Diabetes

Diabetes

It is inability of the body to utilize glucose because of the failure of the pancreas to secret insulin in sufficient quantity to take care of glucose in normal diet. Increased thirst, frequent urination, itching around genital region, boils and carbuncles, loss of weight are the common symptoms of this disease. It is of two types, one is insulin dependent, it is in 15 percent population and persons below the age of 40 may suffer from it. In the other one adult onset, non-insulin dependent, pancreas secret insulin but body becomes unresponsive to it. Diabetes metabolism but it affects fat metabolism also. The fatty acid Omega 3, which is found in fish oil (5 ml per day), (Page No.45) has been found useful. But for vegetarians, and those who cannot tolerate cod liver oil, Alsi is the best source. Omega 3 fatty acid decreases blood levels of triglycerids, blood viscosity and thus enhance circulation of blood and decrease risk of atherosclerosis. The optimal dietary intake should be 20 gm of freshly processed seed every day.

The herbs used for Ayurvedic treatment of diabetes either have insulin like effect or induce the pancreas to make more insulin. To compensate for loss of nutrition, fat-free almond meal can be used in diet during these treatments. Sucrose-free Gur has also given good results in Japan. The patient should try one or more of the following herbs or compound preparations, with water thrice daily. The recommended dose of herbs having antidiabetic effect is given against each of them here.

Single Herbs

(a) Kuth (1 gm) Root powder with water.
(b) Pushkarmul (1 gm) as above.
(c) Methi dana (1-2 gm). Soak in water and swallow.
(d) Vijaysar (Make infusion of 25 gm wood pieces, or drink water stored in tumbler of the wood of this tree)
(e) Karela (bitter gourd). The activity is only in the fresh juice and dried powder and extracts are inert. It appears that some enzyme is involved in its activity.
(f) Neem leaves (1-3 gm). Neem oil should not be used, as it is toxic.
(g) Jamun Guthali (1-3 gm) three times a day significantly lowered elevated post-meal values of the blood sugar, cholesterol, free fatty acids and triglycerides. It also checked the weight loss.(page no 46)
(h) Gound Kikar: The diet containing 15 per cent of this gum decreased blood sugar significantly. It also helps reducing body weight.
(i) Gurmar (1-3 gm): This herb in particular has given good results for not only in prevention of diabetes impaired glucose tolerance and related symptoms but in reduced levels of insulin and in lowering high levels of fats, cholesterol, polyurea and the other associated symptoms of diabetes. A water-soluble extract of the leaves (400mg a day) when administered to the patients with insulin dependent diabetes mellitus reduced the requirement of insulin. Gurmar enhances endogenous insulin, possibly by regeneration or revitalization of the residual beta cells. The effect of herb persists beyond two months period after its discontinuation. It does not show reduction of blood sugar levels in severe cases but prolongs the survival time.
(j) Guar gum (5gm) daily for 32 weeks reduces sugar in both insulin dependent as well as non-insulin dependent diabetie mellitus patients, without any side effect. It decreases rate of stomach emptying in mice resulting in retarded admission of glucose into small intestine, where absorption of glucose takes place. It reduces body weight by 5 per cent.

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