Anti-Diabetes: Herbal Remedy for Diabetes

Momordica has in recent years, experienced a resurgence in research for hypoglycaemic activity. A number of patents have been submitted on actives and processes of Momordica for insulin-type properties. The fruit has at least three different groups of constituents reported to have hypoglycaemic (blood-sugar lowering) action of potential benefit in diabetes disorders. These include a mixture of steroidal saponins known as charantin, insulin-like peptides, and alkaloids. It is still unclear which of these is most effective, or if all three work together.

Multiple controlled clinical studies have confirmed the benefit of bitter melon for patients with diabetes. Ethno-botanical data also supports the use of Momordica in the treatment for diabetes. The Portuguese and other communities in East Africa, from as early as the 1840's, were using this herb as a supplement for diabetes.

Artemisia Afra, for uses on diabetes, has been recorded in early botanical and medicinal books. The use of this herb in Southern Africa is extensive. It is recorded that the early settlers, mainly in the Cape Province, used this herb to control diabetes.

Caju is used by South American and East Africans alike and is reported to have hypoglycaemic properties. Although the ethno botanical data is imprecise, there is a strong following of this herb for the treatment of diabetes and its associated symptoms in Africa, South America and India. Two studies (one with mice and the other with rats) in 1989 and 1998 document the protective quality of a leaf extract against lab-induced diabetes, although the extract did not act as hypoglycaemic, it did stabilise blood glucose levels near pre-test levels.