Herbal Cure of Dengue

Dengue fever can be fatal if untreated and undetected. Dengue can be acquired from a bite of mosquito called Aedes aegypti. These mosquitoes live in the tropics and breeds in stagnant waters in cans, vases, old tires and others that will hold enough water.

Symptoms of Dengue are following :

• Fever which may last 2 to 7 days
• Joints and muscle pains including at the back of the eyes
• Skin Rashes
• Nose Bleeding
• Abdominal Pains
• Vomiting  

As of now, no vaccine is available for this disease. As the saying goes, Prevention is better than cure. It is better to prevent the growth of these mosquitoes. So clean all your water containers once a week. Replace water in vases, cover your water containers and make sure you dispose it after a week so mosquitoes cannot breed on them.

If a member of your family has dengue, you need to send them to the nearest hospital, if remains untreated, virus will start to infect/reduce the host's blood platelet count that will lead to death.

Increasing the patient's blood platelet count will eventually help him recover. Blood transfusion can be administered. As herbal remedy, eating Durian will help increase the platelet count. Tawa-tawa weed (Scientific Name : Euphorbia capitata Lam., Philippines herb) can be helpful too. Boil 1 liter of water, put 6 full tawa-tawa weed (roots removed), and boil for at least 1 minute. Put in a glass and let the solution to cool down before drinking. Drink 1 glass every hour. It will help in curing dengue.

Platelet Effect / Dengue Treatment of Tawa Tawa Plants : Study of decoction of tawa-tawa leaves on Sprague-Dawley rats showed an increase in platelet counts without notable effects on RBC and WBC counts. The increase was attributed to stimulation of bone marrow production in the bone marrow.

Tea Making Procedure :

• Take 5 to 6 full whole Tawa Tawa plants.
• Cut off the roots.
• Wash and clean.
• Fill a boiling pot with clean water.
• Boil the Tawa Tawa for 1 (one) minute in a slow rolling boil.
• Cool.
• Let the dengue fever victim drink only the Tawa Tawa water for 24 hours.
• Sip 1 to 1.5 glasses of Tawa Tawa water every hour.

Benefit of Watermelon

Watermelon is believed to have minimal health benefits, mostly because it is made up of water. Contrary to this belief, it extremely rich in vitamins A, B, and C and is packed with free-radical fighting lycopene. As a powerful antioxidant, lycopene has been linked to preventing an ever-growing list of cancers. All of these benefits are indulging in this pink powerhouse.

• Watermelon especially is linked to fighting prostate cancer in men.

• It keeps your eyes sharp by reducing your risk of macular degeneration.

• It helps in breathing easily while fighting asthma.

• It aids in keeping your joints lubricated.

• It keeps your blood sugar stable.

Benefits of Lemon Juice for Diabetic Patients

Nutritional Value of Lemon Juice

One fluid ounce (30g) of raw lemon juice contains approximately 8 calories, 27.7g water, 2.6 g of carbohydrates and 0.1g of proteins. It contains no fats or cholesterol.

An ounce of lemon juice also contains vitamins A and C, folate and choline. Mineral content includes calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium and sodium. The amount of vitamin C in lemons, 40 to 50mg in a 100g lemon, is twice that found in oranges.

Important information to diabetics about lemons is that it has an estimated 0 Glycemic Load, which means it has no effect on blood sugar levels.

Benefits of Lemon Juice for Diabetes

Diabetics have been found to have low blood levels of vitamin C. This may be because the increased blood sugar levels hamper the absorption of this vitamin in the cells. Since pure lemon juice is a rich source of vitamin C and has no effect on blood sugar levels, its role in the diabetic diet has been considered.

Vitamin C is an antioxidant, or a substance that destroys free radicals in the body. Free radicals are products of normal metabolism that are produced by cells in the natural aging process and during periods of stress, including diseases. Antioxidants are also known to prevent cancer, hypertension and heart disease. They are also important in fighting infection and reversing or delaying premature aging of the skin. As a source of vitamin C, lemon juice also has the following beneficial effects particularly in diabetics :

• Vitamin C in lemon juice causes an increase in collagen production. Collagen is a substance which is important in skin elasticity, strength of bones and cartilages and integrity of blood vessels.
• It decreases blood sugar levels in type 2 diabetics. Although there are conflicting studies that suggest this, it is now accepted that high doses (at least 1000mg) of vitamin C can decrease blood glucose levels.
• Vitamin C reduces insulin resistance in type II diabetics though its action on the cell membranes, thus improving blood sugar levels.
• It decreases lipid, cholesterol and triglyceride levels, also in high doses mentioned above.
• By its action on the lining of blood vessels and collagen production, vitamin C improves blood flow and prevents undesirable blood clotting. This is particularly important in diabetics because they usually suffer from complications to the heart and kidneys secondary to poor circulation.

Therefore, being a rich source of vitamin C (double that of orange juice) that potentially decreases blood sugar levels, lemon juice is good for diabetes and may be considered a natural supplement in the management of diabetes.

Disadvantages in Taking Excessive Lemon Juice?

For the health benefits to be maximized it must be noted that vitamin C such as found in lemon juice has to be taken in relatively large amounts. Although lemon juice itself carries no risks since it does not cause any toxicity or allergies, taking large amounts may have some disadvantages such as:

• Increased acidity in the stomach and worsening of gastro esophageal reflux symptoms
• Its acidity has adverse effects on the tooth enamel and the surrounding gums.

Care must be taken as to the ingestion of large amounts of lemon juice so that these undesirable effects are not experienced.

Home Remedies for controlling Blood Sugar

There is an alarming rise in the prevalence of diabetes in India. Thanks to our eating habits and sedentary lifestyle, even gestational diabetes is not uncommon. 

The sad fact is that it could affect the baby too. According to recent statistics, India has more people with Type 2 diabetes than any other nation. As opposed to the misconception, eating sweets is not the only cause for this disease. Stress and genes too play a major role in this. Although one can not do much about it if it's genetic, it definitely does not harm to prevent it. 

Here are some things that you can do at home to prevent diabetes or reduce it if you already are affected by it. 

• Nobody likes bitter things. But is not it better to take a fruit or a vegetable instead of medicines? Having bitter gourd juice on an empty stomach has proved to prevent diabetes. You could make stuffed karela (bitter bourd) or fry them like chips and have them as a snack. This will not just bring a change in your menu and give a respite to your taste buds, but also be beneficial to your health. 
• Soak a few seeds (1/4 tsps) of methi in water overnight and sallow down the methi along with the water on an empty stomach in morning. 
• Jambul fruit is considered as an effective medicine for diabetes considering its effect on pancreas. The seeds too can be dried, powdered and had with water twice a day. 
• With its vitamin C property and high fiber content, guava is perhaps one fruit that diabetics can fearlessly have. However, a recent study has shown that having guava with its skin can heighten the blood sugar levels, so make sure you peel off the skin before consumption. 
• Gooseberry/amla juice too cuts the blood sugar levels. 
• If you can not do without sugar in your coffee or tea, try and substitute honey. 
• Studies have shown that black coffee without sugar cuts the risk of Type 2 diabetes.
• Among other benefits, green tea is also helpful in reducing the blood sugar and insulin levels in the body. 
• Besides, make regular walk and exercise part of your routine.

Diet Tips for Diabetic Patients

• Diabetics have to limit their carbohydrate intake because it takes such a long time for most carbohydrates to digest. The carbohydrates that take a longer time to digest, cause higher blood glucose level.
• Diabetics have difficulty breaking down in their system, foods which are high in carbohydrates. Digestion is slow and sugars and starches are absorbed into the blood stream, causing an excess blood glucose level.
• Glycemic Index measures how quickly the carbohydrate present in the food raise your blood sugar and for how long. 
• The Glycemic Index is a very helpful tool for diabetics who need to monitor their glucose level. 
• The Glycemic Index ranges from one to one hundred. A low food in the glycemic index has a rating of below 55. 
• The GI for Wheat – India is 90. Hence it is advisable to avoid wheat if one wants to maintain the blood sugar level without any medication.

Herbal Benefits of Bitter Gourd

Herbal Benefits of Bitter Gourd :

• It is good for rheumatism and gout and diseases of the spleen and liver.
• It aids in lowering blood sugar levels.
• It helps in lowering blood pressure.
• It relives headaches.
• It disinfects and heals wounds and burns.
• It can be used as a cough and fever remedy.
• It is helpful for Treatment of intestinal worms, diarrhea.
• It helps prevent some types of cancer.
• It enhances immune system to fight infection.
• It is helpful for treatment of hemorrhoids.
• It is an antioxidant and parasiticide.
• It is antibacterial and antipyretic.

Preparation and Use of Bitter Gourd : 

• For coughs, fever, worms, diarrhea, diabetes, juice Bitter Gourd leaves and drink a spoonful daily.
• For other ailments, the fruit and leaves can both be juiced and taken orally.
• For headaches wounds, burns and skin diseases, apply warmed leaves to afflicted area.
• Powdered leaves, and the root decorations, may be used as stringent and applied to treat hemorrhoids.
• Internal parasites are proven to be expelled when the bitter gourd juice, made from its leaves, is extracted.

The bitter gourd juice and grounded seeds is to be taken one spoonful thrice a day, which also treats diarrhea, dysentery, and chronic colitis.

Bitter Gourd Juice for Diabetics Patient

Bitter gourd is a green vegetable with a bitter taste. In India it is used as a household medicine because of its medicinal and curative properties. It is a very nutritious vegetable. It contains a hypoglycemic substance which helps in lowering blood and urine sugar levels. Intake of bitter gourd in any form will be of immense help in controlling the blood sugar level.

Ingredients (for 1 Glass) :

• Half piece of Bitter Gourd.
• Half Lemon.
• A pinch of Salt.
• Half teaspoon Turmeric Powder

Method :

• Wash the bitter gourd thoroughly.
• Cut it into small pieces.
• Soak the cut pieces in water with little salt and half teaspoon turmeric powder for 15 minutes
• Remove the pieces from the water and grind it in the mixer with enough water.
• Remove the fibers by passing the juice through sieve.
• Add lemon juice and stir well.

Suggestion : Drink the juice in the morning on empty stomach daily.

Some Quick Tips

• Soak the pieces in water with little salt and turmeric powder for 15 minutes to remove the bitter taste.
• Instead of lime amla can also be used along with bitter gourd.

Alternative Treatment for Diabetes : Bitter Gourd

Bitter Gourd and Diabetes Mellitus

Momordica charantia is a vine that belongs to Family Cucurbitaceae, and it is a relative of cucumber and squash. It is called bitter gourd or bitter melon in English speaking countries, kerala in India and Pakistan, and ampalaya in the Philippines, and it grows in damp and wet places. Upon reaching its reproductive stage, it produces a cucumber shaped fruit with wrinkled skin. It is known for its bitter taste, which makes some people uncomfortable eating it. Its taste, though, is overshadowed by the health benefits it offers.

It has been used as traditional medicine in India and China for thousands of years. People used it to treat various diseases, including diabetes mellitus. It is consumed as a salad, as an ingredient for other food recipes, or as a tea. It is a very popular herbal medicine to poor and diabetic people who cannot afford expensive drugs to treat their diseases, and they have found it to be very effective. In fact, wealthy people are now also taking bitter gourd supplements (in capsule form) because of its anti-diabetic effect.

Diabetes mellitus is caused by the failure of cells to absorb glucose, the main energy source of the cell. It must go inside the cell to be transformed into the energy rich chemical compound Adenosine Triphosphate (ATP). The hormone insulin helps the cell to absorb glucose by initiating the necessary biochemical pathways in the cell membrane. When glucose molecules are not absorbed by the cells, glucose will concentrate in the blood – a condition called hyperglycemia. If there is not enough insulin produced by the Islet of Langerhans (specialized cells in the pancreas), Type 1 diabetes mellitus occurs. On the other hand, if the cells became resistant to insulin, Type 2 diabetes mellitus occurs.

Hyperglycemia is the major symptom of diabetes, but it is not the direct cause of death in diabetic patients. Body tissues are destroyed when cells produce too many toxic by-products through the metabolism of fats as an energy source. These toxic by-products are not produced if glucose molecules are used instead of fats. Unfortunately, cells have no choice but to metabolize fats, in the absence of glucose inside the cell. Too much of these toxic compounds can shut down vital organs, leading to death.

The hypoglycemic effect (lowering blood glucose level) of Momordica charantia has been investigated by biochemists, medical researchers, and pharmaceutical companies for decades. These studies broaden our knowledge of the positive effects of bitter gourd in treating diabetes mellitus.

The Hypoglycemic Effect of Bitter Gourd

Welihinda et al. (1982) investigated the effect of bitter gourd extract in stimulating the cells of the Islet of Langerhans to produce insulin. They found that the extract significantly affected the cells to produce insulin. This experimental result tells us that bitter gourd can be an alternative treatment for Type 1 diabetes mellitus. Further research is needed to investigate the effect of bitter gourd extract for patients with Type 1 diabetes.

Another study found that an active compound in bitter gourd is able to inhibit the absorption of glucose in the intestinal lining. If glucose uptake in the intestine is decreased, there would be a lower glucose concentration in the blood. This study, however, was performed on laboratory rats. More studies are needed to know if bitter gourd effectively inhibits glucose absorption in the intestinal tract of humans (Meir and Yanib 1985).

Khanna et al. (1981) investigated the hypoglycemic effect of a polypeptide-p isolated from bitter gourd. They claimed that polypeptide-p is an insulinomimetic agent – an agent that mimics the biochemical activity of insulin in the plasma membrane. It helps the cell to absorb glucose just as natural insulin does.

Sridhar et al. (2008) investigated the effect of bitter gourd extract in stimulating the sensitivity of insulin in the muscle cells of laboratory mice. Muscle cells need a continuous supply of glucose. If the muscle cells are resistant to insulin, glucose molecules cannot enter. The animal would then experience weakness or fatigue. In the experiment of Sridhar and colleagues, insulin sensitivity in mice was induced by giving them high fat diet. After injecting the mice with bitter gourd extract, the researchers measured increased insulin sensitivity in muscle cells. The result of their experiment is in agreement with the findings of other studies. The exact biochemical mechanism of the effects of bitter gourd in enhancing insulin sensitivity are still unknown, but scientists are working to unravel this mystery. Nevertheless, these experimental findings imply that bitter gourd can help patients with Type 2 diabetes, because it helps the cells to absorb glucose.

Recommendations

Bitter gourd is highly recommended as an alternative treatment for diabetes mellitus. There are now bitter gourd supplements available in capsule form for people living in the temperate region. If raw bitter gourd is available, diabetic people can eat it raw, blend it into a juice, or add it to their favorite salads and soups. It is, however, important for diabetic people to consult their doctors before they take bitter gourd.

Allowable dosage for common illness is at 50 to 100 ml per day. Though over dosage do not show any significant side-effect, it is discourage to take more than the normal dosage.