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ROLE OF PLANETS AND REMEDIES FOR DIABETES

SRILAKSHMI TUMMALA M.B.B.S.

Published in Light on Ayurveda Journal of Health 2009:7(4):46. Available online at

http://ajh-journal.com/publications

Light on ayurveda is now published as ayurveda journal of health.

Abstract : The Astrological combinations for Diabetes are explained. Astrological

remedies can be used to nullify the malefic effects of planets that have resulted in diseases such

as diabetes. The malefic effect of one planet can be neutralised by another planet. Planets rule

certain herbs; Herbs ruled by a balancing planet can be used to control the diseases caused by a

malefic planet. Poojas, a Hindu ritual, offer leaves, fruits and preparations to appropriate

Deities to nullify a planet„s malefic effects. Poojas also help to bring about lifestyle changes and

maintain good mental health, both very important in controlling diabetes including at the karmic

level.

Diabetes is a chronic metabolic disorder with devastating long term consequences. It

is the leading cause of amputations, kidney failure and blindness and is a major risk factor for

stroke, heart diseases and birth defects. Currently there is no method to cure diabetes. The

disease can only be moderately controlled with conventional treatment. As a result, many people

are looking to dietary supplements to manage the disease. The primary characteristic of the

disease is hyperglycemia (high blood glucose levels). The Hormone Insulin is responsible for

controlling glucose levels in the blood.

According to conventional medicine, diabetes is classified as Type I or Insulin-

dependent Diabetes Mellitus and Type II or Non - Insulin dependent Diabetes Mellitus. The

persons,usually children and young adults, suffering from Type I Diabetes can‟t produce insulin

and must take Insulin daily. In Type II Diabetes, usually diagnosed in adults over 45 years of

age, the body is resistant to Insulin.

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Ayurvedic Classification:

Type I diabetes (Juvenile) corresponds to Vata and Pitta type of Diabetes of

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Ayurvedic classification of Diabetes and Type II Diabetes corresponds to the Kapha type .

Cause and risk factors:

The exact causes of diabetes are not known .but according to the US Food and Drug

administration, there are risk factors for getting diabetes. They are: family history of diabetes,
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overweight, sedentary lifestyles, high blood pressure and age factor of 45 years and above .

Other risk factors are: stress, anxiety, worry and excessive consumption of alcohol, sugar and fat
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. Psychologically it is a disease of desire, thirst and lack of contentment in life . Not all people

with these risk factors develop the disease. Other factors can be seen in one„s horoscope. The
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inherent strength determines the susceptibility and resistance to decease. The natal chart
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reveals the karmic code of a person. According to Frawley “ true healing must occur first of all
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at karmic level”. Healing at karmic level means not simply treating the symptoms; it is holistic
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treatment by removing Karmic causes that include wrong attitudes and inappropriate lifestyles .

Using astrology, we can predict the disease and avoid it on the karmic level by changing

lifestyles, food habits and attitudes.

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Dr. Charak illustrated some planetary combinations for getting diabetes. According to him,

Jupiter is the significator for the liver and part of pancreas and Venus is significator for the
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remainder of the pancreas .

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The planetary combinations for getting diabetes as illustrated by Charak are :

1. Debilitated Jupiter.
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2. Jupiter placed in 6th, 8 or 12th house from the ascendant.

3. Jupiter in retrograde.

4. When Jupiter is affected by the poisonous rays of Saturn and Rahu.

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5. Venus in the 6 house.

6. Combust Jupiter (Jupiter in close proximity to Sun)

.The Kapha type of diabetes is caused by malefic positions of Venus and Jupiter whereas
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debilitated Jupiter causes Vata type.

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The Vata type of diabetes is caused by malefic effects of Saturn and Rahu .

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Pitta type of diabetes is caused by malefic effects of Sun. According to Hindu Astrology, malefic

effects caused by one planet are balanced by another favourable planet. Frawley states that food

and herbs are associated with planets and that we can utilize astrology to choose appropriate
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herbal and dietary treatments .

USE OF TASTE IN TREATMENT:

According to Ayurveda, there are six tatstes (Shadruchulu), each with its own influence on

increasing or decreasing the Doshas; herbs and foods are classified based on their taste. Each

planet is related to one of these six tastes. Thus there is correspondence between Planet and
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Plant energies . Knowing the associated herbs of a planet makes it easier to give dietary and

herbal treatment, choosing those ruled by a favourable planet to treat deceases caused by

malefic planets.

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Bitter taste and herbs are ascribed to Vata planets like Saturn and Mercury . They increase
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Vata and reduce Pitta and Kapha. Bitter herbs like Aloe, Gentian, Neem and Barberry can be
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used in both kapha and pitta types of diabetes . Pungent taste is attributed to Sun and Mars the
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pitta planets . Pungent taste increase Pitta and Vata and reduces Kapha . Therefore, pungent
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herbs like black pepper,ginger,cayenne can be used for Kapha type of diabetes.

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Venus and Jupiter, the kapha planets are related to sweet taste. . I believe that herbs

possessing sweet taste are related to either Jupiter or Venus and that they have the

properties of increasing Kapha and reducing Pitta and Vata.. Frawley suggests nuts for Vata
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type of diabetes. . Most nuts come under category of sweet herbs which are ruled by Jupiter, a
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Kaphagenic planet.

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According to Raphel, Garlic and Onions are ruled by Mars. . They are pungent herbs, and

can be used in kapha type diabetes. Research studies show that Onion( Allium cepum)
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increases „Glutathione peroxidase activity‟ and improves liver glycogen storage . They also state

that it increases secretion and decreases degradation of insulin. Other research studies show
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reduction in blood glucose by using garlic (Allium sativum) .

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An example of herb ruled by Jupiter is Bilberry . Bilberrys are having Flavonoids. called

Anthocyanocides. They protect the retina from diabetic retinopathy commonly seen in Vata and

Pitta (Juvenile onset) type of Diabetes.

Astrology is useful in selecting the suitable mode of treatment for a a person and to

be able to confidently predict its results. By examining the natal chart and transitory results , we

can assess the benefic planets. By considering Dasa and Antardasas, we can select the

approate herbs. For example in Kapha type diabetes, both pungent and bitter herbs are useful. If

Sun is benefic to the patient, we can prefer the pungent herbs (related to Sun) over bitter herbs. If

Sun is malefic, pungent herbs lead to complications. If Saturn is benefic, bitter herbs related to

Saturn would be preferable to pungent herbs. Doctors without knowledge of Astrology canot

predict the results of treatment because the same herb may works well for some patients,yet

won‟t give relief and may even create complications for other patients with same disease and

symptoms. In some cases, for the same patient an herb gives good results in one period and

may create complications in another period depending on the Ascendent, Dasa and Antardasas

, and transitory results of the planets.

Changing lifestyles, cultivating good habits and getting psychological support

is important in treating diabetes. This can be heped by performing poojas and rituals. .While

performing poojas patients will do pradakshana (circumambulation) , a good physical exercise

which is essential in diabetes. They also avoid alcohol and cigars in that Mandala (40 days).
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Usually people perform poojas for a prescribed period like 40 days,80 days or 120 days. Poojas

offered to planetry Dieties is believed to nullify the malefic effects of planets. In performing a

pooja ceremony, one offers the deities particular leaves, fruits, flowers, food, water and
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gheelamps . These offerings are believed to have medicinal values., treating diseases caused

by that planet.

Ancient priests recommend the Diety to be worshiped depending on the strength of

planet causing the disease, ownership of the house where planet is placed, aspects of the planet

on other planets and Ascendant of the individual. They also suggest specific Mantras and

suitable offerings to be made. However one can‟t simplify greater Dietie„s effect to a single
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planetary influence. .

Description of popularly performed poojas to nullify effects of various planets:

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Jupiter: Hindus usually pray and offer grass to Lord Ganesh during poojas. Researchers in
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Allahabad university have proved that Cynodon Dactylon (grass) reduces blood glucose levels

in diabetics.

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VENUS: Poojas are offered to Goddess Lakshmi with rice preparations like pulihora (rice

preparations made up of turmeric) and Pongall (rice preparations made up of black pepper).
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These are useful in reducing obesity and thus Kapha type of diabetes caused by Venus .
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Saturn: Poojas are performed to Lord Siva. The offering includes Bael (Aegle Marmelos or
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Bilva) leaves. Which are useful in treating diabetes. They also rinse Sivalingam (Sacrad stone

which symbolically represents Lord Siva) with milk and consume the same, which is also useful
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in Vata type of diabetes.

Rahu:

1 To nullify Rahu„s malefic effect , Hindus pray lord Vishnu who is symbolically represented by
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the Amla tree Amla fruits are useful in treating diabetes.both in in strengthening brain and for

psychological disorders caused by Rahu.

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2 Poojas may also be performed to Serpent God. , offering sweets of seasame and Jaggery..

Applying Seasame oil to head and forehead in the form of Shirodhara is recommended to treat
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Vata type of diabetes. The ritual includes pouring Panchamruta (milk mixed with honey, yogurt,
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ghee,sugar) and later they consume it. These are also good for Vata type diabetes.

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3 Prayers to Godess Durga are used with offerings of garlands of lemon fruits. The juice of

those lemons is used to protect themselves from the poisonous rays of Rahu. Lemon reduces
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Vata. .

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Sun: Perform prayers to Lord Vishnu. and offer Chakrapongali ( A rice preparation made up of

ghee and other sweets) . This is useful in Pitta type of diabetes. Amla also represents Lord
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Vishnu, reducing both Vata and Pitta in treating diabetes. Garlands of Holy Basil leaves are
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offered . Basil increases Pitta and reduces Kapha and Vata and is useful to reduce excess

Kapha produced due to ingesting Ghee preparations. Care should be taken in following these

methods of remedial measures.

Ancient Priests in Hindu temples guided people in these matters. They were well

versed with knowledge of Astrology, Ayurveda, Vedas and Mantra Sastras. People accepted their

guidance in taking remedial measures. Medicinally valued food enriched with the vibrational

energy of Mantras helps to cure the disease. Performing Poojas has a lot of psychological

impact also. Research studies show that Religiosity and Spirituality improve mental health by
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reducing stress and depression and by increasing hope and Forgiveness. Maintaining good

mental health is very important in controlling diabetes because stress and tension raises sugar
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levels. Diabetes itself leads to depression and depression further deteriorates the disease. By

utilizing poojas we help avoid psychological complications. A Karmic healer not only treats

symptoms but also helps patients in removing the karmic causes including wrong attitudes and
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inappropriate life- styles behind the disease. Ancient Priests help patients in removing the

karmic causes behind diabetes by suggesting appropriate Poojas to be performed. They help in

changing wrong attitudes and inappropriate life styles behind diabetes and thus they are good

Karmic healers.
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Conclusion: The natal chart of an individual indicates the type of diabetes an individual may get.

Each planet has its own type of temperament (kapha producing, pitta producing or vata

producing). Herbs ruled by that planet will also have same characteristics. One planet‟s malefic

effects can be balanced by another planet. Herbs ruled by balancing planet can be used to cure

the diseases caused by another planets malefic effect . In Hindu tradition performing Poojas to

Plnetary Dieties is one of remedial measures to protect from diseases caused by malefic planets.

Poojas ,offering have medicinal values and help with lifestyle changes and psychological

support to cure diabetes at the karmic level .

References:

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Banarsidas publishers :2003. 236 -238.

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