Ayurveda for Diabetes
| August 19, 2010 | Posted by monica under Ayurveda |
Comments off
|
According to practitioners of Ayurvedic medicine, diabetes is of Kapha type mostly, in which the diminishing function of agni has a tendency to lead to high blood-sugar levels. However, in Ayurveda, it is imbalance in a particular site organ that is far more important than the ‘name’ of the health issue itself. Why is there a sugar imbalance and diabetes?
Is it because of the diet? Is it because of malfunction of glands, due to wrong foods, wrong lifestyle? Did it start because of eating sugar, AND salt as well as high amount of fat? Did it happen because of digestive imbalance, improper elimination. Why did the pancreas malfunction in the first place.
There are 24 forms of the disease which are recognized by Ayurvedic medicine. However, there are also VATA type diabetes, which waste mamsa or muscle and harms immunity. So, ‘HOW’ the malfunction of the glands and organ started is as important as WHO it happened to. Did it happen to a Pitta, Vata or a Kapha individual. All the three doshas have their weak and strong points. For a Vata, there will be some wasting of muscles, some weight loss instead of weight gain sometimes.
So, in this case, we build up the immunity in that case, along with herbs and a diet. Rest of the time, Ayurveda suggests strong detoxifying herbs along with multi vitamins and antioxidant jellies (Rasayanas), that build immunit as well as a wholesome diet, that must be followed strictly.
Herbs
1. The most important herbs tend to be Bittergourd (Karela), gudmar turmeric, neem, amalaki, guggul and arjuna. (I have given all of these except gudmar, neem and guggul for now. I have also suggested tulsi and brahmi along with the other herbs.)
(Turmeric is sometimes mixed with aloe vera gel. This mixture works best if used during the early stages of diabetes. It can be used for regulating pancreas and liver functions. Homemade turmeric capsules can also be made. You can usually purchase empty capsules at your local health food store. Fill 00-size capsules with turmeric and take two capsules three times per day. Each dosage should be taken before meals. This regimen can be conducted for up to one month. The individual’s condition should be re-evaluated after the first month of treatment.)
2. Jamun is a dark berry like fruit found in India. It is called madhunashini. Meaning ” That which Kills sugar imbalance”. Very important. Let’s see if we can get it from somewhere. This, along with karela and methi are wonderful.
More Herbs – Fenugreek with pepper and turmeric, Amalaki with turmeric, Tulsi with amalaki, Gudmar, Shilajit and Neem is a powerful herb beneficial for pancreas, but, not to given when vata disorder is prominent. So, we will not do that for now.
3. Diet
Individuals with diabetes I should follow the warming, soup, low fat diet with low and avoiding diary, only complex carbohydrates. Please note that wheat is considered ‘sweet’ in Ayurveda. So, whole wheat, when sugar is low, and ‘no’ wheat when it is high should be the mantra.
Whole Grains – Quinoa, buckwheat, millet, amaranth, brown rice, along with steamed vegetables. Tadka with very small amount of ghee, cumin, turmeric, ginger, fenugreek, coriander seeds, sea salt. Bitter herbs are normally good, but, for Vata and immunity issue, chyavanprash that has ‘nourishing’ herbs as well as bitter recommended. Not to be started for the next 2-3 weeks. Reduce fat intake.Beverages include Qunoa milk, Brown Rice Milk, Hemp Seed Milk, Peach flavored water.
Recipe for Disease
This is the default footer layout. You can easily add or remove columns in the footer.
Recent Comments