Diabetes mellitus is a chronic hormonal disorder that prevents the pancreas from producing enough insulin, a hormone that regulates the amount of sugar, or glucose, in the bloodstream. In type-1 diabetes, the pancreatic cells are destroyed by the immune system and cannot produce insulin; and in type-2 diabetes, the pancreas cannot produce enough insulin. Diabetes can lead to heart, kidney, eye and nerve damage, and type-1 diabetics need insulin injections. Lifestyle changes and herbs that lower blood sugar may help control type-2 diabetes. Consult a health care professional before starting herbal therapy.
Fenugreek
Fenugreek, or Trigonella foenum-graecum, is an ancient herb whose seeds have multiple uses in the traditional medicines of Europe, China and India. The seeds are rich in mucilage, steroid saponins, alkaloids and peptides, and have digestive, demulcent, anti-inflammatory and expectorant actions. Local healers use fenugreek seeds to treat diabetes, high cholesterol, gastrointestinal disorders, anorexia, inflammatory skin disorders, sore throat, stomach ulcers, impotence and boils. In "The Herbal Drugstore," Dr. Linda B. White and Steven Foster recommend the powdered seeds for diabetes and state that the fiber in the seeds slows the passage of food through the stomach, which delays glucose absorption in the small intestine and lowers blood sugar. A study by Asmena Mowla and colleagues published in the 2009 issue of the "African Journal of Traditional, Complementary and Alternative Medicines" found that an extract of the crushed seeds lowered blood sugar in test animals without the side effects produced by the anti-diabetic drug glimepiride. Excessive use of fenugreek may produce flatulence. If allergic symptoms develop, discontinue using the herb.
Papaya
Papaya, or Carica papaya, is a small tree that produces large, melon-like fruit also known as pawpaw. The fruit is eaten throughout the world and has been used historically to treat diabetes, digestive problems and wounds. A study by H. B. Osadolor and colleagues published in the July 2010 issue of the "Research Journal of Medicinal Plant" found that the unripe papaya pulp lowered blood sugar in test animals. A study by O. I. Aruoma and colleagues published in the September 2010 issue of "Toxicology" found that a fermented papaya preparation used as a food supplement had anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and immunostimulatory actions and may help prevent cellular damage that can complicate diabetes. Unripe papaya may have contraceptive and abortifacient properties, so do not use it during pregnancy.
Bitter Melon
Bitter melon, or Momordica charantia, is a vine that produces a bitter, cucumber-like gourd covered with bumps. It is native to Asia and used medicinally in Indian Ayurveda and traditional Chinese medicine. Healers use it to treat a range of diseases including diabetes, parasites, inflammatory skin disorders, kidney stones, ulcers and cancer. Dr. Linda B. White and Steven Foster recommend the juice for diabetes and state that the herb contains constituents that seem to have a similar effect as sulfonylurea drugs, which are used to manage type-2 diabetes. They also state that certain ingredients in bitter melon are chemically close to insulin. The seeds and rind may be toxic, and excessive amounts of the juice may cause gastrointestinal distress.
References
- "The Herbal Drugstore"; Linda B. White, M.D., Steven Foster; 2000
- "African Journal of Traditional, Complementary and Alternative Medicines": Antihyperglycemic Effect of Trigonella Foenum-Graecum (Fenugreek) Seed Extract in Alloxan-Induced Diabetic Rats and Its Use in Diabetes Mellitus: A Brief Qualitative Phytochemical and Acute Toxicity Test on the Extract.
- "Research Journal of Medicinal Plant": Hypoglycemic Effects of Unripe Pawpaw on Streptozotocin Induced Diabetic Albino Rats.
- "Toxicology": Applications and bioefficacy of the functional food supplement fermented papaya preparation.
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