Diabetes mellitus is a group of chronic metabolic diseases characterized by too much glucose in the blood. This can lead to complications like heart problems, kidney disease and nerve and eye damage. Insulin is necessary for all people with type 1 diabetes and some with type 2, according to the Mayo Clinic. Doctors may also prescribe other antihyperglycemic drugs, such as sulfonylureas and biguanides, which can have unpleasant side effects and may not prevent serious diabetic complications.
Control of blood sugar levels is key to preventing complications, and herbal medicines may provide alternatives that will improve the quality of life for many diabetics. It is important to consult a professional before beginning herbal therapy, and to be aware of potential herb-drug interactions.
Madagascar Periwinkle
Madagascar periwinkle, or Catharanthus roseus, is an evergreen shrub with pink flowers that is native to Madagascar, but now naturalized to many tropical areas. It is used in Indian Ayurvedic medicine and in traditional Chinese medicine for a range of disorders, including malaria, Hodgkin's lymphoma and diabetes. The plant contains potent chemicals with antitumor, hypoglycemic and antimalarial actions, and contemporary research is validating the traditional uses of this plant.
A study published in the 2003 issue of "BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine" compared a leaf decoction of Madagascar periwinkle to the antidiabetic drug glibenclamide, which acts by increasing insulin release from the pancreas. The study found that the decoction produced hypoglycemia and had a longer duration of antidiabetic action than glibenclamide.
Like glibenclamide, Madagascar periwinkle may act by enhancing insulin secretion, but researchers state that they need further research to confirm the mode of action and to identify the active principles in the plant. (reference 2)
Goji Berry
Goji berry, or Lycium barbarum, is the fruit of a small woody plant, also know as wolfberry, that has lavender flowers and is native to southeastern Europe and Asia. The dried berries, which have antioxidant properties, are used as food and made into wine and juice. Traditional Chinese medicine uses the leaves and root bark in a tea to treat fever and anxiety, and the berries to treat arteriosclerosis, liver disease, high cholesterol, heart problems and diabetes.
A study published in the 2010 issue of the "Journal of Medicinal Plants Research" tested the active principles in goji berries, the polysaccharides. The study found that the polysaccharide extract lowered blood sugar in diabetic test animals with no noticeable toxicity. The extract also reduced triglycerides and total cholesterol---complications of diabetes---in the test animals. This research appears to validate the traditional use of goji berries as an antidiabetic, but research on humans is needed to confirm this.
Reishi
Reishi, or Ganoderma lucidum, is a fungus, also known as lingzhi, that is native to Asia. It is a staple in traditional Chinese medicine and is also listed in the American Herbal Pharmacopoeia. The mushroom is rich in ganodermic acids, polysaccharides and alkaloids, and is used to treat a wide range of disorders, including hypertension, high cholesterol and diabetes.
A study published in the 2009 issue of "Phytomedicine" tested a water extract of reishi on lean and obese diabetic animals. The extract lowered the serum glucose level in the obese animals after one week, and in the lean animals after four weeks. The researchers also found a decrease in liver enzymes, called PEPCK, which contribute to high glucose levels in diabetics. The research demonstrates that reishi has hypoglycemic effects, probably due to the polysaccharides, but further studies should evaluate the precise active principles and their effects on humans.
References
- Mayo Clinic
- "BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine"; The juice of fresh leaves of Catharanthus roseus Linn. reduces blood glucose in normal and alloxan diabetic rabbits; Srinivas Nammi, Murthy K Boini, Srinivas D Lodagala and Ravindra Babu S Behara; September 2003
- "Journal of Medicinal Plants Research"; Antihyperglycemic activity of polysaccharide from Lycium barbarum; Longjun Jing and Libo Yin; January 2010
- "Phytomedicine"; Novel hypoglycemic effects of Ganoderma lucidum water-extract in obese/diabetic (+db/+db) mice; Seto SW, Lam TY, Tam HL, Au AL, Chan SW, Wu JH, Yu PH, Leung GP, Ngai SM, Yeung JH, Leung PS, Lee SM, Kwan YW; May 2009
