Salacia oblonga can be used as a diabetic herb according to information available at sciencedaily.com. The article cites a information published in the Journal of the American Diabetic Association in 2005. Thirty-nin healthy adults participated in the study. The extracts from this herb that is used in traditional Indian medicine appeared to lower blood sugar and insulin levels in a manner similar to the administration of prescription drugs. The article says that patients in the study who received 1,000 milligrams of salacia oblonga experienced a drop in blood glucose and insulin levels by as much as 29 percent.
The herb works by clinging to intestinal enzymes in the body that break down carbohydrates and turn them into glucose. If the enzyme instead attaches to the enzyme rather than carbohydrates, less glucose will make it to the blood stream causing decreased insulin and blood glucose levels. The herb comes from the regions of India and Sri Lanka. The side effects associated with the diabetic herb can include gas and cramping, but those reports were minimal in the study.
Diabetic Herb Treatments You May Not Know About
You probably already know that bitter melon, magnesium and chromium can be useful when put to work as a diabetic herb, but what about prickly pear cactus? In studies, its fiber-rich, ripe fruit has been shown to lower blood sugar levels. Best of all, it may be available at the grocery store. It also comes in juice or powder form at many health food locations. Suggested daily dosage when eaten in cooked food form is 1/2/ cup. For powder and liquid forms, follow the product instructions.
Billberry is another herb that may help treat diabetes. Although studies conducted on animals show that it may reduce blood sugar levels, its main benefit as a diabetic herb is its ability to protect eyes and nerves by using antioxidants called anthocyanidins. These antioxidants appear to assist in stopping damage to tiny blood vessels. When these tiny blood vessels are harmed, nerve pain and retinopathy can result. Billberry’s fruit and leaves are loaded with these beneficial components and should be considered as a diabetic herb because people with diabetes are highly susceptible to damage to the eye’s retina. A typical dose of billberry extract should be around 100 milligrams twice daily.
Ginseng is another herb that can be used as a diabetic herb when 1 to 3 grams a day are consumed in capsule form. Ginseng is already proven to boost immune function and has also been used in Chinese medicine for the purpose of treating diabetes. Glucose has the potential to increase insulin production from the pancreas, a function diabetic’s lack. At the same time ginseng encourages slow carbohydrate absorption, lowering blood glucose levels in diabetes patients.
