Since antiquity, diabetes has been treated with plant medicines. Recent scientific investigation has confirmed the efficacy of many of these preparations, some of which are remarkably effective. Only those herbs that appear most effective, are relatively non-toxic and have substantial documentation of efficacy are covered here.
Pterocarpus marsupium (Indian Kino, Malabar Kino, Pitasara, Venga)
The tree is the source of the Kino of the European pharmacopeas. The gum-resin looks like dried blood (Dragon's blood), much used in Indian medicine. This herb has a long history of use in India as a treatment for diabetes. The flavonoid, (-)-epicatechin, extracted from the bark of this plant has been shown to prevent alloxan-induced beta cell damage in rats.
Both epicatechin and a crude alcohol extract of Pterocarpus marsupium have actually been shown to regenerate functional pancreatic beta cells. No other drug or natural agent has been shown to generate this activity.
Bitter Melon (Momordica charantia)
Bitter melon, also known as balsam pear, is a tropical vegetable widely cultivated in Asia, Africa and South America, and has been used extensively in folk medicine as a remedy for diabetes. The blood sugar lowering action of the fresh juice or extract of the unripe fruit has been clearly established in both experimental and clinical studies.
Bitter melon is composed of several compounds with confirmed anti-diabetic properties. Charantin, extracted by alcohol, is a hypoglycaemic agent composed of mixed steroids that is more potent than the drug tolbutamide which is often used in the treatment of diabetes. Momordica also contains an insulin-like polypeptide, polypeptide-P, which lowers blood sugar levels when injected subcutaneously into type 1 diabetic patients. The oral administration of 50-60 ml of the juice has shown good results in clinical trials.
Excessively high doses of bitter melon juice can cause abdominal pain and diarrhea. Small children or anyone with hypoglycemia should not take bitter melon, since this herb could theoretically trigger or worsen low blood sugar, or hypoglycemia. Furthermore, diabetics taking hypoglycemic drugs (such as chlorpropamide, glyburide, or phenformin) or insulin should use bitter melon with caution, as it may potentiate the effectiveness of the drugs, leading to severe hypoglycemia.
Gymnema Sylvestre (Gurmar, Meshasringi, Cherukurinja)
Gymnema assists the pancreas in the production of insulin in Type 2 diabetes. Gymnema also improves the ability of insulin to lower blood sugar in both Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes. It decreases cravings for sweet. This herb can be an excellent substitute for oral blood sugar-lowering drugs in Type 2 diabetes. Some people take 500 mg per day of gymnema extract.
Onion and Garlic ( Allium cepa and Allium sativum)
Onion and garlic have significant blood sugar lowering action. The principal active ingredients are believed to be allyl propyl disulphide (APDS) and diallyl disulphide oxide (allicin), although other constitutents such as flavonoids may play a role as well.
Experimental and clinical evidence suggests that APDS lowers glucose levels by competing with insulin for insulin-inactivating sites in the liver. This results in an increase of free insulin. APDS administered in doses of 125 mg/ kg to fasting humans was found to cause a marked fall in blood glucose levels and an increase in serum insulin. Allicin doses of 100 mg/kg produced a similar effect.
Onion extract was found to reduce blood sugar levels during oral and intravenous glucose tolerance. The effect improved as the dosage was increased; however, beneficial effects were observed even for low levels that used in the diet (eg., 25 to 200 grams). The effects were similar in both raw and boiled onion extracts. Onions affect the hepatic metabolism of glucose and/or increases the release of insulin, and/or prevent insulin's destruction.
The additional benefit of the use of garlic and onions are their beneficial cardiovascular effects. They are found to lower lipid levels, inhibit platelet aggregation and are antihypertensive. So, liberal use of onion and garlic are recommended for diabetic patients.
Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum)
Experimental and clinical studies have demonstrated the antidiabetic properties of fenugreek seeds. The active ingredient responsible for the antidiabetic properties of fenugreek is in the defatted portion of the seed that contains the alkaloid trogonelline, nicotinic acid and coumarin.
Blueberry leaves (Vaccinium myrtillus)
A decoction of the leaves of the blueberry has a long history of folk use in the treatment of diabetes. The compound myrtillin (an anthocyanoside) is apparently the most active ingredient. Upon injection it is somewhat weaker than insulin, but is less toxic, even at 50 times the 1 g per day therapeutic dose. A single dose can produce beneficial effects lasting several weeks.
Blueberry anthocyanosides also increase capillary integrity, inhibit free-radical damage and improve the tone of the vascular system. In Europe, it is used as an anti-haemorrhagic agent in the treatment of eye diseases including diabetic retinopathy.
Asian Ginseng
Asian ginseng is commonly used in traditional Chinese medicine to treat diabetes. It has been shown to enhance the release of insulin from the pancreas and to increase the number of insulin receptors. It also has a direct blood sugar-lowering effect.
A recent study found that 200 mg of ginseng extract per day improved blood sugar control as well as energy levels in Type 2 diabetes (NIDDM).
Bilberry
Bilberry may lower the risk of some diabetic complications, such as diabetic cataracts and retinopathy.
Stevia
Stevia has been used traditionally to treat diabetes. Early reports suggested that stevia might have beneficial effects on glucose tolerance (and therefore potentially help with diabetes), although not all reports have confirmed this. Even if stevia did not have direct antidiabetic effects, its use as a sweetener could reduce intake of sugars in such patients.
Ginkgo Biloba
Ginkgo biloba extract may prove useful for prevention and treatment of early-stage diabetic neuropathy.
Cinnamon - Triples insulin's efficiency
Barberry - One of the mildest and best liver tonics known.
Dosage: tincture, 10-30 drops; standard decoction or 3-9 g.
Herbal Combinations
For all pancreatic problems:
1 part uva ursi
1 part goldenseal
1 part elecampane
2 parts dandelion root
2 parts cedar berries
1 part fennel part ginger
Mix the powdered herbs and put them in #00 capsules. Take them after every meal.
There's currently a lot of momentum behind the crystal healing method. Despite no real scientific studies in the field, many people report positive results after undergoing a session of crystal therapy. It's important to remember that a lack of understanding does not equal a lack of truth. From a purely results orientated point of view, crystal healing works.
Crystal healing practitioners theorise that headaches are a result of imbalanced energies within the chakras. The seven chakras are:
- Crown Chakra (Sahasrara)
- Third Eye Chakra (Ajna)
- Throat Chakra (Vishuddi)
- Heart Chakra (Anahata)
- Solar Plexus Chakra (Manipura)
- Sacral Chakra (Swadhisthana)
- Root Chakra (Muladhara)
On a biological level these chakras happen to line up rather neatly with seven glands. This possibly reveals that crystals can effect the production of hormones, which are a form of energy.
So what is the crystal healing method of alleviating a headache? Well, since your energies are imbalanced the use of an amethyst crystal is recommended. Amethyst is a purple crystal and is known to have a balancing effect. You should be able to find small amethyst crystals as cheap as $0.50 a piece. My method of relieving headaches requires three amethyst crystals.
Amethyst Crystal Headache Healing Method
Lie down on a flat, comfortable surface such as a bed or a couch. Make sure you have enough space to fully stretch out and that the room is of a pleasant temperature. If you have any relaxing music or nature sounds then you can play them at a low level as this can enhance the healing process.
Take two of your amethyst crystals and place them either side of your throat, just above your collar bone. They should both be pointing upwards. Place your third crystal on the centre of your forehead - again pointing upwards. This placement relieves stress tension and balances energies around the head and neck.
Now close your eyes and take a slow, deep breath through your nose. Hold the breath for a second before exhaling slowly through your mouth. Keep repeating this breathing pattern as you picture yourself from above. Imagine a purple healing glow is exuding from the crystals. This gentle glow begins to envelop your head and neck. Breathe in this balancing, healing energy and release any pain or tension with every outward breath.
Your headache should subside within a few minutes, leaving you to get on with your day feeling calm, relaxed and headache free.
Step One: LocationAs the picture above depicts, the first step toward successful meditation is choosing a peaceful and pleasant location. It doesn't have to be a private beach on the ocean or a mountain retreat. You may decide to meditate in a quiet room of your house, at a local park, or even in your car while parked in a quiet undisturbed location. The important thing is that whatever place you choose be free from outside interference.
Step Two: PositionAll experts on meditation seem to agree that posture is an important factor to consider when meditating. A sitting position with the back straight is usually suggested. Then, place your arms comfortably at your sides or resting on your legs.
Choose a word. Any word composed of vowels and consonants with two or three syllables is preferred. In the Hindu faith this is called a "mantra." It literally means a 'word of power'. It should be a word that when spoken to yourself invokes within you a feeling of peace and security. This is the thought you will need to block out all other negative thoughts when you meditate.
Step Four: Focus
Once you have chosen your mantra and have it in mind, focus all your attention on that one thought. Dismiss all thoughts that cause disturbance within you. Dismiss anger, fear, regret. You can feel your body relax when the negative thoughts disolve. Be aware of your breathing which should be slow and rhythmical. Sometimes it helps to breath in the first syllable of your mantra and blow out the second to a slow and steady rhythm.
Step Five: Maintain focus
Once you have entered the meditative state, continue to focus on the mantra and on your breathing for as long as you wish. Whenever a negative thought attempts to break in, rely on your mantra to resist it. If all these steps have been followed, you will be experiencing a peaceful state of mind and a feeling of well-being.
How to proceed
Make time
Approach with positive mind-set
Must be alone
Choose a peaceful place and eliminate distractions.
Focus on positive thought (mantra)
Be aware of breathing
Benefits of meditation
Better physical, mental, and emotional health
A Healthier Outlook On Life
Relief From Anxiety
General Feeling Of Calm
Pitfalls to successful meditation
Wrong choice of locations
Too much outside interference
Doing drugs or alcohol while attempting to meditate
Assuming the wrong position one that is either uncomfortable or one that is much too comfortable
Losing focus by trying to figure out how it works
Trying too hard to meditate properly
Trying too hard to make it work
While a meditative state is the natural outcome of yoga and the spiritual benefit of meditation is supreme bliss or enlightenment, these words are unlikely to be understood by many.
However, progress towards meditation and meditative techniques have several benefits at the gross body or material level:
Improvement of body luster and general health-When your mind focuses on a particular part of the body, the blood flow to that part increases and cells receive more oxygen and other nutrients in abundance. Today, many of the film stars and fashion models include meditation in their daily regimen.
Improvement in concentration - Many of the athletes and sports professionals regularly employ meditation methods. Studies have found a direct correlation between concentration exercises (meditation) and the performance level of sports professionals. Meditation strengthens the mind, it comes under control and is able to provide effective guidance to the physical body to effectively execute all its projects. Psychological Exercises are a powerful way of improving concentration and improving mental strength.
Health benefits of Meditation:
Though meditation is usually recognized as a largely spiritual practice, it also has many health benefits. The yoga and meditation techniques are being implemented in management of life threatening diseases; in transformation of molecular and genetic structure; in reversal of mental illnesses, in accelerated learning programs, in perceptions and communications beyond the physical, in solving problems and atomic and nuclear physics; in gaining better ecological understanding; in management of lifestyle and future world problems. Some benefits of meditation are:
It lowers oxygen consumption.
It decreases respiratory rate.
It increases blood flow and slows the heart rate.
Increases exercise tolerance in heart patients.
Leads to a deeper level of relaxation.
Good for people with high blood pressure as it brings the B.P. to normal.
Reduces anxiety attacks by lowering the levels of blood lactate.
Decreases muscle tension (any pain due to tension) and headaches.
Builds self-confidence.
It increases serotonin production which influences mood and behaviour. Low levels of serotonin are associated with depression, obesity, insomnia and headaches.
Helps in chronic diseases like allergies , arthritis etc.
Reduces Pre- menstrual Syndrome.
Helps in post-operative healing.
Enhances the immune system. Research has revealed that meditation increases activity of 'natural-killer cells', which kill bacteria and cancer cells.
Also reduces activity of viruses and emotional distress.
Benefits of meditation on Women's health and Pregnancy:
Identity of your own - besides daughter, wife, mother etc.-
Women begin life as someone's daughter, and then someone's lover, wife, someone's mother. Yes, but who am I- who am I really? Not only does a woman need an understanding of her body but also needs to connect with the essence of her true self. A true self, which is an identity beyond everyday change- beyond gender, beyond fluctuations of hormones, beyond family expectations and other superimposed personality patterns. Discovering this true self is not as easy. Just when you know who you are , it all changes again.
The process of self discovery involves, stripping off false layers of identity, going back through all the conditionings , realizing- "I am not that, and not that, and not that", an emptiness out of which arises the realization - "Ah ha! I am that".
The place for this self discovery is not the psychiatrist's couch, the matrimonial bed, the mother's group, or even a yoga retreat, but within your own private meditation times.
Resolve Phobias -
Meditation can help to resolve the deepest of neuroses, fears and conflict which play their part in causing stress and ill health.
For mothers-to-be -
Meditation puts mothers in tune with their babies. Manta Japa is especially appropriate for pregnant women. [ See box Mantra Japa for pregnant women ] After birth, daily meditation becomes a precious time to refocus and make sense of the many new thoughts and feelings which can be running through your mind, brought about by the events of childbirth and new motherhood.
Thanks to healthandyoga.com
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