Ginseng

[rocky]

A good friend of my mum has given her some 'special' Ginseng pills which are supposed to bring down blood sugar or reverse diabetes if you will. I am supposed to take two of those every morning and before bed. Of course I am not going to upset my mum by refusing them, but I know that nothing is as good as food to control the diabetes numbers. Any body know anything about ginseng and how it works ?

[Shanny]

Here's what Jenny Ruhl (BloodSugar101) has to say about herbal supplements in general, and ginseng is mentioned specifically at one point: http://www.phlaunt.com/diabetes/15877514.php

[Sweety]

Somewhat similar thread. Lots of responses, so worth a re-read.

http://www.diabetic.pub/forum//index.php?topic=380.0

[starsign]

A quick Google search opened a site from which I got this

Some of the most commonly used herbal substances for diabetes in TCM include:

Panax ginseng (Korean ginseng), which has a long history of use as a hypoglycemic agent. At least five constituents of this herb have been shown to exert hypoglycemic effects. In one study, treatment with ginseng lowered blood glucose levels and improved mood and psychological performance as compared with placebo. Recommended dosage is 100–200 mg/day.

Momodica charantia (balsam pear), which is dried, powdered, and made into pills. A dosage of 18 g/day has been shown to reduce blood glucose.15

Lagenaria siceraria (bottle gourd), given as a decoction or pills. The recommended dose is 3 g/day. This, too, has been shown to reduce blood glucose levels.

Psidium gnajava, taken in the form of fresh leaves or as an infusion and drunk as a tea. The dosage is 9 g/day. It acts to reduce blood glucose levels.

Are you taking this Panax ginseng ?

[rocky]

I have no clue starsign. I will find out more about what I am taking and get back to you.

[rocky]

I think it is the same panax korean ginseng. My numbers have been good the past few days but i have hit the 90s even earlier when I was strict with food.