Herbs for Diabetes Since antiquity, diabetes has been treated with plant medicines

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http://holisticonline.com/Remedies/Diabetes/diabetes_herbs.htm

 

Herbs for Diabetes Since antiquity, diabetes has been treated with plant

medicines. Recent scientific investigation has confirmed the efficacy of many

of these preparations, some of which are remarkably effective. Only those

herbs that appear most effective, are relatively non-toxic and have

substantial documentation of efficacy are covered here.

 

Pterocarpus marsupium (Indian Kino, Malabar Kino, Pitasara, Venga) The tree is

the source of the Kino of the European pharmacopeas. The gum-resin looks like

dried blood (Dragon's blood), much used in Indian medicine. This herb has a

long history of use in India as a treatment for diabetes. The flavonoid,

(-)-epicatechin, extracted from the bark of this plant has been shown to

prevent alloxan-induced beta cell damage in rats.

 

Both epicatechin and a crude alcohol extract of Pterocarpus marsupium have

actually been shown to regenerate functional pancreatic beta cells. No other

drug or natural agent has been shown to generate this activity.

 

Bitter Melon (Momordica charantia) Bitter melon, also known as balsam pear, is a

tropical vegetable widely cultivated in Asia, Africa and South America, and

has been used extensively in folk medicine as a remedy for diabetes. The blood

sugar lowering action of the fresh juice or extract of the unripe fruit has

been clearly established in both experimental and clinical studies.

 

Bitter melon is composed of several compounds with confirmed anti-diabetic

properties. Charantin, extracted by alcohol, is a hypoglycaemic agent composed

of mixed steroids that is more potent than the drug tolbutamide which is often

used in the treatment of diabetes. Momordica also contains an insulin-like

polypeptide, polypeptide-P, which lowers blood sugar levels when injected

subcutaneously into type 1 diabetic patients. The oral administration of 50-60

ml of the juice has shown good results in clinical trials.

 

Small children or anyone with hypoglycemia should not take bitter melon, since

this herb could theoretically trigger or worsen low blood sugar, or

hypoglycemia. Furthermore, diabetics taking hypoglycemic drugs (such as

chlorpropamide, glyburide, or phenformin) or insulin should use bitter melon

with caution, as it may potentiate the effectiveness of the drugs.

 

Gymnema Sylvestre (Gurmar, Meshasringi, Cherukurinja) Gymnema assists the

pancreas in the production of insulin in Type 2 diabetes. Gymnema also improves

the ability of insulin to lower blood sugar in both Type 1 and Type 2

diabetes. It decreases cravings for sweet. This herb can be an excellent

substitute for oral blood sugar-lowering drugs in Type 2 diabetes. Some people

take 500 mg per day of gymnema extract.

 

Onion and Garlic ( Allium cepa and Allium sativum) Onion and garlic have

significant blood sugar lowering action. The principal active ingredients are

believed to be allyl propyl disulphide (APDS) and diallyl disulphide oxide

(allicin), although other constitutents such as flavonoids may play a role as

well.

 

Experimental and clinical evidence suggests that APDS lowers glucose levels by

competing with insulin for insulin-inactivating sites in the liver. This

results in an increase of free insulin. APDS administered in doses of 125 mg/

kg to fasting humans was found to cause a marked fall in blood glucose levels

and an increase in serum insulin. Allicin doses of 100 mg/kg produced a

similar effect.

 

Onion extract was found to reduce blood sugar levels during oral and

intravenous glucose tolerance. The effect improved as the dosage was increased;

however, beneficial effects were observed even for low levels that used in the

diet (eg., 25 to 200 grams). The effects were similar in both raw and boiled

onion extracts. Onions affect the hepatic metabolism of glucose and/or

increases the release of insulin, and/or prevent insulin's destruction.

 

The additional benefit of the use of garlic and onions are their beneficial

cardiovascular effects. They are found to lower lipid levels, inhibit platelet

aggregation and are antihypertensive. So, liberal use of onion and garlic are

recommended for diabetic patients.

 

Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum) Experimental and clinical studies have

demonstrated the antidiabetic properties of fenugreek seeds. The active

ingredient responsible for the antidiabetic properties of fenugreek is in the

defatted portion of the seed that contains the alkaloid trogonelline,

nicotinic acid and coumarin.

 

Blueberry (Vaccinium myrtillus) A decoction of the leaves of the blueberry has

a long history of folk use in the treatment of diabetes. The compound

myrtillin (an anthocyanoside) is apparently the most active ingredient. Upon

injection it is somewhat weaker than insulin, but is less toxic, even at 50

times the 1 g per day therapeutic dose. A single dose can produce beneficial

effects lasting several weeks.

 

Blueberry anthocyanosides also increase capillary integrity, inhibit

free-radical damage and improve the tone of the vascular system. In Europe, it

is used as an anti-haemorrhagic agent in the treatment of eye diseases

including diabetic retinopathy.

 

Bilberry Bilberry may lower the risk of some diabetic complications, such as

diabetic cataracts and retinopathy.

Stevia Stevia has been used traditionally to treat diabetes. Early reports

suggested that stevia might have beneficial effects on glucose tolerance (and

therefore potentially help with diabetes), although not all reports have

confirmed this. Even if stevia did not have direct antidiabetic effects, its

use as a sweetener could reduce intake of sugars in such patients.

 

Ginkgo Biloba Ginkgo biloba extract may prove useful for prevention and

treatment of early-stage diabetic neuropathy.

 

Organic Cinnamon - Triples insulin's efficiency

Barberry - One of the mildest and best liver tonics known. Dosage: tincture,

10-30 drops; standard decoction or 3-9 g.

 

Herbal Combinations For all pancreatic problems: 1 part uva ursi 1 part

goldenseal 1 part elecampane 2 parts dandelion root 2 parts cedar berries 1

part fennel part ginger

Mix the powdered herbs and put them in #00 capsules. Take them after every

meal.