The Ayurvedic Treatment for Type 2 Diabetes: a Background, Benefits, and Details for a Holistic Approach
What is Type 2 Diabetes?
Type 2 diabetes is a chronic condition that causes the body to resist or fail to produce insulin, or both. Type II Diabetes is caused by an inability of the body’s cells to respond to insulin. Insulin is a hormone produced by the pancreas that helps glucose enter cells and be used as fuel for energy. When people don’t produce enough insulin, their blood sugar levels rise over time, and they develop type II diabetes.
What is Ayurveda?
Ayurveda is a traditional Indian medicinal system that focuses on the balance of three doshas (energy types) in the body.
Ayurvedic medicine is one of the oldest systems of health care, which originated in India over 5000 years ago. The doctor will assess your dosha to determine what your constitution is and prescribe you treatments accordingly.
Ayurvedic medicine has been used for centuries in India and other parts of Asia for treatment of various diseases like diabetes, obesity, hypertension, among others. Ayurveda means “the science of life” and it emphasizes on the balance between three doshas (body humors) Vata (air), Pitta (fire) and Kapha (earth).
Ayurvedic Medicine and Health Benefits in Preventing & Treating Type 2 Diabetes
Diabetes is a chronic disease that affects the body’s ability to produce or respond to insulin, which is a hormone that regulates blood sugar levels. There are two types of diabetes: type 1 and type 2. Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune condition in which the pancreas cannot produce insulin; while type 2 diabetes occurs when the body becomes resistant to insulin and can no longer respond appropriately.
In Western medicine, type 2 diabetes treatment involves lowering the HbA1c levels to get them back into a normal range. In Ayurveda, the focus is on keeping them within a therapeutic range or close to it. Ayurveda differs from traditional Western medicine because it looks at the dysfunction an individual has and tries to restore balance between the 4 doshas.
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Types of Ayurvedic Treatments
Udwartana
This is a powder massage often used for slimming and treatment of obesity that can be done daily.
Dhanyamladhara
This is often used in Ayurveda to combat obesity, inflammation, muscular pain, neuropathy, hemiplegia, and rheumatic complaints. It is derived from the word cereals (dhanya) and vinegar (amla). Dhanyamla involves preparation of navara rice, horse gram, millet, citrus fruits, and dried ginger. During the treatment, the body is covered with this preparation and then by a heated cloth. The duration of the treatment is 45 to 50 minutes depending upon the condition of the patient.
Snehapana
This is a process of full body internal and external lubrication via drinking ghee and animal fat oil as well as massaging the oil on without any other oral intake.
Abhyanga
This is a warm oil massage. The oil is often premedicated with herbs for specific conditions.
Bashpasweda
This is a steam chamber in which the patient sits while steam emanates from a boiling herbal decoction.
Vamana (induced vomiting)
This is targeted to expel increased kapha dosha from the body.
Virechana
This is the second procedure in the sequence of Panchakarma (Ayurveda Detoxification Program) that involves using plant medicines that have a laxative effect, aimed at reducing pitta dosha and toxic accumulation in the gastrointestinal tract, liver, and gallbladder.
Yogavasti
This is a type of medication given by enema, aiding in diminishing extra vata dosha present in the body. Vata is the force behind the elimination and retention of feces, urine, bile, and other excreta.
Shirodhara
This is a form of Ayurveda therapy that involves gently pouring liquids over the forehead and can be one of the steps involved in Panchakarma.
