Ayurveda in India and Sri Lanka is not the only one of its kind in the world. It is called South Asia’s ancient health care system based on herbs. However a healing system founded upon the relationship between energy and matter is ancient and not limited to only one part of the world. The Celts, like most ancient tribes, had their own herbal medicines. Reliable sources tell us that the Celtic culture first appeared in the Late Bronze Age around the 13th century BCE. Amongst these people the druids played a powerful role. As religious leaders they were also medical professionals and placed great emphasis on diet, using trees for medicine, drawing inspiration from the fact that all things contain a spirit. Green Thumbs speaks to Institute of Indigenous Medicine, Department of Dravyaguna Vignana, Senior Lecturer, Dr. S.D. Hapuarachchi on the exact formula behind fruits and vegetables that play a part in controlling and preventing illness.
This belief is founded on the fact that in Ayurveda we are taught that everything in the world is created by five elements. These are called the Five Bhutas. They are Akasa (ether), Vayu (air), Agni (fire), Jala (water) and Prithivi (earth).
“According to my understanding there are 10,000 taste buds in the mouth and only about 8,000 of them are found on the tongue. The rest are found on your lips, cheeks, roof of the mouth and throat. Rasa (taste) is also the compound of these five Bhutas.
Ayruveda says that there are six tastes when it comes to rasa. Ayurveda identifies the six tastes as – Madhura (Sweet), Amla (Sour), Lavana (Salty), Katu (Pungent), Tikta (Bitter), and Kashaya (Astringent). These are the main tastes in plants,” said Hapuarachchi.
Hapuarachchi pointed out that these six tastes are actually the five Bhutas in different concentrations. However there is a predominance of different elements. Each taste is due to predominance of two elements.
“If you take Tikta (Bitter Taste) it is actually the predominance of Akasa and Vayu. Elements of vegetables with bitterness (bitter food) are able to penetrate into the pancreatic tissues and reactivate cells in the pancreas damaged by diabetes. The Tikta Rasa (Bitter Taste) clears all channels in organs, tissues and cellular levels in the body,” explained Hapuarachchi.
Hapuarachchi states that Ayurveda identifies these six different tastes and recommends incorporating all six into your diet to maintain nutritional balance and that they should be consumed every day to promote balance within the body.
“Eating a wide variety of foods, including a mix of the best vegetables for type 2 diabetes, can help people stay healthy while enjoying a range of meals. When you’re limiting carbs, vegetables are an important source of nutrition. They are high in fiber and lower in overall calories per serving than any other food group. They also contain an array of healthy compounds such as vitamins, minerals, and phytochemicals,” said Hapuarachchi.
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When it comes to knowledge of plants suitable for consumption due to their nutritive values, Hapuarachchi is an expert. She provided Green Thumbs with the following information on specific plants with medicinal properties
•Cucumbers
Cucumbers are a refreshing and nutritious addition to any salad. Researchers have concluded that cucumbers may help control and prevent diabetes. Cucumbers, like squash, gourd, melon, and other related foods, contain Cucurbita ficifolia (Cucurbita ficifolia is a species of squash, grown for its edible seeds, fruit, and greens) Which may help reduce spikes in blood sugar.
•Tomatoes
Whether eaten raw or cooked, tomatoes are full of lycopene. This is a powerful substance that may reduce the risk of cancer (especially prostate cancer), heart disease, and macular degeneration. One study in 2011, found that 200 grams of raw tomato, each day reduces blood pressure in people with type 2 diabetes. Researchers concluded tomato consumption might help reduce cardiovascular risk that’s associated with type 2 diabetes.
•Spinach
The health benefits of consuming spinach include improving blood glucose control in people with diabetes, lowering the risk of cancer, and improving bone health, as well as supplying minerals and vitamins.
•Brahmi
The anti-diabetic effect of Brahmi can be a great remedy that provides relief from arthritis, gout and other inflammatory conditions. It also helps in soothing gastric ulcers and treating an irritable bowel syndrome. Brahmi is known for regulating the blood sugar levels in patients with diabetes and may help improve symptoms of hypoglycemia.
•Punarnava
It is a herb that can help you control your diabetes. This is because its leaf (and the extracts from the leaves) control the glucose levels present in the body, which is extremely beneficial for diabetics. It also helps increase the plasma insulin levels, which is also good for them. Punarnava has been used in medicine since ancient times and is particularly popular in Ayurvedic medicine.
It is extremely good for the liver and prevents infections from occurring in it.
It is a diuretic and can prevent kidney stones from occurring.
It is good for patients with arthritis and diabetes. It can treat urinary tract infections, heavy menstruation, fibroids, and clotting in women. It fights obesity and prevents heart failure from occurring. It is good for the eyes and digestion, and is also used as a laxative. It can cure impotence and erectile dysfunction as well. It can also help with certain kinds of cancer.
•Gotu kola-Centella asiatica
Gotu kola sambal, fried with gee, Gotukola mixed with dhal, gotukola fried with peanuts
C. asiatica could repair the damage of the pancreatic cells and promote insulin synthesis, thus may lowering the level of plasma glucose. The triterpene in this plant had a significant effect on blood glucose.
•Costus speciosus
Costus speciosus contains reservoirs of anti-diabetic effects as well as other medicinal properties. These plants have been known to demonstrate pharmacological activities such as anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial, antioxidant, anti-dyslipidemic and anti-cancer. The plant is traditionally known for its use in controlling blood sugar levels and has come to be known as the “Insulin Plant”. It has become popular in Ayurveda as it controls diabetes-related problems. Although it’s low in fiber, it has high water content, making it a refreshing choice during hot weather. It also provides calcium, potassium, vitamin C, and folate.
•Gymnema sylvestre (young leaves with coconut milk curry)
Plant derived products have attracted enormous attention due to their diverse range of biological and therapeutic properties. Gymnema sylvestre is an underutilized medicinal herb that is widely distributed in different parts of the world. It is rich in phytochemicals with anti-diabetic and anti-obesity properties; however, it is less popular due to its bitter taste.
It’s thought that Gymnema silvestre can help moderate blood sugar levels. Some researchers believe that Gymnema Silvestre helps to decrease blood sugar by helping to increase insulin secretion and the regeneration of pancreas islet cells.
•Bitter gourd
The fruit contains at least three active substances with anti-diabetic properties, including charantin, which has been confirmed to have a blood glucose-lowering effect, vicine and an insulin-like compound known as polypeptide. These substances either work individually or together to help reduce blood sugar levels.
•Ladyfingers/Okra
It is a green, seedy vegetable that is popular in savory dishes in the southern United States, India, and increasingly around the world. Some recent studies have suggested that Ladies fingers may help lower blood sugar levels by reducing the rate at which the intestines absorb glucose. This could help some people with diabetes.
•Moringa
Some researchers believe Moringa can improve the strength of the blood vessels in the body as well, which has obvious benefits. It is an affordable, beneficial supplement that diabetics can use to improve their quality of life. It is very rich in healthy antioxidants and bioactive plant compounds. Moringa leaves are an excellent source of many vitamins and minerals.
•Curry leaves
Curry leaves are decently rich in fibers. Fiber slows down the digestion and does not Metabolise quickly, which helps keep your blood sugars in check. Curry leaves is also known to naturally boost your insulin activity.
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