Abstract of published research articles in Ayurveda
AYU Vol. 30 Issue No. 4 (Oct-Dec 2009)
Id.No.30403
A Review on Herbs Used in treatment of Diabetes Mellitus
by Sri Lankan Ayurvedic and Traditional Physicians
*E.R.H.S.S. Ediriweera **
W. D. Ratnasooriya
Institute of Indigenous Medicine, University of Colombo,
Rajagiriya, Sri Lanka
Abstract:
Diabetes mellitus has no known permanent cure and is highly
prevalent worldwide. In traditional medicine and Ayurveda it is
correlated with disease called Madhumeha. In Sri Lanka,
Traditional and Ayurvedic physicians treat diabetes mellitus
very effectively. Information was obtained from traditional and
Ayurvedic physicians, Ayurvedic text books and old manuscripts.
According to these, various parts of several herbs are used:
flowers (Butea monospema),leaves (Adhathoda vasica), fruits (Momordica
dioica), seeds (Syzygium cumini), stems (Tinospora
cordifolia), stem bark (Ficus religiosa), root bark (Salacia
reticulate ) roots (Oryza sativa), aerial roots (Ficus
benghalensis), rhizome (Alpinia galanga) bulb (Allium
sativum), creeper (Passiflora foetida) and entire
plant (Scoparia dulcis). These are prepared in different
forms like powders, decoctions, juices and pastes. Decoctions
are made using single or multiple herbs. Multiple decoctions
usually contain hyperglycaemic herbs such as Cyperus
rotundus, Aloe vera to minimize drastic hypoglycaemic
complications as usually evident with allopathic drugs. In
addition, patients are recommended to consume antidiabetic herbs
as food or drinks: as chyme (Osbeckia octandra), curries
(Lassia spinos),
salads (Centella asiatica),spices (Trigonella foenum-graecu), fresh fruits (Phyllanthus
embelica), or as a drink (Camellia sinesis). About
one hundred and twenty six plants belonging to fifty one
families are used to treat diabetic patients in Sri Lanka.
Key words:
Diabetes mellitus,
Madhumeha,Herbs.
*
Senior Lecturer, Department of Nidana Chikithsa.E-mail:ayurvedadocsujatha@yahoo.com **
Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science
