Anti-Diabetic Properties of Herbs

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JoAnn Guest

Oct 18, 2004 16:47 PDT

 

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

_________________

 

JoAnn Guest

mrsjoguest

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