Ayurvedic Medicine (Herbs) for DIABETES Type -2

Type 2 diabetes, also known as non-insulin dependent diabetes, is a less severe form of diabetes, which appears generally in adulthood. When we see this disease from ayurvedic point (though we may not come to an exact match of signs and symptoms and evaluating parameters) we learn some interesting points related to diet and lifestyle which cause this disease. By this article we are trying to probe seriously into possibilities of reversing the whole etiology of type 2 diabetes through Ayurvedic treatment. Listed below are a few herbs which are the essential Ayurvedic medicine for Diabetes Type-2. The entire procedure is mentioned, however, you are advised to conduct the treatment under professional guidance. For any cure, the most important part is, our mental strength, by which we can re-modulate the quality of our life.

Useful For

Diabetes type-2 and its associated complications like
Cardiovascular disease
Nerve damage (neuropathy)
Kidney damage (nephropathy)
Eye damage (retinopathy)
Diabetic foot
Diabetic Skin conditions

Herbs for Diabetes- Herbal Treatment for Diabetes

Asana

Pterocarpus marsupium Also called vijaysaar , it has antidiabetic, hepatoprotective, antioxidant, antiinflamatory , anti hyperglycemic properties. Hence it is helpful even in higher and complicated stages of diabetes. . It also helps the cells overcome insulin resistance which is the main causative factor for type 2 diabetes. At higher stages of diabetes it helps in counteracting skin issues, fungal infections and shows anti-microbial activity. Since it is an antioxidant and pain reliever, it helps in overcoming the general debility and pain in limbs caused by diabetes. In general practice we find Vijaysaar bring back the lost vitality among aged patients. It also helps in averting heart problems associated with diabetes by improving cardiac function. Not only this, it also helps in limiting lipid levels, triglycerides in particular. The heart wood of Vijaysaar is used for treatment purposes. The fine powder is taken empty stomach every morning (note that the dosage depends upon your glycemic index). Alternatively it’s a popular practice to carve out a glass of the heartwood of Vijaysaar. Water kept overnight in the glass is then filtered and used for drinking. Vijaysaar can also be combined with the following herbs for a better therapeutic outcome.

Nimba

Azadirachta indicaOne of the most versatile plant, neem not only helps in lowering blood glucose but has also shown to delay the onset of diabetes. Traditional use includes use of all the parts of the tree, including leaves, bark, roots and seeds.

Bilva

Bael tree – Aegle marmelos It has got immense hepatoprotective properties. It does not directly lower the blood glucose, but its anti oxidant , free radical scavenging, inhibition of lipid peroxidation and cardioprotective activities puts it to the essential list of anti-diabetic drug.

Haridra

Turmeric not only directly normalizes the glycemic index but also regulates the increased lipid leves. It has also been shown to reduce HbA1c It also has anti inflammatory, lipid lowering and the most popular anti-oxidant properties.

Lodhra

Symplocos racemosaNow here is a drug which is known for its neurosupportive, kidney protective, Hepato protective, Hypolipidemic, anti oxidant and anti-inflamatory properties. All these make lodhra a choice of drug for managing diabetes.

Jambu Syzygium cumini

Jamun seeds and fruit pulp contains bio active properties which directly reduce the blood glucose levels. It has got anti microbial activity hence may also be helpful in wounds related to diabetes. Conditions like inflamed skin , oedema and diabetic foot in particular are helped by the seed extracts. The bark of the tree is astringent, digestive and diuretic.

How This Helps

All the mentioned herbs are carefully chosen according to the present stage of the issue. If a multiherbal combination is prepared, the permutation and combinations are changed once a particular stage is managed successfully. Also panchakarma procedures are carefully carried out depending on the strength of the patient. All these combined lead to a better strength of patient and prognosis of the disease

Instructions- Ayurvedic Herbal Treatment for Diabetes

The mentioned herbs can be taken in various forms. For example the wood of vijaysaar and neem are cut into glasses/bowls in which plain water is kept overnight. The water is filtered and taken empty stomach in the morning. It’s a common practice to use raw neem leave as decoction. Bilva is used in dried form in diabetes. These herbs can also be combined to form a multiherbal compound, which becomes far more effective. For this either the powder of particular part, or the plant extracts are used. One may also use the seed oil as in case of neem . All these herbs can also be used in panchakarma for massage and steam purpose. Oils are prepared from these herbs(base oil coconut or sesame)and applied all over the body. Steam produced by boiling these herbs is used under the guidance of an experienced hand. Enemas of the herbal oils and decoctions are also used in particular pattern mentioned in ayurveda.

Cautions

Since diabetes is a progressive disease and involves multiple organs, it’s highly recommended that the patient should avoid self medication and should monitor the blood parameters regularly. The mentioned herbs when taken in extract form are extremely potent and can cause rapid reduction in blood glucose levels, hence doctor supervision is a must while deciding dosage of the medicines.

Practical Experience

I have seen wonderful effects of panchakarma in management of diabetes. Massaging with neem oil and enema with dhashamool decoction goes a long way. If we take the principles of ayurveda into account, the above mentioned herbs are useful for prediabetes condition rather than established diabetes. If we take the above mentioned medicines in an established diabetes person, it may temporarily check the condition, rather than pushing the disease behind.

Here we come across few wonderful herb, each singlehandedly resisting various ill effects of diabetes and supporting multiple organs. On the contrary the medicines of allopathy show organ damaging properties.

Once I made the combination of almost 30 herbs containing antidiabetic properties. Till 6 months there was no substantial improvement in the patient. But after 6 months, the patient started improving, and by the end of 1 year, he was very healthy, energetic, out of skin troubles, leg pain and feet numbness etc and his requirement of taking insulin from outside was completely gone. I am not in favor of taking heavy metal based Ayurveda compound, just because of the fact that many pharmacies lack proper manufacturing standards rendering the medicine ineffective and with side effects. On the contrary herbs are without side effects if chosen correctly. One of my relative went into severe diabetic keto acidosis (a diabetic emergency) by taking continuous large amount of the so called Karela juice. Remember that self medication brings bad prognosis in diabetes. So let your doctor decide the medicines for you, helping you recover from the disease, else it might go to a stage where permanent damage occurs to various organs of the body.