Alfalfa

Alfalfa is so rich in calcium that the ashes of its leaves are almost 99% pure calcium. The plant's deep root system pulls these valuable minerals from the soil. It is an excellent natural source of most vitamins including vitamins A, D, E and K. in addition; іAlfalfaІ also contains chlorophyll and protein.

It is a cleansing herb and a natural body deodorizer. It has traditionally been used as a blood purifying agent and a cleansing tonic. It is said to aid in the relief of water retention, ease swelling and promote pituitary gland function, which is the master gland of the endocrine system. Ancient Indian physicians used іAlfalfaІ to treat ulcers, arthritis, boils, cancer, scurvy and urinary and bowel problems.

Alfalfa has the following properties:

Olive leaf

Initials researchers found that the olive lead extract (oleurpein) had the capacity to lower blood pressure in animals. Other European researchers confirmed this finding and determined that olive leaf extract also increased blood flow in the coronary arteries, relieved arrhythmias, and prevented intestinal muscle spasms.

Dutch researcher determined that active ingredients in the oleurpein. This active ingredient is called elenolic acid. It was found to have a powerful anti-bacterial effect. Studies showed that elenolic acid killed every virus tested-every single one! Among the viruses tested were herpes, influenza, a couple of leukemia and a sarcoma. Elenolic acid was also effective against parasitic protozoans and bacteria. Furthermore, it was found to counteract a variety of viruses associated with the common cold on humans.

At Spain's University of Granada, pharmacologists determined that the olive leaf extract causes relaxation of arterial walls in laboratory animals, such results suggested a possible benefit for hypertension.

In Tunis, researchers found that the aqueous extract of olive leaves reduced hypertension, blood sugar, and the level of uric acid in rodents. This finding also indicates potential in the treatment of hypertension, as well as diabetes and heart diseases.

Olive leaf extract has been reported to:

Bitter Melon Fruit (Karela)

Bitter melon grows in tropical areas, including parts of the Amazon, east Africa, Asia, and the Caribbean, and is cultivated throughout South American as a food and medicine. Medicinally, the plant has a long history of use by the indigenous people of the Amazon. A leaf tea is employed for diabetes; as a carminative for colic; topically for sores, wounds, and infections; internally and externally for worms and parasites; and as an antiviral for measles, hepatitis, and feverish conditions.

In numerous studies, at least three different groups of constituents found in all parts of bitter melon have clinically demonstrated hypoglycemic properties (blood sugar lowering) or other actions of potential benefit against diabetes mellitus. These hypoglycemic chemicals include a mixture of steroidal saponins known as charantins, insulin-like peptides, and alkaloids.

Over the years scientists have verified many of the traditional uses of this bitter plant that continues to be an important natural remedy in the natural health practitioner's medicine chest. Bitter melon is becoming more widely available in the U.S. and is employed by the natural health practitioners for diabetes, viruses, colds and flu, and psoriasis.

Documented properties and actions of bitter melon:

Anthelmintic, antibacterial, anti-diabetic, anti-inflammatory, anti-leukemic, antimicrobial, anti-mutagenic, anti-mycobacterial, antioxidant, antiumor, antiulcer, antiviral, astringent, carminative, cytostactic, cytotoxic, depurative, hormonal, hypercholesterolemia, hypothesize, hypotriglyceridemic, hypoglycemic, immunostimulant, insectifdal, lactagogue, laxative, purgative, refrigerant, stomachic, styptic, tonic, vermifuge.

Green Tea

Green Tea, also known as Chinese tea, has been a popular beverage in Asia for over 3000 yeas. Green Tea contains numerous compounds, including the flavonoid catechins that have antioxidant and health-enchanting properties. It protects against cancer, lowers cholesterol levels, and reduces the clotting of blood. It also promotes the burning of fat and helps to regulate blood sugar and insulin levels.

About 60 years ago, Dr. Minowada of Kyoto University noticed that sugar in the urine of patients hospitalized for diabetes fell markedly during periods when they participated in Chanoyu (Tea Ceremony). He reported that powdered tea if the type used in the traditional Tea Ceremony, which is green tea, had the capability of lowering blood sugar. Green tea catechins and polysaccharides are the ones responsible for lowering blood sugar.

Green Tea has the following benefits on human health:

Gymnema Sylvestre

Native to India, this herb has been used by Indian healers for nearly 2000 years as part of the Ayurvedic traditional system of medicine. In ancient times, Gymnema was known as іgurmarІ, which literally means іSugar KillerІ.

For centuries, Gymnema extracts have been used as a treatment for diabetes, a disorder characterized by excess sugar in the blood and urine, which can lead to serious complications ranging from stroke to blindness. It is a useful treatment for both types of diabetes, type I and II. Studies published in Indian journals show that it not only lowers blood sugar but may help repair damaged cells in the pancreas, the gland in which insulin is produced, thereby improving insulin production.

In addition, Gymnema is reputed to reduce the urge to eat sweets thus it may help you to say no to sweets. Many people find that drinking a cup of tea with a few drops of Gymnema extract will make sweet things taste bitter for up to two hours afterwards. Therefore, this herb is useful in the prevention against diabetes especially for people who are at a high risk of developing it, such as those who are overweight and are over the age of 65.

Properties and benefits of Gymnema Sylvestre:

Cinnamon

Cinnamon is a good diaphoretic and expectorant for colds and flu. It has been reported that the cinnamon bark-derived materials including cinnamaldehyde, cinnamic acid, cinnamyl alcohol, and eugenol have antibacterial, astringent, carminatibe and stomachic effects. It is a traditional remedy for digestive problems, such as nausea, vomiting and diarrhea, flatulent dyspepsia, menstrual pain, as well as for aching muscles and other symptoms of viral conditions such as colds.

In addition, the cinnamaldehyde component of the herb is hypotensive and spasmolytic and increases peripheral blood flow. Laboratory studies also show that cinnamon can augment the actions of insulin. Some diabetics whoa re taking a quarter teaspoon of cinnamon with their breakfast meal have reported a better blood sugar control.

Aldose reductase is an enzyme that catalyzes the reduction of glucose to sorbitol in the body. In a normal tissue, aldose reductase has a low affinity for glucose, so that the conversion of glucose to sorbitol is a little catalyzed. However, in diabetes, the increased availability of glucose in insulin-insensitive tissues (abnormal tissues) such as lens, nerves, and retina leads to the increase formation of sorbitol in these tissues. Sobitol does not readily diffuse across cell membranes and that intracellular accumulation of sorbitol has been implicated in the chronic complications of diabetes such as a cataract, neuropathy, and retinopathy. These findings indicate that aldose reductase inhibitors, such as cinnamaldehyde, prevent the conversion of glucose to sorbitol and thus have the capacity of preventing and treating several diabetic complications.

Cinnamon has the following reported properties:

Garlic

Know for it pungent odor and taste, garlic is an ideal herbal medicine, being completely sage for home use and a powerful treatment for a hose of health problems largely because of its aromatic sulfur-containing oils that are present in the bulb. It counters many infections, including those of the nose, throat and chest being effective against bacteria, fungi and worms. It also reduces cholesterol, helps circulatory disorders, such as high blood pressure, and lowers blood sugar levels, making it a useful dietary addition in late-onset diabetes. It acts as an antioxidant that scavenges free radical due to its vitamin C and E content, which makes it useful in delaying and preventing the complicated effects of diabetes as retinopathy, nephropathy, and neuropathy. It also contains vitamins A and B.

Well over, 1,000 research papers have been published on the medical effects of garlic. They show that it helps to lower high blood lipid levels, including cholesterol, to keep the blood thin and protect against blood clots, to lower high blood pressure, to lower high blood sugar levels, to lower blood uric acid levels, and to have antibiotic activity. Therefore, garlic acts as a tonic on the cardiovascular system.

Garlic has the following documented effects:

Ginger

Ginger stimulates the circulatory system and it's especially recommended to improve peripheral circulation. It helps to support a healthy cardiovascular system by making platelets less sticky, therefore reducing the likelihood of clots. Ginger contains ginerol which improves circulation and blood pressure. Gingerol also calms the stomach and relieves pain. It is warming during cold weather, it is used to treat chilblains and cramps. Some diabetics sprinkle ginger powder better two layers of cloth and around cold limbs to improve poor circulation.

Furthermore, recent studies have shown that ginger may be useful in keeping cholesterol levels under control and in lowering blood glucose levels. An additional study has also show that a combination of garlic and ginger is much more effective in reducing blood glucose and serum lipids than either garlic or ginger alone.

Ginger contains asparagine which promotes urination; it helps excess fluids and water-soluble toxins. Ginger contains borneol which is an analgesic anti-inflammatory, which may help in arthritic conditions. The herb contains more then 12 antioxidants fighting free radicals which contribute to tissue damage and inflammation thus delaying and preventing the complications associated with diabetes.

Ginger has the following properties: