Use of traditional/herbal remedies by Indo‐Asian people with type 2 diabetes

Indo‐Asian people with type 2 diabetes may use traditional/herbal remedies for their perceived hypoglycaemic effects. This article presents an overview of the reasons for the use of traditional/herbal remedies and briefly describes the results of an observational study undertaken to identify commonly used preparations.

Around 150 herbs and their isolates with hypoglycaemic effects have been reported in various journals. Only a limited number of herbs and traditional remedies have been found to be effective on their own, though in combination they have been found to be more effective. Momordica charantia Linn (Karela) has been reported to have significant effective hypoglycaemic properties in various studies, and a concoction of Ayush‐82 and Shudh Shilajeet has also been found to be an effective hypoglycaemic preparation. Six other remedies with similar ingredients are commonly available in Asian grocery and drug stores. Asking about the use of these remedies should be an important part of the history, assessment and management of patients with diabetes. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.