Contribution
of Ayurveda for the Treatment of Diabetes Mellitus
Prof. J.K. OJHA,
Head of the Department of Dravyaguna,
Institute
of
Medical
Sciences,
Banaras
Hindu
University
,
Varanasi
What is Diabetes: -
Diabetes mellitus is a disease
characterised by High 'Blood Sugar and finding of Wasted Sugar in the urine
because Pancreas fails to supply enough effective insulin. The body is therefore unable to use foods
(Carbohydrate, Protein and Fat) properly and due to that foods are not changed
into the energy that the body ceils need to sustain 'life and keep the Body
functioning in normal manner.
In the Words of Charaka
For the first time this disease
has been diagnosed as Madhumeha in Charaka (2000 B.C.) an authentic treatise of
Indian Medicine. A Biogenic approach as
a trace and test of this disease by the use of ants and flies over urine and
body have been narrated in this literature.
It is a matter of great attraction that in Charaka this disease has been
Included as one of the genetic disorders in which Beejdosh means abnormalities
in sperms and ova of parents has been mentioned. Further, over eating of Rich
diet, which contains much of Madhur (Sugar), snigdha (Fatty substances) and
lack of exercise and Physical work have been described as etiological factors.
Not only this malnourished and hard labour, mental strain,
worry, fear are also referred as causative factors of this disease.
Classification of Diabetes
according to Ayurveda: -
1. Curable - Can be cured
2. Incurable - there is no cure
3. Palliable - Treatment required
during whole life time..
Clinically Diabetes were
further studied and grouped into three such as; Sthoola and Balwan
- (Obese and strong) mean maturity. Onset of Diabetics.
- They would be cured.
Krisha and Paridurbal
- Emaciated and weak. They would
be palliable.
Jatah madhumeha - Born and Child
diabetics. They were incurable.
Treatment during those days:
A triangular approach to treat a Madhumehi (Diabetic) has been clearly
recommended such as :
1) Diet therapy
2) Drug therapy
3) Exercise and Yoga therapy
All the
therapies were equally important in sustained way for longer duration. With the help of these three ways Diabetic
people would maintain their good health by keeping the normal blood sugar
levels. Had it not been controlled through
processes entire diabetic people would have been died already. That is why traces of this disease and
genetic patient are found in history as well as in modern time. Because Insulin and other
oral drugs for the treatment are available in India only for the last one or two
decades.
Treatment at Present:
Insulin was invented in 1922 by Banting and Best of Canada and was changed the entire set
up of treatment. Though Insulin has
saved the lives of thousands and lacs of diabetics,
and increased the longevity also. However, due to its continuous use some of
the complications have started becoming a fatal and life became very pitiable.
Some reports have been published
by P. White of- Joslin Clinic U.S.A. as
mentioned below
Cause of Death in Juvenile
Diabetics
The fatal cases studied wore
divided into two groups. Pre-insulin era (Before the use of
Insulin) and Post-insulin era (After the use of Insulin). In Pre-insulin era Ketoacidosis (Coma
due to High Blood sugar) accounted for 74% of death. Cardiovascular, infection,
Renal failure etc Were very nominal as cause of death,
but in Post-insulin era cardiovascular disease replaced Ketoacidosis as
the main cause of death after insulin was available for the management of
diabetics. They survived long enough to
develop myocardial infarction, arteriosclerosis heart diseases and cardiac
failure which accounted for high percentage of the deaths. Renal failure became the second most common
cause of death in post-insulin era. The
incidence of cardiovascular death increased progressively during the second and
third decades and it became the Reading
cause of death by fourth and fifth decades.
Since insulin became available cardiovascular, kidney complication have
clearly emerged as leading cause of death.
Among the survivals ischemic heart disease is considered the major
hazard of long terra diabetics.
Regarding Oral Hypoglycemic
agents the following facts have come to light.
1. Rastinon (Talbutamide)
induces Haemolytic anaemia: (P.Malacarus et el, 1977
2. Diabenese (Chloropopamide)-produces intro vascular haemolysis
in Diabetics (P.Malcarus, 1977).
3. D.B.I. Phenformine
- The food & drug administration of U.S.A. in 1977 has decided to withdraw
D.B.I from the market as this drug may constitute a significant health risk
lactic acidosis may develop and death even may result in diabetic patient using
this drug. This result is based on mounting scientific data from studies in U.S.A. and
other countries. Other drugs have
started producing cardio-vasculopathy & Coma and death in the Diabetics.
The above data made us to think
over the problem in order to provide good health along with control of Blood
Sugar by the help of Ayurvedic approach.
We decided to find out safe,
cheap and easy herbs and method to take, care of Diabetics; Following
triangular approaches were adopted
1. Diet Therapy.
2. Drug Therapy
3. Exercise and Yoga therapy
(A) We recommend
easily available Veg and Non-Veg diet such as Parched cereals in the form of
Bread or Sattu or as per the liking of patients
Wheat, Barley and Bengal gram, parwal, Karaila, Mothi, Guler, Pulses (not Urad) curds,
milk, eggs, meat soup etc. amounting to (1500 -2200 cal.) in desired amount.
(B) Exercises
and Yogas -Regular walking (till tired), massage of oil, washing of cloth, other
suitable exercises for hour morning and evening.
Yogas were recommend 12 types of
yogic practice as routine of life hour morning and evening, such as 1, 2.
(C) Drugs- We have tried many drugs but out of that Vijaisar and
Pushkaramool were found very encouraging. Vijaisar- Vijaisar was first
introduced by Sushruta for this disease. For over 1 decade, we have been using
this drug. About six thesis of M.D. & Ph.D. standard have been written on
this drug. On different aspects our
observation and impression pertaining to its efficacy as mentioned below: -
One, It is useful in the form of
water soluble extract of the heart wood of this plant collected from not less
than 10 years old tree. The doses vary
from 50 gm. to 250 gm. per day as coarse powder to be boiled in water. About 50 C.C. water extract should be given
in divided doses for three times a day.
Now it is available in the tablet forms, which is quite convenient to
the patients. This plant is found mostly
in the Himalaya and in the forest
of M.P.
2. It is useful in juvenile and enunciated
diabetics because it contains Rasayana properties, which are responsible to
rejuvenate the Beta cells of Pancreas.
Beta cells are responsible to produce insulin in the Body. Insulin is the only drug to be given to these
patients according to modern medical approach. No oral drugs are useful in
these cases. But we prescribe this drug,
because it increases the secretion of Insulin in the body proved on
radioimmvicesay. Some chemical
components have been taken out from this, which regenerate beta cells.
3. It provides a sense of well
being and keeps normal health along with prompt symptomatic relief.
4. Born Diabetic and child Diabetic (ageing from
4-14 years) it reduces the doses of daily-required Insulin by 40-160/£. Means
with minimal doses of Insulin and Vijaisar keep the patient quite healthy along
with subjective and objective improvements.
5. It prevents the occurrence of complications,
which very often appears by the use of Insulin as referred above earlier.
6. Sometimes by the use of Vijaisar patients
becomes free of symptoms though their blood sugar is not very effectively
controlled. But it is just reversed in
the case of Insulin therapy or any modern antidiabetic therapy. For example patients complain of many
symptoms inspite of their blood sugar is controlled.
7. For the patients of 14 years to 25 years we
very rarely advise for Insulin, alongwith Vijaisar. If required any oral hypoglycaemic drug like
diabenese or Rastinon could be given as an adjunct to get the Bio-chemical
results very effectively in these cases where they have used modern drugs for
over 6 months, after a few weeks we advise to taper down the modern drug and
later stop it. Because sudden withdrawal
of modern drug Vijaiaar does not give biochemical results immediately. Its mode
of action is quite different to modern drugs.
But in fresh cases where no modern drug was used this Vijaisar alone
gives all-round effective response. {Work discussed in clinical conference
1978, Bombay,
K.E, Hospital).
Yoga &
Vijaisar; In the cases of insulin dependent diabetics
Insulin sensitivity Insulin reaction.
Insulin resistance we prescribe Yoga & Vijaisar. Because Vijaisar increases the release of Insulin
and by Yoga glucose is utilised by working muscles. So increase in Insulin secretion and
utilization of glucose both go side by side.
By Yogic practices patients get mental health improved by overcoming the
stress worry and fear with enough strength in the whole body „
Puskarmool; This
is found at the height of 1500 ft. on the ranges of Kuth Himalayas. Its root is useful for this disease. It is responsible to normalise the High blood
sugar, raised cholesterol, over body weight in obese and strong diabetic. It
cures the problem of diabetes by more than -50% of cases. After 2-3 months of
treatment with Puskermool kwth, over 50% of the cases
left the treatment because they do not want it further. Puskarmoola has proved its effectiveness in
cardiovascular changes in Diabetic by showing E.C.G. X--Ray and lipids profile
within normal ranges. It
given tranquilizing effect also.
Conclusion: Science & truth
are synonym to each other. Truth can be measured at any parameter. The truth narrated in Ayurvedic Texts could
be proved scientifically. The
description of Diabetes and its classification in Ayurvedic Texts stand exactly
true in the same way as during these days. Triangular traditional approaches to
the treatment of Diabetes mellitus appear to be most essential to provide
normal health. for longer duration Diet, Exercise and
Yoga should be adopted as a part of life for Diabetic patients.
Vijaisar alone is sufficient to treat the diabetic patient
but in born Diabetic and child diabetic, some modern drugs are required as
adjunct to it
a) Vijaisar and Insulin reduce the dose by 40% - 60% of
daily-required Insulin without side effect
b) Vijaisar and oral Hypoglycemic replaces the insulin out
rightly with; very encouraging response
c) Yoga and
Vijaisar proved very effective in insulin dependent diabetic and insulin
resistant cases (approved in 2nd World Diabetic Congress at Bombay from 14-17
November, 1981