio of patients i.e. 95%. Due to this Diabetes, the body is unable to use insulin properly, which can lead to high levels of blood sugar. This Diabetes is often preventable if detected and treated earlier. Factors responsible for developing non-insulin-dependent Diabetes include being overweight, not doing physical work, exercise and genetics.
• GESTATIONAL DIABETES –  Gestational diabetes is hyperglycemia in which blood glucose values are above normal but below the diagnostic criteria of diabetes. Gestational diabetes occurs during pregnancy. Women with gestational diabetes are at an increased risk of complications during pregnancy and delivery. These females and their children are also at increased risk of Type 2 Diabetes in the future. Gestational diabetes is diagnosed through prenatal screening

CAUSES OF DIABETES

A high level of glucose circulating in the bloodstream leads to Diabetes. However, the causes of high blood glucose levels depend on the type of Diabetes. These causes are

• Type 1 diabetes –  The exact cause of type 1 Diabetes is not known. Type 1 is an autoimmune-mediated Diabetes, so in this type the immune system attacks and destroys Beta cells in the Pancreas that produce insulin. Genes play an important role in this diabetes.
• Type 2 diabetes – This Diabetes includes a combination of genetics and lifestyle factors like- being overweight, being age 45 or older, having a parent or sibling with a common condition, not being physically active, having gestational diabetes, having hypertension, high cholesterol, or high triglycerides.
• Gestational diabetes – Gestational diabetes occurs from hormonal changes during pregnancy. Females who are overweight when they are pregnant or who gain too much weight during pregnancy are more likely to get Gestational Diabetes.

According to Ayurveda, cause (निदान) of Diabetes

आस्यासुखम् स्वप्नसुखम् दधिनि ग्राम्योदकानूपरसाः पयान्सि |
नवान्न्पानम् गुडवेकृतं च प्रमेहहेतुः कफकृच्च सर्वम् ||

(चरक संहिता चिकित्सास्थान 6/4)

According to the above text, the causes of Diabetes are as follows

• Sedimentary lifestyle
• Eating more dairy products
• Consuming new grains
• Food that increases Kapha
• Jaggery

SYMPTOMS OF DIABETES

Symptoms of Diabetes can occur suddenly. The symptoms of Type 2 Diabetes can be mild and may take many years to notice. The general symptoms of Diabetes include

• Increased hunger
• Increased thirst
• Weight loss
• Frequent urination
• Blurry vision
• Extreme fatigue
• Sores that don’t heal
• General symptoms in men may have decreased sex drive, erectile dysfunction poor muscle strength
• General symptoms in women may have vaginal discharge, urinary tract infections, yeast infections, dry and itchy skin.

DIAGNOSIS OF DIABETES

Early diagnosis of Diabetes can be accomplished by relatively less expensive tests of blood glucose. Other diagnostic tests for Diabetes are as follows

• Fasting plasma glucose test
• A1C test
• Random plasma glucose test
• Glucose challenge test
• Oral glucose tolerance test

CAN LONG-TERM USE OF ALLOPATHIC TREATMENT FOR DIABETES CAUSE  ADVERSE EFFECTS ON THE BODY?

People with Diabetes usually need to take medicine for their lifetime period to control their blood sugar levels. Diabetes is a chronic disease in which the condition can worsen with time. High levels of blood glucose can damage blood vessels and nerves, which may lead to many complications like heart disease or stroke. Metformin is a common first-choice treatment for type 2 diabetes.

However it helps in lowering the blood sugar level, but if the patient is prescribed metformin, he will be on long-term or lifetime use of Metformin. This duration could be many decades unless the patient experiences complications or changes to their health that require them to stop taking it. Long-term use of allopathic medicine like metformin causes damage to the body’s organs like Kidneys, Heart, Liver, Bones, Eyes etc.

AYURVEDIC OVERVIEW OF DIABETES

Ayurveda is an ancient branch of medicine which focuses on the treatment of any disease with herbs and natural formulations. As herbs are collected from nature directly, their potency and efficiency are high.  The basic principle to treat any disease is based on Doshas (Vata, Pitta and Kapha) and Dushyas (Dhatus and Malas). Doshas are natural energetic forces present in the body and dushyas are the factors that are influenced by Doshas. These are 10 in number i.e. 7 Dhatus and 3 Malas. Any vitiation in Doshas also causes vitiation in Dushays as these are connected with Dosha Dushya Sammurchna. Diabetes is correlated with Madhumeha in Ayurveda. Madhumeha is derived from the words Madhu (honey) + Meha (urine). Madhumeha is a disease in which urine is pale in colour and increased in quantity. Urine in Madhumeha is similar to honey in colour, taste, smell and consistency. The Doshas involved in Madhumeha are Kapha, Pitta and Vata and the Dushyas involved are Meda, Rakta, Sukra, Ambu, Vasa, Lasika, Majja, Rasa, Oja and Mamsa.  It is a type of Prameha (Vataj Prameha). Prameha is one of the eight Maharogas described in Ayurveda. Prameha (total of 20 types) is classified into Kaphaja prameha (10 types), Pittaja Prameha (6 types) and Vataj Prameha (4 types). According to Sushruta Samhita, All these 20 types of Prameha, if not treated ultimately give rise to Madhumeha.

सर्व एव प्रमेहास्तु कालेनाप्रतिकारिण मधुमेहत्वमायान्ति तदाअसाध्या भवन्ति हि |

(सुश्रुत निदान 6)

According to Charaka Samhita, the line of treatment for Diabetes is as below

स्थूलः प्रमेही बलवानिहेकः कृशस्तथेक् परिदुर्बलचश् |
संबृहणं तत्र कृशस्य कार्यम् संशोधनम् दोषबलाधिकस्य ||

(चरक संहिता चिकित्सास्थान 6/15)

According to Acharya Charaka, there are two types of patients with Diabetes i.e. obese and emaciated. In emaciated and weak patients, nourishing therapy is given and in obese patients, Sanshodhan Chikitsa (expelling out vitiated dosha from the body) is given. Apart from this, in Diabetes Madhvasav (prepared by fermentation of herbal juices), Dantyasav, and Amla juice mixed with turmeric and honey and many more can be given.

HOW TO CONTROL DIABETES NATURALLY?

Patients with Diabetes have to manage their blood sugar levels to avoid any complications of Diabetes. Otherwise, the complications may lead to various diseases that are life-threatening. Natural management can be done by managing stress, exercising regularly, eating a fibre-rich diet, sleeping properly, managing weight gain and increasing water intake. Diet and home remedies are really helpful in managing the aggravation of Diabetes. Now, let’s discuss diet and home remedies for Diabetes.

DIET FOR DIABETES

• Vegetables like Bitter Gourd, leafy green vegetables, broccoli, raw papaya, green beans, cabbage, cauliflower, lettuce etc
• Fruits like pomegranates, guava, grapefruit, melons, berries, apples, java plum, pear, cherries, oranges etc
• Steamed vegetables like potatoes, cabbage, bottled gourd, pumpkin, peas, beans, cauliflower, broccoli etc
• Freshwater or coconut water as beverages
• Eat Carrot, cucumber, radish and beetroot in salad

HOME REMEDIES FOR DIABETES

• Decoction of Guduchi (Tinospora cordifolia)
• Gomutra arka (cow urine)
• 30 ml of Bitter gourd juice with a half cup of water
• Wheatgrass juice
• Boil 1 teaspoon of each fennel (Foeniculum vulgare), cumin (Cuminum cyminum), coriander (Coriandrum sativum), and carom (Trachyspermum ammi) seeds in 4 cups of water and drink when it is reduced to half.

PANCHKARMA IN DIABETES

• Shodhan Chikitsa: Rookshan Karma
• Vamna: Therapeutic emesis
• Virechana: Therapeutic purgation
• Parisheka: Continuous flow of decoction, milk, oil etc on the body of the patient. It acts as a neurostimulator
• Takradhara: Pouring of Takra with steady flow on the forehead for 45 minutes. It helps to remove the blockage of channels by Kapha.
• Udvartana: It is a special type of Abhyanga (massage) in which herbal powders are used (Dry massage). It alleviates Kapha and Meda
• Niruha Basti: It involves herbal decoction mixed with a specific substance that helps detoxification. (Decoction enema)
• Raktamokshana: It helps in eliminating vitiated blood from the body by para-surgical methods. It helps in the case of Diabetic ulcers

HERBAL REMEDIES FOR DIABETES BY PLANET AYURVEDA

Planet Ayurveda offers the manufacturing of herbal medicine on a large scale. All the herbal supplements formed by Planet Ayurveda are made up of natural herbs. Planet Ayurveda offers a wide range of products in the form of capsules, tablets, powders, oils and juices. That’s how Planet Ayurveda always promotes Ayurveda through their best and highest quality of drugs. Best quality Herbal Capsules for Diabetes offered by Planet Ayurveda are Garlic capsules, Karela capsules, Curcumin Capsules and Fenugreek capsules. These are best known for their functions in controlling Diabetes, boosting the healthy immune system of the body and pacifying all three Doshas

PRODUCT DESCRIPTION

1. GARLIC CAPSULE

Garlic capsule is a single herb formulation offered by Planet Ayurveda prepared by an extract of garlic (Allium sativum). Rasa (Taste) present in Garlic is Katu (pungent) rasa in its root, Tikta (bitter) rasa in its leaf, Lavana (salty) rasa in the stem tip or terminal bud, Kasaya (astringent) rasa in its steam. It works both as well as medicine and food. It carries a heat-dominating effect with a pungent taste (Katu rasa) and a dry nature. It assists in balancing Pitta Dosha. Garlic contains some compounds (allicin and alliin etc.) which help in improving insulin sensitivity. It also helps the cell to absorb glucose. Vitamin C and B-6 present in garlic maintain blood sugar levels by metabolising carbohydrates.

Dosage: 1-2 capsules twice a day with water, after meals.

2. KARELA CAPSULE

Karela (bitter gourd) capsule is also a single herbal capsule formulation prepared by a standardised extract of Karela (Momordica charantia). Karela has Katu (pungent), Tikta (bitter) rasa (taste). Due to the bitter and pungent taste, it helps in managing Kapha and Pitta dosha in the body. Due to the bitter taste, it alleviates Diabetes. It helps support a healthy Pancreas. Karela contains polypeptide-p which controls blood sugar levels naturally. Due to its antioxidant properties, it is useful in managing complications occurring from Diabetes.

Dosage:  1-2 capsules twice daily with water, after meals.

3. CURCUMIN CAPSULE

Curcumin capsules are prepared using a standardised extract of Haridra (Curcumin longa). Curcumin is one of the best Ayurvedic herbs used in practice for thousands of years. It consists of Tikta (bitter) and Katu (pungent) rasa (taste). Curcumin is very effective in Diabetes. Curcumin works as an anti-inflammatory and has the property to reduce oxidative stress which plays a major role in Diabetes control. It also helps in reducing fasting blood sugar and body mass index.

Dosage:  1-2 capsules twice daily with water, after meals.

4. FENUGREEK CAPSULES

Fenugreek capsules by Planet Ayurveda are prepared by using a standardised extract of Methi (Trigonella foenum-graecum). It helps in maintaining healthy joints, healthy glucose levels and overall health. The Rasa present in Fenugreek are Katu (pungent) and Tikta (bitter).  Methi is pungent and hot potency and elevates Rakta and Pitta dosha, alleviates Vata and supports a healthy digestive system. It helps in slowing sugar absorption in the Stomach and stimulates insulin. Due to these effects, it helps in lowering blood sugar in people with Diabetes. It is also used for high cholesterol and obesity.

Dosage:  1-2 capsules twice daily with lukewarm water after meals

CONCLUSION

Insufficient levels of insulin or insulin resistance can lead to improper absorption of glucose that is required by cells. Then it results in persistently high levels of blood glucose, poor protein synthesis and metabolic dysfunctions. A healthy lifestyle is an important key factor which prevents the body from high sugar levels of blood because Diabetes is a lifestyle disorder. Disease management with Ayurveda focuses on diet, lifestyle, herbal medicines, and Panchkarma (therapies). Though Diabetes is a Yapya disease (not totally curable/ difficult to cure), the above treatment and procedures help the patient to live a healthy (Sukhayu), long life (Deergha Jeevanam) and be useful to society (Hitayu). Patients with type 2 Diabetes may take the help of an Ayurvedic treatment and dietetic regimen to treat the disease. Awareness of the disease is necessary for the effective treatment of Diabetic patients through care and counselling.