In the terminology of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), diabetes is called Wasting and Thirsting Disease.

Wasting and Thirsting Disease is thought to be caused by a collapse of the Yin of the Kidney, the Spleen, or the Lungs.

Research (see below) and a great body of human experience has shown that Chinese herbal medicine can be helpful for treating type 2 (adult onset) diabetes. For the best results, it is important to begin with a Chinese medical diagnosis that identifies the organs involved.  This enables the practitioner to construct a formula appropriate for the individual pattern.  Different herbs and formulae are required to build yin in various organs.

Chinese herbs are rarely used alone to treat diabetes. There are however, a few exceptions. An Asian vegetable, called bitter melon, or momordica charantia, is known to lower blood sugar levels in diabetics. Another useful single herb is Tian Hua Fen (trichosanthis root). Gymnema Sylvestre is another Asian herb which has been used to treat diabetes. Fenugreek, or hu lu ba, is still another Chinese herb that has been shown to be helpful in treating diabetes.

Though there is some literature about Asian ginseng, ren shen, and diabetes, it is really American ginseng, yi shang shen, that is most properly used for diabetes. Most practitioners of Chinese medicine will use herbal formulas or combinations of herbs to treat their diabetic patients.

Some Chinese medicines which are commonly used are those which tonify the yin. This includes the medicines Liu Wei Di Huang and Da Bu Yin Wan. In addition, herbs and acupuncture are often added to treat complications of diabetes such as peripheral neuropathy, cataracts, etc. The most common variations of these medicines are as follows:

For diabetes patterns involving the lungs, Mai Wei Di Huang Wan is a better choice than Liu Wei Di Huang.

For diabetic patterns involving the stomach/spleen, with resulting sensation of gnawing hunger or thirst, add the Chinese medicine Bai Hu Tang Wan (White Tiger Pills).

For diabetes involving the kidneys marked by frequent urination, use Jin Gui Shen Qi Wan (Golden Book Pills) instead of Liu Wei Di Huang Wan. Use the single herb Hu Lu Ba (fenugreek).

For cataracts or other eye problems due to diabetes, use Ming Mu Di Huang Wan or Cataract Vision Improving Pills.

Chinese herbs show promise for diabetes prevention (excerpted)

NEW YORK (Reuters Health) – A number of traditional Chinese herbs may help control blood sugar levels in people at high risk of diabetes, a new research review suggests.

The review, which examined 16 clinical trials of 15 different Chinese herbal medicines , found that the herbs generally helped lower blood sugar levels in people with "pre-diabetes" that can progress to type 2 diabetes.

When the researchers pooled data, they found that adding a Chinese herbal medicine to lifestyle changes doubled the likelihood of participants' blood sugar levels returning to normal. What's more, people using the remedies were two-thirds less likely to progress to diabetes during the 9 month studies.

The findings appear in the Cochrane Library, published by the Cochrane Collaboration, an international organization that evaluates medical research.

The results, say the researchers, are "quite promising." However, they also stress that the studies had shortcomings that make it hard to draw firm conclusions.

The studies included a total of 1,391 men and women with either impaired glucose tolerance or impaired fasting glucose -- problems in blood-sugar control that lead to sugar levels that are elevated, but not high enough to diagnose diabetes.

They tested various Chinese herbal medicines such as Jiangtang Bushen, Xiaoke huaya and Tang Kang yin. Grant pointed out that in traditional Chinese medicine, herbs are recommended based on individuals' unique situations, and not as a one-size-fits-all prescription.

Find full article at http://www.reuters.com/article/2009/10/14/us-chinese-herbs-idUSTRE59D31Y20091014


American Ginseng (Panax quinquefolius L) Reduces Postprandial Glycemia in Nondiabetic Subjects and Subjects With Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

American ginseng improves glucose tolerance in diabetics and nondiabetics.

A small, randomized clinical study showed that treatment with American ginseng (Panax quinquefolius) helped improve glucose tolerance in nondiabetic people as well as those with type II diabetes mellitus. For the study, 10 nondiabetic people and 9 people with type II diabetes received treatment with 3 g ginseng or placebo capsules either 40 minutes before or in combination with an oral glucose challenge.

In nondiabetic participants, no difference was observed in glycemia between placebo and ginseng when the substances were administered along with glucose, but significant reductions were seen when ginseng was taken 40 minutes before the glucose challenge. However, compared with placebo, both ginseng dosage regimens improved glucose tolerance in the people with diabetes.

The researchers cautioned that for nondiabetics, "to prevent unintended hypoglycemia, it may be important that the American ginseng be taken with meals." They also noted that the 3 g dose of ginseng used in their study is higher than that used in most other clinical studies, which is typically 1.5 g or less.

For more information about this study visit: http://archinte.ama-assn.org/cgi/content/abstract/160/7/1009


Randomized study of glibenclamide versus traditional Chinese treatment in type 2 diabetic patients. Chinese-French Scientific Committee for the Study of Diabetes.

Randomized study of glibenclamide versus traditional Chinese medicine in type 2 diabetic patients.

According to a recent French study at the Universite Paris-Nord, hospital Jean-Verdier, France, TCM (traditional Chinese herbal medicine) offers effective treatment for patients diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. The French researchers evaluated the efficacy of a traditional Chinese medicine based on three plants in association with a sulfonylurea, glibenclamide (2.5 mg x 3/d).

A randomized double blind trial was established involving 4 groups of patients, all of whom were type 2 diabetic outpatients, 40-70 years of age, being treated by diet alone or oral anti-diabetic drugs. 216 patients from five different medical centres took part in the trial. Blood tests were used to monitor changes in blood sugar levels and insulaemia. The researchers found that those patients receiving the Chinese mrdicine experienced significantly decreased blood glucose values only 2 hours after the test meal, although the beneficial effects were compounded when combined with glibenclamide. Hypoglycaemia occurred in 19 patients in the control groups but no instances were recorded in the Chinese medicine group.

View article here: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/8593925


Chinese Medicine Yu Xiao San 8805 a clinical report

Designed to restore pancreatic function and to proliferate insulin beta cells, Yu Xiao San has been shown to gradually and effectively lower blood-sugar levels and increase insulin secretion. In addition it has been shown to regulate carbohydrate metabolism, improve blood circulation, lower blood cholesterol and increase immune response. The main herb components are Ramulus Euonymi Alatae, Niu Bang Zi (Fructus Arctii Lappae), Wei Ling Xian (Radix Clemetidis Chinensis), Di Gu Pi (Cortex Lycii Chinensis Radicis), E Zhu (Rhizoma Curcumae Zedoariae), Jie Geng (Radix Platycodi Grandiflori), Li Zhi He (Semen Litchi Chinensis) and Ren Shen (Radix Ginseng). This patent is currently also being produced in the US and marketed as a health food. (see Appendix-Clinical Research).

From Feb. 1992 to Oct. 1992, 10,618 cases were selected based upon the diagnostic criteria established for diabetes mellitus by the World Health Organization. The patients were drawn for clinical assessment from the China Beijing Chao Yang District Red Cross Hospital and from 48 comparable hospitals nationwide.

Results:
After 4 months of treatment and monitoring, of patients with Type 1 diabetes, 84 (6.80%) demonstrated clinical recovery, 106 (8.58%) prominent effect, 144 (11.65%) some effect, and 902 (72.98%) no effect. Over the same period, 1794 (19.12%) patients with Type 2 diabetes demonstrated clinical recovery, 2346 (25.01%) prominent effect, 3835 (40.88%) some effect, and 1407 (15.00%) no effect. Overall totals were 1,878 (17.69%), 2,452 (23.09%), 3,979 (37.47%) and 2,309 (21.75%) respectively.

For a text translation of this article, click here: http://www.certifiedchinesetranslation.com/openaccess/Yu-Xiao-San-Report-Translation.pdf