China is a cradle of herbal medicine, and the depth of knowledge about therapeutic properties and healing powers of herbs in the framework of Traditional Chinese Medicine is really impressive. Modern scientists from the Homeland of Confucius are widely utilizing the rich knowledge received from their ancestors, and the achievements and new discoveries of modern Chinese herbalists and medical scientists are sometimes truly amazing and very promising.

Recently, in particular, a group of the researchers at the Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Science, leaded by Dr Ying Leng, gave a hope to those millions of patients who suffer from type 2 diabetes. The scientists have found out that emodin, a natural substance which can be extracted from such Chinese herbs as Chinese rhubarb (Rheum palmatum) and Japanese knotweed (Polygonum cuspidatum), can be effective for reducing the impact of the disease.

The mechanics of the process is explained as an ability of emodin to block the activities of an enzyme called 11-Beta-HSD1 which defines our body’s response to sugar and plays a role in the development of the disease. Giving emodin to mice has shown positive results, and, according to Dr. Y. Leng: “Researchers would need to develop chemicals that have similar effects as emodin, and see which if any of these could be used as a therapeutic drug.” The findings of the Chinese scientists were published in August edition of the British Journal of Pharmacology.

In addition to miraculous powers of Chinese herbs, the results of another study on finding natural solutions for type 2 diabetes were published this month in the British Medical Journal. Medical specialists at the University of Leicester made a large review of a number of previous researches directed on finding the links between diabetes and a diet plan based on fruit and veggies. These studies involved more than 200,000 participants and the final idea was the following: adding leafy veggies to everyone’s diet can protect us against diabetes. The nutritionists say that just 5 servings a week of the foods like spinach can lower the risks of type 2 diabetes up to 14%.

Author Info: Hi! My name is Carla and I am a 5th year medical student at HYMS. I am interested in alternative medicine and I have done months researching the topic of herbal medicine. Besides, I like interviewing people and learning more about their experiences with one or another type of herbal treatments. I am willing to contribute to this site with my knowledge, and I would be happy to help you out to the best of my ability with any specific questions or problems related to alternative medicine.

One Response to “Chinese Herbs May Be Beneficial For People With Diabetes”

1. Cassidy Homestead Says:
   October 24th, 2010 at 1:17 am

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