Previously we
looked at the contemporary approach to finding a cure for diabetes. Now let’s
look at the herbal approach for treating the disease.
Several studies carried
out in the past confirm that certain herbal therapies; Cinnamon, Bilberry
extract, Bitter melon, Fenugreek, Okra, Ginger, Aloe Vera, do play a beneficial
role in blood glucose control. The result of this has been the uptake of these
remedies by many people in the treatment of their diabetes.
Though western health
experts remain skeptical about the purported benefits of these herbs, maintaining that in fact because certain vitamins, herbs and
supplements could increase the hypoglycemic (blood sugar lowering
)effects of diabetes medication, the use of such herbs by diabetics could
portend the real risk of a dangerous drop in blood sugar levels with all its
attendant consequences. Generally then it must be said that, before you take
these or any other like herbs, your doctors okay should be sought in order to
help ascertain safety of and appropriate dosage.
We shall now briefly look
at individual herbs with reported anti-diabetic properties.
Commonly
known as garlic, Allium Sativum has been shown in studies to
be beneficial in the treatment of diabetes. Having both antioxidant and
micro-circulatory effects, it is speculated to cause a reduction in blood
glucose level, increase secretion and slow down the degradation of insulin. Further
study needs to be made on it though.
Next comes Bauhinia
forficata and Myrcia uniflora. Both being South American
plants, Bauhinia forficata commonly referred to as vegetable insulin, is widely
used as an ingredient in Brazilian herbal cures. Studies made on both plants
however suggests that their anti-diabetic effects is exaggerated. An herb which
has shown notable anti-diabetic effects however is Coccinia indica.
Known as the ivy gourd, it grows across the Indian sub-continent and is used in
Ayurvedic remedies-that is in the holistic Indian system of healing of which
herbal and mineral remedies forms a part. (Ayurvedic method also comprises
diet, detoxification and purification exercises, yoga, breathing exercises,
meditation and massage therapy). In fact many experts contend that Coccinia
indica should be further studied.
Ficus carcia; fig-leaf to us, on the other
hand is readily known as a diabetic remedy in Spain and
South-western Europe. Its active component though remains unknown. Though
studies on animals indicate that the plants leafs encourages glucose uptake,
trial studies in humans is still needed to ascertain true efficacy.
Under consideration now
is Ginseng. Ginseng is actually a collective name for a variety of
different plant species. And different types of ginseng abound. Thus we have
Korean, Siberian, American and Japanese ginseng. Under study, American ginseng
has been found to decrease fasting blood glucose but generally speaking further
study needs to be made on ginseng species before an official statement on them
can come out.
A rather promising herbal
treatment though is that derived from Gymnema Sylvestre. This
plant, also used in Ayurvedic medicine is native to the forests of southern and
central India and is reported to have substantial blood sugar lowering effects.
In fact some studies in animals ascribe to it not only increase in beta cell
function but in addition regeneration of islet cells. As such it is my
suggestion here that use of this plant -the isolation of its active component,
the synthesis and possible modification of that component to boost efficiency,
is something that should be looked at here by Harvard Melton lab scientists
(see previous article) who are equally looking at the self-regulation route,
i.e. the encouragement of beta cells to replicate themselves as a viable cure
and treatment to Type 1 diabetes.
Another herb which is a
good candidate for blood glucose regulation is Momordica charantia with
reports citing impressive effects on blood glucose levels. Suggested to help
diabetics with insulin secretion and glucose oxidation, the drug goes by
various names and is native to some areas of Asia, India, Africa and South
America. Also known as Kerala or Karola and bitter melon, it is
marketed as charantia.
Again, we have Ocimum
sanctum, an herb employed in traditional Ayurvedic practises and commonly
known as Holy Basil. Controlled clinical trial of this plant showed encouraging
effects on fasting and postprandial glucose. It is the opinion of scientists
that the herb could assist insulin secretion and improve generally the
functioning of beta cells.
In addition to this is a
plant-Opuntia streptacantha which trial studies in animals has
revealed helps to significantly reduce the incidence of postprandial glucose
and HbA1c. Commonly known as the prickly-pear cactus, it is traditionally used
for glucose control by denizens of the Mexican desert area where it can be
found. However longer term clinical trials still need to be made on it.
Further to this is Silibum
marianum or Silimarin for short. Commonly known by the name milk
thistle, it is reportedly another herb with anti-diabetic properties-namely
glycaemic control. How it does this however is yet to be fully understood.
Yet again, we have Trigonella
foenum graecum or fenugreek. Widely grown in India, North
Africa and parts of the Mediterranean, it is also used in Ayurvedic treatment
as well as in cooking. Non-controlled trials on this plant on type 2 diabetics
show improved glycaemic control.
Moreover a report made in
the Canadian Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology cited Linun
usitassimum (LU6) an active fraction of flaxseed as being found to
improve glucose utilization in the liver and lower after meal blood sugar
elevations. The most exciting part of the report however is that this flaxseed
fraction brought plasma and c-peptide back to normal levels. Since C peptide is
a direct indicator of how much insulin is being produced by the beta cells,
normalization of C peptide levels in turn therefore means that beta cell
function had effectively been restored. The report went "...significant
insulin producing islet formation was also observed in in vitro PANC-1 cells
after LU6 treatment, indicating the cellular aggregates to be newly formed
islets. This suggests the potential of LU6 in the formation of new islets in
vitro, as well as in vivo. Thus, LU6 can be used as a nutraceutical-based first
line treatment for diabetes".
Other substances have
equally been found to spur the regeneration of beta cells.
Arginine for example is one.
It was found by a 2007 study that this amino acid, L-arginine is capable of
stimulating the generation of beta cells in the subject diabetic animals.
In the same year
researchers claimed to confirm the protective and restorative effect of avocado
seed extract on pancreatic islet cells in diabetic mice.
Further to this, Berbebine in
2009, a plant compound common to the herbs barberry and goldenseal was found to
induce beta cell regeneration in diabetic rats. Chard in its
own turn was found to assist in the resurgence of injured beta cells.
Again in 2009, corn
silk was marked out as not only reducing blood sugar levels but also
stimulating beta cell regeneration in Type 1 diabetic rats. A year later Curcumin a
derivative of Turmeric was found to do the same-that is stimulate beta cell
regeneration in type 1 diabetic rats. Moreover an earlier 2008 study also
reported curcumin as preserving pancreatic islet cell survival and
transplantation efficiency.
Geinstein is another herb which
looks promising for the treatment of both Type 1 diabetes. The reason for this
is that it not only prevents the onset of insulin deficient diabetes, but also
stimulates the growth of beta cells in the mice it was applied to.
Honey too has been cited
as having possible beta cell regeneration properties owing to its ability to
increase fasting C-peptide levels. This was highlighted by a 2010 study.
Going further, it was
found by a 2003 animal study that eating Nigella Sativa (black seed)
resulted partially in the regeneration/proliferation of beta cells as well as
inducing general better beta cell function.
Interestingly in 2011, a
human study on the herb stevia, noted that it had anti-diabetic
properties, including revitalizing damaged beta cells and even comparing
favourably with the drug glibenclamide but without the adverse effects.
Sulforaphane a compound which
can be found in large quantities in broccoli sprouts is also
reported to have beta regenerative qualities.
Other herbs that have
been studied, and may have positive effects for diabetic patients
include: Berberine, Cinnamomym tamala, Curry, Eugenia jambolana,
Gingko, Phyllanthus amarus, Pterocarpus marsupium, Solanum torvum and Vinca
rosea.
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