by Diabetes is a metabolic disease that affects millions of people worldwide. A balanced diet, frequent exercise, and medications are all essential to managing diabetes. Ayurveda, the ancient Indian medical system, offers a number of herbs with possible benefits for diabetes management, in addition to traditional therapies. If you’re wondering how Ayurveda for diabetes works, here’s everything you need to know.
Ayurveda for diabetes
Let’s discover some Ayurvedic herbs that can help regulate blood sugar and their respective benefits:
1. Karela (Momordica Charantia)
Karela, or bitter melon, is a well-known Ayurvedic remedy for diabetes. It contains charantin, which has hypoglycemic effects.
Benefits
- Regulates blood sugar: Karela contains charantin, which helps regulate blood sugar.
- Increases insulin sensitivity: It improves insulin sensitivity, making cells more responsive to insulin.
- Helps with weight management: By controlling blood sugar levels and promoting a feeling of fullness, it supports weight loss efforts.
2. Daruharidra (Berberis Aristata)
Daruharidra, or Indian barberry, has been used in Ayurvedic medicine to treat various illnesses, including diabetes. It contains berberine, a compound known for its potential to improve insulin sensitivity.
Benefits
- Improves insulin sensitivity: Daruharidra contains berberine, which improves insulin sensitivity, helping cells respond better to insulin.
- Helps with weight loss: Improved insulin sensitivity can lead to improved metabolism and weight loss.
- Reduces Inflammation: It has anti-inflammatory properties that can alleviate the inflammatory response often associated with diabetes.
Read also: Can’t diabetics enjoy fruit? No, opt for these 5 low-sugar fruits!
3. Vijaysara (Pterocarpus marsupium)
Vijaysara, also called Indian Kino tree, is another valuable herb for diabetes management. It contains pterostilbene, which helps regulate blood sugar and improve pancreatic function.
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Benefits
- Lowers Blood Sugar: Vijaysara helps regulate blood sugar levels and promotes healthy insulin production.
- Reduces the risk of complications: By maintaining stable blood sugar levels, it can control the risk of long-term complications associated with diabetes.
4. Meshashringi (Gymnema Sylvestre)
Meshashringi, also known as “ram’s horn”, is closely related to Gudmar and offers similar benefits. It helps control sugar cravings and supports overall blood sugar management.
Benefits
- Reduces sugar absorption: Similar to Gudmar, Meshashringi helps in blocking the absorption of sugar in the intestines.
- Alleviates symptoms of diabetes: It can alleviate common symptoms of diabetes such as frequent urination and excessive thirst.
- Promotes weight loss: By controlling sugar consumption and symptoms, it helps in weight management.
5. Gokshura (Tribulus terrestriales)
Gokshura, or Tribulus Terrestris, has antidiabetic properties and may help manage diabetes by improving insulin sensitivity and reducing blood sugar levels.
Benefits
- Improves insulin function: Gokshura improves insulin function, making it more effective in regulating blood sugar levels.
- Promotes kidney health: It is known for its kidney benefits, which is especially crucial because kidney complications are common in diabetes.
- Increases energy levels: Better blood sugar control can lead to more stable energy levels.
6. Punarnava (Boerhavia Diffusa)
Punarnava is a powerful Ayurvedic herb known for its diuretic properties. It can help manage diabetes by reducing excess fluid and swelling in the body, often associated with diabetes complications.
Benefits
- Helps control fluid retention: Punarnava can alleviate fluid retention and swelling, which can be a complication of diabetes.
- Supports kidney function: It helps maintain kidney health, which is vital for people with diabetes.
- Reduces Blood Pressure: By addressing fluid retention and kidney health, it may contribute to better blood pressure control.
Read also: 7 dietary mistakes to avoid to avoid diabetes!
7. Gudmar (Gymnema Sylvestre)
Gudmar, also known as ‘sugar destroyer’, is a key Ayurvedic herb for managing diabetes. It lowers blood sugar levels by blocking the absorption of sugar in the intestines and improving insulin function.
Benefits
- Regulates Blood Sugar Levels: Gudmar is known to reduce blood sugar levels by inhibiting the absorption of sugar in the intestines and promoting healthy insulin function.
- Reduces Sugar Cravings: It can help reduce sugar cravings, allowing individuals to stick to a diabetic-friendly diet.
- Supports Weight Management: By helping with sugar control and reducing food cravings, Gudmar can aid in weight loss efforts, which is important for diabetes management.
8. Arjuna (Terminalia Arjuna)
Arjuna is a heart-healthy herb that can benefit diabetes management by improving cardiovascular health. Diabetes often comes with an increased risk of heart disease.
Benefits
- Supports Cardiovascular Health: Arjuna helps strengthen the heart muscle and improve overall heart function. This is vital for people with diabetes, as they are at high risk of heart problems.
- Helps reduce cholesterol levels: Arjuna has lipid-lowering properties, which can help reduce high cholesterol levels often associated with diabetes.
- Reduces the risk of heart complications: By promoting cardiovascular health and reducing cholesterol, Arjuna may lessen the risk of heart complications, an important concern for people with diabetes.
9. Neem (Azadirachta Indica)
Neem has various health benefits, including its potential to help manage diabetes. It contains compounds that improve insulin sensitivity and reduce blood sugar levels.
Benefits
- Regulates Blood Sugar: Neem contains active compounds that lower blood sugar by fine-tuning insulin sensitivity.
- Supports immune system health: A robust immune system is vital for health, especially for people with diabetes who may be more susceptible to infections.
- Acts as a natural detoxifier: Neem is known for its detoxifying properties, which can help remove toxins from the body and promote better metabolic functioning.
10. Jamun (Syzygium Cumini)
Jamun, also known as Indian mulberry or jambul, is a popular Ayurvedic remedy for diabetes. It contains jamboline, which helps regulate blood sugar levels.
Benefits
- Lowers blood sugar: Jamun contains jamboline, a compound that helps regulate blood sugar by improving insulin action.
- Aids Digestion: Good digestion is essential for nutrient absorption and overall well-being, and Jamun can help with digestive health.
- Supports Overall Health: The antioxidant-rich nature of Jamun may have positive effects on overall health and help reduce the risk of diabetes-related complications.
11. Mamejava (Enicostemma Littorale)
Mamejava is a lesser-known Ayurvedic herb that has shown promise in the management of diabetes. It can improve insulin sensitivity and help maintain healthy blood sugar levels.
Benefits
- Improves insulin function: Mamejava may improve insulin sensitivity, allowing for better blood sugar control.
- Reduces blood sugar fluctuations: By stabilizing blood sugar levels, it helps prevent sudden spikes and drops.
- Supports Liver Health: A healthy liver is crucial for glucose metabolism, making liver support beneficial for people with diabetes.
12. Shilajit
Shilajit is a resinous substance found in the Himalayan mountains. It is known for its many health benefits. It may help manage diabetes by improving insulin sensitivity and reducing oxidative stress.
Benefits
- Improves insulin function: Shilajit may improve insulin sensitivity, making cells respond more easily to insulin and regulate blood sugar levels.
- Reduces Inflammation: Chronic inflammation is often linked to diabetes, and Shilajit’s anti-inflammatory properties may be beneficial.
- Promotes overall well-being: Shilajit’s many health benefits may contribute to better overall health and vitality, which is important for people managing diabetes.
Ayurvedic herbs offer a natural and holistic approach to diabetes management. Although these herbs can be helpful, you should always seek the advice of a qualified Ayurvedic practitioner or healthcare professional before including them in your diabetes control strategy. A tailored strategy incorporating these herbs into a balanced diet, lifestyle and frequent blood sugar monitoring can help better manage diabetes and promote better overall health. Always keep in mind that Ayurveda should be used in conjunction with contemporary medical care, not as a substitute.
