Herbs for Diabetes

- Cinnamon, Pterocarpus marsupium, Bitter Melon, Gymnema Sylvestre, Onion, Fenugreek, Asian Ginseng, Bilberry, Ginkgo Biloba, Banaba......

Diabetes Remedy :

Herbs for Diabetes treatment is not new. Since ancient times, plants and plant extracts were used to combat diabetes. Covered here are herbs that have been confirmed by scientific investigation, which appear to be most effective, relatively non-toxic and have substantial documentation of efficiency.

Cinnamon
Cinnamon is the inner bark of a tropical evergreen tree native to India and Sri Lanka. It has insulin-like properties, which able to decrease blood glucose levels as well as triglycerides and cholesterol, all of which are important especially for type 2 diabetes patients. Just half a teaspoon of cinnamon into the daily diet of a diabetics can significantly reduce blood glucose levels. Cinnamon can be be easily bought at any food shop in a convenient powdered form. Just add cinnamon to what ever you would eat normally.

Pterocarpus marsupium
Pterocarpus Marsupium for Diabetes Pterocarpus marsupium (also known as Indian Kino, in English) is a large deciduous tree. Commonly grows in central, western, and southern parts of India and Sri Lanka. Pterocarpus marsupium demonstrates to reduce the glucose absorption from the gastrointestinal tract, and improve insulin and pro-insulin levels. It also effective in beta cell regeneration, No other drug or natural agent has been shown to generate this activity.

The heart wood is astringent, bitter acrid, anti inflammatory, anthelmintic, anodyne. Beside diabetes, it is also good for elephantiasis, leucoderma, diarrhoea, dysentary, rectalgia, cough and greyness of hair.

Bitter melon (Momordica charantia)
Also known as balsam pear, bitter gourd, bitter cucumber, karela, and charantin. Is a tropical vegetable widely cultivated in Asia, East Africa and South America, and has been used extensively in folk medicine as a remedy for diabetes. Studies suggested that Asian Bitter Melon may lower blood glucose concentrations. Several compounds have been isolated from bitter melon that are believed to be responsible for its blood-sugar-lowering properties. These include charantin and an insulin-like protein referred to as polypeptide-P, or plant insulin. It is believed that bitter melon acts on both the pancreas and in nonpancreatic cells, such as muscle cells. The oral administration of 50-60 ml of the juice has shown good results in clinical trials.

Caution : 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.

Genera Sylvestre
Genera Sylvestre for Diabetes Native to the tropical forests of India, also known as the "sugar destroyer". To treat diabetes, dried leaves are pounded together with Coriander fruit (Coriandrum sativum L.), juice is extracted and given orally. These remedy has been used in India for treating diabetes for about 2000 years. Today in India it is being used to treat primarily type II diabetes and type I as well. Gymnema also improves the ability of insulin to lower blood sugar in both type I and type II diabetes. This herb is showing up in more and more over the counter weight loss products and blood sugar balancing formulas.

Onion
Onion is a member of the lily family (Liliaceae). It is native to Eurasia but now grows all over the world, due mostly to people bringing it with them as a staple food wherever they migrated. Experimental and clinical evidence suggests that onion consists of an active ingredient called APDS (allyl propyl disulphide). APDS has been shown to block the breakdown of insulin by the liver and possibly to stimulate insulin production by the pancreas, thus increasing the amount of insulin and reducing sugar levels in the blood.

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. 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.

The additional benefit of the use of garlic is it beneficial cardiovascular effects. It is found to lower lipid levels, inhibit platelet aggregation and are antihypertensive. So, liberal use of onion is recommended for diabetes patients.

Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum)
Fenugreek for Diabetes Fenugreek or foenum-graecum, is a crop plant grown as a potherb and for the spice made from its seeds. The fenugreek plant grows wild from the eastern Mediterranean area to China; it is cultivated worldwide. Fenugreek is used both as a herb (the leaves) and as a spice (the seed).

Pre-clinical and clinical studies have demonstrated the antidiabetic properties of fenugreek seeds. The fiber-rich fraction of fenugreek seeds can lowered blood sugar levels in people with diabetes, and to a lesser extent, for lowering blood cholesterol. Additionally, the soluble fiber content of fenugreek may play a role in aiding weight control.

A typical dose range is 5 to 30 g three times per day with meals. Known side effects of high doses include mild digestive distress. Fenugreek should not be used by pregnant or nursing women.

Blueberry (Vaccinium myrtillus)
Closely related to the European bilberry, there are several species of blueberries exist—including V. pallidum and V. corymbosum—and grow throughout the United States. It leaves are the primary part of the plant used medicinally.

Blueberry is a natural method of controlling or lowering blood sugar levels when they are slightly elevated - Sugar Diabetes. Results have shown the leaves have an active ingredient with a remarkable ability to get rid the body of excessive sugar in the blood. It is a good astringent and helps relieve inflammation of the kidney, bladder and prostate.

To use, steep two to three handfuls of leaves in 4 cups hot water for half an hour. Drink three cups a day.

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.

Besides reducing fasting blood sugar levels and body weight, can elevate mood and improve psycho-physiological performance. Therapeutic dosage is 100-200 mg daily.

Ginkgo Biloba
Long used in traditional Chinese medicine, a species that has survived in China for more than 200 million years and now grows throughout the world. This popular herbal medicine is extracted from the fan-shaped leaves of the ancient ginkgo biloba tree. The extract may prove useful for prevention and treatment of early-stage diabetic neuropathy.

Gingko biloba extract improves blood flow in the peripheral tissues of the nerves in the arms, legs, hands, and feet and is therefore an important medicine in the treatment of peripheral vascular disease. It has also been shown to prevent diabetic retinopathy. Dosage of the extract standardised to contain 24% ginkgo flavoglycosides is 40-80 mg three times per day.

Banaba (Lagerstroemia speciosa)
Banaba for Diabetes Banaba is a variety of crepe myrtle that grows in the Philippines, India, Malaysia and Australia. Banaba possesses the powerful compound corosolic acid and tannins, including lagerstroemin that lends itself to the treatment of diabetes. These ingredients are thought to stimulate glucose uptake and have insulin-like activity. The latter activity is thought to be secondary to activation of the insulin receptor tyrosine kinase or the inhibition of tyrosine phosphatase. It is a natural plant insulin, can be taken orally.

Important : Decisions to use herbs or other alternative treatments for diabetes should be carefully considered. Individuals using prescription drugs should discuss taking herbs or supplements with their pharmacist or health care provider before starting.