Q and A: Herbs To Treat Diabetes

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I believe my husband has the classic symptoms of type II diabetes. In addition to dietary and exercise changes that we need to work on, I am looking for any information regarding herbal treatment of this disease.
—M. T. via e-mail 

Keville responds: Keep in mind that the various symptoms of diabetes are similar to other disorders. However, if your husband does have type II diabetes, the good news is that it can probably be monitored without taking insulin. He’s off to a good start with the dietary and exercise changes. Even relaxation techniques improve the body’s ability to regulate glucose up to 20 percent, according to studies from Duke University. The supplement chromium (100 mg per day) makes insulin more efficient and enhances its production.

As far as herbs go, there are quite a few from which to choose. Experiment with them to find the combinations that are most effective for him. One group of researchers looked at about 400 herbs traditionally used to treat diabetes from 120 studies. Here are the ones that scored the best. One of the most impressive is gymnema (Gymnema sylvestre). The leaves of this tropical vine have long been used in Indian folk medicine to treat diabetes. Mostly sold as a “sugar blocker” and dieting aid, it temporarily stops the mouth from perceiving sweet tastes. More important for your husband, it has also shown positive clinical results in type II diabetes. Gymnema improves sugar control and reduces fasting blood sugar levels and the body’s requirement for insulin. Other herbs known to lower blood sugar and insulin levels in type II diabetics include prickly pear (Opuntia ficus-indica) and three herbs that also enhance the immune system: eleuthero (Eleutherococcus senticosus), Asian ginseng (Panax ginseng), and reishi mushroom (Ganoderma lucidum). In one study, bitter melon (Momordica charantia) juice improved sugar tolerance 73 percent and reduced glucose concentrations in type II diabetics approximately 20 percent within an hour. Volunteers in a study who drank just 1 tablespoon of aloe (Aloe vera) juice twice a day had their blood sugar (as well as their cholesterol levels) begin to drop by the second week of treatment. Bilberry leaves (Vaccinum myrtillus) were a popular diabetic treatment before the availability of insulin injections. They reduce blood sugar and the amount of insulin the body needs, possibly by facilitating insulin’s action.

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