HERBAL MEDICINES TO TREAT DIABETES MELLITUS

LOE VERA

Aloe vera is a product of the prickly but succulent aloe vera plant, which has been used in herbal
medicine for thousands of years due to its healing, rejuvenating and soothing properties.
Preliminary research suggests that intake of aloe vera juice can help improve blood glucose
levels andmay therefore be useful in treating people with diabetes. 1
Aloe has also been linked with:

Decreased blood lipids (fats) in patients with abnormally high levels of these molecules
in the blood (e.g. some people with type 2 diabetes) and/or acute hepatitis (liver disease)
Decreased swelling and faster healing of wound injuries. Leg wounds and ulcers are
common complications of diabetes, and they typically take longer time to heal than in healthy
non-diabetic individuals. 2
These positive effects are thought to be due to the presence of compounds such as lectins,
mannans and anthraquinones.

ITTER MELON

Bitter melon, also known as bitter gourd or ampalaya (in Philippines), is a unique vegetable-fruit
that can be used as food or medicine.
It is the edible part of the plant Momordica Charantia, which is a vine of the Cucurbitaceae
family and is considered the most bitter among all fruits and vegetables.
The bitter melon itself grows off the vine as a green, oblong-shaped fruit with a distinct warty
exterior - though its size, texture and bitterness vary between the different regions in which it
grows - and is rich in vital vitamins and minerals.
In addition to being a food ingredient, bitter melon has also long been used as a herbal remedy
for a range of ailments, including type 2 diabetes.
The fruit contains at least three active substances with anti-diabetic properties, including
charantin, which has been confirmed to have a blood glucose-lowering effect, vicine and an
insulin-like compound known as polypeptide-p.
These substances either work individually or together to help reduce blood sugar levels.
It is also known that bitter melon contains a lectin that reduces blood glucose concentrations by
acting on peripheral tissues and suppressing appetite - similar to the effects of insulin in
the brain.

This lectin is thought to be a major factor behind the hypoglycemic effect that develops after
eating bitter melon.

A number of clinical studies have been conducted to evaluate the efficacy of bitter melon in
the treatment of diabetes.
In January 2011, the results of a four-week clinical trial were published in the Journal of
Ethnopharmacology, which showed that a 2,000 mg daily dose of bitter melon significantly
reduced blood glucose levels among patients with type 2 diabetes, although the hypoglycemic
effect was less than a 1,000 mg/day dose of metformin. 3

Other older studies have also suggested an association between bitter melon intake and improved
glycemic control, while a report published in the March 2008 issue of Chemistry and
Biology found that bitter melon increased cellular uptake of glucose and improved glucose
tolerance. 4

However, research published in the Journal of Clinical Epidemiology in 2007 failed to show any
benefits of bitter melon for poorly controlled type 2 diabetes, while another clinical review
published two years later in the British Journal of Nutrition stated that more, better-designed and
clinical trials are required to confirm the fruits role in diabetes treatment. 5
Bitter melon can be taken in several forms; it can be eaten as a fruit, made into juice, the seeds
can be added to food in a powdered form, or it can be used in the form of a decoction by boiling
pieces of the melon in water. Alternatively, bitter melon extract can be bought as an herbal
supplement.
The fruit itself is available in Asian food stores and grocery shops, while other forms of the fruitvegetable can be found in most health food shops.
If thinking of adding bitter melon to diet, make sure limit to no more than two ounces of bitter
melon (or more than two melons) a day, as excessive consumption can cause mild abdominal
pain or diarrhea.

INNAMON

Cinnamon is a sweet but pungent spice that is derived from the inner bark of the branches of wild
cinnamon trees, which grow in tropical areas across Southeast Asia, South America and the
Caribbean.
Cinnamon, often used in cooking and baking, is increasingly being linked to improvements in the
treatment of conditions such as diabetes mellitus.
Research has suggested that cinnamon can help to improve blood glucose levels and increase
insulin sensitivity.

Results from a clinical study published in the Diabetes Care journal in 2003 suggest that cassia
cinnamon (cinnamon bark) improves blood glucose and cholesterol levels in people with type 2
diabetes, and may reduce risk factors associated with diabetes and cardiovascular disease. 6

A daily intake of just 1, 3, or 6 grams was shown to reduce serum glucose, triglyceride, LDL
or bad cholesterol and total cholesterol after 40 days among 60 middle-aged diabetics.

Another study reported in the July 2000 edition of Agricultural Research Magazine found that
consuming just 1g of cinnamon per day can increase insulin sensitivity and help manage
or reverse type 2 diabetes. 7

In addition, more recent analysis published in 2007 in The American Journal of Clinical
Nutrition showed that 6g of cinnamon slows stomach emptying and significantly reduces
hyperglycemia after meals (postprandial blood glucose) without affecting satiety.
As a result of the scientific evidence available, many health experts claim that cinnamon contains
properties that are beneficial for blood sugar regulation and treatment of type 2 diabetes.
However, bear in mind that like many natural compounds cinnamon is yet to be medically
approved for prevention or treatment of any disease.
The majority of the health benefits are associated with use of true cinnamon (also known as
Ceylon cinnamon) and not cassia bark cinnamon, which is the species involved in most diabetes
research.
In the UK, cinnamon is sold in many forms, including cinnamon sticks, powder, tea, oil and
tablet supplements (cinnamon extract). These products can be found in most health stores and
Asian food shops, as well as in larger supermarkets.

AIKON

Daikon is a white fleshed radish that has a very mild taste and is very low in calories, coming in
at around 6 calories per ounce. Because of the multitude of benefits it gives, daikon is considered
a superfood. It contains large amounts of enzymes that aid in fat and starch digestion as well as
high levels of vitamin C, phosphorus and potassium. It also contains other phyto-nutrients that
fight cancer. The extract from the seed is also a powerful immune booster and cancer fighter. 8
Daikon radishes provide some soluble fiber that makes the person feel full which may reduce
appetite. Also, it lowers LDL cholesterol reducing the risk of heart disease. It regulates blood
sugar which may reduce the onset risk or symptoms of metabolic syndrome and diabetes. Lastly,
it may reduce the risk of colorectal cancer, and help manage diarrhea. 9

GGPLANT

Add eggplant to anti-diabetes arsenal to help keep blood sugar levels under control. Often
brought on by excess weight, diabetes undermines insulin production, sending blood sugar
soaring. This can triple levels of free radicals unstable molecules which can wreak havoc on
healthy cells contributing to a variety of diabetic woes, ranging from kidney failure to heart
disease and blindness.
A study from the University of Massachusetts found that extracts from several eggplant varieties
purple, white and graffiti inhibited an enzyme that converts starch to blood sugar. The
eggplant compounds restrained the glucose-releasing enzyme by as much as 60%, and the effect
correlated with antioxidant activity, which also helps squelch blood sugar-generated free radicals.
10

ENUGREEK

Fenugreek is
has many
fenugreek is
curries and
and

an aromatic plant that

uses, both culinary a key ingredient of
other Indian recipes medicinal.

The plant,
in South
parts of the
small round
produces
distinctive

which is widely grown

Asia, North Africa and
Mediterranean, has
leaves and also
long pods that contain
bitter-tasting seeds.

The leaves are either sold as a vegetable (fresh leaves, sprouts, and microgreens) commonly
known as methi, or as an herb (dried leaves), while the seeds are used both whole and in
powdered form as a spice.
As well as being a popular cooking ingredient, fenugreek has a number of health benefits and is
used in both Ayurvedic and traditional Chinese medicine.
Fenugreek seeds (trigonella foenum graecum) are high in soluble fibre, which helps lower blood
sugar by slowing down digestion and absorption of carbohydrates. This suggests they may be
effective in treating people with diabetes.
Multiple studies have been carried out to investigate the potential anti-diabetic benefits of
fenugreek.
Of these, several clinical trials showed that fenugreek seeds can improve most metabolic
symptoms associated with both type 1 and type 2 diabetes in humans by lowering blood glucose
levels and improving glucose tolerance.

In one study, researchers in India found that adding 100 grams of defatted fenugreek seed
powder to the daily diet of patients with insulin-dependent (type 1) diabetes significantly reduced
their fasting blood glucose levels, improved glucose tolerance and also lowered total cholesterol,
LDL or bad cholesterol and triglycerides.
In another controlled trial, incorporating 15 grams of powdered fenugreek seed into a meal eaten
by people with type 2 diabetes reduced the rise in post-meal blood glucose, while a separate
study found that taking 2.5 grams of fenugreek twice a day for three months lowered blood sugar
levels in people with mild, but not severe, type 2 diabetes.

Fenugreek leaves (methi) and seeds can be found in most Asian food stores, while herbal
supplements containing fenugreek seed powder and/or fenugreek seed extract in capsule form are
available through most health food companies. 11

INGER

Ginger is the thick knotted underground stem (rhizome) of the plant Zingiber officinale that has
been used for centuries in Asian cuisine and medicine.
Native to Africa, India, China, Australia and Jamaica, it is commonly used as a spice or
flavouring agent in cooking, as an alternative herbal treatment for various ailments such as
nausea and indigestion, and for fragrance in soaps and cosmetics.
Ginger rhizome can be used fresh, dried and powdered, or as a juice or oil. It has a pungent and
sharp aroma and adds a strong spicy flavour to food and drink.

A study published in the August 2012 edition of the natural product journal Planta Medica
suggested that ginger may improve long-term blood sugar control for people with type 2
diabetes.

Researchers from the University of Sydney, Australia, found that extracts from Buderim Ginger
(Australian grown ginger) rich in gingerols - the major active component of ginger rhizome - can
increase uptake of glucose into muscle cells without using insulin, and may therefore assist in the
management of high blood sugar levels.
In the December 2009 issue of the European Journal of Pharmacology, researchers reported that
two different ginger extracts, spissum and an oily extract, interact with serotonin receptors to
reveres their effect on insulin secretion.
Treatment with the extracts led to a 35 per cent drop in blood glucose levels and a 10 per cent
increase in plasma insulin levels.
A study published in the August 2010 edition of Molecular Vision revealed that a small daily
dose of ginger helped delay the onset and progression of cataracts - one of the sight-related
complications of long-term diabetes - in diabetic rats.

Its also worth noting that ginger has a very low glycemic index (GI). Low GI foods break down
slowly to form glucose and therefore do not trigger a spike in blood sugar levels as high GI foods
do. 12

EARTS OF PALM

Hearts of palm is a type of vegetable harvested from a number of palm tree species. The edible
cores from the palm tree stems are firm and smooth, and described as resembling the flavor of an
artichoke. Its crisp texture makes the food an ideal addition to salads and stir-fry meals. Palm
hearts also contain beneficial nutrients and contribute to a healthy diet.
Most of the calories in palm hearts come from carbohydrates. A 1-ounce serving has 7 grams of
total carbohydrates, including energy-providing complex carbs and natural sugars. You'll also get
0.4 grams of fiber, which isn't a large amount, but since most Americans barely consume half of
their recommended daily allowance of fiber, every little bit helps. It's best known as roughage
that keeps you regular, but fiber is also essential for lowering cholesterol and preventing spikes
in blood sugar that can lead to weight gain and type 2 diabetes. 13

ICAMA

A round, bulbous root vegetable with origins in the Mexican peninsula, jicama (pronounced heecama) is part of the legume family and grows on vines. This little-known tuber is grown in the
warm climates of Central America, the Caribbean, the Andes Mountain regions, and Southern
Asia, where it's an important as well as extremely versatile food source.
Low in calories but high in a few vital nutrients, jicama is a bit of a contradiction when it comes
to its starch content. It provides one-quarter of what's needed daily in fiber per serving. But not
just any fiber - jicama's fiber is infused with oligofructose inulin, which has zero calories and
doesn't metabolize in the body. Inulin, a fructan, promotes bone health by enhancing absorption
of calcium from other foods, protecting against osteoporosis. Inulin has a prebiotic role in the
intestine it promotes good bacteria growth that maintains both a healthy colon and balanced
immunity. Because it has a very low glycemic index, jicama is a great food for diabetics, and low
in calories for those interested in weight reduction. 14

REFERENCES
1

Yongchaiyudha, S., Rungpitarangsi, V., Bunyapraphatsara, N., Chokechaijaroenporn, O.

(1996). Antidiabetic activity of Aloe vera L juice. I. Clinical trial in new cases of diabetes
mellitus. Phytomedicine, 3, 241243.
2

Bunyapraphatsara, N., Yongchaiyudha, S., Rungpitarangsi, V., Chokechaijaroenporn, O.

(1996). Antidiabetic activity of Aloe vera L juice. II. Clinical trial in diabetes mellitus patients in
combination with glibenclamide. Phytomedicine, 3, 245248.
3

Fuangchan, A. (2011). Hypoglycemic Effect of Bitter Melon Compared With Metformin

in Newly Diagnosed Type 2 Diabetes Patients. Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 12, 40-45.

4

Leung, L. (2009). Anti-Diabetic and Hypoglycaemic Effects of Momordica

Charantia (Bitter Melon): A Mini Review. British Journal of Nutrition, 53, 60-69.
5

Dans, A.M. (2007). The Effect of Momordica Charantia Capsule Preparation on

Glycemic Control in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Needs Further Studies. Journal of Clinical
Epidemiology, 81, 462-465.
6

Khan, A., Khattak, K., Sadfar, M., Anderson, R., Khan, M. (2003). Cinnamon

improves glucose and lipids of people with type 2 diabetes. Diabetes Care, 26, 3215-3218.
7

Anderson, R . (2000, May 16). Cinnamon Extracts Boost Insulin Sensitivity.

Agricultural Research Magazine, 145, 58-59.

8

Daly, A., Franz, M., Holzmeister, L.A., Kulkarni, K., O'Connell, B., Wheeler, M.

(2003). New diabetes nutrition resources. Diabetes Care, 103, 832-834.

9

Pastors, J.G., Warshaw, H., Daly, A., Franz, M., Kulkarni, K. (2002). The evidence

of the effectiveness of medical nutrition therapy in diabetes management. Diabetes Care, 25,
608-613.
10

Magioli, C.E. (2005). Eggplant (Solanum melongena L.): tissue culture, genetic

transformation and use as an alternative model plant. Acta bot bras, 19(1), 139148.
11

Unwin, D., Unwin, J. (2014). Low carbohydrate diet to achieve weight loss and

improve HbA1c in type 2 diabetes and pre-diabetes: experience from one general
practice. Practical Diabetes, 31 (2), 7679.
12

Shirdel, Z., Mirbadalzadeh, H., Madani, H. (2009). Anti-diabetic and anti lipidemic

properties of ginger in comparison glibenclamide in alloxan-diabetes rat. Iran J Diab Lipid

Disorders, 9(1), 7-15.

13

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14

Institute of Medicine. (2005).

Dietary Reference Intakes for Energy,

Carbohydrate, Fiber, Fat, Fatty Acids, Cholesterol, Protein and Amino Acids. National
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