Sweet Herb

SWEET, SWEET HERB ANCIENT WISDOM, MODERN SCIENCE

BEING a diabetic isn’t easy. This is particularly because of the long-term complications that result from uncontrolled diabetes. Untreated or unrecognised diabetes causes excess blood sugar in the blood vessels. It gradually clogs blood vessels, damages body tissue, and wrecks the eyes, the kidneys, and the heart. If untreated, diabetes invites a host of miserable fates: strokes, heart disease, high blood pressure, kidney failure, blindness, amputations due to the loss of blood circulation. However, if diabetes is controlled, one can lead a normal life without any such complications. There are two varieties of diabetes. Type 1 – insulin-dependent diabetes – is an inherited autoimmune affliction where the pancreas doesn’t produce insulin. Type 2 is the one most of us have to fear. This is the real epidemic, accounting for 90-95% of diabetes cases worldwide. In this form, the pancreas isn’t the problem. It does its job of producing insulin, but for some reason scientists haven’t been able to fathom, it either doesn’t produce enough or the body fails to employ the insulin as it should. The effect can be devastating. The proposed mechanisms by which karavella brings down sugar levels are glucose oxidation and increasing insulin secretion. The good news however is that diabetes can be controlled and when it is kept under control, there is much less chance of complications. People at risk of developing type 2 diabetes can delay the onset of this disease by controlling their weight with a balanced, low-calorie diet and by exercising regularly. Moderate exercise, such as walking, can help lower your blood glucose. Exercise also decreases the risk of heart disease, which is common in older people and in people with diabetes. Diet, nutrition and exercise are all ways to keep your blood glucose under control. Some people must also take insulin or an oral medication while some of them control the condition with diet, exercise, herbal supplements and lifestyle measures. In Ayurveda’s perspective, diabetes is termed “madhumeha”, which literally means “honey-like urine”. This term came about during ancient times when physicians noticed that patients with this malady had ants attracted to their urine. According to Ayurveda, diabetes is a metabolic “kapha” type disorder in which diminished functioning of “agni” leads to a tendency toward high blood sugar. ‘

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In Ayurveda, agni is the metabolic entity, or the “fire element”, and is responsible for metabolism. If a person’s agni is low, then digestion and metabolism is poor – as in the case of diabetics where sugar metabolism is poor. Ayurvedic practitioners treat diabetes using a multi-pronged approach. First, they address diet modification, eliminating sugar and simple carbohydrates, and emphasise complex carbohydrates. Protein is limited since excessive intake can damage the kidneys. Fat is also limited because there is often a deficiency of pancreatic enzymes, making fat digestion difficult. Since many diabetics have autoantibodies, a cleansing programme is instituted. This includes herbal massages, herbal decoctions followed by fasting to cleanse the body. This is followed by an herbal purge for the liver, pancreas, and spleen. Colon therapy is next, first to cleanse the digestive tract and then to reconstitute the system. Exercise is another cornerstone of Ayurvedic treatment for diabetes. Yoga and breathing exercises are traditionally used. The yoga postures useful in diabetes are sun salutation, cobra pose, peacock pose, bow pose and the locust pose. In the diet, Ayurveda prescribes the following kapha-pacifying diet – avoid excess intake of sweets, carbohydrates, and dairy products and increase consumption of fresh vegetables and bitter herbs. Other useful foods include roasted or fried barley, corn flour, light, bitter vegetables, barley porridge, ghee, rice, and herbs like meshashringi(Gymnema sylvestre), jambu (Eugenia jambolana), pitasara (Pterocarpus marsupium) gokshura (Tribulus terrestris), triphala, musta (Cyperus rotundus), cardamom, fenugreek, or coriander, mixed with honey.

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The proposed mechanisms by which karavella brings down suger levels are glucose oxidation and increasing insulin secretion.

Karavella Karavella (Momordica charantia), also known as bitter melon, is one herb that has proven beneficial in the treatment of diabetes. Karavella has a long history of use as an herb for diabetes in Asia, Africa and Latin America. The plant extract was referred to then as vegetable insulin. Karavella is used in various systems of traditional medicine for several ailments (antidiabetic, abortifacient, anthelmintic, contraceptive, dysmenorrhea, eczema, antimalarial, galactagogue, gout, jaundice, abdominal pain, kidney (stone), leprosy, leucorrhea, piles, pneumonia, psoriasis, rheumatism, fever and scabies). Traditionally, it has also been used in treating peptic ulcers. Most importantly, the studies have shown its efficacy in various cancers1. Benefits Various studies have demonstrated the potent antioxidant activity of karavella. Treatment with karavella resulted in a significant increase in various antioxidant enzyme levels in the liver and kidney of diabetic rats. The extract of karavella exerted rapid protective effects against lipid peroxidation by scavenging free radicals, thereby reducing the risk of diabetic complications2. Other studies have demonstrated the blood glucose lowering activity of karavella. The effect of karavella on fasting and post-prandial (two hours after food) blood glucose levels was studied in 100 cases of moderate non-insulin dependent diabetic subjects. Drinking of an aqueous homogenised suspension of the vegetable pulp led to significant reduction of both fasting and postprandial serum glucose levels. This hypoglycaemic action was observed in 86 (86%) cases3. The active components in karavella are thought to be charantin, vicine, and polypeptidep. (Polypeptide-p is an insulin-like protein.) The proposed mechanisms by which karavella brings down sugar levels are by increasing insulin secretion and glucose oxidation4 (a process of metabolising or burning sugar). The extract of karavella in combination with antidiabetic drugs brought about a greater level of blood sugar level reduction than brought about by the drugs alone5. Apart from its blood sugar lowering effects, karavella has other benefits as well. Intake of karavella has also been shown to inhibit cataract formation in diabetics6. Karavella has been shown to bring about a reduction in cholesterol levels. Treatment of diabetic rats with karavella fruit extract over a 10-week period returned the increased blood cholesterol levels to normal7. These effects would be helpful in preventing the long-term complications in diabetes.

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Although studies have used karavella in the form of a juice, fruit, and dried powder, a standardised extract of the herb will provide better benefits and consistency. However, use of karavella in pregnancy and lactation is not recommended. Diabetics who are on other antidiabetic medications should use it cautiously as there can be further glucose-lowering effects8. While diabetes is a long-term disorder, adopting simple lifestyle changes, choosing the right medications and keeping a close watch on blood sugar control will stop diabetes from making your life less sweet.

References: 1. Grover JK, Yadav SP. Pharmacological actions and potential uses of Momordica charantia: a review. J Ethnopharmacol. 2004 Jul; 93(1): 123-32. 2. Sathishsekar D, Subramanian S. Antioxidant properties of Momordica Charantia (bitter gourd) seeds on Streptozotocin induced diabetic rats. Asia Pac J Clin Nutr. 2005; 14(2): 153-8. 3. Ahmad N, Hassan MR, Halder H, Bennoor KS. Effect of Momordica charantia (Karolla) extracts on fasting and postprandial serum glucose levels in NIDDM patients. Bangladesh Med Res Counc Bull. 1999 Apr;25(1):11-3. 4. Gloria Y, David M. Systematic review of herbs and dietary supplements for glycemic control in diabetes. Diabetes Care 2003; 26:1277-1294. 5. Tongia A, Tongia SK, Dave M. Phytochemical determination and extraction of Momordica charantia fruit and its hypoglycemic potentiation of oral hypoglycemic drugs in diabetes mellitus (NIDDM). Indian J Physiol Pharmacol. 2004 Apr;48(2):241-4. 6. Srivastava Y, Venkatakrishna-Bhatt H, Verma Y. Effect of Momordica charantia Linn. pomous aqueous extract on cataractogenesis in murrin alloxan diabetics. Pharmacol Res Commun. 1988 Mar; 20(3): 201-9. 7. Ahmed I, Lakhani MS, Gillett M, John A, Raza H. Hypotriglyceridemic and hypocholesterolemic effects of anti-diabetic Momordica charantia (karela) fruit extract in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. Diabetes Res Clin Pract. 2001 Mar;51(3):155-61. 8. Kulkarni RD, Gaitonde BB. Potentaition of tolbutamide action by jasad bhasma and karela (Momordica charantia). Indian J Med. Res. 1962; 50:715-9. This article is courtesy of Himalaya Healthcare. For more information, e-mail [email protected]. The information provided is for educational purposes only and should not be considered as medical advice. The Star does not give any warranty on accuracy,

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completeness, functionality, usefulness or other assurances as to the content appearing in this column. The Star disclaims all responsibility for any losses, damage to property or personal injury suffered directly or indirectly from reliance on such information. The Star, 31 Julai 2005

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