Natural Methods of Treatment for Diabetes and Herbal Medicines

I have been reading lately about some alternative medicines, those which we call herbal medicines or natural alternatives, to treat type 2 diabetes. For a while now, the following natural remedies are being explored.

These natural methods of treatment are also known as “Naturopathy.” It is the system of healing in which diseases are cured by means of natural remedies such as light, water, air, heat, exercise, diet and other physiological measures.

May I remind you, however, that if you are interested in trying a natural treatment in addition to standard treatment, be sure to do so only under the close supervision of your doctor or qualified health professional.

These are some of the various types of natural methods, which are being currently explored:

1. Treatment based on Nutrition and Diet

The dietician decides a menu for healthy diet for diabetic patients. Regarding Nutrition and dieting, what are considered include: The foods that control diabetes, the so called diabetes food pyramid, the foods to avoid, meal planning, anti-oxidant foods, foods which are rich in potassium and fibres, etc.

2. Hydrotherapy

In this natural method of treating diabetes, the water is used. It is one of the oldest therapeutic methods for managing physical dysfunctions. The solvent property of water and its ability to absorb and conduct heat shows a beneficial effect on the human body. Studies have shown that regular uses of hydrotherapy provide lots of benefits for people suffering from Type 2 diabetes. It provides better and improved sleep, reduces blood sugar level in the body and boasts the moral and well being of diabetic patient. It also provides support to individuals who find exercise difficult. It is also known as “hut tub therapy.”

3. Detoxification

It consists of the use of short periods of fasting or controlled diets and supplements to aid the natural process by which the body rids itself of toxic substances.

4. Methods to control and reduce stress including exercise, relaxation techniques, modification of diet and the use of supplements particularly to support the adrenal gland.

5. Mud Therapy

During treatment by natural methods, person makes full use of element earth in the form of mud or clay packs. Even mud baths are used for preventing and treating various diseases, by bringing out poisons from the body, for cooling the nervous system and for activating various organs of the body. In diabetes there is disturbance of the metabolic process of the entire body. When the digestive system, and endocrine glands do not work fully, the result is accumulation of impurities and toxemia in the body. Hence, improving elimination and removal of the toxins are very important. In such a condition Mud bath is used.

6. Massage

Massage is a “hands-on” therapy in which muscles and other soft tissues of the body are manipulated to improve health and well-being. Generally, massage is an excellent form of passive exercise. Massage is highly beneficial in the treatment of diabetes. Although, massage affects the body as a whole, but it particularly influences , the activity of the musculoskeltal, circulatory, lymphatic and nervous systems. It helps in relieving muscle tension, reduces stress and arises/develops the feelings of calmness. Massage has been practiced in treating diabetes for centuries and various other diseases, for centuries, in near about every culture of the world. Massage also helps in elimination of poisons and waste material through the various eliminative organs, such as the lungs skin, kidney, and bowels. It also helps in improving blood circulation and various metabolic processes.

7. Herbal Medicines

Herbal Medicines using plants and their natural products were also used as natural method of treatment for diabetes. The following are some of these known herbal medicines:

a. Ginseng

Although there are several different types of ginseng, most of the promising studies on ginseng and diabetes have used North American ginseng (Panax quinquefolius). Those studies have shown that North American ginseng may improve blood sugar and glycosylated hemoglobin ( a form of hemoglobin in the blood used to monitor blood glucose levels over time) levels.

b. Chromium

Chromium, as we know, is an essential trace mineral that plays an important role in carbohydrate and fat metabolism and helps body cells properly respond to insulin. In fact, studies have found low levels of chromium in people with diabetes.

There are many promising studies suggesting chromium supplementation may be effective, but they are far from conclusive.

c. Magnesium

Magnesium is a mineral found naturally in foods such as green leafy vegetables, nuts, seeds, and whole grains and in nutritional supplements.

Magnesium helps regulate blood sugar levels and is needed for normal muscle and nerve function, heart rhythm, immune function, blood pressure, and for bone health.

Some studies suggest that low magnesium levels may worsen blood glucose control in type 2 diabetes. There is also some evidence that magnesium supplementation may help with insulin resistance.

d. Cinnamon

A couple of studies have found that cinnamon improves blood glucose control in people with type 2 diabetes.

e. Zinc

The mineral zinc plays an important role in the production and storage of insulin. There is some research showing that people with type 2 diabetes have suboptimal zinc status due to decreased absorption and increased excretion of zinc.

Food sources of zinc include fresh oysters, ginger root, lamb, pecans, split peas, egg yolk, rye, lima beans, almonds, walnuts, sardines, chicken and buckwheat.

f. Aloe Vera Gel

Although aloe vera gel is better known as a home remedy for minor burns and other skin conditions, recent animal studies suggest that aloe vera gel may help people with diabetes.

A Japanese study evaluated the effect of aloe vera gel on blood sugar. Researchers isolated a number of active phytosterol compounds from the gel that were found to reduce glucose and glycosylated hemoglobin levels.

(Source: http://altmedicine.about.com/cs/conditionsatod/a/Diabetes.htm)

8. Chromotherapy

Chromotherapy is a natural method of treatment of various diseases, which make use of colour, to help the body and mind to find again their natural balance. Hence, we can say, it is therapeutic method, which acts on the base of the unbalance. Every colour has got a spectrum with specific curative properties. By using the curative property of every single colour in an appropriate way, the person is able to region the harmony and order of the organism. The color illuminations, therefore acts on the emotive states of mind and thus helps in physical well-being.

Chromotherapy works best as a supportive therapy as it is used in combination with correct diet, adequate rest and relaxation, exercises, and other basic treatments.


(Source: http://diabetesmellitus-information.com/diabetes_treatment.htm)

Basic Treatments on Diabetes

Lately, I have been reading a lot of articles and research works from the internet on the treatments of diabetes. You can find from the internet a wealth of information on any given topic, including the topic on diabetes and its treatments. You just have to sit down and find time to browse, read and do some research to find out what you are looking for.
In my reading, I have come across various suggestions on treatments of Type 2 Diabetes. There are the basic, standardize, traditional and common treatments that are usually offered by your doctor when you were diagnosed with diabetes. In the past few years ,however, there had been advances made( in terms of new findings and medications)on diabetes 2, but most of which are still under study (and/or under trial)and have not been generally circulated or approved by the FDA. But this I can say, the new findings and research being currently undertaken are very promising. I am very optimistic that someday, and hopefully not in the very distant future, our scientists and researchers would be able to find and discover a permanent cure of this dreaded and chronic disease.

Although most of the data and information about the treatments of diabetes 2 that I am writing here could be found on the internet, I would just like to summarize and share them with you for your immediate information and study. At the outset, however, I would like to say that these are treatments offered by various people of different professions and backgrounds. So, before you embark on any given treatment, it is very important that you first have to consult with your doctor, or with your attending physician or medical team, if this is good for you or not.

Those who have been diagnosed with diabetes, we all have been informed and instructed by our doctors some basic and necessary things we need to do to regulate and control our blood sugar. These are what I call the basic, standardize and common treatments usually offered by our doctors or medical team. These treatments include:

1. Monitoring your blood sugar.

Depending on your treatment plan, you need to check and record your blood sugar level once or twice a day or several times a week. A careful monitoring is the only way to make sure that your blood sugar level remains within your target range.

2. Healthy Eating


Although a lot of books had been written about diabetes diet, in my opinion, there is no really diabetes diet. As a diabetic, we still need plenty of fruits, vegetables and whole grains – foods that are high in nutrition and low in fat and calories – a fewer animal products and sweets.

What we need to do is to consult our dietician and have a meal plan. As diabetic, what and how much to eat can be a challenge. But consistency is the name of the game. To keep our blood sugar on an even keel, we try to eat the same amount of food with the same proportion of carbohydrates, and fats at the same time every day.

3. Physical Activity

It is said that regular exercise, in any form, lowers blood sugar and can help reduce the risk of developing complications of diabetes. As little as 20 or 30 minutes of walking 3 times a week has a proven beneficial effect. Any exercise is beneficial; no matter how light or how long; some exercise is better than no exercise.

Choose some activities that you enjoy, such as walking, swimming or biking. What is most important is making physical activity a part of our daily routine. Stretching and strength training exercises are important, too. If you haven’t been active for a while, start slowly and build up gradually.

Check your blood sugar before any activity. You might need to eat a snack before exercising to help prevent low blood sugar.

4. Diabetes medication and Insulin Therapy

It’s uplifting to know that some people who have type 2 diabetes can manage their blood sugar with diet and exercise alone, but many need diabetes medications or insulin therapy.

Many oral or injected medications can be used to treat type 2 diabetes. For some, they need insulin therapy as well. In addition, your doctor might prescribe low-dose aspirin therapy to help prevent heart and blood vessel disease.

These are some of the oral medicines that are usually prescribed to treat diabetes:

· Oral sulfonylureas (like glimepiride, gluburide, and tolazamide) trigger the pancreas to make more insulin.
· Biguanides(Metformin) tell the liver to decrease its production of glucose, which increase glucose levels in the blood stream.
· Alpha-glucosidase inhibitors (such as acarbose)decrease the absorption of carbohydrates from the digestive tract, thereby lowering the after-meal glucose levels.
· Thiazolidinediones (such as rosiglitazone) help insulin work better at the cell site. In essence, they increase the cell’s sensitivity(responsiveness) to insulin.
· Meglitinides (including repaglinide and nateglinide)trigger the pancreas to make more insulin in response to how much glucose is in the blood.

If you continue to have poor blood glucose control despite lifestyle changes and using oral medicines, your doctor will prescribe insulin. Insulin may also be prescribed if you have had a bad reaction to oral medicines.

Insulin preparations differ in how fast they start to work and how long they work. The health-care professional will determine the appropriate type of insulin to use and will counsel you on what time of day to use it.

5. Continuing Care

According to the National Institute of Health, a person with type 2 diabetes should have a visit with a diabetes care provider every three months. A thorough three-month evaluation includes:

· Glucosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) is weighted three-month average of what your blood glucose has been. This test measures how much glucose has been sticking to the red blood cells. It also indicates how much glucose has been sticking to other cells. A high HbA1c is an indicator of risk for long-term complications. Currently, the ADA recommends an HbA1c of less than 7% to protect oneself from complications. The test should be done every three months.
· Blood pressure check.
· Foot and skin examination.
· Ophthalmoscopy examination.
· Neurological examination.

The following evaluations should be done at least annually:

· Random microalbumin (urine test for protein)
· BUN and serum creatinine.
· Serum cholesterol, HDL, and triglycerides.
· ECG.
· Dilated retinal exam.

Since this is a new thing for all those afflicted with diabetes, treating and managing this disease may seem complicated at times. But our diabetes health care team is there for us. We are told that if we comply and do the basic treatments as listed above, our blood sugar levels can return to a healthier range.

Doctor's Visit Again

I just had my third visit with my internist doctor today. I’ve seen him at least three times already in the past two weeks. During my last visit, I made an appointment with him to see him on May 10, Saturday, for my follow-up schedule. But, again, I needed to see him today because of this recurring pain that I had been feeling on the left side corner of my brain. It has been four days already since I felt this throbbing pain. I don’t know if this is a side effect of my medication, or it has something to do with my diabetes. When I went to see my doctor this afternoon, he was very cordial and accepting. After I was initially screened and checked-up by the Med Tech Nurse, I was ushered in to talk with my doctor. He took my blood pressure – and he was happy to inform me that my blood pressure was very normal and low. He checked my mouth and ears, for any indication of inflammation – but everything turned out negative. I explained and informed him about this throbbing pain on the left side of my brain – that I feel this only in the afternoon and evening. He was not able to explain to me why. I wanted him to discuss about every scenario why I have this pain now. But I didn’t get any sufficient answer from him on this. Anyway, I told him that when I feel the pain, I usually take in Motrin 500 mg – and it relieves the pain immediately. He told me to continue taking it. Also, he prescribed me a gel like medicine which I should use whenever I feel this pain again. I have not started using this gel yet. I still have to get it from the drugstore by Monday. Well, I am not really very optimistic about this. But, let’s see what happens. In the meantime, I made an appointment with my doctor to see him again on May 10, for my blood works and for my follow-up exams. I don’t really know, but a doctor’s visit maybe a continuing routine from here on. God help me.

Information is Power

If you are sent to battle, and if you intend to win, the first thing you have to do is to get all the necessary information about your enemy. This includes knowing its strengths and weaknesses. From these important data and information that you acquire, you are able to strategize and plan on how you are going to attack and defeat the enemy. The same is true with regard to battling any illness, including this chronic disease called diabetes. I know that before I embark on any specific plan of treatment on this disease, I need to know what this chronic disease is all about, its causes and effect, it’s treatment(if any), and what are its possible consequences if not regulated.

Whether I like it or not, I have to face the truth that this disease is a chronic and degenerating disease. So far, there is no cure. I can only try to regulate it. If I am not able to regulate my blood sugar, it could result to many complications including blindness, amputations, nerve and kidney problems, heart disease and stroke, according to the American Diabetes Association. But I intend to fight for this, and fight for it rightly. Right now, I try to condition myself for this battle. I try not think of what can happen to me in the future. But what I can do now is to try my best to do all the possible means (within my disposal) to fight this disease and do all the necessary things I need to do to prevent any complications in the future. I just bought some books yesterday about Diabetes Info. Right now I am reading this book titled “The Type II Diabetes Sourcebook” by David Drum and Terry Zierenberg. I find this book very informative, interesting, and it is easy reading. Then I have two books on Meal Planning: “The Everyday Meal Planner for Type 2 Diabetes” by Kristen L. Caron and Aaron Henry, and “Diabetes Meals on the Run” by Betty Wedman. I also found this interesting book titled “Alternative Cures That Really Work” by Ronald Hoffman and Barry Fox. These are some of the books that I just acquired, plus I got some materials(like pamphlets, booklets, notes, etc.) from the doctor’s office, which I am currently reading. I have also downloaded a number of materials from the internet about all kinds of subject related to diabetes. A very informative site that I found is: http://www.diabetesmellitus-information,com/. It gives very substantive information on topics like “Eating Rules for Diabetics,” “Diabetes Food Pyramid,” “Natural Methods of Treatment for Diabetes,”“Vitamins and Minerals that Lowers the Blood Sugar Level,” “Herbs for Diabetes,” Diabetic Food; Foods that control Diabetes,” and some other related topics.

I intend to be an aggressive player in this battle. My first plan of activity, however, is to acquire all the necessary information and data about this disease, and then plan my next phase of action.

As they say, "Information is power." I hope to use all the information I acquire to fight for this disease squarely. There is no turning back.

Sugar Testing, Insulin, Exercise, and Medication

When I was initially diagnosed with diabetes, my sugar level was quite high. It went up to more than 300 mg/dl, and my HbA1c was more than 11(which is too high from the normal average of 6). My cholesterol was high as well, as a result of my high glucose level. So, immediately, I was put into insulin – to rapidly lower down my sugar level. Before I was discharged from the hospital, Peggy, the diabetes educator of Clara Maas Hospital where I was confined, roughly instructed me on how to check and record my sugar level – 3X a day(before breakfast, before dinner, and two hours after dinner). She also showed me on how to inject myself with insulin- 2X a day (Immediately before breakfast and immediately before dinner). I use 12 units of insulin in the morning, and 6 units before dinner. At first, it was kind of scary. Now it has become a routine. This I can say – I have been religiously doing this for the past three weeks already. It was kind of rough in the beginning, considering that this was a new thing to me, and something I had to do whether I liked it or not. Now I feel more comfortable doing it.

My medication routine starts with sugar testing before breakfast. Then I inject myself with insulin (12 units). At 9:00 AM, I take in aspirin (81 mg) and multi-vitamins. Before dinner, I check again my sugar, then I inject myself with insulin (6 units). Two hours after dinner, I check again my sugar. At 9:00 PM, I take in crestor (for cholesterol) and antara(to lower down my triglyceride).

Since I got sick, I was taking in Augmentin (anti-biotics) in the beginning, and then my doctor changed it to Factive, which I was taking in once a day besides. My cardiac doctor also prescribed me with CP-DEC-DM syrup, to arrest my nose congestion, which I take 3X a day.

I was told that one of the most important components in the treatment of diabetes is exercise. Since I got out from the hospital, I have been trying to follow an exercise regimen – to walk at least 30 minutes a day. I have been religiously doing exercise for three weeks now, except when I got sick.

Last week, I had my first visit with my cardiologist. He examined me quite thoroughly. He asked me how I was. He asked me questions about my health, how I had been doing since I was discharged from the hospital, if I was feeling any discomfort, etc. He got my blood pressure, check my heart beat, etc. After looking at my medical record, he said I was good in my test at the hospital. He hoped to see me again in four to five weeks.

I had also my first visit with my endoctrinologist(specialist on diabetes). She was very accommodating and friendly. She asked me usual questions like how I was, and some similar questions. She took my blood pressure, test my blood sugar (which was very normal, I might say), she checked my heart beat, my mouth, and neck. After her checked up with me, she changed my schedule of taking insulin to only once a day now, before breakfast (with only 8 units). But she prescribed a new pill called metformin, which I have to take twice a day (before breakfast (500 mg) and after dinner (500 mg). She said she would like to see me in four to five weeks.

Reading Food Labels

Since I have been diagnosed with diabetes, I have been extra-careful about the food I eat. I started reading a lot of materials about meal planning and the food I can eat and not eat. A few days ago I was at the food store trying to locate some food which are good for diabetic people. Strange as it was for me, for the first time, I was reading all the food labels – on how much sugar, carbohydrates, sodium, fats---that contain in each food. I wanted to buy food which are fat or sugar free(as much as possible) , and those which are low in carbohydrates. I spent almost two hours in the food store, just browsing and reading all the food labels- which was not exciting at all. After a while, I just decided to buy some salad vegetables, cauliflower, beans, and other similar vegetables, and chicken breast- which I can easily prepare for my meals. I also bought a fat free milk, rye bread, some spices like onions, peppers, garlic, balsamic vinegar, etc. I also bought some meal bars like Glucerna, Glucerna shakes, sugar free jams like raspberry and apricot preserves, for snacks and emergencies.

For almost three weeks now, I have been preparing almost all my meals by myself. At this time I have not yet met my dietician, so I decided to prepare things on my own –after reading some books and pamphlets about meal planning. My typical breakfast consists of: oatmeal (old fashioned)- half a glass- and a glass of fat free milk. My lunch usually consists of: a grilled chicken and vegetable and a slice of bread. My dinner consists of: a grilled salmon, or tilapia fillet, or chicken too, with vegetable salad. Sometimes I have snack in between – but occasionally.

The change of eating habits is for me one of the most difficult part of this journey. I know I can not tread on the path I used to as far as my eating habits is concerned. There are foods I can eat and foods I choose not to eat. I know it will take for me sometime to adjust on this. But I say to myself, what the heck. Now I have a choice. I can determine for myself what are the healthy foods I need to eat and the foods I need to avoid. For me, this is not a matter of deprivation of foods I used to eat. I think it’s just a matter of choice. And I choose now what is good for me.

I Got Sick Again

Almost a week after I came out from the hospital, I got sick again. I had some kind of congestion and a low grade fever. I didn’t know if it had something to do with my diabetes. I just presumed I just had an ordinary fever and flu. Ordinarily, when I get sick, it starts first with a sore throat- which I had. So I was trying to gargle with hydrogen peroxide, to heal my sore throat. But it didn’t change anything. After a day or so, I still felt weak and I just knew that I was not feeling better. At this time I was also taking in some Tylenol and anti-biotics (Augmentin). In spite of my self-medication, however, I was not getting any better. So I decided to go and see my doctor. At the clinic, my doctor examined me. He took my blood pressure, examined my eyes, mouth, etc. he said that I had a low grade fever. He prescribed me with a stronger anti-biotics called Factive and a pill called clarinex which I have to take before bedtime. He advised me to take the Factive for 7 days, which I took religiously. After seven days, I felt a little better- that I have to say. But I still had some lingering congestion which made me wonder. With a friend’s advise, I was taking in promethazine(2X daily), a syrup, to clear my congestion. But as to this writing, I am not feeling perfectly well yet. I still have some occasional cough, and a little congestion. And I get a mild fever in the evening.

Strange as it is, but when I was feeling a little better with my fever, I felt for two days now this shooting pain on the left side of my brain. This causes me some dizziness and uncomfortableness. Besides, I also have some kind of laryngitis ( pain on the left side of my throat). When I try to swallow, I feel this pain in my throat, and it reverberates on the left side of my brain. Also, when I tilt my head on the left or right at some speed, I feel this pain on the left side of my brain too. But, usually, I feel this pain in the evening. My friend told me that this maybe one of the side effects of ‘Crestor,’ the pill I am taking in for cholesterol. In the meantime, however, when I feel this shooting pain, I usually take in Motrin 500 mg…and it usually stops the pain. I still have to consult my doctor about this.

I was diagnosed with diabetes

As you probably know, I was admitted to the Emergency Room at Clara Maas Hospital on Sunday, March 9 –my birthday. For three days, prior to my birthday, I had not been feeling well. I felt a little pain on my upper abdomen, and had a low grade fever. Initially I thought it was some kind of gastritis, so I self medicated with a pill called Prevacid, which I took once a day. I also started taking antibiotics. But nothing happened after three days of self-medication. I still felt some pain and discomfort in my upper abdomen, and not to mention the continuing low grade fever that I felt inside too. So, on Sunday, after celebrating a Filipino Mass at Holy Family, I decided to go and see my doctor. And my doctor advised me immediately to go to the ER for check up. After they admitted me at the ER, they immediately did a series of blood tests, urine tests, x-rays, sonogram, etc…From there on, I was confined to the hospital for more than two days.

My two days stay at the hospital was a blessing in disguise and an eye opener for me. Worse thing could have happened if I didn’t check in at the hospital as advised. They found out I have diabetes (Type 2), a chronic disease which, if not regulated, will result to many complications. Now I am trying to get under control. I check and record my blood sugar three times a day (before breakfast, before dinner, and two hours after dinner). For two weeks or so, I will be taking some insulin to regulate my sugar. In fact I learned how to give a shot on myself with insulin already (2X) a day. At first, I felt a little scared. Now it has become a routine. At first, when I was initially diagnosed with this chronic disease, they also found some irregularity in one of my heart enzymes – a possible indication of some blockages in my heart veins. The cardiac doctor initially mentioned of me getting a stent, if they find any blockage. But, thank God, after a series of blood tests, sonogram, x-rays, stress test – the result came out negative of any blockage/s, so far. But I still have to make an appointment with my cardiologist in two weeks, and maybe a possible regular appointment with the heart doctor after that. I am also battling a high cholesterol. But this maybe one of the results of being diabetic. So I am now taking a pill called ‘crestor’ to lower and regulate my cholesterol. But the most trying part of all these is that, I have now to change my lifestyle and eating habits. I am currently working with my dietitian about a meal plan…to determine the foods I could eat and not eat. And, as part of regulating my blood sugar, my doctors are forcing me to exercise too – to walk at least 30 minutes a day…a regimen which I already started.

When I woke up this morning, there were many things that came to my mind that overwhelmed me. Yes, this is for me a new journey, a new phase in my life which I have to face. Since I came out from the hospital, people had been asking me how I felt. Well, I said, this was a wake up call. Do I have to be anxious of what will happen in the future about my health? My answer is no. My motto remains the same. I try to live my life today as if it is the last day of my life. The truth is, I have no hold of the future. The only certain thing that I have now is today. For the past, it’s gone. As they say, there’s no need to cry over a spilled milk. So I try to live my life today in the best way I could.

For those of you who had come to visit me in the hospital, I thank you all for your time and generosity. I know that some of you had come to visit me, but I was already discharged from the hospital, when you came. But whether you have come to visit me or not, I know that many of you had been praying for me. I cannot thank you enough for your prayers, presence and love. Please continue to pray for me, as I do the same.

As we enter into the most important week of the year- the Holy Week - please know that I keep you all in my prayers. I know that my sickness and the pain I am going through are nothing compared to what Christ has suffered for us. Maybe I am also fortunate, in some way, that I am able to participate truly in the sufferings of Christ.

May God bless you and your family. May you have a wonderful celebration of easter too.