Diabetes

Nisakathakadi kashayam – Benefits, Dose, Side Effects And Ingredients

Nisakathakadi kashayam is a very famous Ayurvedic medicine in liquid form. It is widely used in the treatment of pre-diabetes, diabetes and its complications. This medicine is formulated based on Kerala Ayurveda practice.

Nisakathakadi kashayam benefits:

It helps to maintain normal blood sugar levels in pre-diabetes, diabetes.

It is also used to treat complications of diabetes such as neuritis.

Nisha katakadi kashayam dose:

The dose is 12 – 24 ml, before food, at about 6 am and 6pm or as directed by Ayurvedic doctor.

It is usually advised to add equal amount of water to the kashayam.

Nishakathakadi kashaya Side Effects:

There are no known side effects of this medicine.

Higher dose may cause low blood glucose levels.

This medicine should only be taken under strict medical supervision.

Nisakathakadi kashayam Ingredients:

Nisha – Turmeric – Curcuma longa

Kataka – Clearing nut – Strychons potatorum

Paranti – Ixora coccinia

Lodhra – Symplocos racemosa

Amalaki – Emblica officinalis

Bhadrika – Aerva lanata

Mehari moola – Gymnema sylvestre

Usheera – Vetiveria zizanioides

It is added with 8 parts of water, boiled and reduced to quarter part, filtered.

Reference:

Sahasrayoga

Manufacturers: Nagarjuna

MEHARI Choornam – A Simple Solution for Borderline Diabetes

Mehari Choornam is an herbal powder mix with three simple herbs useful in treating pre diabetes and non insulin dependent diabetes mallitus. Mehari choornam

Mehari Choornam Composition

The product is a powder of

Curcuma longa – Haridra (Turmeric)

Emblica officinalis – Amalaki

Syzigium cumini – Jambu

Mode of action

This combination helps in reducing the blood sugar levels in border-line diabetes and also acts as on anti-oxidant thereby preventing end-organ complications.

Indications

Mild Type ll Diabetes Mellitus

Dosage

1 tablespoon 2-3 times a day, one hour before food.

Pre diabetes treatment – The Ayurvedic way

Pre diabetes is a menace of modern day – sedentary lifestyle. It is a condition, if left unattended, the person might go on to develop diabetes. Allopathic system of medicine treats it as a condition and medicines are prescribed to ‘treat’ prediabetes. But since it is only a hint that the person ‘might’ develop diabetes in future, it can be very well reversed with suitable lifestyle changes and by including some very simple herbs in diet.

Pre diabetes symptoms according to Ayurveda –

Ayurveda explains the following pre diabetes symptoms –

Dantaadeenam malaadhyatwam – depleting oral hygiene

paani paadayoho daaha – burning sensation in feet and palms

chikkanata dehe – a feeling of stickiness in whole body

According to modern parameters, a fasting blood sugar level of 100 – 125 mg/dl and post prondial blood sugar level of around 140 mg/dl is considered as pre diabetes.

Pre diabetes management with Ayurveda –

Watch what you eat: A great saying – what you eat is what you become. Ayurveda explains Asya-sukham (eating at will) as main cause for diabetes. So, cut down on excessive sweets, junk stuff, oily foods, non vegetarian foods. Eat more of green leafy vegetables.

Dont sleep / rest unnecessarily – Ayurveda calls it as Swapna sukha. while a small nap is good for you, sitting in front of TV for long hours, no physical activities, sleeping during day time for hours together should be avoided in pre diabetes.

Walking / exercise / games : Controlling weight and being active helps to curb extra sugar in blood and keeps you more active. Losing weight is one of the effective ways to fight pre diabetes.

Avoid curd – Ayurveda explains curd as one of causes of diabetes. Especially curd consumption at night is not encouraged according to Ayurveda. Butter milk is the suitable substitute for curd.

Avoiding fresh grains – Ayurveda encourages to use grains like Ragi, rice, wheat etc.. which are at least one year old. So, new grains are to be avoided.

Ayurvedic herbs for pre diabetes –

Turmeric and Amla – This combination of two herbs is very effective in pre diabetes management. include them as a part of diet. Amla pickle made with turmeric is a great way to do that.

Neem leaves & Curry leaves - not only is good for improving digestion and taste of food, but is also good for fighting pre diabetes

Are any ayurvedic medicines / supplements needed?

For reversing pre diabetes, I suppose, the above mentioned measures would be highly effective to manage. However, it is up to the decision of health care provider to decide on any medicine / supplements.

The above mentioned tips can also be followed as diabetes alternative treatments, as along with the necessary medication, after consulting with the doctor.

Exercise and diabetes treatment – recent guidelines and Ayurvedic perspective

Exercise and diabetes treatment , especially type 2 diabetes, has a direct relationship. Recent guidelines issued by the American Diabetes Association and the American College of Sports Medicine stress the very important role of physical activity in the management of type 2 diabetes. While Ayurveda has explained exercise as a treatment option for diabetes centuries before, the truth has been revisited now.

Ayurvedic view:

Ayurveda has explained Avyayama (lack of exercise) as the first and foremost cause for diabetes.

Ayurveda advises exercise for every healthy individual as a daily routine. Click to read – Ayurveda exercise

Since it is explained as the avoiding the cause of the disease is a way of treatment, Ayurveda has been using exercise as a mode of treatment for diabetes.

Exercise and diabetes treatment – guidelines:

Here are the benefits of physical activity

Regular physical activity improves blood glucose control and can prevent or delay type 2 diabetes, along with positively affecting lipids, blood pressure, cardiovascular events and quality of life.

Aerobic and resistance training type of exercise is very beneficial.

For people with type 2 diabetes, 150 minutes per week of moderate to vigorous aerobic exercise spread out at least 3 days during the week, with no more than 2 consecutive days between bouts of aerobic activity is recommended.

Resistance training should be done at least 3 times a week.

The new guidelines emphasise that exercise must be done regularly to have continued benefits and should include regular training of varying types.

Benefits of exercise and such other physical activities:

    • Physical activity increases glucose uptake into active muscles.

    • Moderate exercise improves blood glucose and insulin action with minimal risk for very low blood sugar levels.

    • Physical activity acutely improves systemic insulin action for 2 to 72 hours.

    • Aerobic and resistance training improve insulin action, blood glucose control, and fat oxidation and storage in muscle.

    • Physical activity and physical fitness are linked with reduced risk for heart and cardiovascular diseases.

    • If relying on exercise alone for weight loss, up to 60 minutes per day of physical activity might be needed.

Conclusions:

Exercise is an important tool in the treatment of diabetes, pre diabetes treatment. It is good for those, having risk of developing diabetes.

Exercise is good for heart, cholesterol control, and for muscles and bones.

Physical activity can be taken up by starting gym, Yoga, dance etc.

It is always better to start an exercise schedule under expert advice. A qualified expert will help you on deciding on amount, type, and schedule of physical activity suitable for you.

Those having arthritis and such other problems, should exercise extra caution.