Herbal Medicine for Diabetes

Herbs used in traditional Indian medicine to treat diabetes seems to lower blood sugar and insulin levels in a manner similar to prescription drugs, a new study reports.

Researchers gave extracts of the herb Salacia oblonga to 39 healthy adults, and the results were promising. The largest dose of the herb extract ? 1,000 milligrams ? decreased insulin and blood glucose levels by 29 and 23 percent, respectively.

"These kinds of reductions are similar to what we might see with prescription oral medications for people with diabetes," said Steve Hertzler, a study co-author and an assistant professor of nutrition at Ohio State University.

Salacia oblonga, which is native to regions of India and Sri Lanka, binds to intestinal enzymes that break down carbohydrates in the body. These enzymes, called alpha-glucosidases, turn carbohydrates into glucose, the sugar that circulates throughout the body. If the enzyme binds to the herbal extract rather than to a carbohydrate, then less glucose gets into the blood stream, resulting in lowered blood glucose and insulin levels.

"Lowering blood glucose levels lowers the risk of disease-related complications in people with diabetes," Hertzler said. "Also, poor compliance with diabetes medications often hinders the effectiveness of these drugs. It may be easier to get someone to take an herb with food or in a beverage, as opposed to a pill."

The study appears in a recent issue of the Journal of the American Dietetic Association.

Thirty-nine healthy adults participated in four separate meal tolerance tests. These meals, which were given in beverage form, were spaced three to 14 days apart. Each participant fasted for at least 10 hours before consuming the test beverage.

Participants were asked to drink about two cups' worth of the chilled beverage, which contained zero, 500, 700 or 1,000 milligrams of Salacia oblonga extract. Afterward, the researchers used the finger-prick method to draw blood samples from each person every 15 to 30 minutes for three hours. These blood samples were used to determine insulin and blood glucose concentrations. The biggest changes in blood glucose and insulin levels usually happen within the first two hours after eating.

The beverage that contained the highest concentration of the herbal extract ? 1,000 milligrams ? provided the most dramatic reduction in insulin and blood glucose levels. Insulin levels were 29 percent lower, while blood glucose levels were 23 percent lower as compared to the control drink, which contained no herbal extract.

As Salacia oblonga can cause intestinal gas, the researchers had the study participants collect breath hydrogen samples hourly for eight hours after drinking the test beverage. The participants collected their breath in small plastic tubes. The researchers then analyzed these breath samples for hydrogen and methane content ? the level of either substance in the breath corresponds to the level contained in the colon.

The subjects also rated the frequency and intensity of nausea, abdominal cramping and distention and gas for two days after consuming each test meal.

While the test beverages containing Salacia oblonga caused an increase in breath hydrogen excretion, reports of gastrointestinal discomfort were minimal, Hertzler said.

Right now he and his colleagues are trying to figure out what dose of the herb is most effective, and when it should be taken relative to a meal.

"We want to know how long it takes for the herb to bind to the enzymes that break down carbohydrates," Hertzler said. "The participants in this study took the herb with their meal, but maybe taking it before eating would be even more effective."

The researchers also want to study the effects of Salacia oblonga in people with diabetes.

"A lot of studies show that lowering blood sugar levels reduces the risk for all kinds of diabetes-related complications, such as kidney disease and nerve and eye damage," Hertzler said. "We want to see if this herb has this kind of effect."

Salacia oblonga is still relatively difficult to find in the United States, Hertzler said, although there are manufacturers that sell the herb through the Internet.

This study was supported by the Ross Products Division of Abbott Laboratories in Columbus.

Hertzler is continuing to conduct Salacia oblonga studies with the Ross Products Division of Abbott Laboratories. He has no links to the company beyond this affiliation.

Hertzler conducted the work with former Ohio State colleague Patricia Heacock, who is now at Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey; Jennifer Williams, a clinical scientist with Ross Products Division, Abbott Laboratories; and Bryan Wolf, a former research scientists with Ross Products Division.

Goldy

For Salacia Oblonga herb
Write to
Botanika
herbalpowders@operamail.com
treeseeds@operamail.com
treeseeds@rediffmail.com
www.salaciaoblongacapsules.com

Traditional Indian medicine, herb Salacia oblonga may help treat diabetes
Posted By: News-Medical in Medical Study News
Published: Tuesday, 8-Feb-2005
Printer Friendly Email to a Friend

---

Ayurveda - Principles & Practice

Ayurveda which has been evolved around 600 BC, apart from... Read More

Constipation and Natural Remedies

There are two types of constipation, organic and functional. Organic... Read More

Mental Anchors

Have you ever noticed when you remember something pleasant in... Read More

The Subconscious Mind As Teacher: Why It Can Help You Relieve Your Pain

Many disciplines are designed to program the subconscious. But except... Read More

I Want To Be Able To Function and Not Be Stopped by My Pain

Why Your Subconscious May Be Able To Give You a... Read More

Honey! Natural Treatment for Gum Disease

There is quite a bit of talk going on about... Read More

The Whys and Habits of Anxiety & Panic Disorder

Just about everyone asks themselves why? Why did I get... Read More

Olive Oil: One of the Original Seven Wonders?

Is Olive Oil one of Nature's seven original wonders?According to... Read More

The Importance of Touch

Through the simple process of touch, Reflexology is so effective... Read More

Pros and Cons of Isopropyl Alcohol

Recently, the term "isopropyl alcohol" has been liken to poisonous... Read More

Do You Have Difficulty in Waking Up On Dark Winter Mornings?

Our daily internal body clocks or circadian rhythms synchronise the... Read More

Cliff Kuhn M.D.s Fun Commandments Unlock Humors Amazingly Powerful Natural Medicine

My Fun Commandments are more relevant today than ever before... Read More

Why Detoxify?

Have you been hearing about detoxification more often? That's because... Read More

Healing the Body & Mind ? The Karma of Health

Within each one of us resides the divine healer. All... Read More

Sports Massage

What is Sports Massage? Rapidly gaining in popularity, Sports Massage... Read More

Low Back Pain

About 85 percent of the population will experience disabling low... Read More

Preventive Medicine - Ayurveda

It should not be hard for anyone to imagine that... Read More

Herbal Medicine

Herbal Medicine is the oldest form of health care known... Read More

Alzheimers Disease: Notes from a Medical Intuitive?s Casebook

In my medical intuitive practice, I have often been consulted... Read More

Dopamine Relieves Pain ? Try Encouraging Your Subconscious To Supply It

Dopamine has long been known to be linked to positive... Read More

The Source of All Disease

So why is there disease? The very word means that... Read More

Not Now, I Have A Headache

Home Remedies - Facts or Quacks?That's what I recently asked... Read More

How To Lower Cholesterol Without Prescription Drugs

Don't accept that prescription just yet. In most cases it's... Read More

Herbal and Home Remedies that Prevent Memory Loss

Even a single family member who is senile or afflicted... Read More

Holistic Methods: Color Therapy and Aura Soma in Steamboat Springs, Colorado

The human body is recognized as a series of colors,... Read More

The Raindrop Technique Massage

Raindrop Technique is a procedure for applying therapeutic grade essential... Read More

Digestive Distress

Step 1: Collect InformationAs the mix of hormones in your... Read More

Achieve Instant Calm

For instant calm, try one or more of the following... Read More

Use Essential Oils and Herbs in a Sitz Bath for Hemorrhoid Relief

Sitz bath using juniper and lavender oilsIf you have swollen... Read More

Rose Rouge: Beyond the Healing Powers of Love

"The rose distils a healing balm The beating pulse of... Read More

Healing Heartburn Holistically

Everyone at some point in time has experienced some form... Read More

Toddler Stuttering

Some parents have the shock of hearing their young child... Read More

Reflexology

Reflexology, an ancient art practiced by early Egyptians. Reflexology is... Read More