Sustainable diabetes treatment the natural way
Heavy medication-driven management
The choice is clear, isn’t it? We all would love the 1st approach. But what if we tell you the way to achieve this is not through modern medicine? There exists a way that treats diabetes naturally. It’s the ancient and timeless Ayurveda!
Unlike modern medicine, which only treats the symptoms of diabetes, Ayurveda focuses on treating its root cause and restoring Sampoorna Swasthya (holistic wellness).
Ayurveda is the storehouse of long-lasting relief for diabetes. You can easily manage diabetes with Ayurveda and maintain a healthy mind, body, and soul as it:
Offers a holistic approach to improving overall health
Introduces a sustainable way to live a healthy life
Pacifies dosha imbalance
Includes meal made out of natural ingredients and herbs that aid in reducing blood sugar levels
Enhances immunity by strengthening the body from within
Let’s delve deeper to know how Ayurveda can help you reimagine life with diabetes!
According to Ayurveda, all of us are born with a specific Prakriti formed due to the interaction between the Tridoshas- Vata, Pitta, and Kapha at the time of conception.s
Vatta is the kinetic energy of the body responsible for all the voluntary and involuntary body movements
Pitta is the thermal energy of the body responsible for digestion and transformation
Kapha is the potential energy of the body responsible for assimilation, growth & development, and secretion
With time, the Tridosha balance deviates from the inherent Prakriti and gives rise to illnesses. This state of health where there is a dosha imbalance is called Vikriti, which leads to various health issues.
According to modern medicine, diabetes is a chronic condition in which the body is unable to produce a sufficient amount of insulin, or there is insulin resistance.
You must be aware of the terms type-1 and type-2 diabetes, where the body is unable to produce enough insulin or unable to use the insulin effectively.
But Ayurveda has a different story to tell.
There are many similarities between modern-day diabetes and Prameha in Ayurveda. But unlike modern medicine, Prameha in Ayurveda goes beyond insulin issues and blood sugar levels. It takes a more holistic approach and believes that prevention of Prameha is as important as treatment.
Ayurvedic manuscripts define Prameha as Pra, meaning abundant and Meha, meaning the passing of large quantities of urine. Prameha is a tridoshaj vyadhi (a condition that involves all three doshas – Vata, Pitta, and Kapha) but with dominant Kapha dosha imbalance
Also, this is a condition where a person experiences urinary issues such as excessive urination, increased frequency, and turbidity.
Acharya Charak and Acharya Sushrut have stated in ancient Ayurvedic medical texts that there are overall 20 types of Prameha roga. They are further divided as per the tridoshas:
You must have come across the term “prediabetes” which means the stage where symptoms of diabetes are visible or identifiable. But what if we tell you the signs of Prameha can be identified years before prediabetes? Yes, the probability of you falling prey to Prameha can be detected many years before the actual manifestation of this disease.
Ayurveda defines this stage as Prameha Purvaroopa (Purva=prior and Rupa = features).
Prameha Purvaroopa is an opportunity to act early through timely detection. Any symptoms of Prameha are a warning sign of the possibility of diabetes development soon. Correct and timely identification of the risk factors of Prameha and effective ways to reduce those risk factors is the first practical measure to prevent diabetes mellitus.
So, how can you predict falling prey to Prameha later in life? With the following Purvaroopa (early warning signs), it is possible.
In the previous section, we discussed the Purvaroopa of Prameha. But what are the signs and symptoms of fully developed Prameha? Let’s look at the Roopa of Prameha (Symptoms of Diabetes).
Besides these, the Prameha Roopa varies according to the appearance of urine depending on the predominant dosha involved.
Modern medicine for diabetes only highlights a sedentary lifestyle and improper food as two significant causes, whereas Ayurveda breaks it down, giving a more detailed picture of Prameha. Prameha is caused due to aggravated Kapha dosha, which affects the Meda Dhatu (Fat tissue), Lymphatic channel, and endocrine secretion. Due to abnormal digestion, the afflicted Dhatus are driven towards the urinary system, which results in Prameha.
According to Ayurveda, the following are the causes of diabetes.
Prameha Samprapti is a process of knowing how the dosha imbalance is caused that helps understand the root cause of Prameha. It includes the entire process of exposure to the causes and initial disturbances caused by the Hetu (causative factors) to the body.
In Prameha samprapti, all the tridoshas and Dhatus are involved. As explained above, Prameha is caused by Kapha dosha imbalance and excess Meda Dhatu. When there is an excess of Meda Dhatu (fat accumulation) in the body, the rest of the Dhatus don’t get enough nourishment. This results in Kapha dosha imbalance and eventually leads to the development of Prameha.
If you have been relying on modern medicine for the treatment of diabetes, it is natural for you to think that there is no escape from it throughout your life. But the good news is you can choose to get rid of diabetes naturally. Yes, you read that right!
Diabetes reversal is possible with Ayurveda.
In modern medicine, the treatment is focused on increased blood glucose levels. On the other hand, in Ayurveda, the treatment is lypo-centric. It doesn’t just focus on sugar levels but goes beyond it. The lypo-centric approach tries to correct deranged fat metabolism, the root cause, various pathways, and the pathophysiology of Prameha.
When you start Ayurvedic treatment , the outcomes are improved quality of life, reduced symptoms and signs of diabetes, and increased energy, enthusiasm, and immunity which are lacking in a diabetic patient. All this along with reduced blood sugar levels.
Ayurvedic Diet for Diabetes / Aahar
Ayurveda defines Ahar as the supreme medication. Your diet should be planned in a way that helps in correcting the dosha imbalance and reversing the Prameha Samprapti. Also, it is also recommended that one must have food as per the Rutu (season) to stay healthy. This practice is called Rutucharya.
Vihaar (Lifestyle)
Maintaining a healthy lifestyle is one of the necessities for a healthy life devoid of health risks. Ayurveda suggests adjusting your lifestyle as per the seasons to keep illness away and experience Sampoorna Swasthya.
Aushadi (Medication)
As mentioned earlier, according to Ayurveda, food is the supreme meditation. But some herbs and Ayurvedic preparations add great value to your health.
Vichaar (Thoughts)
Cultivating your mind with positive thoughts support good health. Ayurveda recommends practising mindfulness meditation and getting involved in activities that offer peace of mind.
Aachar (Routine)
Ayurveda says that having a routine and behaving in an ethical way makes a lot of difference. It channels your mind in a positive direction and also helps your body function well.
Prameha is an acquired condition due to an unhealthy diet and lifestyle choices. Ayurveda recommends making healthy dietary & lifestyle changes, including nutritious food, regular exercise, and yoga, to accelerate the process of Prameha Chikitsa (Diabetes Reversal). Our dosha balance changes with every season and thus our body’s strength and immunity levels do not remain the same throughout the year. Therefore, Ayurveda suggests following a specific routine to maintain balance for optimum health. All dietary and lifestyle changes must be made, considering the Ritucharya (seasonal routine) and Dinacharya (daily routine).
Prakruti or the tridosha composition differs from person to person. Therefore, there is no one-size-fits-all approach in Ayurveda. So, it is always better to consult an Ayurvedic Vaidya than rely on the information you find online. If you are seeking Ayurvedic treatment for managing diabetes naturally, you have come to the right place. Ayuvi has everything you need.
Get personalised consultation for Diabetes from our renowned Vaidyas.
Dr.Jyoti A.Shirodkar
B.A.M.S., MD, Ph.D
Dr Jyoti A. Shirodkar is a practising Ayurvedic physician for 25 years, with her speciality in Diabetes. Her extensive research areas include the development of Ayurvedic food supplements for diabetic and obese people and a Vedic Ayurveda-Based Artificial Intelligence-Driven Test for Diabetes Risk Profiling. Her Ayurvedic approach in the management of diabetes and diet has appeared in multiple publications.
Dr. Shilpa Devanhalli
B.A.M.S., MS, RDN, LDN
Dr. Shilpa Devanhalli B.A.M.S., MS, RDN, LDN is Ayurveda Physician and a Board Certified Registered Dietitian Nutritionist with master’s degree in Human Nutrition from University of Delaware. Dr. Shilpa is an expert in weight management and holds CDR’s Certificate of Training in Adult Weight Management. She also specializes in integrative Medical Nutrition Therapy for cardiovascular diseases, diabetes mellitus, renal diseases and polycystic ovarian diseases (PCOD) along with preventive nutrition therapy. Dr Shilpa’s Integrative Food Medicine philosophy is based on combining western science with the world’s oldest medical science, Ayurveda.
