Study Design And Setting
A descriptive, cross-sectional study design using structured predesigned questionnaires which were distributed among type II diabetic outpatients and doctors who are working or registered at all four government hospitals and medical centres in Makkah, Saudi Arabia, was conducted for the period from January to March 2019.
What Are The Complications Of The Diabetes Mellitus
- Neuropathy : Excess sugar can damage the walls of the capillaries, which nourish nerves, especially in legs, this will cause tingling, burning sensation at the tip of the toe and fingers.
- Nephropathy : Diabetes can damage the filtering system. Severe damage can lead to the kidney failure.
- Retinopathy : Diabetes can damage the blood vessels of the retina hence it leads to retinopathy.
- Alzheimer’s disease: The poorer the control of blood glucose level, greater the risk of Alzheimer’s disease.
- Foot damage: Nerve damage in the feet or poor blood flow increase the risk of foot complications.
How To Use Milk Thistle
Milk thistle is available as a supplement from many health food stores. There is no standard dose of milk thistle, so it is best to read the dosage suggested on the packaging.
Milk thistle is also available as a tea. If drinking milk thistle tea, it is best to limit intake to 6 cups a day.
Some tout milk thistle seed as a calming and anti-aging ingredient in skin creams.
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Are Herbs Safe To Take For Lowering Blood Sugar
Though herbal medicine has a long history, that doesn’t mean there’s extensive research to back up the benefits and effects. There’s not enough definitive evidence to make a strong conclusion about the effectiveness of certain herbs for diabetes. However, what studies show is that they are generally safe to use. If you consider taking herbal medicines, it’s best to talk to a medical doctor or a homeopathic doctor. They’ll be able to advise you on the right amount to take and what herbs are best for you.
Sample Of Type Ii Diabetic Patients
A total of 309 questionnaires were distributed among diabetic patients 298 completed the questionnaires, resulting in 298 responses . The data show that 203 of the diabetic participants used herbal medicines to manage their condition. Of those 188, have comorbidities including hypo/hypertension, cardiovascular diseases and others . The most commonly used herbs were cinnamon , ginger , fenugreek and others such as garlic, onions, basil, black seed, fennel, peppermint, anise, cumin and parsley . More than half of the participants stated that they used the herbs singly rather than as part of a mixture. These herbs listed in the study questionnaire are widely available in KSA and are well known to help in managing type II diabetes.
Table 1 Demographics and comorbidities of type II diabetic patients
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Banaba Or Giant Crape Myrtle
Although not listed in the recommended herbal plants, it is a very popular Philippine herbal plant leaves used to treat diabetes and kidney failure, obesity and high fever. It is popular in other countries such as India where it is used to treat diabetes. Its leaves and flowers contain corrosolic acid, a substance being studied for its insulin like effect of lowering the glucose in the body. Also used for weight loss it is rich in vitamins and minerals as well as dietary fibers.
Folkloric uses of Banaba herbal medicine include the treatment for diarrhea, constipation, inflammation of kidneys, dysuria and other urinary dysfunctions. The Banaba leave can be boiled and drank as a tea.
Banaba is best for: Kidney health
DISCLAIMER: This article is based on scholarly articles from Wikipedia, the Department of Health, and long-held traditional knowledge of this folk medicines. Laminine is not related nor its ingredient has any of these plants, thus it is not an herbal supplement. This article merely reflects what some herb plants may do to the body.
Herbal Medicine In The Philippines
Philippines are one of the places in the world in which themodern medicine seem to be working along the indigenous medicine. People on thePhilippines have all benefits of modern hospitals, educated doctors andsurgeons, but still many turn to alternative treatments or combine Eastern and Westernmedicine. Herbal remedies and faith healing are also present in thiscountry.
Scientists believe that there are thousands of herbs in thePhilippines, waiting to be discovered as cures for different diseases. Many plantsare used in traditional Philippine medicine, but only a handful of them areproven to be safe and efficient. Their Department of Health authorized only10 most popular and most used plants as safe and studied.
Herbs for Chronic Diseases
Ampalaya, garlic and pansit-panistant are the remediesfrequently used in Philippines to treat chronic medical conditions.
Ampalaya, with its Latin name Momordica charantia, is acucumber looking fruit, recommended by both Chinese and Philippine traditionalmedicine. The juice of this plant has been approved by the DOH for thetreatment of diabetes mellitus, liver problems and also as the medication usedto treat HIV infection.
Pansit-Panistant leaves and stalks are used as the tea orpoultice. The tea is supposed to be good for the gout and arthritis, while thepoultice should speed up the healing of skin injuries.
Herbs against Parasites
Herbs Used in Western Medicine
Caution Measures
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Antioxidant And Possible Antimicrobial Properties
Researchers at the University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain, published a study in the journal Molecules.
The team set out to determine whether the methanol extract of leaf skins and flowers of Aloe vera might have beneficial effects on human health. The scientists focused on the extracts possible antioxidant and antimycoplasmic activities.
Mycoplasma is a type of bacteria that lack a cell wall they are unaffected by many common antibiotics. Antimycoplasmic substances destroy these bacteria.
They reported that both Aloe vera flower and leaf extracts had antioxidant properties, especially the leaf skin extract. The leaf skin extract also exhibited antimycoplasmic properties.
The authors concluded that A. Vera extracts from leaf skin and flowers can be considered as good natural antioxidant sources.
Philippine Traditional And Alternative Medicine
Traditional medicine has been practiced since ancient times in every culture throughout the world and has been an integral part of human evolution and development.
The evolution of Philippine traditional medicine is an interesting study that is influenced by religion, mysticism, magic, superstition, folkloric herbalism and western medicine.
Philippines common traditional medicine practitioners include the following:
- hilot or manghihilot acts as a midwife, a chiropractor or massage therapist to promote health and healing,
- Tawas or mangtatawas, this practitioner uses alum, candles, smoke, paper, eggs and other mediums to diagnose the cause of illness associated by prayers and incanteations
- albularyo, a general practitioner who uses a combination of healing modalities that may include prayers, incantations, mysticism and herbalism. Albularyos claim to draw healing powers from a supernatural source
- Medico, a general practitioner similar to an albularyo but integrates western medicine to promote healing.
- Faith healers, a practitioner who claims divine power bestowed by the Holy Spirit or God. A patient is required to have faith and believe in divine powers to effect healing
These traditional medical practitioners covers a wide spectrum of practices and differs from one another. Even in this modern times where information and advanced science has greatly progressed, traditional medicine still enjoys a large following most especially in rural areas.
Types Of Herbal Medicine
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Herbal Medicines Approved By Doh
1.) Lagundi It is one of the ten herbal medicines endorsed by the Philippine Department of Health as an effective herbal medicine with proven therapeutic value. Studies have shown that Lagundi can prevent the bodys production of leukotrienes, which are released during an asthma attack.
Even in Japan, lagundi is becoming recognized as an effective herbal medicine, especially since researches have shown that it contains properties that make it an expectorant and it has been reported to function as a tonic as well. More than that, most of the parts of the lagundi plant have medicinal value.This medicinal plant had recently been commercialized and many pharmaceutical companies are making cough syrups out of it.
Common names: Dangla five-leaved chaste tree, horseshoe vitexIndication: Leaves and flowering tops decoction, syrup, tablets and capsules forcoughs, colds, fever and asthma.Found in: in humid places or along water courses, in waste places and mixed openforestParts used: Leaves and flowering topsSpecial precautions: Make sure to have the five-leaved varieties, as there areother varieties of lagundi.
Preparation:Asthma, Cough & Fever
is the most convenient way to use this as a medication.
This plant can also be pounded using a pestle and mortar and can be applied to affected areas where there is pain, or soreness.
For wounds, the decoction can be used as an alternative to hydrogen peroxide for wound dressing.
2.) Ulasimang-bato
5.) Yerba Buena
6.) Sambong
What Are The Causes Of Diabetes Mellitus
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Nhp For The Treatment Of The Co
A number of NHP have been evaluated for the various co-morbidities and complications of diabetes, including lipids and blood pressure in diabetes, as well as CVD, nephropathy, retinopathy and peripheral neuropathy. As with the studies of glycemic control, most had small sample sizes and meta-analyses had marked heterogeneity of included studies, making strong conclusions difficult.
Randomized controlled trials demonstrating a benefit on lipid parameters in diabetes include: Ayurvedic polyherbal formulation , Hintonia latiflora and magnesium . In postmenopausal women with type 2 diabetes, vitamin D supplementation for 6 months reduced serum triglycerides without effect on other lipid parameters , while a meta-analysis with high heterogeneity showed benefit on lowering total cholesterol and TG . Other studies have failed to show significant benefit of vitamin D supplementation on lipids in people with diabetes . A meta-analysis of Berberine showed it to reduce TG and increase high-density lipoprotein cholesterol more than traditional lipid-lowering drugs, with no difference on total or low-density lipoprotein cholesterol . Berberine was also shown to reduce total and LDL-C and increase HDL-C combined with traditional lipid-lowering drugs compared with those drugs alone.
Improves Allergic Asthma Symptoms
Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disease where the immune system overreacts to environmental triggers, leading to inflammation in the airways. The active ingredient in milk thistle may help to reduce inflammation.
A found that silymarin helped to protect against inflammation in the airways of mice with allergic asthma. Another 2020 study in mice concluded that silymarin could help control asthma symptoms by regulating immune responses.
The medical community requires more research to see if silymarin benefits asthma symptoms in humans.
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Makabuhay Side Effects Cautions And Warnings
Makabuhay herbal medicine is considered generally for topical application and moderate intake.
Pregnancy and breast-feeding: There are no sufficient studies made on the side effects of Makabuhay plant in pregnancy and breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and avoid use.Diabetes: Makabuhay might have a side effect of lowering the blood sugar levels. Caution is advised if you have diabetes. The doses of your diabetes medicine might need to be adjusted.Autoimmune diseases”such as multiple sclerosis , lupus , rheumatoid arthritis , or other conditions: Makabuhay plant might activate the immune system and can worsen the symptoms of autoimmune diseases.Surgery: Makabuhay might affect blood sugar levels, so there is a concern that it might interfere with blood sugar control during and after surgery. Refrain from taking Makabuhay at least 2 weeks before surgery.
Are Natural Remedies Safe And Effective For Treating Type 1 & 2 Diabetes
There have been several types of research conducted in the past which have strong evidence to prove that herbs do play a great role in reducing blood glucose levels and therefore diabetes. Having said that, not everything is beneficial to everyone and hence one should take an expert advice before settling in for a particular herb type to manage diabetes. There can be a few adverse effects of taking herbs particularly if you are already taking medicines and as such, you need to be careful with the same.
Hence, herbs can be a useful treatment for diabetes treatment if your doctor so prescribes.!!
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Sampling And Recruitment Strategies
Justification of the chosen medical centres and representativeness
A purposive sample was selected all government hospitals registered at the Ministry of Health in Makkah Province which have endocrinology clinics were involved. Another sampling approach was also considered a convenience sampling technique based on locating endocrinology clinics in medical centres distributed in several locations in Makkah was carried out.
Sample size and recruiting patients and doctors
A sample size of 105 can achieve more than 80% power with 20% non-response/unintended error rate.
An A1c Of 7 To 8 Percent Is Recommended
As the ACP explain, the current rationale behind the existing recommendations of a score of 6.5 percent or below 7 percent is that keeping blood sugar this low would decrease the risk of microvascular complications over time. However, the ACP found that the evidence for such a reduction is inconsistent.
As Dr. Jack Ende the president of ACP puts it, analysis of the evidence behind existing guidelines found that treatment with drugs to targets of 7 percent or less compared to targets of about 8 percent did not reduce deaths or macrovascular complications such as heart attack or stroke but did result in substantial harms.
He continues, saying, The evidence shows that for most people with type 2 diabetes, achieving an A1C between 7 percent and 8 percent will best balance long-term benefits with harms such as low blood sugar, medication burden, and costs.
Additionally, the ACP recommend that patients who are 80 years old and above, or who live with chronic illnesses such as dementia, cancer, or congestive heart failure, receive a treatment that focuses on reducing high blood sugar-related symptoms instead of lowering HbA1c levels.
The reason for this is that for patients in this category, the potential side effects of hypoglycemic drugs outweigh the advantages.
Results from studies included in all the guidelines demonstrate that health outcomes are not improved by treating to A1C levels below 6.5 percent, Dr. Ende explains.
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What Is Type 2 Diabetes
Type 2 diabetes has become of primary global public health concern. Both developed and developing countries are experiencing higher rates of diabetes in adults. Diabetes has become the leading cause of disability and hospitalization. The first step to managing diabetes is with an oral antidiabetic drug . However, before insulin was discovered, herbal medicines were used to manage diabetes.
Type 2 diabetes is a condition characterized by hyperglycemia, a change in the metabolism of lipids, carbohydrates, and proteins. Long-term effects include eye, kidney, cardiovascular, and neurological problems.
Data Processing And Analysis
The completed survey was processed and analysed using a quantitative procedure conducted using the statistical methods available in the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences . The descriptive statistics were generated and possible relationships between different variables were assessed using a chi-square test.
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Protection From Skin Damage After Radiation Therapy
A study carried out at the University of Naples, Italy, tested five different topical creams to see how effective they might be in protecting the skin of breast cancer patients receiving radiation therapy. One of these creams contained Aloe.
They divided 100 patients into five groups of 20 each was prescribed a different topical treatment. They applied the creams twice daily, starting 15 days before radiation therapy treatment, and carried on for 1 month afterward.
During the 6-week period, the participants underwent weekly skin assessments.
In the journal Radiation Oncology, the scientists reported that the preventive use of the topical hydrating creams reduced the incidence of skin side effects in the women treated with radiation therapy for breast cancer, none performed significantly better.
All moisturizing creams used in this study were equally valid in the treatment of skin damage induced by radiotherapy.
Inclusion And Exclusion Criteria
The search was restricted to English and Persian language articles. All studies found during the search were independently evaluated for competence and inclusion by two different authors. After compliance with inclusion criteria, experimental research and clinical trials that evaluate the effect of medicinal herbs or plant component in diabetic animals or patients were included in the current research. Irrelevant studies or original article that evaluated mixed plant extract, algae, or mushroom extracts were also excluded.
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Akapulko Or Ringworm Bush Or Acapulco
Also known as Bayabas-Bayabasan, Akapulko is used to treat tinea infections, insect bites, ringworms, eczema, scabies, and itchiness. The leaves can be pounded and its extract directly applied to the affected skin problem. The leaves contain chrysophanic acid, a fungicide that is used to treat fungal or skin infections. The leaves extract can also be used in homemade soaps, shampoos, and lotions.
Akapulko is best for: Relieving scabies or insect bites.
Herbs And Supplements For Diabetes
Recall of metformin extended release
In May 2020, the Food and Drug Administration recommended that some makers of metformin extended release remove some of their tablets from the U.S. market. This is because an unacceptable level of a probable carcinogen was found in some extended-release metformin tablets. If you currently take this drug, call your healthcare provider. They will advise whether you should continue to take your medication or if you need a new prescription.
Type 2 diabetes used to be called adult-onset diabetes, but is becoming more common in children. This form of diabetes is caused when your body either resists insulin or doesnt produce enough. It causes your blood glucose levels to be unbalanced.
There is no cure. However, many people are able to manage their blood glucose levels with diet and exercise. If not, a doctor can prescribe medications that can manage blood sugar levels. Some of these medications are:
- insulin therapy
- sulfonylureas
- meglitinides
A healthy diet, physical activity, and maintaining a healthy weight are the first, and sometimes, most important part of diabetes treatment. However, when those are not enough to maintain your blood sugar levels, your doctor can decide which medications will work best for you.
Some supplements have shown promise in animal studies. However, there is currently only limited evidence that they have the above mentioned benefits in humans.
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