Antidiabetic Activities of Yava (Barley) Based Diet through the Literature Survey of Ayurvedic Texts

Abstract

In the present era, people are turning towards modernization and comfort. They adopt faulty dietary habits along with a sedentary lifestyles impair individual health, and manifest plenty of lifestyle disorders. Diabetes Mellitus is one among them. Diabetes Mellitus has significant effects on an individual's quality of life as well as life expectancy.  Diabetes Mellitus becomes a critical etiological factor for other life-threatening clinical entities. The treatment for this entity through modern medical sciences involves multi-drug regimens; they might be associated with various side effects. Here Nidāna parivarjana and lifestyle modifications can play a crucial role in the management of Diabetes Mellitus type 2. Tṛṇadhānya (millets) involved in the routine diet as a staple diet has a tremendous effect on these kinds of Lifestyle disorders. There are scattered descriptions regarding Tṛṇadhānya has found in Bṛhat trayī, and the individual chapter is found in different Nighañtu along with their Guṇa (properties) and Karma (functions). Most of the Tṛṇa dhānyas have Rukśa (dry), Laghu  (light) guṇa (properties), Kaṭu vipāka and Uṣṇa virya (hot potency) which will help in mitigating the Medodhātu (fat) and Kapha doṣa. The excesses of these in the body might result in the manifestation of lifestyle disorders, including Diabetes mellitus type 2, Obesity, Coronary artery disease, Hypertension, Infertility etc. Āyurveda can manage the Diabetes Mellitus type 2 in a better way through modification in Āhāra (Diet) –Vihāra (Lifestyle) and Nidānaparivarjana (omit the causative factors). The utilities of the Tṛṇa dhānya as a preventive and curative aspect in lifestyle disorders with special reference to to Diabetes Mellitus type 2, are trying to explore in this article. We have attempted to uncover some facts regarding Tṛṇa dhānya written in Samhitā and Samgraha granth, which have never been noticed yet.