♦   Diabetes    ♦
 

Symptoms

Diabetes Insipidus and Mellitus

Symptoms:  Increased thirst and urination with a danger of dehydration, unintentional weight gain or loss and could be accompanied with an increase in appetite, possible blurred vision, tired, weak and easily fatigued, prone to infections and sickness, nausea, confusion and even coma are also possible with this disease.

This condition has a personal side for me.  It affects one of my sisters and now my father is suffering from neuropathy.  His is caused not by a high blood sugar level but a deficiency of his body to utilize glucose.  This is not a disease like a cold or small ache and pain that you can self diagnose, so please consult a Physician if you have any of the above symptoms.  I have tried to include the nutritional and herbal things that can help you to better control the long-term effects of this very serious condition. With that said let me share with you a quote from my sister “You do better when you quit being a victim of this disease and realize you have a great deal of control over the quality and length of your life.”

Specific diets are beyond the scope of this book and are readily available elsewhere.  Here you will find foods and spices that have a direct action on your blood glucose levels to help you gain control over your health and the quality of your life. Some foods and herbs can have an effect on your blood sugar levels, so if you find anything useful, please monitor those levels closely.

Bitter Melon (Momordica charantia) a Chinese vegetable that lowers blood sugar levels and can make an addition to your diet that helps.  It is thought to stimulate beta-cell growth in the pancreas and it also is available in a supplement form.

Garlic and Onions should be included in your diet as they help depress blood sugar levels and are very beneficial to your overall health.

Broccoli is a chromium containing food that can help with the cellular usage of glucose.

Legumes are high in both complex carbohydrates and fiber so they can help with both blood sugar levels and cholesterol control.

Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum) is a spice that adds to flavor as well as controls your blood levels of both sugar and cholesterol.

Cinnamon (Cinnamomum verum) spices up flavor and helps your body boost insulin activity at the same time.

Low fat diets have been shown to improve your overall health and the health of your arterial system.

Chromium Picolinate, a mineral, can help your cells to utilize glucose more efficiently.
Suggested Dosage: 150-300 micrograms per day.

Biotin functions in the insulin sensitivity of fat and carbohydrate usage in our body.

Vitamins E and C can help prevent some long-term effects of diabetes and improve insulin usage in your system.

Stevia (Stevia rebaudiana) is a wonderful South American plant that has the unique property of leaves that are two hundred times sweeter than sugar with no calories.  You can bake as well as sweeten your foods. It is available in a powdered form.

There are many things you can to to take control of this condition and the quality of your life. For more specific information visit this interesting site: all-about-beating-diabetes.com.

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♦  Herbal Remedies    ♦

Unlike prescription medications, medicinal plants have an effect on many areas in our bodies.  I will try to note the most beneficial functions of each plant.  Know that they can help many systems in our bodies heal so please pay attention to the Remarks: on each one, in the event that an ancillary action in the plant is not compatible with your conditions.

Circulation and Vision

Bilberry (Vaccinium myrtillus) can increase cellular vitamin C levels while decreasing the porosity, leakage of our capillaries.  This is important in the prevention of retinopathy and has the additional benefits of improving night vision and lowering blood sugar levels.
Remarks:  lowers blood sugar levels so monitor and it is better to take in divided dosage as it can affect vision temporarily.
From: North America and Northern Asia
Plant part used:  fruit
Suggested Dosage:  80mg to 180mg up to three times per day

Pancreas regrowth and Blood sugar level

Gymnema (Gymnema sylvestre) enhances glucose control and is thought to stimulate beta-cell growth in the pancreas to produce more insulin as well as to increase the production of insulin.  Gymnema is thought to improve the cellular usage of glucose as well.
Remarks:  has little or no side effects was used to treat Diabetes for over 2000 years in Ayurvedic medicine
From: India
Plant part used:  leaf
Suggested Dosage:  400mg per day
 

Peripheral circulation and Brain function

Ginkgo (Ginkgo Biloba) is the oldest tree species in the world.  It is a vasodilator that has an affinity for the peripheral parts of the body. This can help with healing ability in the hands and legs and help with neuropathy.  Increases nerve conduction velocity.
Remarks:  Reduces platelet-aggregating factor in the blood so discontinue if surgery is planned and notify your Physician of use.
From: Central China
Plant part used:  leaf
Suggested Dosage:  up to 800mg two to three times per day.
 

General energy and Blood sugar

Siberian Ginseng (Eleutherococcus senticosus) is considered one of the best of the harmonizing herbs.  It has a balancing effect on blood pressure, blood sugar, adrenal function as well as the immune system.  It gives you stamina and energy without over stimulation.
Remarks:  Other than allergic reactions this is a very safe herb for long-term use but like Ginkgo it has a slight blood thinning effect.
From: Siberia, Eastern China and Japan
Plant part used:  root
Suggested Dosage:  500mg to 4grams per day.

Blood sugar level

Salt Bush (Atriplex halimus) this plant has been shown to help regulate glucose levels and tolerance in tests done in Israel.
Remarks:  I could find no dosage or safety information on this herb so use with some caution.  Test dosage was 3 grams per day
From: Western Asia and Southern Europe
Plant part used:  leaf and possibly the stems
Suggested Dosage:  no reliable information found

Insulin usage and Sinuses

Sage (Salvia officinalis) when used as a tea Sage has been shown to lower blood sugar levels.  It is thought to boost insulin activity as well.  Having expectorant qualities as well, Sage may be a useful herb to help you control you day-to-day levels.
Remarks:  Active components are thought to be volatile oils, which can be toxic in large quantities
From: Europe, Asia, China, Mexico and USA
Plant part used:  leaf
Suggested Dosage:  use intermittently

Blood sugar level and Tendons

Solomon’s seal (Polygonatum multiforum) although this herb is not used much in herbal medicine today, it has some unique properties that may help some. Thought to lower blood sugar levels, as well as helping to tighten the ligaments and tendons of the body.  Being high in Silicon it is also good for bone health and flexibility.  This herb has been used for hundreds of years in Europe.
Remarks:  I could not find much current literature on safety or dosage, so follow the Common Sense guidelines
From: Europe and Asia
Plant part used:  rhizomes
Suggested Dosage:  None found

Energy and Blood sugar level

Asian Ginseng (Panax ginseng) is one of the oldest Chinese medicines, with a variety of actions. In nature it has stimulating properties that are beneficial in the short term.  A very effective rejuvenate plant for the infirm or very tired.  The adrenal gland stimulation can help with short-term energy but should not be used daily.  Ginseng lowers blood sugar levels, boosts the immune system, improves metabolic activity in the brain, anti-cancer and helps to balance hormonal actions.
Remarks:  Buy from a reliable source and don’t take continuously. North Korea has government control over their entire Ginseng and is usually a reliable source of this plant; South Korea is also a god source use Ginseng for 2-4 weeks and then refrain from use for the same length of time
From: Korea and China
Plant part used:  root
Suggested Dosage:  up to 3 grams of fresh root per day, 300mg to 400mg of extract per day

Liver protective

Milk Thistle (Silybum marianum) does not have blood sugar controlling properties, but it is one of the better liver protective plants.  Long-term use of medications and processing cellular waste can cause damage. Milk Thistle is very protective to this very necessary organ.
Remarks:  Believed to stimulate liver cell regeneration and very safe
From: South West Europe
Plant part used:  seeds and leaf
Suggested Dosage:  200mg to 400mg per day

Blood sugar control, High blood pressure and Cholesterol

Jiaogulan (Gynostemma pentaphyllum) adaptogenic on the central nervous system and may be helpful in slowing or preventing neuropathy. Believed to help in weight control, both loss or gain which can have a beneficial effect of blood sugar.  It has been shown to raise the HDL, good, while lowering the VLDL and LDL, bad, levels in your cholesterol.  Can have a positive action in heart disease and thought to have anti-cancer properties as well.
Remarks:  Used in Chinese medicine for anti-aging and longevity
From: China, North Korea and Japan
Plant part used:  not found
Suggested Dosage:  500mg up to twice daily or in a tea form

Neuropathy, Vision and Liver

Schisandra (Schisandra chinensis) this herb is another herb for neuropathy and general good health.  Its peripheral nerve tonic actions can help regenerate nerve cells while it protects the liver.  While it detoxifies the liver it can improve skin tone, improve vision and field of view and is believed to help protect hearing.  This is a tonic and energy building addition.
Remarks:  May interfere with a hepatic metabolized medication
From: China
Plant part used:  fruit
Suggested dosage: as a tea two to three times daily

Thyroid and Cholesterol

Guggul or Guggulipid (Commiphora mukul) this herb comes by way of Ayuvedic medicine from India and has many useful qualities.  The most important is its ability to lower cholesterol as well as the Statin class drugs used today.  It also may be of use if you have Hypothyroidism as it stimulates the Thyroid gland.
Remarks:  This resin is from the Mukul Myrrh tree and is processed before it is used as medicine in India or exported
From: India
Plant part used:  processed resin
Suggested Dosage:  500mg up to three times daily

Digestion and Blood sugar level

Dandelion Root (Teraxacum officinale) this weed found in American lawns will stimulate stomach bile for better digestion, acts as a diuretic to help with edema and lower your blood sugar as well.  In China it is also used in the treatment of breast cancer.
Remarks:  Not recommended for use with Lithium as the Sodium depletion, from water loss, can cause a toxic buildup of Lithium in the blood
From: Northern Hemisphere
Plant part used:  root
Suggested Dosage: 2 to 4 grams of root per day or take as a tea

Diarrhea and Blood sugar level

Jambolan (Syzuguim cumini) lowers blood sugar and is used to treat acute diarrhea.  This herbal remedy comes to us from the Maori people in New Zealand.
Remarks:  Seeds from this tree are said to be stronger in action
From: South America
Plant part used:  seeds and bark
Suggested Dosage:  3mg to 1 gram of seed or 3 to 6 grams of bark per day

Regulate blood sugar level and Diuretic

Japanese Honeysuckle (Lonicera japonica) little used today but with hundreds of years of historical value it is worth your consideration.  One of the properties unique to this plant is its ability to raise or lower blood sugar levels.  Its use as a diuretic and anti-microbial agent, as well as to treat food poisoning makes this one worth including.
Remarks:  Grown or is native in Japan, Korea, Manchuria and China
From: China, Korea, Manchuria and Japan
Plant part used:  flowers and stems
Suggested Dosage:  Long history of use but I was unable to find reliable safety or dosage information.

Blood sugar level and Vision

Alpha Lipoic Acid:  this can help lower blood sugar levels while helping to protect your eyes from macular degeneration.  In addition it has been shown to be effective in some cases of neuropathy.
Remarks:  Monitor blood glucose levels
Suggested Dosage:  up to 700mg per day

Neuropathy and Peripheral circulation

L-Arginine is a vasodilator of both the coronary and peripheral arteries, so is useful to protect your heart and to insure circulation to your legs.  This product has been shown to help with neuropathy, which can be a very debilitating disease. Remarks:  My sister has had some success with this for her neuropathy.  Not recommended for Sickle Cell Anemia, Asthma, Acrocyanosis or the Herpes Virus Suggested Dosage:  up to 3 grams per day

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♦  Folk Remedies    ♦

Garlic, parsley and watercress in combination, and garlic used alone, have all been credited with control or cure of diabetes.  Since they are healthy and taste good why not try them?

The water from cooking kidney bean pods was used with some claimed success in Preetz, Germany.  If you use this one please strain the water well before you drink.  Residue of the pods can cause stomach upset.  Quantities varied from much as two to three quarts per day but is said to taste awful.  Credit or blame goes to a Dr. Ramm.

A high carbohydrate, low calorie diet with plenty of fiber, coupled with thirty minutes of walking three times per week is credited with restoring blood sugar levels in twenty patients at a VA hospital in Kentucky.  This makes good sense even if it didn’t cure diabetes.

From Mexico we have the Prickly Pear, Napal cactus that has been used and shown to slow the absorption of glucose from food and to help move it into the blood.  There has been some basis in science for these uses.  Both fresh and canned seem to work.

Please refer to the section on Cardiovascular Disease as blood sugar level control has a very direct effect on heart health.

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All information is for informational or educational use not to treat or diagnose any disease or condition, please consult the health care professional of your choice.
Copyright © 2003-2008 by Dave A. Yancey and That Green Stuff Inc.  All rights are reserved.  No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted or stored, by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or any information storage or retrieval system, without the written permission of the author.