BACK TO ASK THE HERBALIST INDEX

ANSWERS FROM KAREN:
WEIGHT LOSS:
QUESTION: I’m a diabetic and am looking for something to control my diabetic and help
me to lose about 50-65 pound to.

ANSWER: Diabetes is tricky. I would speak to your medical healthcare professional. Are you on insulin? Have you been diagnosed with diabetes? What has your doctor suggested?
 
There are several herbs that are helpful in your situation, but my advice is to consult with your doctor before starting any alternative treatment, especially if you are on insulin.

ANSWERS FROM DAVID:
GYMNEMA SYLVESTRE
QUESTION:  is this good for number 2 diabetics?

ANSWER: Yes this herb is known as the Sugar Eater or Sugar Destroyer in the India herbal medicine, known as Ayurveda. It is also a diuretic, astringent and used for fevers and colds in India.

 
DIABETIC NEUROPATHY
QUESTION:  I have diabetic neuropathy and have for 5 years.  I have the burning in the legs and feet and hips associated with some pain, als.  I am wondering if you could tell me of some herbs that may help this, or
someone else that could.  I've asked my physician, but he's not that familiar with neuropathy.  Any information you can give me will be greatly appreciated.

ANSWER:  your issue may be beyond this forum's ability to help; find a local herbalist or holistic doctor, if you already have the neuropathy then much of the damage is done, seek medical advice from a doctor who has seen this condition.

But I will make some suggestions.

Is your sugar under control (you should be checking it several times a day, you do not say if you are a Type I or II diabetic), do you exercise everyday, walking is the best I strive for 1 hour a day.  Go see a doctor that specializes in Diabetes, consult with a nutritional consultant on diet and supplements.

If I were suffering from this I would use Ginkgo, Saint Johnswort and Fresh Oat tops as an alcohol extract taken five mils (this is a suggested dose, dosage depends on body size and many other factors), 3 times a day.  I would also use a capsicum cream and Saint Johnswort oil externally rubbed into the affected areas.

In the supplement area, I would use, Chromium Picolonate, Vanadium and CoQ10.


SUGAR LEVELS
QUESTION:  What can I use to drop the sugar level in my blood?

ANSWER:  Herbs which have been used for diabetes included:

1. Codonopsis, Latin Named Codonopsis tangshen, C. Pilosula
2. Astragalus, Latin Named Astragalus membranaceus
3. Chinese Ginseng, Latin Named Panax Ginseng
4. Chinese Yam, Latin Named Dioscorea spp., D. opposita, D. batatas
5. Fenugreek, Latin Named Trigonella foenum-graecum
6. Gymnema, Gumar (Means “sugar destroyer” in Hindi), Sharduku, Latin Named Gymnema sylvestri
7. Jambol Seed, Latin Named Eugenia jambolana or Syzygium jambolana
8. Devil's Club, Latin Named Oplopanax horridum
9. Burdock Root, Latin Named Arctium lappa
10. Bitter herbs help to lower sugar cravings, such as Dandelion, Gention, Artichoke, etc, see other write up on bitter herbs online.
11. The medicinal mushrooms have also shown some activity against diabetes: examples include Maitake and Ganoderma (Reishi)

Non herbs used include Chromium (200-1000 mcg per day)
Essential fatty acids, mostly omega 3's
Zinc 20-50 mg day
CoQ10 200-400 mg per day


Food Sources for Some Nutrients Commonly Deficient in Diabetics

Nutrient Food Sources

Vitamin A liver, cod liver oil
Vitamin B1 beans, brown rice, egg yolks, meat, fish, nuts, asparagus, broccoli, oats
Vitamin B2 beans, cheese, eggs, fish, poultry, spinach, yogurt
Vitamin B6 brewer's yeast, carrots, chicken, eggs, fish, meat, peas, spinach, walnuts, wheat germ
Vitamin B12 only found in animal products: blue cheese, cheese, clams, eggs, herring, kidney, liver, mackerel, and all other animal products.
Biotin cooked egg yolk, salt-water fish, meat, milk, poultry, soybeans, whole grains, yeast (avoid raw egg whites as they may cause a deficiency)
Vitamin C citrus fruits (oranges, grapefruit, lemons), strawberries, mangos, papayas, pineapple, bell peppers, broccoli, tomatoes, green leafy vegetables (spinach, collard greens, Swiss chard, turnip greens, beet greens)
Vitamin E cold-pressed vegetable oils, whole grains, dark green leafy vegetables, nuts, seeds, beans, eggs, wheat germ, liver
CoQ10 mackerel, salmon, sardines, meat, beef or chicken heart
Chromium brewer's yeast, brown rice, cheese, mushrooms, corn, chicken, dried beans
Magnesium green leafy vegetables, whole grains, dairy products, fish, tofu, brown rice, millet, apples, apricots, bananas, meat
Manganese blueberries, avocados, nuts, seeds, seaweed, whole grains, egg yolks, green leafy vegetables
Phosphorus deficiency rare as it is found in most foods including soda pop, meat, food additives, brewer's yeast, corn, dairy products, eggs
Potassium winter squash, bananas, potatoes, fish, apricots, avocados, blackstrap molasses, brewer's yeast, dried fruit, yams
Zinc oysters, pumpkin seeds, soybeans, egg yolks, fish, meat, poultry, liver, lima beans

DIABETES COMPLICATIONS
QUESTION: could you please tell me where to look for info on diabetes/vision herbs.
My 76 year old Father has lost his central vision to diabetes...is there any 
help with herbs that he could regain at least partial vision with 
herbs/natural helps?

ANSWER: Ginkgo is a circulation herb, excellent for microcirculation, Hawthorn is excellent for heart and circulation support the flavonoids stabilize blood vessels. I would use a Tincture of each. The Hawthorn can also be purchased in a solid extract. Bilberry or Blueberry fruit is specific to healthy eyes and circulation to them. Use fresh berries, 1/4 cup a day would be enough or try the solid extract. He could spread it on toast or simply eat a 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon a day. 

Up Vitamin C and get him on antioxidants and a OPC complex. All three would come as a separate pill.

JUVENILE DIABETES
QUESTION: Hello; If you could e-mail any information of herbs for juvenile diabetes, i would 
appreciate it. This info. is for a 6 yr. old girl. Her father is a doctor, and his
daughter is of course on insulin. They try to watch her diet closely but being
a child, she wants, sometimes what her friends have, like a cookie etc. once
in awhile. He is willing to read any information I may find for him. I am, myself
a nurse and studying to become an herbalist. At this time I am meeting, as
you can imagine with skepticism. Thank-you.

ANSWER: Plant Name: Maitake (Hen of the Wood's), Latin Name: Grifola frondulosa, Lentinula elodes is used for stabilizing blood sugar levels it is a food plant and the only know contraindications I have is mushroom allergies since it is a mushroom. The other thing it is good at is to normalize immune function, it is a Immune Amphoteric.

Plant Name Reishi mushrooms, Latin Name: Ganoderma lucidum(Red-best- on oaks), G. sinensis(black), G applinatum (huge artist conch), G. Tsugae(grows on hemlock tree), G. oreganensis this herb has same effects as above and same contraindications as a mushroom. It stabilizes mast cells and affects autoimmune disease additionally.

It is fairly easy to get these into the child in the form of mushroom soup broths and as the basis for vegetable soups or as a tincture form.

To prevent some of the long term effects of diabetes, such as reduced circulation to peripherals, kidney and eye problems and neuropathies I would employ other herbs.

Ginkgo, is great for circulation especially peripheral and cerebral.
Bilberry/Blueberry is specific to eye health.
Nettles leaf is good for kidneys and Nettles seed can help improve function to a already weakened kidney organ.
Hawthorn is food for the heart and helps maintain vascular integrity.
Milk Thistle is great for damage to the liver.

Finally to reduce cravings for sugars a balanced bitter formula is good for this. It should be taken 3 times a day just before meals. Look for one that has both warming and cooling bitters, such as Angelica (warming), Gentian (cooling), Dandelion Leaf (cooling), Orange Peel (warming), Artichoke (cooling). Look for a carminative in the formula such as peppermint or ginger to settle and aid in digestion, but no laxatives (such as Senna, Butternut or White Walnut, Culvers Root and Rhubarb) such as in the Swedish Bitters on the market today. Angustora bitters used in Manhattans is only Gentian a cooling bitter. Bitters also help balance blood sugars. Bitters are hard to get into a child because you have to taste them to gain the effect, but many children are adaptable.

Tell him to find the Herbal PDR, published by the same company as the PDR. Not everything in it will be supported by all herbalists but it will be a good starting reference point for a scientific based philosphy to medicine such as he was trained in. Make sure he gets the second edition not the first there were changes and additions to it.

Other herbs that are getting recent press about diabetes are: Prickly Pear Cactus, Fenugreek, Devil's club and Jambol seed but not all of these are appropriate for type 1 diabetes, i.e. juvenile diabetes, IDDM