Guest guest Posted August 23, 2004 Report Share Posted August 23, 2004 Diabetes: Herbal Cures JoAnn Guest Sep 25, 2002 11:16 PDT Before the advent of insulin, diabetes was treated with plant medicines. In 1980 the World Health Organization urged researchers to examine whether traditional medicines possessed any real medicinal effects. In the last 10-20 years scientific investigation has, in fact, confirmed the efficacy of many of these preparations, some of which are remarkably effective. This discussion is, of necessity, limited to a few plants—those that appear most effective are relatively nontoxic, and have substantial documentation of efficacy. The following plants are discussed: Onions and garlic, bitter melon, Gymnema Sylvestre, fenugreek, and pterocarpus. In addition, three other herbal medicines (bilberry, grape seed, and ginkgo extracts) are discussed because of their important roles in dealing with diabetic complications. Even though the herbs described here possess blood sugar-lowering effects, proper and effective natural treatment of the diabetic patient requires the careful integration of diet, nutritional supplements, and lifestyle, along with herbal medicines. (Allium cepa) and garlic (Allium sativum) Onions and garlic have demonstrated blood sugar lowering action. The active principles are believed to be the sulfur-containing compounds allyl propyl disulfide (APDS) and diallyl disulfide oxide (allicin), respectively, although other constituents such as flavonoids may play a role as well. The cardiovascular effects of garlic and onions, that is, cholesterol and blood pressure lowering actions, further substantiate the liberal intake of garlic and onions by the diabetic patient. Bitter Melon Bitter melon (Momordica charantia), also know as balsam pear, is a typical fruit widely cultivated in Asia, Africa, and South America. The unripe fruits are eaten as a vegatable. Bitter melon is a green, cucumber-shaped fruit with gourd like bumps all over it. It looks like an ugly cucumber. In addition to being eaten as a vegetable, unripe bitter melon 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 human clinical trials as well as experimental models. Bitter melon is composed of several compounds with confirmed anti- diabetic properties. Charantin, extracted by alcohol, is a hypoglycemic agent composed of mixed steroids that is more potent than the oral hypoglycemic drug tolbutamide. Momordica charantia contains an insulin-like polypeptide P, which lowers blood sugar levels when injected subcutaneously into type I diabetics. Since it appears to have fewer side effects than insulin, it has been suggested as a replacement for patients. The oral administration of bitter melon preparations has shown good results in clinical trials in patients with type II diabetes. In one study, glucose tolerance was improved in 73 percent of type II diabetics given 2 ounces of the juice. The pooled area under the glucose tolerance curves of the patients responding to the bitter melon was 187.0 square centimeters---much lower than the baseline level of 243.6 square centimeters. In another study, 15 grams of the aquaeous extract of bitter melon produced a 54 percent decrease in postprandial blood sugar level and a 17 percent reduction in glycosylated hemoglobin in six patients. Unripe bitter melon is available primarily at Asian grocery stores. Health food stores may have bitter melon extracts, but the fresh juice is probably best, as this was used in the studies. Gymnema Sylvestre Gymnema sylvestre is a plant native to the tropical forests of India, and has long been used as a treatment for diabetes. Recent scientific investigation has upheld its effectiveness in both type I and type II diabetes. Gymnema is probably the most practical herbal recommendation for improving blood sugar control in diabetics. High- quality gymnema extracts are available in health food stores. Gymnema enhances the production of endogenous insulin. The results of animal studies suggest that it accomplishes this through regeneration of the insulin-producing beta cells in the pancreas. Studies in humans support this, both in type I and type II diabetes. An extract of the leaves of Gymnema sylvestre given to twenty-seven patients with type I diabetes on insulin therapy was shown to reduce insulin requirements and fasting blood sugar levels, and to improve blood sugar control. This study confirmed earlier work in animal studies. In type I diabetes, gymnema appears to work by enhancing the action of insulin. Furthermore, there is some evidence that it may possibly regenerate or revitalize the beta cells of the pancreas. Gymnema extract has also shown positive results in type II diabetes. In one study, twenty-two type II diabetics were given gymnema extract along with the oral hypoglycemic drugs. All patients demonstrated improved blood sugar control; twenty-one out of the twenty-two subjects were able to reduce their drug dosage considerably; and five subjects were able to discontinue their medication and maintain blood sugar control with the gymnema extract alone. The dosage for Gymnema sylvestre extract is 400 mgs per day in both type I and type II diabetes. It is interesting to note that gymnema extract is without side effects and exerts it blood sugar-lowering effects only in cases of diabetes. Fenugreek Fenugreek seeds have demonstrated significant anti-diabetic effects in experimental and clinical studies. The active principle is in the defatted portion of the seed and contains the alkaloid trigonelline, nicotinic acid, and coumarin. Administration of the defatted seed (in daily doses of 1.5-2 grams per kilogram) to both normal and diabetic dogs reduces fasting and after meal blood levels of glucose, glucagon, somatostatin,insulin, total cholesterol, and triglycerides, while increasing high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol levels. Human studies confirm these effects. Defatted fenugreek seed powder given twice daily in a 50-gram dose to insulin dependent diabetics resulted in significant reduction in fasting blood sugar and improved glucose tolerance test results. There was also a 54 percent reduction in 24-hour urinary glucose excretion and significant reductions in low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL) cholesterol and triglyceride values. Innoninsulin diabetics the addition of 15 grams of powdered fenugreek seed soaked in water significantly reduced postprandial glucose levels during the meal tolerance test. These results indicate that fenugreek seeds or defatted fenugreek seed powder should be included in the diet of the diabetic. Pterocarpus (Pterocarpus marsupium) Pterocarpus has a long history of use in India as a treatment for diabetes. The flavonoid, (-)-epicatechin, extracted from the bark of this plant, prevents beta cell damage in rats. Further, both epicatechin and a crude alcohol extract of Pterocarpus marsupium actually regenerate functional pancreatic beta cells in diabetic animals. Epicatechin is also found in green tea (Camellia sinensis). As there are no commercial sources of pterocarpus in the United States, green tea may be suitable alternative. At least two cups of green tea should be consumed per day. Bilberry (Vaccinium myrtillus) grape seed (Vitis vinifera) and Ginkgo biloba extracts Bilberry, grape seed, and Ginkgo biloba extracts offer significant benefits to diabetics. The active compounds of these extracts are flavonoids. These flavonoids increase vitamin C levels, decrease the leakiness and breakage of small blood vessels, prevent easy bruising, and exert potent antioxidant effects. These effects are greatly needed in dealing with the microvascular abnormalities of diabetes and preventing diabetic retinopathy. Although all three of these extracts are of significant benefit, bilberry and grape seed extract are probably the best to use in the prevention and treatment of diabetic retinopathy, while gingko biloba extract appears most useful in the prevention and treatment of peripheral vascular and nerve disease due to diabetes. Regardless of the source, PCO extracts can be used to support good health. As a preventive measure and as antioxidant support, a daily dose of 50 mgs of the grape seed extract is suitable. When used for therapeutic purposes, the daily dose should be increased to 150 to 300 mgs. For PCO bound to phosphatidylcholine, the dose for general support is 50 mgs; for therapeutic purposes, 150 mgs. PCO extracts exert no side effect. The standard dose for bilberry should be used on its anthocyanoside content, as calculated by its anthocyanidin percentage. Widely used pharmaceutical preparations in Europe are standardized for anthocyanidin content (typically 25 percent). The following doses should be taken three times daily: Anthocyanosides (calculated as anthocyanidin): 20-40 mgs. Bilberry extract (25 percent anthocyanidin content): 80- 160 mgs Much of the clinical research on Gingko biloba has utilized a standardized extract, containing 24 percent ginkgo heterosides (flavone gylcosides) at a dosage of 40 mgs three times a day. However, some studies have used a slightly higher dosage of 80 mgs three times daily. Clinical research clearly shows that GBE should be taken consistently for at least 12 weeks in order to be effective. Although most people report benefits within 2 to 3 weeks, some may take longer to respond. Gingko biloba leaf extract is extremely safe and side effects are uncommon. In 44 double blind studies involving 9,772 patients taking GBE, the number of side effects reported was extremely small. Taken from- " The Healing Power of Herbs " Revised and expanded 2nd version by Michael T. Murray, N.D. Co-author of " Encyclopedia of Natural Medicine " _________________ JoAnn Guest mrsjoguest DietaryTipsForHBP http://www.geocities.com/mrsjoguest Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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