Pinging the list to Diabetes management. [freepmail to get on/off the list] As usual, if anyone wants sources for any of these just ping me.
I am continuing to research psoriasis but had to take a detour into diabetes land. Hub is borderline and LOVES sweets and notices some increase in symptoms. So, here is info on treating adult onset diabetes; may help reduce the need for insulin in the juvenile onset type. I’m trying to include “regular” names for Ayurvedic herbs for ease of locating.
Most herbs are about 3 grams a teaspoon unless very lightweight.
Diabetes Management
Diabetes manifests as excess thirst and excess urination. In adult onset diabetes (diabetes type 2), it is primarily a Kapha disease caused by excess consumption of sweet rich food, often accompanied by weight gain. Wrong diet is a main causative factor, with excess consumption of sweets, sugar, high fat dairy products, alcohol, fat and refined wheat products. Other factors can contribute such as lack of exercise, worry, stress and anxiety, a lot of daytime sleep, and it may be hereditary.
The best general herb for regulating pancreas and liver function, especially in the early stage, is turmeric. Take 1 to 3 grams two to three times a day; can take with a little aloe juice. Combines well with neem and turmeric to control blood sugar levels and to prevent weight gain..
The main Ayurvedic herb in severe or long term condition is shilajit, which actually a mineral that is found in rocks in the Himalayas.
Another useful Ayurvedic herb is Gymnema sylverstre, or gurmar, and is often taking with shilajit. Spices like ginger and cardamom aid in the digestion of sweet foods. Though refined sugar should generally be avoided, raw honey can be used.
These are useful bitter herbs: aloe gel or juice, gentian, neem, barberry, goldenseal (use sparingly) and myrrh. Black pepper, cayenne ginger and other pungent spices can help with weight reduction if needed.
Kutki [Picrorhiza krrora] has many uses, including purging excess heat from the blood, helps rid the body of accumulated toxins, clears the liver and gallbladder, and supports functioning of the spleen. Kutki helps thyroid function and increase metabolism of protein, cholesterol and fats. It is useful for obesity, fatty degenerative changes in the liver, high cholesterol and triglycerides, and high blood sugar.
Gotu Kola [Centella/Hydrocotyle asiatica] supports proper functioning of the liver, spleen, and pancreas and is a great blood purifier. It kindles and regulates the pancreatic fire and thus helpful in treating hypoglycemia and diabetes. 3-30 grams a day can be taken. It grows in subtropical climates and can be eaten fresh.
Gokshura [Tribulis terrestris] is rejuvenating as well as cleansing to the entire genitor-urinary tract. In addition to its many other uses treating heart disease, fatty liver, and high cholesterol, when mixed with neem and turmeric, it works well to balance blood sugar levels and increase pancreatic function. 1-9 grams a day.
Bilva [Aegle marnelos] treats many digestive and GI tract problems. When combined with equal parts of neem and turmeric it is effective in controlling blood sugar levels in the treatment of adult onset diabetes.1-12 grams a day
Barberry [Berberis] is useful in treating adult onset diabetes, by controlling blood sugar levels. A good mix for reducing excess fat and ama (accumulated toxins) as well as regulating blood sugar leves is 1 part barberry, 2 parts turmeric and 2 parts neem. Two “00” capsules of this mix can be taken three times daily with warm water after meals. One 00 capsule is approximately 1/4 teaspoon, doesn’t need to be encapsulated. It is very bitter tasting along with most herbs for diabetes.
Arjuna [Terminalia arjuna;] An extreme useful herb for heart function, and also for diabetes and high cholesterol. Arjuna has a stimulating effect on the the pancreatic fire; thus helps regulate blood sugar levels. It can be combined for this purpose with neem and turmeric. 1-6 grams a day can be taken, for most herbs one teaspoon is about 3 grams.
Medical Xpress / HealthDay / Environmental Health Perspectives ^ | Aug. 14, 2024 | Dennis Thompson / Julia R. Varshavsky et al
Chemicals commonly found in sunscreen, makeup and other personal care products could be putting pregnancies at risk, a new study warns.
Phenols and parabens in these products increase a pregnant woman's risk of high blood pressure by 57%, particularly at 24 to 28 weeks of gestation, researchers reported.
Phenols and parabens are used as UV filters in sunscreens, and to prevent the growth of harmful mold and bacteria in makeup and cosmetics, researchers said.
Parabens alone are used in about 80% of personal care products, the research team said in background notes.
For the study, researchers tracked the health of more than 1,000 pregnant women in northern Puerto Rico.
Urine tests showed the levels of 12 phenols and parabens for each expecting mom, whose blood pressure was tested early and later in their pregnancy.
“Overall, we found that exposure to phenols and parabens during pregnancy is associated with maternal blood pressure differences and, further, that exposure to these chemicals, both separately and together, increases the risk of hypertension during pregnancy, especially later in pregnancy,” the researchers concluded in the study.
Phenols and parabens are known to increase inflammation and oxidative stress in humans, which has been linked to high blood pressure, researchers noted.
The chemicals also are known to disrupt hormones in humans, and these hormones also play a role in regulating blood pressure, they added.
Varshavsky's advice: Women who are pregnant (and even when they are not) may want to consider cutting back on certain products.
Varshavsky also noted that, “the good thing about phenols and parabens are that these chemicals have short biological half-lives, which basically means that we metabolize them relatively quickly. So, if we reduce our exposure, the levels in our bodies go down pretty quickly.”
Re: Barberry [Berberis] Is the same thing as berberine?