Abstract

Diabetes mellitus (madhumeha) is one amongst the refractory disease conditions recognized by medical scholars of ancient India. Ayurvedic literatures vividly describe about the etiology, pathogenesis, prognosis, complications, its management and scientifically attributed the causal relationship of dietary, lifestyle, environmental and genetic factors. The treatment modalities are designed and recommended based on type and stage of disease. Furthermore many classical references to use dosage forms of single plant drugs and compound formulations, which are vogue in clinical practice call for further scientific validation for their attributes, principles and extent of use. Despite of recent progression in medical science, several challenges still exist in the management of diabetes that requires special attention to develop unexplored fields of medical knowledge. Ayurveda offers comprehensive safe and effective approaches to manage such conditions. Designing pertinent research model is a key challenge behind the examination of Safety and efficacy of Ayurvedic interventions satisfying its fundamental principles and systems approach. Despite of challenges and constrains, some experimental and clinical studies on Ayurvedic approaches and therapies provide scientific evidence on efficacy and safety.