Abstract

USE OF TRADITIONAL HERBS ON PRAMEHA (TYPE 2 DIABETES MELLITUS) AS DIETARY SUPPLEMENT: A CRITICAL REVIEW

Vd. Nikeeta D. Gupta* and Vd. Sumeeta S. Jain

Abstract

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is one of the oldest known human disease currently affecting more than 200 million people worldwide. Diabetes mellitus is derived from two Greek words meaning siphon and sugar. The disease is classified into type 1 and type 2 DM. In DM, patients have high blood level of glucose. This occurs due to production of inadequate amount of insulin or the insulin which is produced does not work efficiently. This is called as type 2 DM. The cause of Type 2 DM is life style habits including unhealthy diet, obesity, lack of exercise, hereditary and environmental factors. If left untreated, DM can result in severe long-term complications such as kidney and heart failure, stroke, blindness, nerve damage, exocrine glands insufficiency and other forms of complications. T2DM can be treated and controlled by prescribed drugs, regular exercise, diet (including some plant-based food) and general change in life style habits. Ayurveda has concern with the herbs acting on Prameha (T2DM) since long years ago. Yava (Barley), Karvellaka (Bitter guard), Rasone (Garlic) and Karkotaki (Spiny guard) seen to be effective in Prameha. This review is concerned with the role of plant-based food as dietary supplement to treat Type 2 DM. Also, this review examines how the herbs show their anti-diabetic (hypoglycaemic) action and by various mechanisms they exert their beneficial effects in controlling and treating DM.

Keywords: Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus, Prameha, Dietary Supplement, Yava (Barley), Karvellaka (Bitter guard), Rasone (Garlic) and Karkotaki (Spiny guard).