Herbs for Diabetes: Update—Part 2

Abstract

This article continues a review of herbal medicines for diabetes mellitus (DM) begun in the prior issue of this Journal. The research on Momordica charantia (bitter melon) fruit for diabetes mellitus (DM) published since 2005 is reviewed. Vegetable insulin derived from the seeds of bitter melon is discussed. Research on, and use of, Opuntia spp. (prickly pear) fruit and pad for DM since 2000 is reviewed. A thorough discussion of Trigonella foenum-graecum (fenugreek) seed and Aloe vera (aloe) gel, both relatively well-studied agents, is included.Several less well-documented but intriguing herbal antidiabetics, including Capparis spinosa (capers) fruit, Juglans regia (English walnut) leaf, Rauvolfia vomitoria (African snakeroot) root, Citrus aurantium (bitter orange) peel, and Salvia officinalis (sage) leaf are reviewed.