Journal of Family Practice October 2005 pp876-886 had a helpful little article about the use of herbs to lower blood sugar and cholesterol in type 2 diabetes.? Especially important information from hand-reviewed documents (some translated from Indian literature)?from small studies using non-toxic herbs including:
- Coccinia Indica (C indica) from freeze-dried powder 900mg. to 3000mg. capsules or tablets?twice daily produced "marked improvement" in blood sugar levels
- Cinnamonum tamala (C tamala) two heaped teaspoons four times per day reduced fasting sugars from average of 153 to 113mg./dl.? Other cinnamon has been shown to produce good results.
- Gymnema sylvestre (G sylvestre) and GS4 at 400 mg. daily produced lowered blood sugars in type 2 AND type 1 (insulin dependent) diabetics allowing reduction in medications and insulin in most patients.
These results may not be typical for everyone but the low toxicity of the herbs make it a reasonable choice for anyone interested in a non-drug treatment of diabetes.? These options may also have some appeal to those who would like to improve their blood sugars while using insulin for tight control of Type 1 diabetes.
I am excited that the Family Practice journals are carrying useful information from herbal studies.? Restricting grains, exercising and eliminating processed foods (sugar and high-fructose corn syrup) will go a long way at normalizing blood sugars.? It's up to you to decide how it's gonna be..............................
