If you have been diagnosed with diabetes, regardless of the specific type, it means you have an excess of glucose (sugar) in your blood. That can result in an assortment of serious health conditions. Diabetes is often traditional oral or injected medications, and sometimes insulin pumps are used. Alternative therapies that may be worth a try include Chinese treatments and herbs.
History of Chinese Herbs
Diabetes has been treated with Chinese herbs for more than 2,000 years. Since ancient times, Chinese physicians have been quite knowledgeable about the condition. The Chinese have a long list of herbs that may help treat diabetes. Among the most recognizable and perhaps most easily accessed are asparagus root, ginseng and cinnamon.
In order to be effective, the dosage of herbs used to treat diabetes is usually very high. A highly condensed extract may require 12-24 grams per day, while 40-80 grams of crude herbs is often necessary.
Mixing Herbs and Medications
While there is no clear evidence that Chinese herbs and standard diabetes drugs should not be taken simultaneously, there is some concern that blood-sugar levels may drop too low when the two therapies are combined.
This problem may be avoided if the herbs are integrated into your system slowly over a period of days. Make sure to consult with your physician if you are considering adding any herbal supplements to your current diabetes medicine.
Acupuncture
The use of acupuncture as a treatment for diabetes appears to be most effective for younger patients and those who are in the early stages of the disease.
The clinician chooses acupuncture points based on the medical history of the patient and the stage of the diabetes. Treatment plans and selected are highly individualized.
Diabetics who have received acupuncture also tend to experience a drop in cholesterol levels and report a smaller number of medical problems.
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