Herbs With Claims to Lower Blood Glucose
The long-term complications of uncontrolled diabetes are well known – damage to eyes, kidneys, nerves, blood vessels, and other organs. Most of this damage is attributed to chronic elevated blood glucose levels. Type II diabetics and pre-diabetics are aware of these dangers and sometimes consider adding herbal therapy, to their doctor prescribed medication, to “tweak” blood sugar lowering effects and possibly prevent complications. Sometimes patients may try herbs and other supplements because they want to use a more “natural” treatment to control their blood sugars.
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The strength and dose of herbal products vary and your pharmacist can assist you in selecting products, discussing dosage ranges, and preventing any herb-drug interactions. Herbal products can also vary greatly from batch-to-batch and it is always preferred to purchase a quality name brand product that has been assayed and standardized in regard to active ingredient. The bottom line is that there must be some assurance that you are purchasing a product that will consistently deliver a specified dose of active herb.
Type I diabetics who require insulin generally should not add herbs with blood sugar lowering effects to their treatment because of the serious potential for life -threatening hypoglycemia (extremely low blood sugar) or other medical complications.
Regardless of the reasons for using these specific herbs, one must always keep their doctor and pharmacist “in the loop” to prevent any hypoglycemic reactions and dangerous or toxic interactions. Hypoglycemic reactions are dangerous and can be deadly.
There are several noteworthy herbs that are claimed to have blood sugar lowering effects. These herbs are not generally used in Western herbal medicine and are more common in Ayurvedic Medicine and Oriental Medicine. The exact mechanism of action in lowering blood sugar is often not known. In addition, these herbs may not work well for everyone and their overall effect may vary in individuals. Side effects can also be patient specific and a combination of these herbs may be required to obtain the desired effect. Commercial herbal combinations are available and often contain antioxidants, zinc, chromium, vanadyl sulfate, and other minerals or vitamins that may be beneficial to diabetics.
Glucometer blood sugar monitoring, especially fasting samples and the two-hour after meal (postprandial) sampling, are usually necessary until blood sugar levels are under control. However, always follow your physician’s advice regarding the frequency of glucometer testing. Hemoglobin A1c values should also be monitored by your physician to follow blood glucose levels over the long haul.
Agaricus Mushroom (Agaricus blazei):
This mushroom has shown evidence of lowering blood glucose.
Aloe Vera (Aloe):
Aloe Vera is a member of the Lily family even though it resembles a cactus. There are over 240 species of Aloe, but only four species are recognized as having nutritional value with Aloe barbadensis leading the group.
Preliminary research suggests aloe gel might lower blood glucose levels. Dose is usually (15-30 ml (50 mg) per day.
American Ginseng:
A very popular herb in Chinese medicine. Recent studies have shown that Ginseng may be helpful in reducing blood sugar levels in Type II diabetic patients. For diabetes, ginsengosides and possibly other constituents are thought to reduce postprandial glucose levels. This effect might be due to either tissue insulin sensitization or direct stimulation of insulin release or both of these mechanisms. The effect of various ginsengs on glucose appears to be related in part to the mix of ginsenosides. Other non-ginsenoside constituents likely affect blood glucose as well.
For reducing postprandial glucose levels in patients with type 2 diabetes, 3-9 grams up to 2-hours before a meal has been used. However, there is no added benefit to taking more than 3 grams. Other studies suggest taking ginseng 40 minutes prior to meal to obtain the optimal effect. Irregardless, American ginseng should be taken within two hours of a meal to avoid potential hypoglycemia.
Bilberry (Huckleberry):
Bilberry (Vaccinium myrtillus) has been used in traditional European medicine for nearly a thousand years, primarily to treat diarrhea. Bilberry contains a powerful antioxidant that helps to promote circulation in the eyes. Studies on diabetic dogs have also indicated benefits in reducing blood sugar levels. Use Bilberry standardized at 25% anothocyanins for maximum potency.
Bitter Melon (Momordica charantia):
A member of the Cucurbitaceae family, the plant grows in tropical areas, including parts of the Amazon Basin, Africa, Asia, the Caribbean and South America. The bitter melon grows as a vine bearing green leaves and yellow flowers with oblong green fruit that resemble a cucumber.
Bitter melon has a long history of use as a hypoglycemic agent in Asia, Africa, and Latin America, where the plant extract has been referred to as vegetable insulin. Although several constituents of bitter melon have hypoglycemic properties, most interest has focused on a polypeptide isolated from the seeds called polypeptide-p and a mixture of two steroid glycosides referred to as charantin. At least three different compounds in Bitter Melon have been reported to have sugar-regulating properties. Gurmarin, in particular, is a polypeptide considered to be similar to bovine insulin.
Blond Psyllium (Blond Plantago):
Blond psyllium seed husk orally seems to significantly reduce postprandial serum glucose, insulin levels, serum total cholesterol, and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol levels in patients with Type II diabetes and hypercholesterolemia
Blond psyllium seems to reduce postprandial blood glucose levels by about 14% to 20%, total cholesterol by about 9%, and LDL cholesterol by 13%. Blonde psyllium also seems to lower postprandial glucose levels in patients with Type I diabetes. Blond psyllium’s maximum effect on the glucose levels occurs when psyllium is mixed and consumed with foods. Blond psyllium does not lower postprandial glucose in people who do not have diabetes.
Cinnamon Bark (Cassia Cinnamon):
Cinnamon is getting a lot of attention as a treatment for diabetes. There is preliminary evidence that it can lower blood glucose and cholesterol levels in people with type 2 diabetes. So far, this benefit has only been found with Cassia Cinnamon (Chinese Cinnamon) in humans. As little as ¼ to ½ teaspoonfuls can have a powerful effect in lowering blood sugar.
Recent studies (2008) indicate that cinnamom may not significantly lower blood glucose.
Devil’s Claw:
Devil’s Claw is native to south and central Africa. Its medicinal value lies in its fleshy roots, which are sliced, chopped, or pulverized while fresh.
Some evidence shows that this herb might decrease blood glucose and have additive effects with medication used in diabetes.
Eleuthro (Siberian Ginseng):
Eleuthro is a shrub that grows 3 to 10 feet high with products made from the root. The root contains a mixture of components, common to many plants but occurring together in Siberian ginseng, called eleutherosides. Among the other ingredients are chemicals called polysaccharides, which have been found to boost the immune system and lower blood sugar levels in laboratory studies using animals.
Like the panax ginsengs, Siberian ginseng is considered to be an adaptogen, which means that it helps in stressful circumstances and also helps return the body to a normal balance.
Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum):
Dose: 10-15 grams per day in divided doses with meals Fenugreek is effective for lowering postprandial (after meals) blood sugar. The applicable part of fenugreek is the seed. The active constituents include trigonelline, 4-hydroxyisoleucine, and sotolon. About 80% of the total content of free amino acids in the seeds is present as 4-hydroxyisoleucine, which appears to directly stimulate insulin. This effect is glucose dependent and only occurs in the presence of moderate to high glucose concentrations.
Fenugreek seeds have a distinctive bitter taste and odor. Sotolon is frequently used as a flavoring for artificial maple syrup. Theoretically, patients who are allergic to other Fabaceae plants including soybeans, peanuts, and green peas might also be allergic to fenugreek.
Ginger (Zingiber officinale):
Preliminary research suggests ginger might increase insulin levels. Theoretically, it could have an additive effect with medication used to treat diabetes and cause hypoglycemia.
Glucomannan (Konnyaku root):
A member of the yam family, this herb is high in fiber and can help normalize blood sugar, relieve stress on the pancreas.
Gulvel (Tinospora cordifolia):
Grows wild along roadsides throughout the tropical and sub-tropical plains of India and Sri Lanka. Plant extracts causes reduction in fasting blood sugar in rabbits and rats.
Gymnema sylvestre (Gumar):
A tropical plant of the milkweed family with an ancient Sanskrit name meaning “destroyer of sugar.” Preliminary clinical research indicates that certain Gymnema extracts can reduce blood glucose and glycosated hemoglobin (Hb A1c) in Type I and Type II diabetics.
Holy Basil (Hot Basil):
Preliminary evidence suggests that holy leaf extract may decrease fasting (17.6%) and postprandial blood glucose in patients with Type II diabetes.
Jambolan (Syzygium cumini):
A close relative of the clove tree Syzygium aromaticum, Jambolan is native to east India and the Malay Peninsula, but has spread as far as China and Australia and is grown in the Caribbean.
Only the bark of the Jambolan has proven medicinal value, although the seeds are often used as well. In Asian medicine, it is used for diabetes, diarrhea, sore throat, and diseases of the spleen.
Kudzu:
Kudzu is native to Japan and China, however it grows extremely well in the Southern United states. This vine, when left uncontrolled, will eventually grow over almost any fixed object or other vegetation.
Kudzu or its constituents might have hypoglycemic, hypocholesterolemic, and antioxidant activity.
Neem (Azadirachta indica):
Neem is a member of the Mahogany family (Meliaceae) which includes a large array of tropical trees and shrubs native to both the Old and New World. Evidence indicates that Neem might possess some hypoglycemic activity.
Panax Ginseng (Asian Ginseng):
There is some evidence that taking Panax ginseng orally, 200 mg daily can decrease fasting blood glucose levels and hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) in patients with Type II diabetes.
Prickly Pear Cactus (Nopal):
There is some preliminary clinical evidence that prickly pear cactus used orally can decrease blood glucose levels in patients with Type II diabetes. Single doses can decrease blood glucose levels by 17% to 46% in some patients. However, it is not known if extended daily use can consistently lower blood glucose levels and decrease HbA1c levels. Only the broiled stems of the specific species Opuntia streptacantha seem to be beneficial and raw or crude stems do not seem to decrease glucose levels. Other prickly pear cactus species do not seem to significantly lower blood glucose levels.
Red Sandalwood (Pterocarpus marsupium):
Like Gymnema Sylvestre, this is a traditional herb used in India to help rejuvenate the insulin-producing pancreatic beta cells. One group of researchers investigating diabetic rats compared Pterocarpus’ observed effects on blood glucose levels to those of metformin, a drug familiar to many diabetics.
Stevia (Sweet Herb):
Stevia is a non-caloric herb, native to Paraguay, which has been used as a sweetener and flavor enhancer for centuries. Clinical research suggests that stevioside, a constituent of Stevia, might reduce postprandial glucose levels by 18% in people with Type II diabetes.
Tumeric:
Turmeric has been used for thousands of years in Asian Indian cookery and is an ingredient in curry powder. Ground from dried curcumin, a rhizome of the ginger family, turmeric is not peppery and rather mild tasting.
May decrease blood sugar levels (and cholesterol). The apparent blocking of enzymes that convert dietary carbohydrates into glucose may be involved in this lowing of blood sugar.
Many of these herbs have potential to help Type II diabetics and pre-diabetics maintain lower blood sugar and reach a Hemoglobin A1c goal of http://www.charanteausa.com/ampalaya_archive/studies/3.doc Natural Medicine Comprehensive. Database. (2006) Retrieved June 2006 from http://www.naturaldatabase.com
Shane-McWhorter, Laura. Biological complementary therapies: a focus on botanical products in diabetes. Diabetes Spectrum 14:199-208, 2001Retrieved February 23, 2006 from http://spectrum.diabetesjournals.org/cgi/content/full/14/4/199
The Ayurvedic Center (2006) Historical use of ayurvedic herbs. Retrieved June 5, 2006 from http://www.holheal.com/ayurved4.html
University of Maryland Medical Center (2006) Siberian ginseng. Retrieved June 5, 2006 from http://www.umm.edu/altmed/ConsHerbs/GinsengSiberianch.html
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