Ayurveda is a safe, natural and effective alternative in the treatment of diabetes, says Dr RP Parashar, Chief Medical Officer (Ayurveda) & Center Head Rohini Diabetic Center, Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) in the national capital on the occasion of the World Diabetes Day which was recently observed on November 14. The theme for 2024 is “Breaking Barriers, Bridging Gaps”. An alarming rise in diabetes cases calls for urgent attention to prevention, treatment, and lifestyle interventions, especially in high-risk countries like India, says Dr Parashar.
Ayurvedic principles and medicines provide a holistic and natural approach to the treatment of diabetes, which makes it better than modern medicine in many ways. The aim of Ayurveda is not to suppress the symptoms of the disease, but to address the root cause of the silent killer.
According to Ayurveda, the main cause of diabetes is the imbalance of doshas in the body, especially the kapha dosha and the weakening of agni (gastrointestinal fire). Ayurvedic medicine treats to balance these doshas, so that the natural functioning of the body improves and the disease is controlled.
The medicines used in Ayurvedic treatment are completely natural, such as fenugreek, gurmar, bitter gourd, neem, jamun, amla, karvellak, lodhra, kali jeeri, guduchi, etc. These medicines not only help in controlling blood sugar but also improve the insulin resistance of the body.
Apart from this, these medicines improve immunity and also prevent other diabetes-related complications from occurring in the body. Medicines like Abhrak Bhasm, Trivang Bhasm, Swarn Bhasm etc. provide strength to the body and also provide relief from problems like neuropathy and retinopathy.
Panchkarma treatment is a process of detoxifying and rejuvenating the body. Panchkarma treatment like vamana, purgation and vastikaram proves useful for diabetes patients because through these processes all the toxins are removed from the body. These help in strengthening the digestive power of the body, improving the weakened fire and balancing the doshas. Apart from this, snehana and swedana increase blood circulation, which improves the body’s ability to produce insulin and consume sugar.
Lifestyle has special importance in Ayurveda. Ayurvedic treatment in diabetes does not depend only on medicines, but also emphasizes the importance of diet, daily routine, seasonal routine and physical activity.
In Ayurvedic treatment, the patient is advised to adopt a balanced and easily digestible diet, such as whole grains, green vegetables and fruits. Along with this, regular yoga, pranayama and meditation are also included in the treatment, which provides mental peace by reducing stress and maintains hormonal balance in the body.
In Ayurveda, treatment is done on the basis of the nature of the person (Vata, Pitta, Kapha). In diabetes also, treatment is done by looking at the nature of the patient, his lifestyle, age and the condition of the doshas. Not only this, different medicines are also given for obese and thin persons. This personalized treatment is helpful in providing suitable and effective treatment to the patient.
Since Ayurvedic medicine focuses not only on physical but also mental and emotional health in diabetes, Ayurvedic medicine can prove to be a safe, natural, and more effective option in the long-term management of diabetes.
SCARY DATA
India Leads the World with the Highest Diabetes Population: A Global Crisis in the Making
India was home to a staggering 212 million people with diabetes in 2022, the highest number in the world, according to a new study published in The Lancet. China followed closely with 148 million diabetics, while the United States had 42 million adults living with diabetes.
The study reveals that the global number of adults with diabetes has surged past 800 million—over four times the number recorded in 1990. India, with its growing population, accounted for over a quarter of the total global cases, underscoring the gravity of the diabetes epidemic in the country. Other nations with significant diabetic populations include Pakistan (36 million), Indonesia (25 million), and Brazil (22 million).
The diabetes rate in India has risen dramatically in recent decades. Among women, the prevalence increased from 11.9% in 1990 to 23.7% in 2022, marking one of the largest rises globally. Among men, the rate grew from 11.3% to 21.4% during the same period.
