Ayurveda perspective of Diabetes (Madhumeha)

If any individual follows principles of ayurveda, a healthy and happy life is possible throughout because ayurveda is all about being healthy always and not just curing from ailments. Diabetes is a disorder concerning the metabolism which cant just be managed by controlling the sugar levels and rather as basic metabolism is affected by diabetes, so patient is required to follow both dietary and lifestyle recommendations towards holistic health benefits. Millions of patients worldwide are following ayurveda recommendations to avoid the complications related to diabetes and halt the progressive tendencies of this illness.

Ayurveda, the ancient system of medicine rooted in India, offers profound insights into recognizing the symptoms of diabetes, known as “Madhumeha” in Ayurvedic terms. According to Ayurveda, diabetes is primarily associated with the imbalance of doshas—especially the Kapha and Pitta doshas—and the accumulation of Ama (toxins) in the body. The symptoms of diabetes are seen as manifestations of this underlying imbalance. Here are some common symptoms of diabetes according to Ayurveda:

1. Excessive Thirst (Trishna): Ayurveda highlights that an increase in the Pitta dosha contributes to excessive thirst in individuals with diabetes. The elevated heat in the body, attributed to the imbalance, leads to an increased demand for fluids to cool the system.

2. Frequent Urination (Prameha): The term “Prameha” in Ayurveda refers to excessive urination, a classic symptom of diabetes. The imbalanced Kapha and Pitta doshas disrupt the normal functioning of the kidneys, leading to the elimination of excess sugar through urine.

3. Sweet Taste in Mouth (Madhuram Jihva): Individuals with diabetes may experience a persistently sweet taste in their mouth. Ayurveda attributes this to the elevated sugar levels affecting the sense of taste, as well as the accumulation of Ama in the oral cavity.

4. Fatigue and Weakness (Shrama): The imbalance in the doshas disrupts the proper digestion and metabolism of nutrients, leading to a feeling of fatigue and weakness. The body struggles to derive energy from the ingested food, contributing to overall lethargy.

5. Unexplained Weight Loss (Ati Laghutva): Ayurveda recognizes that diabetes can lead to an imbalance in the Meda dhatu (body fat), resulting in unexplained weight loss despite a normal or increased appetite.

6. Delayed Wound Healing (Vranashotha): Diabetes, as per Ayurveda, can affect the Rasa and Rakta dhatus (plasma and blood tissues), leading to impaired wound healing. This is attributed to the compromised circulation and diminished nourishment to the tissues.

7. Blurred Vision (Timira): Pitta dosha, when aggravated, can affect the eyes and lead to symptoms like blurred vision. Ayurveda considers diabetes as a potential cause for ocular complications.

8. Increased Appetite (Ati Ashitva): In some cases, diabetes may manifest with an increased appetite. Ayurveda attributes this to the body’s inability to utilize the ingested nutrients efficiently, prompting a continuous desire for food.

Recognizing these symptoms in the context of Ayurveda involves a comprehensive assessment of an individual’s overall health, including their unique constitution (Prakriti) and the specific doshic imbalance.

Diabetes can develop in following two ways, according to Ayurveda medicine:

• Dhatukshaya: Its when there is loss / depletion of Dhatus or tissues in the body leading to sudden weight loss, extreme weakness, unexplained pains in joint, excessive thirst and always a craving for sweetness
• Avarana: Its when there happens blockage of pathways or channels in the body and as free movement of dosha /dhatus are hampered, it leads to imbalance in almost all major cellular physiologies and patient’s quality of life is highly compromised as signs / symptoms are very diverse and very much severe as well in terms of intensity.

Causes of Diabetes (Madhumeha):

Prameha is a term in ayurveda medical science which means “Obstinate urinary disease” or we can say its a classification of all those diseases which are related with the urinary physiology and diabetes is one of those. So if we are addressing diabetes in ayurveda, we are not just correcting any one vitiation, rather gross normalization across the whole tissues of urinary system are being implented. And it also explains why ayurveda is such an accountable hope for patients suffering even from advanced stages of diabetes where there are many comorbidities as well.

Also its to be noted here that in ayurveda, diabetes is classified into 20 types which are based on the dominant doshas. And to be explained further, Vata aggravation is responsible for 4 types of prameha, Pitta aggravation is responsible for 6 types of prameha and finally Kapha aggravation which is the major culprit is responsible for 10 types of prameha. Diabetes or “madhumeha” is just advanced stage of prameha and its only if prameha is not addressed in time, it leads to development of “madhumeha” – type 2 diabetes mellitus.

In Ayurveda, diabetes, known as “Madhumeha,” is understood to be caused by a complex interplay of factors that disrupt the balance of the body’s doshas (biological energies), primarily Kapha and Pitta. These doshic imbalances are often triggered by lifestyle choices, dietary habits, genetic predispositions, and environmental influences. Here are some key causes of diabetes according to Ayurveda:

1. Dietary Factors (Ahara): Improper diet is considered one of the primary causes of diabetes in Ayurveda. Consuming excessive amounts of sweet, oily, and heavy foods aggravates the Kapha and Pitta doshas, leading to impaired digestion and metabolism. Overindulgence in sugary foods, refined carbohydrates, fried foods, and processed snacks can contribute to insulin resistance and the development of diabetes.

2. Sedentary Lifestyle (Achala Jivana): Lack of physical activity is another significant factor implicated in the development of diabetes according to Ayurveda. A sedentary lifestyle leads to the accumulation of Ama (toxins) in the body and disrupts the proper functioning of the metabolic processes. Insufficient physical movement reduces the body’s ability to utilize glucose effectively, contributing to insulin resistance and elevated blood sugar levels.

3. Genetic Predisposition (Janmaja): Ayurveda acknowledges the role of genetic predisposition in the development of diabetes. Individuals with a family history of diabetes are considered to have an increased susceptibility to the condition due to inherited factors affecting the body’s metabolism, pancreatic function, and doshic balance.

4. Stress and Mental Factors (Manasa Dosha): Mental stress, anxiety, and emotional disturbances are recognized as significant contributors to diabetes in Ayurveda. The mind-body connection is emphasized, with stress leading to the aggravation of the Pitta dosha and hormonal imbalances that affect blood sugar levels. Chronic stress can also impair digestion, weaken the immune system, and exacerbate existing health conditions, including diabetes.

5. Toxic Overload (Ama): Ayurveda places great importance on the concept of Ama, or accumulated toxins, as a causative factor in diabetes. Poor dietary choices, sedentary lifestyle, environmental pollutants, and emotional stress can lead to the accumulation of Ama in the body. This toxic buildup interferes with the proper functioning of organs and tissues, including the pancreas, impairing insulin secretion and glucose metabolism.

6. Dosha Imbalance (Dosha Vaishamya): According to Ayurveda, diabetes occurs when there is an imbalance in the doshas, particularly Kapha and Pitta. Excessive consumption of Kapha-aggravating foods, such as sweets, dairy products, and oily foods, can lead to the accumulation of Kapha in the body. Similarly, Pitta-aggravating factors like spicy foods, alcohol, and hot weather can exacerbate Pitta dosha imbalance, affecting insulin production and glucose regulation.

Addressing the root causes of diabetes in Ayurveda involves adopting a holistic approach that aims to restore doshic balance, improve digestion, detoxify the body, and promote overall well-being.

Illness specific herbs used in preparing ayurveda medications for Diabetes (Madhumeha)

The primary Medicinal Herbs which are used as ingredients in the ayurveda formulation for the treatment protocol of Diabetes (Madhumeha) are as follows :

• Manjistha – Rubia cordifolia
• Gambhari – Gmelina arborea
• Haridra – Curcuma longa
• Katuki – Picorrhiza kurroa
• Musta – Cyperus rotundus
• Nagakesara – Mesua ferrea
• Nirgundi – Vitex negundo
• Patala – Stereospermum suaveolens
• Shatavari – Asparagus racemosus
• Bimbi – Coccinia indica
• Hrutpatri – Digitalis purpurea
• Parijata – Nyctanthes arbor-tristis
• Rohitaka – Aphanamixis polystachya
• Karvira – Nerium indicum
• Plaksha – Ficus virens
• Karavella – Momordica charantia
• Parnabija – Bryophyllum pinnatum
• Methika – Trigonella foenum – graecum

Few of the over the counter ayurveda medications which can help address the cause of Diabetes (Madhumeha) are:

• Nishaamalakadi Churna,
• Triphaladi churna,
• Chandraprabha vati,
• Suddha Shilajit,
• Nisha Katakadi kashaya,
• Phal trikadi kwath,
• Ayaskrity,
• Shilajtwadi lauha,
• Chandraprabha vati,
• Panchanimba churna,
• Asanadi kashyam,
• Niruyadi gulika,
• Jambasava,
• Varadi Kashyam,
• Abhraka bhasma,
• Chandrakala vati,
• Lodhrasavam,
• Dhanwataram ghritam

Treatment of Diabetes (Madhumeha) in ayurveda:

Treatment approach of Diabetic patient in ayurveda is divided into 3 phases as follows: Pre-diabetic / Early phase

When a patient approaches for treatment in the pre-diabetic phase, all the emphasis is on discouraging any further rise in the blood sugar levels through correcting only dietary and lifestyle regimen. Usually no medicine intake is required in this pre-diabetic phase. If a patient is able to normalize the blood sugar levels and there appears no further rise, then certainly development of chronic stages can be prevented with success and its this very prime reason, why early consultation is pivotal towards ensuring good healing and avoiding the life-long dependent behavior on insulin. By dietary and lifestyle recommendations, not only Insulin dependency is prevented, but it also reduces the risk of imbalance in physiology of organs like eyes and kidneys.

Chronic phase

Once the illness achieves chronic tendencies, then prime emphasis of ayurveda treatment is on normalizing the basic metabolism so weakness can be prevented and also reducing the blood sugar levels so vital organs are saved from harmful effects of uncontrolled diabetic behavior. Illness specific medicinal herbs are used towards ensuring there is no development of advanced stage else if complications start happening in cellular physiology, the journey of healing becomes very much tougher.

Advanced stage with complications as well evident

If patient comes to ayurveda while in advanced stage with complications as well evident, then emphasis of ayurveda treatment is on managing the comorbidities so quality of life can be improved by intake of illness specific medicinal herbs and also we shall chalk out in precise the dietary / lifestyle recommendations, so further progressive activity in comorbidity can be halted.

We consult patients of diabetes as per protocols of ayurveda medicine and then provide them with the treatment, medicinal herbal formulations which are customized according to dosha / prakriti of patients because in ayurveda science for each individual patient, its different combinations of medicinal plants and dosages which are used for complete healing.

At Nakra Ayurveda Hospitals and Herbals Pvt Ltd , very effective ayurvedic consultation are provided for both type-1 (Diabetes insipidus) and type-2 (Diabetes mellitus) ailments which not only lowers the blood sugar levels but also gives a 360 degress improvement in all the aspects of general health of any patient. Diabetes is a type of illness which if not treated in time and not addressed before it gets too much chronic, can lead to serious health issues in kidneys, eyes and the nervous system as well.