Diabetes In Ayurveda

Content : Overview | Diabetes Types | Diet Guide | Herbs & Spices | Foods to Avoid | Yoga Asanas | FAQ

Overview

Diabetes is a metabolic disease that causes high blood sugar. The hormone insulin moves sugar from the blood into your cells to be stored or used for energy.
 

Diabetes Types

There are few different types of diabetes

Type 1 diabetes also known as juvenile diabetes occurs when the body fails to produce insulin. People affected with type 1 diabetes are insulin-dependent, which means they should take artificial insulin daily to stay alive.

Type 2 diabetes occurs when your body becomes resistant to insulin, and sugar builds up in your blood.

Prediabetes occurs when your blood sugar is higher than normal, but it’s not high enough for a diagnosis of type 2 diabetes.

Gestational diabetes During pregnancy, women will be affected by Gestational Diabetes when the body can become less sensitive to insulin. However, this type of diabetes does not occur in all women and usually resolves after giving birth.

In Ayurveda, Diabetes is referred as Prameha, we can corelate it with Metabolic disorder like Dhatvagni-mandhya in Ayurveda. The disease in which quantity as well as frequency of micturation increases is known as Prameha.

There are two types of Prameha i.e. 1) Sahaja (Juvenile) and 2) ApathyaNimittaja. The Sahaja type is caused due to defect in Genetic constitution and ApathyaNimittaja is caused due to This Prameha occurs due to over eating habits, especially Kaphajaahara, lack of exercise or exessive dieting, fasting and over exercise.

Diet Guide

Ayurvedic Food Guide for Diabetes Management:

1. Yava (barley), 
2. Mudga(green gram), 
3. Old Rice
4. Bitter gourd
5. drum-stick, 
6. Methi(fenugreek)
7. Patola (Pointed gourd)
8. Pumpkin
9. Cucumber
10. Bimbi (Ivy gourd)
11.  Buttermilk with triphala 

Herbs & Spices

  Ayurvedic Herbs and Spices for Diabetes Management:

1. Aamalki- Aavla- Embelica officinalis
2. Bibhitaki- Terminalia belirrica
3. Haritaki- Terminalia chebula
4. Daru Haridra- Barberia aristate
5. Neem- Its leaf as ajuice or as a paste is useful in Dm.
6. Turmeric –  You can take 3 gm turmeric powder with luke warm water two times a day empty stomach.

Foods to Avoid

 Avoid Food (Nidana parivarjana)

 Tubers, sweets, dairy products, soft drinks, fried foods and sweet fruits like mango, banana, custard apple and date.

Yoga Asanas

Helpful Yoga Asanas 

Katiichakrasana, Tdasana, Pavanamuktasana, Gomukhasana, Shalabhasana, Vakrasana,Shasankasana, Dhanurasana, Mayur!sana, Pashchimottanasana, ushtrasana 

Pranayam: Bhastrika, Bhramari,Suryabhedanapranaama.

FAQ

1. Can Ayurveda cure diabetes permanently?
   Ayurveda focuses on managing diabetes by balancing doshas, improving digestion, and correcting lifestyle habits. With consistent diet, herbs, and routine, blood sugar levels can be controlled effectively.
2. Which dosha is responsible for diabetes in Ayurveda?
   Diabetes (Prameha) is mainly associated with Kapha dosha imbalance, along with weakened digestive fire (Dhatvagni).
3. Is barley good for people with diabetes?
   Yes, barley (Yava) helps regulate blood sugar levels and improves digestion, making it one of the best grains for diabetes management.
4. Can Ayurvedic herbs replace insulin or diabetes medicines?
   Ayurvedic herbs support blood sugar control but should not replace prescribed medication without medical supervision.
5. Is yoga helpful in controlling diabetes naturally?
   Yes, regular yoga and pranayama improve insulin sensitivity, digestion, and stress levels, all of which help in managing diabetes.