NATURAL MEDICINES USED IN THE TRADITIONAL INDIAN

MEDICAL SYSTEM FOR THERAPY OF DIABETES MELLITUS

Debjit bhowmik, K.K.Tripathi,B.C.Das, Karpagam University,Coimbatore .
K.P.Sampath Kumar, Department of Pharmaceutical sciences,Coimbatore medical college
CoimbatoreTamilnadu
ABSTRACT
Health and disease are coeval with life. Form time immemorial man has been interested in trying to control diseases.
Medicinal plants play an important role in the management of diabetes mellitus especially in developing countries
where resources are meager. The medicine man and herbalist under took in various ways to cure mans disease and
bring relief to the sick. One of the chronic, world wide heterogeneous of it will be 5.4% by the year 2025, with the
global diabetic population reaching to 300 million. Among all the WHO regimes. South East Asian region are
highest affected with maximum global burden of the disease and by year 2025 there will be nearly 80 million
diabetic in the region. Type 2 diabetes has become a global epidemic. WHO has pointed out this prevention of
diabetes and its complications is not only a major challenge for the future, but essential if health for all is to attain.
Therefore, in recent years, considerable attention has been directed towards identification of plants with
antidiabeticability that may be used for human consumption. Further, it emphasizes strongly in this regard the
optional and rational uses of traditional and natural indigenous medicines. Modern medicines, despite offering a
variety of effective treatment options, can have several adverse effects. Ayurveda, a science that uses herbal
medicines extensively, originated in India. Few of these herbs, such as Momordica charantia, Pterocarpus
marsupium, and Trigonella foenum greacum, have been reported to be beneficial for treating type 2diabetes.
Mechanisms such as the stimulating or regenerating effect on beta cells or extra pancreatic effects are proposed for
the hypoglycemic action of these herbs. The traditional medicines demonstrated a bright future in therapy of
diabetes and to understand the importance of traditional herbs.
Keywords: Diabetes, Medicinal Plants, Traditional Medicine.

INTRODUCTION
Diabetes mellitus (DM) is achronic
metabolic
disease
characterized
by
hyperglycemia that has a significant impact
for their patients. Its incidence is raising
leading to an increase in the cost of the cares
of the disease and of its complications. The
treatment involves, besides dietary control
and physical activity, the use of drugs that
cause side effects to reach wanted
pharmacological actions. However, products
of plants are, frequently, considered less
poisonous and with fewer side effects than
synthetic drugs and widely used by the
population. Diabetes mellitus is a global
metabolic epidemic affecting essential
biochemical activities in almost every age
group. Indian literatures like Ayurveda have
already mentioned herbal remediation for a
number of human ailments. Among Indian
traditional medicinal plants several potential
anti-diabetic plants and herbs are being
used as part of our diet since prehistoric time.
The rapidly increasing diabetes mellitus is

becoming a serious threat to mankind health

in all parts of the world. The control and
treatment of diabetes and its complications
mainly depend on the chemical or
biochemical agents, but the fact is that it has
never been reported that someone had
recovered totally from diabetes. With the
distinctive traditional medical opinions and
natural medicines mainly originated in herbs,
the traditional Indian medicine performed a
good clinical practice and is showing a
bright future in the therapy of diabetes
mellitus and its complications. Several
medicinal plants have been used as dietary
adjunct and in the treatment of numerous
diseases without proper knowledge of their
function. Although phytotherapy continues
to be used in several countries, few plants
have received scientific or medical scrutiny.
Indian plants which are most effective and
the most commonly studied in relation to
diabetes and their complications are: Allium
cepa, Allium sativum, Aloe vera, Cajanus

28

cajan,
Coccinia
indica,
Caesalpinia
bonducella, Ficus bengalenesis, Gymnema
sylvestre, Momordica charantia, Ocimum
sanctum, Pterocarpus marsupium, Swertia
chirayita, Syzigium cumini, Tinospora
cordifolia and Trigonella foenum graecum.
Among these we have evaluated M.
charantia, Eugenia jambolana, Mucuna
pruriens, T. cordifolia, T. foenum graecum,
O. sanctum, P. marsupium, Murraya
koeingii and Brassica juncea. All plants
have shown varying degree of hypoglycemic
and anti-hyperglycemic activity.
DIABETES MELLITUS WORLDWIDEMAJOR SOCIO-ECONOMIC
CONCERN
Diabetes mellitus (DM), the third killer of
the mankind health along with cancer,
cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases,
is one of the most challenging diseases
facing health care professionals today. The
World Health Organization (WHO) has
declared that a DM epidemic is underway.
Primary DM and its complications are costly
to manage, not only for affected individuals,
but also for healthcare systems around the
world. Screening of anti-diabetic agents has
been extensively investigated in the past
decades. Natural products (NPs) have served
as a major source of drugs for centuries, and
about half of the pharmaceuticals in use
today are derived from natural substances.
Many natural products especially plantsderived medicines have been recommended
for the treatment of DM. Diabetes is a
metabolic disorder where in human body
does not produce or properly uses insulin, a
hormone that is required to convert sugar,
starches, and other food into energy.
Diabetes mellitus is characterized by
constant high levels of blood glucose [sugar].
Human body has to maintain the blood
glucose level at a very narrow range, which
is done with insulin and glucagons. The
function of glucagons is to release glucose

from the liver to the blood stream so that, it

can be transported to body tissues and cells
for the production of energy .The prevalence
of type 2 diabetes is about 12% in urban
India , and it is estimated that the country
has the largest number of these patients in
the world . Among the several reasons for
this low rate of glycemic control are an
inadequatecompliance with oral antidiabetic
drugs due to multiple dosage frequency, and
side effects such as hypoglycemia. It has
been reported that type 2 patients on
monotherapy who convert from a multiple
dose regimen to a once daily formulation
increase their adherence to medication by
23%, and that this is reflected in lower
HbA1c levels . In India, Egypt and Sudan
around 70 percent of the rural people use
traditional medicine. Similar situation exists
in a large number of developing countries.
In India and China 60 percent of the people
affected with cholera and malaria are treated
with herbal medicines. In these countries the
market for traditional medicines is US $ 500
million while Western type medicine
account for only US $ 300. Antidiabetic
Plants brings us closer to the translation of
traditional knowledge into new methods for
treatment of this important disease. The role
of traditional medicines in the solution of
health problems is invaluable on a global
level. This is all the more striking when we
consider the fact that approximately 80% of
the people living in less developed countries
rely exclusively on traditional medicine for
their health care needs. Traditional Indian
and Ayurvedic medical system for example,
have been evolved during thousands of years
and have left for posterity a well
documented literary legacy which permits us
to recognize immediately a theoretical base
whose conceptual framework even if were
more or less archaic is found to be logical.
In other countries the ethnomedical heritage
has not reached a high status. However,
many useful points can still be found in

29

them. The increasing prevalence of diabetes

mellitus world-wide is an issue of major
socio-economic concern.
d Indian

Fig. (1). Top 10 countries in prevalence of diabetes and number of people with diabetes (20-79
age group) in 2007.
DIABETES
AND
METABOLIC
SYNDROME
Type I Diabetes,
Usually starts in childhood or early
adulthood and accounts for less than 10
percent of the total number of diabetics. The
exact cause of this sub-type is unclear but it
is believed to be an autoimmune disease,
which is precipitated by some environmental
trigger, such as a virus. This leads to an
inappropriate immune response involving
the destruction of the insulin-producing cells
of the pancreas. Individuals who develop
this disease can no longer adequately
metabolize blood glucose and must have
daily insulin injections for the remainder of
their lives. The insulin regime has to be
strictly controlled, as too much insulin
canresult in hypoglycemia (very low blood

sugar) and potentially death. Conversely,

failure to provide supplemental insulin will
lead to hyperglycemia (very high blood
sugar), coma and death. In between these
two dangerous extremes is a zone where the
patient is not at immediate risk of dying.
However, even within the non-lethal range
of blood glucose concentrations, inadequate
treatment may lead to severe complications
such as cardiovascular disease, kidney
failure, circulatory impairment, nerve
damage, cataracts and infections.
Type II Diabetes
Unlike Type I diabetes, where there is
insufficient insulin production, in Type II
diabetes the pancreas produces normal or
greater than normal quantities of insulin.
However, the biochemical abnormalities that

30

arise in the latter type manifest themselves

as insulin resistance. These defects cause
hyperglycemia by interfering with the
normal function of insulin and thereby
glucose uptake into the cells. The increased
levels of fat oxidation commonly found in
Type II diabetics are also considered to be a
cause of insulin resistance.
Metabolic Syndrome
Also known as Syndrome X or Insulin
Resistance Syndrome, metabolic syndrome
is not only considered a disease in its own
right, but is also a precursor to Type II
diabetes and increases the risk for
cardiovascular disease and stroke.Metabolic
Syndrome is characterized by insulin
resistance, high blood pressure, elevated
triglyceride levels, low HDL levels and
central obesity (fat accumulation around the
abdomen and abdominal organs). To
compensate for the unresponsiveness to
insulin, the pancreas produces more insulin.
This
destabilizes
several
metabolic
processes, leading to tissue and organ
damage.
INSULIN RESISTANCE
In order to understand the approaches to the
prevention and control with herbs for
diabetes, it is helpful to consider the
processes underlying insulin resistance.
Before a cell will allow glucose through its
protective membrane, its insulin receptor
must be turned on by insulin or a chemical
mimic. Insulin resistance occurs when the
receptor develops a weakened response to
insulin resulting in the cells failure to
absorb sufficient quantities of glucose from
the blood. This results in energy deprivation
for the cells and raised blood glucose levels.
The primary cause of this weakened insulin
receptor response is the chronic overproduction of insulin. Not only does too
much insulin lead to receptor failure, but
wide fluctuations in insulin levels are also

known to be an important cause of this

condition. These oscillating levels are, in
turn, closely associated with a diet high in
refined carbohydrate foods.
DIET AND INSULIN RECEPTOR
FAILURE
Extreme changes of insulin levels are
typically the result of a diet dominated by
high intake of refined carbohydrate foods.
Products such as sugar, sweetened soft
drinks and white bread, are absorbed quickly
from the intestines into the blood stream
causing a sudden rise in blood glucose levels.
These foods are said to have a high
glycemic index, or high GI, because of
their rapid absorption and the resulting peak
in blood glucose levels. In order to stimulate
the cells to absorb this sudden glucose load,
the pancreas responds by releasing larger
than normal quantities of insulin. The
excessive amount of insulin produced to
achieve this effect results in a sudden fall in
blood glucose, and within a couple of hours
this level becomes very low. The subsequent
intake of more high GI foods causes the
blood glucose to rise dramatically once more,
perpetuating the cycle of wildly fluctuating
glucose and insulin levels. If this steady
bombardment of the receptors by large
amounts of insulin continues over a long
period,
it
eventually
causes
their
malfunction and insensitivity. It is a bit like
repeatedly forcing an over sized key into a
lock. After a while, the excessive wear and
tear caused by the large key results in
damage to the lock making it increasingly
harder to turn. If this continues for long
enough, the lock wears out and fails to work
altogether. Herbs for diabetes can help to
counter these effects.
THE ROLE OF INSULIN
Insulin is a hormone produced by the islet
cells of the pancreas. These cells secrete
insulin into the bloodstream in response to

31

the rise of blood glucose that occurs

following
the
ingestion
of
carbohydrates.Insulin then binds to receptors
on the surface of cells causing them to
absorb glucose from the blood stream. It
also controls the conversion of glucose into
energy stores in the form of glycogen in
muscle and liver cells, and fat in adipose
tissue.When blood glucose levels decrease,
insulin production falls to a certain point
where it remains until further carbohydrates
are ingested and absorbed from the
intestines. This mechanism is finely tuned
and, in healthy people, keeps blood glucose
levels within a narrow range. If there is
insufficient, or no response, to insulin the
cells are effectively starved of glucose, and
blood glucose levels become dangerously
elevated. Insulin works in concert with
several
other
hormones,
therefore
abnormalities in both its production and
performance can have a wide range of
adverse consequences.
ANTIDIABETIC HERBS
Antidiabetic Plants highlights the
potential role of dietary and medicinal
plant materials in the prevention,
treatment, and control of diabetes and its
complications. The number of herbal
agents that are hyperglycemic is relatively
small and unlikely to cause interaction
issues.
Principal antidiabetic herbs in common
use:
Allium cepa (Onion bulbs)
Allium sativum (Garlic cloves)
Anacardium occidentale (Cashew leaves)
Arctium lappa (Burdock roots)
Catharanthus roseus (Madagascar
Periwinkle leaves)
Cuminum cyminum (Cumin seed)
Eleutherococcus senticosus (Siberian
Ginseng)
Galega officinalis (Goats Rue seeds)

Gymnema sylvestre (Gymnema leaves)

Momordica charantia (Bitter Melon fruit)
Olea europaea (Olive leaves)
Oplopanax horridum (Devils Club root
bark)
Opuntia spp. (Prickly Pear stems and fruit)
Panax ginseng (Chinese Ginseng root)
Phaseolus vulgaris (Kidney bean,
immature pods)
Taraxacum officinale (Dandelion plant)
Trigonella foenum-graecum (Fenugreek
seeds)
Urtica dioica (Stinging Nettle plant)
Vaccinium myrtillus (Bilberry leaves)
Less commonly used antidiabetic herbs:
Adiantum capillus-veneris (Adiantum
plant)
Anacardium occidentale (Cashew leaves)
Andrographis paniculata (Kirata leaf)
Arctium lappa (Burdock roots)
Argyreia cuneata (Rivea leaves)
Atriplex halimus (Salt Bush leaves)
Bidens pilosa (Aceitilla plant)
Blighia sapida (Akee Apple seeds)
Brassica oleracia (Cabbage)
Cecropia obtusifolia (Guarumo leaves and
stem)
Coccinia grandis (Coccinia roots)
Coccinia indica (Ivy gourd)
Corchorus olitorius (Jute leaves)
Coutarea latiflora (Copalchi root bark)
Cucumis sativus (Cucumber fruit)
Cuminum cyminum (Cumin seed)
Hordeum vulgare (Barley sprouts)
Hydrastis canadensis (Goldenseal root)
Hygrophila auriculata (Barleria plant)
Inula helenium (Elecampane root)
Lagerstroemia speciosa (Lagerstroemia
leaves and ripe fruit)
Lupinus albus (Lupin seeds)
Lycium barbarum (Box Thorn leaves)
Lycopus virginicus (Bugleweed plant)
Morus spp (Mulberry leaves)
Musa sapientum (Banana flowers and
roots)

32

 Nymphaea lotus (Lotus roots)

Ocimum sanctum (Sacred Basil plant)
Oenothera biennis (Evening Primrose leaf)
Polygonatum multflorum (Solomons Seal
root)
Psittacanthus calyculatus (Injerto flowers,
leaves, and stem)
Rhus typhina (Staghorn Sumach leaves)
Salpianthus arenarius (Catarinita flowers)
Sarcopoterium spinosum (Thorny Burnet
root bark)
Scoparia dulcis (Sweet Broom plant)
Securinega virosa (Fluggea seeds)
Spinacea oleracea (Spinach leaves)
Syzygium jambolanum (Jambul seeds)
Tecoma stans (Tronadora leaves)
Tinospora cordifolia (Gulancha plant)
Triticum sativum (Wheat leaves)
Turnera diffusa (Damiana leaves)
Zea mays (Corn silk)
Common herbs with hyperglycemic
activity:
Apium graveolens (Celery seed)
Bupleurum falcatum (Bupleurum)
Centella asiatica (Gotu kola)
Rosmarinus officinalis (Rosemary)
ANTI-DIABETIC EFFECTS OF KEY
SPICES
Herbs for diabetes include the following
spices and their specific biochemical
actions:
Increase insulin sensitivity: Caper,
cinnamon, fenugreek, ginger
Mimic
effects
of
insulin: Caper, coriander, garlic
Enhances insulin secretion: Coriander
Modulates glucose absorption: Fenugreek
Lower blood lipids: Cinnamon, fenugreek
Reduces fat oxidation: Cinnamon
INDIAN NOVEL TRADITIONAL
HERBS
WITH
ANTI-DIABETIC
POTENTIALS
Since ancient times, various herbs are being
used
to
treat
diabetes.
Scientific

investigations
have
confirmed
the
effectiveness of these herbs. Medicinal
plants used to treat diabetic conditions are of
considerable interest and a number of plants
have
shown
varying
degrees
of hypoglycaemic and antihyperglycaemic a
ctivity. Some of the major diabetes herbs
are:
Pterocarpus Marsupium
Pterocarpus Marsupium, also known as
Indian Kino, Malabar Kino, Pitasara, Venga,
is a large deciduous tree, which commonly
grows in western and southern parts of India
and Sri Lanka. It has demonstrated ability to
reduce the absorption of glucose from the
gastrointestinal tract. It is also known to
improve insulin and pro-insulin levels.
Bitter Melon (Momordica charantia)
Bitter melon, also known as balsam pear,
bitter gourd, bitter cucumber, karela, and
charantin, is cultivated widely in Asia, East
Africa and South America. It has been
extensively used as a folk medicine for
treatment of diabetes. Several compounds
contained in bitter melon are known to
account for its ability to lower the levels of
sugar
in
the
blood.
Gymnema Sylvestre
Gymnema sylvestre, also known as Gurmar,
Meshasringi and Cherukurinja, is popular as
sugar destroyer. The leaves of the plant
are dried and pounded together with
coriander fruit, and then the juice is
extracted to be given orally for remedying
diabetes. In India, the herb is primarily
being used to treat type II diabetes. It is also
being found in over-the-counter weight loss
products and blood sugar balancing
formulas.
Onion & Garlic (Allium Cepa & Allium
Sativum)
Onion and garlic have long been used by
herbal practitioners to treat diabetes.
Experimental and clinical evidence suggests
ample on the anti-diabetic properties of
onion and garlic. Garlic has an additional

33

benefit i.e. it has positive cardiovascular

effects. It is known to lower lipid levels and
inhibit platelet aggregation. Liberal use of
onion is recommended for diabetic patients,
while garlic is to be taken in moderate
amounts.
Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum)
Fenugreek is a crop plant that is grown as a
pot herb. The habitat range of the plant
extends from eastern Mediterranean area to
China. Fenugreek is used as both an herb
and a spice (seed). Pre-clinical and clinical
studies on the herb have indicated its antidiabetic properties. The fiber-rich fraction of
fenugreek seeds can help in lowering blood
sugar levels in people with diabetes.
Blueberry
(Vaccinium
Myrtillus)
Blueberries are a natural remedy for
regulating the blood sugar levels, whenever
they are slightly elevated. Researches on
blueberries have come up with impressive
results. They contain an active ingredient
with an extraordinary ability to get rid of
excessive sugar in the blood. They also work
as a good astringent and help to relieve
inflammation of the kidney, bladder and
prostate.
Asian Ginseng
Asian ginseng is commonly used by the
traditional practitioners of Chinese medicine,
to treat diabetes. The herb has shown good
results in enhancing the release of insulin
from the pancreas and increasing the number
of insulin receptors. The herb has a direct
effect on lowering blood sugar levels. Asian
ginseng also helps in elevating mood and
improves
psycho-physiological
performance.
Ginkgo Biloba
Ginkgo biloba has also been used in the
traditional Chinese medicine practice for the
treatment of diabetes. This herbal medicine,
which is now found over around the world,
is extracted from the fan-shaped leaves of
the ancient ginkgo biloba tree. The extract
may help in the prevention and treatment of

early-stage diabetic neuropathy. It also

improves the blood flow in the peripheral
tissues of the nerves in the arms, legs, hands,
and feet.
NATURAL
HERBS
USED
DIABETES TREATMENT

FOR

Cinnamon (Cinnamomum
verum)
Cinnamon has begun to find favor with
modern science as an herbal treatment for
diabetes.
The
active
ingredient,
methylhydroxy chalcone polymer (MHCP),
has been shown to increase the bodys cells
sensitivity to insulin. This helps improve the
efficiency of insulin and increase the
conversion of glucose to energy. It has even
been claimed that cinnamon may triple
insulins efficiency, whether natural or
injected. It also has anti-oxidant properties
that help to reduce the damaging effects of
diabetes.
Bitter
Melon (Momordica
charantia)
Bitter melon has been used extensively in
traditional medicine for the treatment of
diabetes. Its blood sugar lowering
capabilities has attracted diabetics to this
herbal supplements for centuries. Charantin,
one of the active ingredients in Bitter melon,
has been shown to be a potent hypoglycemic
agent. It has similar effects to many
hypoglycemic drugs used in diabetes
treatment. Momordica, another active
ingredient, has insulin-like effects, further
decreasing blood glucose levels. Due to the
potent hypoglycemic effect this supplement
should be taken with care when using
medications to control diabetes.
Pterocarpus marsupium (Indian Kino,
Malabar
Kino,
Pitasara,
Venga)
This medicinal herb has been used in
ayurvedic medicine for diabetes treatment
for a long time. In clinical studies it has been
shown to provide a blood sugar balancing
property. Epicatechin, a flavonoid extracted
from the bark of this plant, protects the beta
cells in the pancreas from damage that

34

causes a reduction in insulin production. In

studies involving rats, this herbal treatment
for diabetes even showed promise in
rejuvenating damaged beta cells in the
pancreas. This is the only herb, or drug, with
this potential.
Gymnema Sylvestre (Gurmar, Meshasringi,
Cherukurinja)
Gymnema sylvestre has been called the
sugar killer due to its ability to reduce
sweet cravings. Gymnema helps the
pancreas with insulin production in type 2
diabetics, and increases the sensitivity to
insulin in type 1 diabetics. Some type 2
diabetics have been able to discontinue their
use, or reduce their dosage, of oral diabetic
medications with use of this supplement
(although this is not recommended without
consultation with a medical professional.)
Fenugreek (Trigonella
foenum-graecum)
Fenugreek
has
strong
anti-diabetic
properties, as well as triglyceride and LDL
cholesterol lowering effects. It has also been
shown to support HDL (good cholesterol)
levels. Defatted fenugreek seed powder has
been shown in studies to increase glucose
tolerance and decrease fasting blood glucose
levels after as few as 7 days.
Goldenseal (Hydrastis
canadensis)
Goldenseal has strong hypoglycemic
properties and insulin supporting effects, as
well. Although not as rapid as bitter melon,
the blood sugar lowering effects of this
supplement make it a good pre-meal
supplement to increase glucose tolerance. Its
insulin support also increases the glucose
lowering effect.
Panax
Ginseng (Panax
ginseng)
Panax ginseng has many health boosting
properties in all individuals. Those with
diabetes may benefit from direct blood sugar
control, increased insulin secretion and the
number of insulin receptors, and an increase
in energy. Panax ginseng has also been
shown to support cardiovascular function

and support blood vessel health and tone, a

common problem for those with diabetes.
BITTER MELON AND DIABETES
MELLITUS
Diabetes is a challenging disease. Sufferers
are subject to a regime which revolves
around managing time, balancing exercise,
and measuring quantities precisely in order
to control their blood sugar level. Diabetics
must always think about what they eat in
terms of the effects of carbohydrates,
exercise, and insulin.Bitter melon herb
contains plant chemicals which have the
same effects as those produced by the
commonly prescribed anti-diabetic drugs but
without the side effects. One possible side
effect of diabetes medications is low blood
sugar, so bitter melon should not be used if
any of these drugs are being taken, because
it is itself a hypoglycemic.Bitter melon also
lowers cholesterol, which may benefit type 2
diabetics, especially when obesity is a factor.
Also the absence of fat and presence of
phosphorous, calcium, and iron in the fruit
add value for the type 2 diabetic by bringing
sound nutritional elements into the
equation.The herb can be taken as a tea
made from the leaves, but an extract of the
fruit made into juice, tincture, or capsules is
recommended for diabetics, as the
hypoglycemic properties are concentrated in
the fruit. Making bitter melon part of our
diet and eating it regularly may prevent the
development of type 2 diabetes in those
predisposed to it and delay the progression
of the disease in those in its early stages.
Eating foods with a low glycemic index
whenever possible is also an important step
in diabetes management. This type of diet
has also been shown to reduce not only
diabetes but also and coronary heart disease.
Bitter melon herb is thought to be a safe
alternative to anti-diabetic drugs. Diabetics
are always advised, however, to work
closely with medical professionals before

35

bitter melon herb is used, especially if taking

anti-diabetic drugs or drugs that lower
cholesterol. Bitter melon herb should not be
taken by those trying to conceive, pregnant
women, or breastfeeding women.
Pharmacological Action OF Bitter Melon
It contains Gurmarin, a polypeptide
considered to be similar to bovine insulin,
which has been shown in experimental
studies to achieve a positive sugar regulating
effect by suppressing the neural response to
sweet taste stimuli.Bitter melon principle
constituents are lectins, charantin and
momordicine. The fruits have long been
used in India as a folk remedy for diabetes
mellitus. Lectins from the bitter gourd have
shown significant antilipolytic and lipogenic
activities. The fruits and leaves of the plant
contain two alkaloids, one of them being
momordicine. The plant is reported to
contain a glucoside, a saponin-like substance,
a resin with an unpleasant taste, an aromatic
volatile oil and a mucilage. The seeds
contain an alkaloid (m.p. 236) and an
anthelmintic principle in the germ; they also
contain urease. The fruits, leaves and
extracts of Momordica charantia has been
reported to possess pharmacological
properties and medicinal uses. Bitter gourd
being rich in all the essential vitamins and
minerals, especially vitamin A, B1, B2, C
and Iron, its regular use helps to prevent
many complications such as hypertension,
eye complications, neuritis and defective
metabolism of carbohydrates. It increases
body's resistance against infection. Bitter
gourd is a highly beneficial help in the
treatment of blood disorders like blood boils,
scabies, itching, psoriasis, ring-worm and
other fungal diseases.
NATURAL CURE FOR DIABETES
Carbohydrates and Proteins
Research has shown that a decrease in
carbohydrate consumption helps to lower
blood sugar. Foods like flour, white rice and

sweets are things that spike blood sugar.

Therefore, it's a good idea to limit or remove
these entirely from the diet. On the other
hand, eating protein helps to keep blood
sugar levels stable.
Exercise
Exercise is important for everyone,
especially for diabetics. You don't have to
run a marathon to see a change. Simply
losing just a few pounds can make such a
difference. Cutting out foods like soda and
chips and taking walks instead of driving are
simple things you can do to see some weight
loss.
Ayurvedic Herbs
Before doctors handed out prescriptions,
people used herbs. Many Ayurvedic herbs
are excellent in lowering and stabilizing
blood sugar. Some of these are Saptrangi,
Vizaysaar, Gurmaar and Jamun, to name a
few. Some of these herbs also help to fight
off infections or skin conditions associated
with diabetes.
Other Foods and Supplements
Bitter gourd has been used as a folk
medicine for diabetes. Ground curry leaves
are also said to be an effective cure.
Fenugreek seeds and garlic are useful as
well in controlling diabetes. Ginseng and
magnesium are helpful in regulating blood
sugar. Bitter melon increases the cells that
make insulin.
CONCLUSION
Diabetes is an illness that affects millions of
people. It occurs when the body no longer
produces or cannot properly use insulin.
Early symptoms of diabetes include frequent
urination, extreme hunger and excessive
thirst among others. However, there are
other alternatives, including more natural
options to keep diabetes under control and
even cure it. Lifestyle changes and different
food choices can help to reverse diabetes.
Education is the key in gaining power over
diabetes.No one wants to hear that they have

36

diabetes as it can be a devastating diagnosis.

However, it doesn't have to control you.
There are many things you can do keep to
your diabetes under control. The local health
food store is a good place to find herbs and
supplements. Before there were drugs from
drug companies, natural cures were used and
they can still be used today. There are many
herbs with strong anti-diabetic properties.
Exercise is crucial as most people diagnosed
with Type II diabetes are overweight.
Starting with 20 minutes a day can be a huge
benefit. The more you know, the better you
will be prepared to manage your diabetes.
Thus plant-based herbal drugs or botanicals
are emerging as the primary components of
holistic approaches to diabetes management.
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3) The effects of diet on inflammation:
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4) Oxidative stress and diabetes-associated
complicationsEndocr Pract. 2006 JanFeb;12 Suppl 1:60-2.
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7) Neeraja, A., et.al., Hypoglycemic effect

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