Madhumegha Chooranam--the anti-diabetic Siddha Herbal
-by Sheela Rani Chunkath
Diabetes is a scourge that has our nation well in its grip. As a nation we are said to be more susceptible to the disease. It does not help that we Indians love our carbohydrates and eat quantities of rice and wheat. Add to this, the fact that in recent years our consumption of sugar and maida has increased exponentially. Little wonder that almost every family has a diabetic.
While allopathy has an arsenal of drugs, Ayurveda and Siddha too have theirs. Ayurveda has a detailed classification of the disease and depending on the type, vaidyars claim they can either cure or control it. Ayurvedic vaidyars often prescribe nisa amlaki both as a preventive and as a treatment for diabetes. I have already written in detail about nisa amlaki, which is a combination of powdered turmeric and amla. Both are powerful antioxidants and benefit the body in myriad ways.
The other combination of herbs prescribed by the Siddha vaidyars is one that has been in use in the Tamil Nadu Siddha Medical College for some 15 years and is known as Madhumegha chooranam. It has proven so effective in controlling diabetes that it has been introduced in all the Tamil Nadu government primary health centres which have a Siddha wing.
Since diabetes is a complicated disease, readers must consult a vaidyar and take blood tests periodically to check their sugar levels. It is imperative to keep an eye on the glycosylated haemoglobin (HbA1AC) level in the blood. Hb1AC should be between 5% and 6% normally and those with diabetes should strive for 6% but keep it at least between 6% and 7%. The closer this is to 6% or 5%, the less the disease will harm the vital organs.
That said, I will now give the exact recipe for Madhumegha Chooranam that has been used in the government Siddha medical hospital. Often this herbal mixture is made into tablets form for easy administration. This herbal mixture can easily be made at home by sourcing the ingredients from a Nattu Marunthu Kadai (country drug store).
Of the six ingredients that are used, the first four would be familiar to most people.
Fresh turmeric (Curcuma longa or Manjal in Tamil and Malayalam) powder 50 g
Amla (Phyllanthus emblica or Nellikkai in Tamil and Malayalam)powder 100 g
Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum or Venthayam in Tamil and Uluva in Malayalam) powder 100 g
Curry leaves (Murraya koenigii or Kariveppilai in Tamil and in Malayalam) powder 100 g
Keezhanelli (Phyllanthus neruri or Keezhanelli in Tamil and in Malayalam) powder 100 g
Kadugurohini (Picrorhiza kurroa or Kadugurohini in Tamil and in Malayalam) powder 25 g
If you can source fresh organic turmeric that would be the best. Even for use in your homes try and get it as fresh as possible. Befriend a turmeric farmer and get him to send you the fresh dried rhizome. This is because the curcumin level in the rhizome goes down as it ages. Powder the rhizome in a mixie after smashing it up with a hammer. Dried amla without the seed kernel is also to be similarly powdered. Fenugreek is easy to powder. Source organic curry leaf if possible. It should be shade-dried and powdered. Curry leaf available in the market is heavily sprayed with pesticides. So, if you must use it, wash it well, pat dry and shade dry the leaves before powdering. Keezhanelli is a household name in Tamil Nadu and Kerala and is extensively used in the treatment of jaundice. Known for its hepato-protective properties, it is useful in the treatment of diabetes also. The whole plant along with its roots are washed, dried and then powdered. Kadugurohini is easy to powder. Just put it in a mixie and powder.
All the powdered ingredients should be mixed together and seived. Recommended dose is 2 g mixed with hot water to be given three times a day just before food. If you cannot make the drug at home, Tampcol, the Tamil Nadu government owned manufacturing unit manufactures the Madumegha chooranam in tablet form. Other private manufacturers also manufacture this preparation. But do check the ingredients and the standing of the manufacturer.
The chooranam is easy to make at home and once you have identified a good source, it is not a major undertaking. Since diabetes is a lifelong disease, it is worthwhile taking the trouble of making it at home.
Those taking allopathic drugs along with this mixture should keep a close watch on the blood sugar so that it does not drop too low. Please do not take any allopathic anti-diabetic drugs without keeping a close watch on your fasting and post-prandial sugar levels.
The mixture is extremely effective in controlling the side effects of diabetes, such as peripheral neuritis and the deleterious effects on the vital organs such as liver, spleen and the kidneys. This is a distinct advantage that it has over allopathic drugs.
--- The writer was earlier Health Secretary, Government of Tamil Nadu and is currently Additional Chief Secretary and Chairman & Managing Director, Tamil Nadu Handicrafts Development Corporation. She can be reached at Sheelarani.arogyamantra@gmail. com. Earlier articles can be accessed at http://arogyamantra.blogspot.com/