Guest guest Posted November 10, 2004 Report Share Posted November 10, 2004 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. > 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 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. > > http://holisticonline.com/Remedies/Diabetes/diabetes_herbs.htm > ____________ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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