Disclaimer: I am not a doctor or licensed ND, I cannot diagnose or prescribe medication for diseases. Following is the result of research I did in various books and on the Internet. My hope is that it will be helpful to those seeking natural help for diabetes.
Also, this article only touches the tip of information available on the Internet and at the library.
Due to the high content of information, I am including a short summary first:
Diabetes results when the body is unable to produce the hormone insulin which controls the body’s sugar level in the blood. A lack of insulin results in the body not able to absorb glucose or process it properly. Insulin is produced in the pancreas. Diabetes has many other complications including eye and kidney problems.
When attempting a natural regime, your first step would be to cleanse your body by either a fast, a master cleanse or a herbal regime designed to clean out the intestines, colon and digestive system, and one to clean out the blood and liver.
Your next step would be to increase your exercise, and adjust your diet. Cut out processed foods, refined sugars and simple carbohydrates. Replace with proteins, fibers, fruits and vegetables. Many people have overcome diabetes just through this step.
Three main essential oils mentioned to be helpful in bringing down blood sugar count by many people with this condition are:
Coriander
Dill
Thieves (an essential oil blend)
Some main herbs used to support the body during this time have been:
Dandelion root
Fenugreek
Bitter Melon
It is important to stay in communication with a physician and watch your blood sugar levels. It is also important to not give up, consistency is a main key in naturally overcoming health challenges.
Please read the following for more in-depth information.
WHAT IS DIABETES?
(From a forgotten source on the internet)
Diabetes is a disease that develops, due to a problem with the hormone insulin, produced by the pancreas. Insulin, controls the glucose in the blood, and how much glucose is absorbed by the cells; which in turn use glucose to produce energy. When insulin is not present, or the body is not using it properly, glucose can't enter the cells, and stays in the bloodstream producing hyperglycemia, or excess of sugar (glucose) in the blood.
There are two types of Diabetes, Type I and type II, in type I, the pancreas produces no insulin whatsoever, therefore the patient depends on insulin injection, to control the glucose, this type of diabetes affects people less than 30 years old, and develops when antibodies, kill cells of the pancreas in charge of creating insulin. Type II diabetes, develops on people 30 years of age and older, and is cause by the insufficient or ineffective production of insulin, this type of diabetes can be controlled with drugs and proper diet.
The symptoms for ether diabetes are, hunger and thirst more then normal, weight loss, excessive urination, fatigue, the white part of the eye turns yellowish, bruises easily, and cuts take longer to heal.
If not managed properly, diabetes can have very damaging results, such as, retinopathy, blindness, cardiovascular disease, amputation of foot or leg, and kidney disease. Since Diabetes is so dangerous, it should always be monitored by a physician, Type 2, or adult-onset, diabetes is the most common form of the disease, accounting for 95 percent of cases in the United States. It is the leading cause of kidney failure, limb amputations and new blindness in adults. It also contributes to heart disease and stroke -- two of the major killers in the United States.
(Taken from the Young Living Essential Oils Desk Reference)
The pancreas produces insulin, which enables the body to use glucose. If there is no insulin, or not enough insulin is produced, the body cannot regulate the sugar levels in the body. This disorder is called diabetes mellitus, which causes low energy and abnormally high blood glucose (sugar).
(Taken from http://www.healthchecksystems.com/diabetes.htm)
Diabetes is a metabolic disorder that is characterized by high blood glucose and either insufficient or ineffective insulin. 5.9% of the population in the United States has diabetes, and diabetes is the seventh leading cause of death in our country. Diabetes is a chronic disease without a cure, however, with proper management and treatment, diabetics can live a normal, healthy lives.
Insulin
Insulin is a hormone secreted by specialized cells in the pancreas in response to (among other things), increased blood glucose concentration. The primary role of insulin is to control the transport of glucose from the bloodstream into the cells. After consuming a meal, insulin enhances the uptake of the energy nutrients (amino acids, glucose, and fatty acids). Insulin helps maintain blood glucose within normal limits and stimulates protein synthesis, glucose synthesis in the liver and muscle, and fat synthesis.
Without insulin, or when insulin is ineffective, glucose regulation falters and the metabolism of energy-yielding nutrients changes. In diabetes, there is too much glucose in the blood. When glucose builds in the blood instead of going into the cells, it can cause two problems:
· Your cells may become starved for energy
· Over time, high glucose blood levels may harm your kidneys, heart, eyes or nerves
(Taken from herbaladvisor.com)
You did not catch diabetes from someone else. Instead, insulin-dependent diabetes is caused by damage to the pancreas. The pancreas is an organ near your stomach. The pancreas contains cells called beta cells. Beta cells have a vital job: they make insulin, a hormone that helps cells take in the glucose they need. Many things might have killed your beta cells, but in most people with insulin-dependent diabetes, the immune system makes a mistake. Cells that should protect you from germs instead attack your beta cells. Sometimes, the beta cells get wiped out and cannot produce insulin anymore. Without beta cells, you make no insulin. Glucose builds up in your blood, and you get diabetes. Because almost all diabetes are nutrition and lifestyle related, the best way to prevent its happening is to eat regularly, and keep a healthy life style.
NATURAL METHODS OF DEALING WITH DIABETES
(Taken from http://www.mercola.com/2001/aug/22/diabetes.htm
Until now, doctors believed that changes in diet and exercise might help reduce the risk of developing diabetes, but they had little scientific evidence to back up that thinking. Critics often pointed to the dismal failure of most people to lose weight and keep it off. As little as a 5 percent weight loss -- that's about 10 pounds for most people in the study -- can reduce the risk of diabetes by 58 percent. That is truly remarkable.
DR. MERCOLA'S COMMENT:
The top medical journal, NEJM in May 2001 proclaimed that in fact one can "cure" type two diabetes with diet and exercise.
The dietary modifications were able to reduce the rate of diabetes by nearly 60% and they did that without even understanding some of the most basic foundational truths of food choices. These investigators were absolutely clueless with respect to the influence of grain and sugar restriction on insulin optimization.
So if the traditionally recommended low-fat diet can reduce diabetes by 60%, if one uses the modified food choice program you can reduce type two diabetes by well over 95%.
Exercise is unquestionably also a big key here.
Considering that there are 15 million diabetics in the US and the epidemic is continuing to increase in the US and worldwide (affected about 6 percent of persons in developed countries in 1995), this is important information.
Folks, believe me, you do not want to play around with diabetes. It is a devastating illness and will gradually and slowly suck the life out of you and contribute to a life full of miserable health complications.
It is also one of the fastest ways to accelerate the aging process.
Here is what the subjects in the intervention group did to improve their diabetes:
They met with a nutritionist seven times during the first year and every three months thereafter. Goals for changes were established in five categories:
・ a reduction in weight (by 5 percent or more)
・ a reduction in fat intake (to less than 30 percent of energy intake)
・ a reduction in saturated fat intake (to less than 10 percent of energy intake)
・ an increase in fiber intake (to at least 15 g per 1000 kcal)
・ an increase in exercise (to at least 30 minutes per day)
The above modifications were able to reduce the rate of diabetes by nearly 60% and they did that without even understanding some of the most basic foundational truths of food choices.
These investigators were absolutely clueless with respect to the influence of grain and sugar restriction on insulin optimization.
So if the traditionally recommended low-fat diet can reduce diabetes by 60%, if one uses the modified food choice program you can reduce type two diabetes by well over 95%.
Diet and lifestyle outline link http://www.mercola.com/diet.htm
(Taken from Young Living Essential Oils Desk Reference)
Single Oils:
Coriander with cinnamon, fennel, dill, cypress, Rosemary CT cineol, pine or Ylang ylang
Blend Oils:
Cypress with Thieves or EndoFlex
Lavender with Thieves, JuvaFlex or Di-Tone
Helichrysum with Thieves
(This company also has a list of supplements, as in vitamins, or meal replacements, to use which help support the body in times of illnesses)
· Massage on pancreas Vita Flex points on bottom of feet: (chart located here http://lamattery.younglivingworld.com/MainFrame.asp?BodyFrame=resources/freetrain_main.asp)
· Do a body cleansing
· Take sulferzyme (1-4 Tablespoons daily) and VitaGreen (8-16 capsules) daily
· Include Body Balance and Power Meal in your daily menu
Note: do not use fennel longer than 10 days at a time, since it excessively increases flow through the urinary tract
VitaGreen is high in plant protein, which helps balance blood glucose. The MSM/sulfur found in the Sulferzyme promotes insulin production. (I take both these products and have found my appetite definitely decreased and craving for sweets has minimized drastically.)
Megazyme supports enzyme production, which helps keep the pancreas from premature wasting and enlargement, a condition linked to diabetes and premature aging.
The Stevia leaf extract is one of the most health-restoring plants known. It is a natural sweetener, has no calories and does not have the harmful side effects of processed sugar or sugar substitutes. Stevia increases glucose tolerance and helps normalize blood sugar fluctuations.
(Taken from the Rondale’s Herb Encyclopedia)
Herbs which can be used by diabetics:
· Dandelion (get it from your garden, dig it up, chop up the root and steep for 5-15 minutes)
The juice from the root is still used by European herbalists to treat diabetes and liver diseases.
· Fenugreek
The herb is employed as a folk cure for diabetes, anemia and rickets (use the seed: 1oz to 1pt of boiling water, steep for 5 minutes or slightly more)
· Ginseng
· Sage
Research has shown it lowers blood sugar levels in diabetics
(Received from another health practitioner)
SPOONFUL OF CINNAMON MAY HELP DIABETICS
People with type 2 diabetes may improve their ability to regulate their blood sugar by adding a little spice to their life, report researchers. In preliminary findings, cinnamon helped fat cells recognize and respond to insulin, the hormone that removes excess glucose (sugar) from the blood and deposits it into cells. In a test tube and in animal studies, the spice appeared to increase glucose metabolism by about 20 times, said Dr. Richard Anderson, lead scientist at the Beltsville, Maryland Human Nutrition Center, a branch of the US Department of Agriculture (USDA).
"This is a very good means of improving blood sugar with minimal means and minimal cost," he told Reuters Health. "This could help millions and millions of people."
The majority of the more than 16 million Americans who suffer from diabetes have type 2 diabetes, a disease in which the cells fail to recognize insulin. As a result, the amount of sugar in the blood remains high, leading to fatigue and blurred vision. Over the long term, excess blood glucose can increase the risk of heart attack, kidney failure and blindness.
Diabetes is the sixth-leading cause of death in the U.S., according to the American Diabetes Association.
Anderson explained that his mostly unpublished research shows that a compound in cinnamon - methylhydroxy chalcone polymer (MHCP) - makes fat cells more responsive to insulin by activating the enzyme that causes insulin to bind to cells and inhibiting the enzyme that blocks this process.
While it is too soon to recommend the spice as a regular treatment for type 2 diabetes, Anderson said patients can try adding 1/4-1 teaspoon of cinnamon to their food.
"The worst that will happen is it won't do any good and the best is that it will help dramatically," he said.
"Clinical trials using a cinnamon extract on humans are due to begin in 6 months," Anderson said.
Type 2 diabetes is most often diagnosed in adults over 45 who are overweight. An increasing number of children and teenagers around the world are developing the disease to increasing rates of obesity and sedentary lifestyles.
TESTIMONIALS REGARDING DIABETES AND THE USE OF ESSENTIAL OILS
Testimonies from people who have face diabetes and what they did to overcome or get control of it YLEO related
Hi- I am fairly new at using the oils; and my mother has had diabetes for 20 years, taking insulin twice a day. Today she told me that her dr. just lowered her insulin levels and she is taking it once a day, at a lower dosage!
She has been using the oils for 1 month!!! here's her process:
* Theives on the feet in the morning and at night.
* Coriander and dill on the inside of her ankles every time she eats (before she eats), * coriander and fennel with the dill before her main meals, breakfast and dinner. As a diabetic my mother eats about 5 meals a day (small ones) but her main courses are breakfast and dinner.
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My diabetic friend also takes K&B (a kidney & bladder supplement)
and Vita Green (supplement) along with the oils already mentioned. This has prevented the need to go on dialysis.
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This testimony is now quite old but still effective I guess. I am 67 and have had diabetes for several years. I use a drug called Metformin and substituted Dill, Cypress, Coriander and Fennel.
My blood sugars leveled off and although I do not adhere to a strict diet I have eliminated most sugars from my diet. If you follow the EDR [Essential Oils Desk Reference], your friend can bring his blood sugars down to well within the normal range.
Exercise is important, and that along with the diet watch he may well be off medication in the future. I do not have to take the medication as long as I observe the above. The oils and supplements work.
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I have been using Coriander, Dill and Fennel morning and evening on him. I only apply one oil at a time. I muscle test each time to see which to use. I CAN'T BELIEVE the difference!! If we forget to apply the oils his sugar is higher. I'd say on the average that applying the oils has brought his sugars down about 20-60 pts each reading! But if we forget they are generally up the next time he checks. He also just started a supplement that my Mom's cousin is on and in less than a week it has brought them down even more! So between the two we are really having to adjust his insulin intake....lowering it! YEAH
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I have type I diabetes and have found Lavender, Coriander, and Thieves oils work to lower high blood sugars.
My pancreas produces no insulin and I take two shots a day...but have reduced my insulin needs drastically since I've been using YL's products. I use Sulphurzyme, Vitagreen, Master Formula, Mineral Essence, and lots of lemon in water as well as the oils. I used to require 80 units of insulin daily - that's down to 37 units and I've not had any problems in the past 5 yrs. - my hair no longer falls out, my blood sugars are relatively stable, all circulatory problems have disappeared, no deterioration in eyesight...doing great.
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I know 3 diabetics who having very good results with the "oils". One of them is insulin dependent and 2 are on orals.
I had them start out with a bowel and liver cleanse 1st. Then after the 3 weeks of cleanse, they are using Vitagreen, dill, coriander and fennel. The oils are used as "emergency" measures. This is one drop of one oil on the inside ankle after each meal. The Vitagreen keeps them on an even keel. This program really does work. They have been able to really reduce their intake of blood sugar drugs.
One man was on 4 different ones and his blood sugar was running 250 to 400, is now not taking any, and his sugar levels are fairly stable at 100- 150. Of course, he has made diet changes, but not many. One woman cut her insulin intake from 60 units 2x a day to 10 units 2x a day. AND HER BLOOD SUGAR VERY RARLY GETS OVER 150. Hope this helps.
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Coriander should be applied on the inside of the feet around the ankle bones.
Dill applied there lowered my friend's blood sugar 100 points in 1 hour.
After 3 days of applying Dill before each meal, her blood sugar stayed between 100-120, she was very surprised and thrilled. She was on "Glucophage" and her Dr. was threatening to put her on insulin. I haven't tried anyone on corriander. Hope this helps.
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Two friends with diabetes have been helped by two different products.
The most dramatic is a friend whose kidneys are shot and is on home dialysis. He began take Sulfurzyme for pain, and it was helpful to him for that, but less then a month after beginning to take it, he want to the hospital for tests. The blood-work came back with such high marks that different physicians asked him what he was doing. The cholesterol was down, the blood sugar was in a much lower level than he had previously had on numerous tests, the platelet count was close to normal; I cannot remember all the different things. They had been preparing to amputate his toe due to an infection, but regular use of Oregano killed the infection, turned the skin soft and pink, and circulation was tremendously improved.
Another friend, insulin dependent, agreed to try Thieves (an essential oil blend) when I gave him half a bottle of mine. His sister, who is a member of YL, had been unsuccessful in convincing him to try. He had complained that he was having trouble keeping his blood sugar under control. I handed him the bottle and said,
"Put just 2-3 drops of this on the bottom of your feet morning and night.
I've been told this helps regulate blood sugar. If it works, let me know. If it doesn't, give it back." End of conversation.
About 2 months later, he ordered a bottle, and said he'd run out. He didn't think it had helped him till he went without it for a week or two and his blood sugar began to be unpredictable again. Plus, he said, he "liked the way it made his socks smell."
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Other links:
http://www.ecureme.com/emyhealth/natural/n_diabetes.asp
It is only fair to inject an opinion from the other side that questions the validity of using herbs to treat diabetes:
CNN link—do herbal remedies for diabetes work?
http://www.cnn.com/2000/HEALTH/alternative/06/13/diabetes.herbs/