Herbs for Diabetes

موضوع: Herbs for Diabetes الثلاثاء 20 سبتمبر 2011, 1:56 am

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.

Excessively high doses of bitter melon juice can cause
abdominal pain and diarrhea. 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, leading to severe
hypoglycemia.

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 leaves (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.

Asian Ginseng

Asian ginseng is commonly used in traditional Chinese
medicine to treat diabetes. It has been shown to enhance the release of
insulin from the pancreas and to increase the number of insulin
receptors. It also has a direct blood sugar-lowering effect.
A recent study found that 200 mg of ginseng extract per day improved blood sugar control as well as energy levels in
Type 2 diabetes (NIDDM).

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.

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.