Diabetes Mellitus (Madhumeha/Madhumgam/Neerizhivu)

Introduction:

In accordance with Siddha/Ayurveda system, when Kapha(Kabam) is vitiated with Vata and Pitta affects on the Mootravahasrotos (Urinary System),  a condition is developed in which Urine is passed many times in a day(meham), suffers from thirst (trit)and urine taste shall be sweet(madhu). Further burning of palm and soles are produced before onset of Madhumegam.

Since the urine gets sweet taste this condition is called Madhumegam. Madhu means Honey, hence the taste of urine shall be similar to Honey(Madhu) and Meha is related to urinary tract diseases; hence this condition is named as Madhumeha/Madhumegam.

Causes:

Madhumeha as per traditional medical system, lack of exercises, indulging junk foods, intake of improper foods, excessive intake of sweet foods, sleeping long hours, use of large amount of aquatic foods, etc are causative factors to producethis pathological condition. Due to these factors body requires higher quantity of insulin to metabolize these carbohydrates etc.and due to lack of sufficient quantity of Insulin glucose is not metabolized properly and blood glucose level is increased and affects on urinary re-absorption of glucose and this glucose portion is passed through urine thus making urine sweet. Therefore this condition is called Madhumeha.

Signs and Symptoms:

Excessive urination, thirst,and increased appetite which are  called Polyuria, Polyphagia ,and Polydipsia, respectively.  Weight loss, weakness, lassitude, itching at genital area like vagina or penis, impotency, blurring in vision, and other main symptom glycosuria i.e. presence of glucose in urine are additional symptoms seen in Diabetes. 

Lab investigation reveals raised plasma glucose (more than 200 mg/dL ) at random checkup, more than 126 mg/dL during fasting plasma glucose level shall be considered as patient suffering from Madhumegam. Presence of sugar in Urine is seen in diabetes. 

Modern medical system classify Diabetes mellitus into two types as Type I and Type II also known as Insulin Dependent Diabetes Mellitus (IDDM) and Non Insulin Dependent Diabetes Mellitus (NIDDM) respectively. Most of times IDDM is caused by complete destruction of insulin producing beta cells of Pancreatic gland and NIDDM is due to deficiency of insulin availability and the former is seen in before the age of 30 years where as the second type is seen after 40 years of age. 

Management:

Normal intake of nutritional food during pregnancy, intake of adequate nutritional supplements during childhood and adolescence and maintenance of normal growth rate and body weight are very essential to prevent occurrence   as well as management of diabetes. Timing, frequency, quantity of meals shall be useful in maintenance of diabetes. Apart from that reduction of weight in obese persons is very essential. Intake of junk, high calories, high sugar or carbohydrate foods are to be avoided. Physical exercises, avoiding day time sleep and meditation are additional activities to be undertaken. 

Medicines:

In Siddha and Ayurveda systems many medicinal plants are prescribed for management of diabetes. Single plant as well as combination of medicinal plants in the form of powders, tablets etc are mentioned in these traditional systems.

The following medicinal plants are very useful in the management of Diabetes.

·        Amla/ Nellikkai -                                                                           Phyllanthusemblica

·        Amlavetasa/Murugal-                                                                 Garcinia indica/G. pedunculata

·        Asana/Vengai-                                                                 Pterocarpus marsupium

·        Aavartaki/Aavarai-                                                           Cassia auriculata

·        Chitramoola/Kodiveli-                                                     Plumbagozeylanicum/ P. rosea

·        Ekanayakam/Ekanayagam-                                               Salacia reticulate/S.chinensis

·        Guduchi /Seenthilkodi -                                                   Tinosporacardifolia

·        Haridra /Manjal-                                                               Curcuma longa

·        Jambu/Naval pazam(Shambu)-                                          Syzygiumcumini

·        Katuki /kadurokini-                                                           Picrorrhizakurroa

·        Kiratatikta /Nilavembu-                                                     Swertiachirata/Andrographispaniculata

·        Kusta /Kuttam-                                                                 Saussurealappa

·        Lavanga/Ilavangam(Grambu)-                                            Syzygiumaromaticum

·        Manjista/Chevvelli-                                                            Rubiacardifolia

·        Meshasringi/Shirulurali/Sarkaraikolli /Shirukuranja-             Gymnemasylvestre

·        Methika/Venthiyam-                                                           Trigonellafoenumgracecum

·        Musta/Koraikkizhangu-                                                      Cyperusrotandus

·        Nimba/Vembu-                                                                   Azadirachtaindica

·        Karavellakam /

Mineral drugs used in Madhumegam:

 

The following minerals are made in to bhasma(ash produced by incineration)and  either single material or combination of two or more minerals are used in diabetes. Sometimes these bhasmas are mixed with herbal produce and prepared as single medication. 

·        Shilajith –                            Ashphaltum

·        Naga-                                  Lead

·        Vanga-                                Tin

·        Abhrakam–                       Mica    

Amla/Nellikkai  -  Phyllanthusemblica

Part Used:           Fruits

Preparation:       Dry powder of  fruits

Dose:                    2.5 gm 2-3 times a day  

Amlavetasa/Murugal- Garciniaindica/G. pedunculata

 

·        Part Used:           Fruits

·        Preparation:       Dry powder of  Leaves

·        Dose:                    2.5 gm 2-3 times a day  

Asana/Vengai-    Pterocarpus marsupium

Part Used:           Bark, stem, wood

Preparation:       Dry powder 

Dose:                    2.5 gm 2-3 times a day