Diabetes mellitus is a chronic disorder of the pancreas leading to a reduction in insulin, a hormone produced in the pancreas that moves glucose, or sugar, from the blood to the cells for energy. In type-1 diabetes, pancreatic cells are damaged and cannot produce insulin; in type-2 diabetes, your pancreas cannot produce enough insulin to satisfy your cells' needs. This results in excess blood sugar that can lead to complications like heart and kidney disease, nerve and eye damage, or osteoporosis. Natural herbs may help you control diabetes. Consult your doctor if have diabetes before starting herbal therapy.
Matarique
Matarique, or Psacalium peltatum, is a plant in the Aster family that grows in arid regions of Mexico. Local healers use the roots and rhizomes, or underground stems, to treat diabetes, rheumatism, gastrointestinal problems and kidney disorders. Active ingredients in the roots include saponins, carbohydrates, sterols and alkaloids; the plant has hypoglycemic, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. A study by F. J. Alarcon-Aguilar and colleagues, published in the August 2010 issue of the "Journal of Ethnopharmacology," tested an extract of the carbohydrate fraction of matarique for activity in animals with induced diabetes. The study found that the extract had a high fructan content and showed hypoglycemic, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities at the dose normally given to type-2 diabetic patients. This study supports the local use of matarique for treating diabetes. Speak to your doctor before using matarique in combination with insulin or other diabetic medication.
Canadian Lowbush Blueberry
Canadian lowbush blueberry, or Vaccinium angustifolium, is a deciduous shrub with edible berries native to North America. In Canada, traditional healers use the plant to treat type-2 diabetes. A study by L. C. Martineau and colleagues, published in the November 2006 issue of "Phytomedicine," tested leaf, stem, root and fruit extracts for anti-diabetic properties. They found that different parts of the plant have different properties, but taken together, become a potent antidiabetic agent. Like insulin, the plant enhances glucose uptake in cells. It also has a positive effect on pancreatic beta cells, which produce and release insulin. This study supports the plant's traditional use for diabetes. Further studies are needed to understand the mechanisms involved. Consult your doctor before combining blueberry with other antidiabetic medicines.
Reishi
Reishi, or Ganoderma lucidum, is a medicinal mushroom, also known as lingzhi, native to China. In traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), it is used to treat a range of disorders including cancer, diabetes, hypertension and high cholesterol. The active ingredients are polysaccharides and ganoderic acids. Reishi has hypoglycemic, anti-tumor, immunomodulating and hypocholesteremic actions. A study by S. W. Seto and colleagues, published in the May 2009 issue of "Phytomedicine," tested a water extract of reishi on animals with induced diabetes. After four weeks, there was a significant decrease in blood glucose levels in obese and lean animals treated with the extract compared to the control group. This study supports the TCM use of reishi in treating diabetes. Consult your health care professional before using reishi in combination with other diabetic drugs.
References
- "Journal of Ethnopharmacology"; Anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects of a hypoglycemic fructan fraction from Psacalium peltatum (H.B.K.) Cass. in streptozotocin-induced diabetes mice; Alarcon-Aguilar FJ, Fortis-Barrera A, Angeles-Mejia S, Banderas-Dorantes TR, Jasso-Villagomez EI, Almanza-Perez JC, Blancas-Flores G, Zamilpa A, Diaz-Flores M, Roman-Ramos R; August 2010
- "Phytomedicine"; Anti-diabetic properties of the Canadian lowbush blueberry Vaccinium angustifolium Ait; Martineau LC, Couture A, Spoor D, Benhaddou-Andaloussi A, Harris C, Meddah B, Leduc C, Burt A, Vuong T, Mai Le P, Prentki M, Bennett SA, Arnason JT, Haddad PS; November 2006
- "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
