2003-07-04: Sweet Blood - Medicinal Plant for Treating Diabetes

[Guest guest]

I ran into the appended information this morning.

Thought some of you might like to keep track of

it in case it turns out to be of use.

 

Eugene

 

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http://healing.about.com/b/a/005076.htm

 

July 04, 2003

Sweet Blood - Medicinal Plant for Treating Diabetes

Anti-diabetes capsules of the herb " sweet blood " will soon be manufactured

in a Mexico factory based on knowledge from traditional Mexican village

doctors (shamans). More on this topic can be read at HealthWorld Online:

http://healing.about.com/gi/dynamic/offsite.htm?site=http://www.healthy.net/asp/\

templates/news.asp%3FId=7203

 

Related Resources:

Herbal Therapy: Individual Herbs

http://healing.about.com/cs/individualherbs

 

Stevia: The Herbal Sugar Substitute

http://healing.about.com/library/weekly/aa031299.htm

 

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http://www.healthy.net/asp/templates/news.asp?Id=7203

 

Shaman medicine antidote to 'sweet blood'

 

Shamans in the highlands of Mexico traditionally prescribe specially

prepared medicinal plants for diabetes.

 

After many years of field studies and laboratory tests, researchers from

the University of Bonn have been able to confirm that these natural

remedies really are highly effective and, what's more, have few side effects.

 

In Mexico a factory is now planned which will produce plant-based

anti-diabetes capsules. The know-how of traditional healers could thereby

contribute towards solving a pressing problem: the WHO estimates that by

2025 every seventh Mexican will be suffering from diabetes: just under 12

million people.

 

The traditional healers (shamans) recognize their diabetes patients by taste.

 

" If the patient has the appropriate symptoms - feels very thirsty, has a

strong urge to pass urine, is tired, and has lost weight - the healer tests

to see whether the patient's blood or urine tastes sweet, " the Bonn

phytochemist Dr. Helmut Wiedenfeld explains. " If so, the diagnosis is

obvious. "

 

" Sweet blood " is by no means rare in the Mexican highlands: in many

villages eight out of 10 adults " have sugar, " Wiedenfeld adds. Scientists

suspect that the reason is genetic predisposition and the wrong diet.

 

Traditionally, Mexican village doctors rely on specific medicinal plants

when treating diabetes. Together with his staff, Wiedenfeld has tested

different natural preparations on diabetic rats. " Initially without much

success, " he recalls.

 

This changed when his assistant Ivan Perez was allowed to look over the

shaman's shoulder for several months in the highland village of Xochipala.

 

" The key often lies in the preparation, " Wiedenfeld explains. The healer in

Xochipala mixes the medicinal plant with maize, for example, or other

ingredients, and allows the mixture to stand for some time. " Molecular

scissors " in the maize then cut up the component substances of the

anti-diabetes plant into smaller fragments. " And one of these fragments is

effective against diabetes, " says Wiedenfeld.

 

From this mixture the healer obtains a drink which he calls " agua de uso, "

or " water for everyday use. " His patients have to drink half a liter a day

of this water. In the meantime the scientists have managed to manufacture

capsules of the powdery active substance involved. Three capsules contain

as much of the active substance as 250 grams of the plant material,

corresponding to a day's dosage.

 

The first clinical trials are already underway. A company producing natural

medicine has expressed an interest in this new organic medication. Provided

the tests run successfully, there will soon be a factory built in the

highlands to produce anti-diabetes capsules. The farmers will obtain a

guaranteed commitment to purchase the medicinal plants which have been

collected or grown and the locals will benefit from the newly created jobs.

 

Most of the locals suffer from type 2 diabetes (non-insulin-dependent

diabetes), what used to be called " adult-onset diabetes; " however, in the

meantime it is known that type 2 diabetes can occur before adulthood. The

factors which trigger or exacerbate the disease are diets rich in

carbohydrates and fat, combined with lack of exercise. Treatment mainly

involves using synthetic substances, which, however, may result in side

effects such as nausea, allergic reactions, or changes in the blood count.

 

" One problem with this disease is usually the late diagnosis. Since, in the

early stages, the blood glucose level does not increase as sharply as in

type 1 diabetes, for instance, it is only rarely detected in routine

check-ups, " Wiedenfeld points out.

 

Especially since the routine checks are usually carried out on an empty

stomach, when the patient's blood glucose concentration is low. If it is

treated too late, the patient can expect severe follow-up effects which may

include blindness or the loss of limbs.

 

Traditional healers, too, are aware of the importance of the correct diet

to prevent diabetes developing. " In 1993 a new village was discovered in

the Mexican highlands. One of the first marvels of civilization to reach it

was a well-known sweetened soft drink, " Wiedenfeld says. The village shaman

is skeptical of the enormous consumption of this sugary beverage. " In the

meantime he recommends his diabetics to switch to the sugar-free light

version. "

 

For more information, contact Helmut Wiedenfeld, wiedenfeld.

This article was prepared by Biotech Week editors from staff and other

reports.

 

To see more of the NewsRx.com, or to , go to

http://www.newsrx.com.

 

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