Cinnamon as Herbal Medicine

A study done in 2003 by Dr. Khan and associates found that cinnamon lowered glucose levels by 18% by mimicking insulin. An added benefit of cinnamon is that it reduces LDL (bad) cholesterol as well as triglycerides. CancerTutor.com recommends around ½ teaspoon each day.

Cinnamon is a spice that has ancient origins and is popularly used as flavorings, as a condiment and in cooking. Cinnamon is also known to provide various medicinal benefits that include lowering of blood cholesterol, for diabetes. Cinnamon is obtained from the bark of the Cinnamon tree.

There are two popular kinds of Cinnamon, one is the “true Cinnamon” from the Cinnamon tree which is native in Sri Lanka (from the genus Cinnamomum verum) and the other is “Cassia” (Cinnamomum Cassia) which is being commercially cultivated in China, Indonesia, Vietnam and other Southeast Asian countries. It is widely accepted that Cinnamon from Sri Lanka is of better quality between the two.

Cinnamon Traditional Medicinal Uses and Health benefits

Oral conditions. Cinnamon has traditionally been used to treat toothache and fight bad breath.

Health tonic. Cinnamon has been used to promote overall health and feeling of well being
Some of the folkloric applications of Cinnamon are as follows;

Memory Booster. Cinnamon can improve cognitive function as well as memory.

Blood Purification. Cinnamon helps in removing impurities from the blood, and is often recommended for pimples.

Promotes Healing. Cinnamon helps to stop bleeding, and facilitates the healing process.

Digestive Tonic. Cinnamon aids in digestion and is effective for indigestion, nausea, vomiting, upset stomach, diarrhea and flatulence. Cinnamon also relieves acidity and morning sickness.

Respiratory problems. Cinnamon helps in cold, flu, influenza, sore throat.

Menstruation. Cinnamon is effective in providing relief from menstrual cramp and discomfort..

In Indian Ayurvedic medicine, Cinnamon is used in the treatment of flatulence, piles, amenorrhea, diarrhea, toothache, amoebiasis, heart diseases, fever, cough, cold, headache and many others.

Anti-Oxidant. Cinnamon is widely believed to be high in anti-oxidants. Regular drinking of Cinnamon tea could be beneficial to oxidative stress related illness in humans,

Diuretic Effects. Cinnamon is diuretic in nature and helps in secretion and discharge of urine.

Aphrodisiac and is believed to arouse sexual desire. It is also believed that cinnamon aids in the secretion of breast milk.

Tobacco Aid , Cinnamon is also being recommended to help curb the urge for tobacco The National Institute of Health recommends chewing cinnamon sticks when trying to quit the use of tobacco

Diabetes Type 2, Cinnamon could have some pharmacological effects in the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus and insulin resistance. Recent studies in phytochemistry of Chinese Cinnamon have indicated that cinnamtannin B1 isolated from C. Verum bears possible therapeutic effect on type 2 diabetes.

Infections. Cinnamon has anti fungal, antibacterial, antiviral and antiseptic properties, it is effective on external as well as internal infections. It helps in destroying germs in the gall bladder and bacteria in staph infections.

Cancer Prevention. In a study published by researchers at the U.S. Department of Agriculture in Maryland, cinnamon reduced the growth of leukemia and lymphoma cancer cells.

Colon Cancer , Pharmacological experiments suggest that the cinnamon derived dietary factor cinnamic aldehyde (cinnamaldehyde) activates the Nrf2-dependent antioxidant response in human epithelial colon cells and may therefore represent an experimental chemopreventive dietary factor targeting colorectal carcinogenesis.

Melanoma , The cinnamon derived dietary factor cinnamic aldehyde also exhibits anti-melanoma activity observed in cell culture and a mouse model of human melanoma

Food Preservation , The essential oil of cinnamon also has antimicrobial properties, which can aid in the preservation of certain foods when added to food, it inhibits bacterial growth and food spoilage, making it a natural food preservative.

Generally safe. Cinnamon is considered safe for most adults if taken in food amounts or as herbal medicine in recommended dosage.

Special Precautions & Warnings:
Toxicity, Cinnamon especially from the variant Cassia has been found to contain a toxic compound known as Coumarin. High concentration of Coumarin has been found to cause damage to kidney and liver. Cinnamon powders that are bought in supermarkets are from C. Cassia thus moderate use is recommended.
Pregnancy: Large quantities of cinnamon should also be avoided during pregnancy due to the possibility of adverse effects on the uterus.

Breast feeding: While cinnamon has been traditionally used to promote milk production in nursing mothers, there are no sufficient studies that determine it side effects to very young babies. Herbal medication or consuming large amount during nursing discouraged.

Blood Anti Clotting Effect. Cinnamon has an anti-clotting effect on the blood, thus caution should be exercised when it is used in combination with other blood-thinning medications such as aspirin.

Interactions. Anyone that is currently taking medication for controlling blood sugar levels or blood thinners should consult their doctor before using cinnamon as a regular supplement.

Just like in any other herbal medicines, moderation of use is recommended. Prolonged use is discouraged.

Black Seed as Herbal Medicine

Also called Nigella Sativa, black seed helps control diabetes. You should take 6 teaspoons of black seed oil tree times a day with plenty of water. Black seed has been used as a therapy for diabetes for centuries.

The seeds of the annual flowering plant, Nigella Sativa, have been prized for their healing properties since time immemorial. While frequently referred to among English-speaking cultures as Roman coriander, black sesame, black cumin, black caraway and onion seed, it is known today primarily as black seed, which is at the very least an accurate description of its physical appearance. The earliest record of its cultivation and use come from ancient Egypt.

Black seed oil, in fact, was found in Egyptian pharoah Tutankhamun's tomb, dating back to approximately 3,300 years ago. In Arabic cultures, black cumin is known as Habbatul barakah, meaning the "seed of blessing." It is also believed that the Islamic prophet Mohammed said of it that it is "a remedy for all diseases except death."

Benefits of Black Seed

Analgesic (Pain-Killing)
Anti-Bacterial
Anti-Inflammatory
Anti-Ulcer
Anti-Cholinergic
Anti-Fungal
Ant-Hypertensive
Antioxidant
Antispasmodic
Antiviral
Bronchodilator
Gluconeogenesis Inhibitor (Anti-Diabetic)
Hepatoprotective (Liver Protecting)
Hypotensive
Insulin Sensitizing
Interferon Inducer
Leukotriene Antagonist
Renoprotective (Kidney Protecting)
Tumor Necrosis Factor Alpha Inhibitor


Black seed has been researched for very specific health conditions. Some of the most compelling applications include:

Type 2 Diabetes: Two grams of black seed a day resulted in reduced fasting glucose, decreased insulin resistance, increased beta-cell function, and reduced glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) in human subjects.[ii]
Helicobacter Pylori Infection: Black seeds possess clinically useful anti-H. pylori activity, comparable to triple eradication therapy.[iii]
Epilepsy: Black seeds were traditionally known to have anticonvulsive properties. A 2007 study with epileptic children, whose condition was refractory to conventional drug treatment, found that a water extract significantly reduced seizure activity.[iv]
High Blood pressure: The daily use of 100 and 200 mg of black seed extract, twice daily, for 2 months, was found to have a blood pressure-lowering effect in patients with mild hypertension.[v]
Asthma: Thymoquinone, one of the main active constituents within Nigella sativa (black cumin), is superior to the drug fluticasone in an animal model of asthma.[vi] Another study, this time in human subjects, found that boiled water extracts of black seed have relatively potent anti-asthmatic effect on asthmatic airways.[vii]
Acute tonsillopharyngitis: characterized by tonsil or pharyngeal inflammation (i.e. sore throat), mostly viral in origin, black seed capsules (in combination with Phyllanthus niruri) have been found to significantly alleviate throat pain, and reduce the need for pain-killers, in human subjects.[viii]
Chemical Weapons Injury: A randomized, placebo-controlled human study of chemical weapons injured patients found that boiled water extracts of black seed reduced respiratory symptoms, chest wheezing, and pulmonary function test values, as well as reduced the need for drug treatment.[ix]
Colon Cancer: Cell studies have found that black seed extract compares favorably to the chemoagent 5-fluoruracil in the suppression of colon cancer growth, but with a far higher safety profile.[x] Animal research has found that black seed oil has significant inhibitory effects against colon cancer in rats, without observable side effects.[xi]
MRSA: Black seed has anti-bacterial activity against clinical isolates of methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus.[xii]
Opiate Addiction/Withdrawal: A study on 35 opiate addicts found black seed as an effective therapy in long-term treatment of opioid dependence.

Parts Used: seeds
Energy and Flavors: Hot energy, spicy flavor
Systems Affected: Lungs, Stomach, spleen
Biochemical Constituents: Alanine, arginine, ascorbic-acid, asparagine, campesterol, carvone, cymene, cystine, dehydroascorbic-acid, eicosadienoic-acid, glucose, glutamic-acid, glycine, iron, isoleucine, leucine, d-limonene, linoleic-acid, linolenic-acid, lipase, lysine, methionine, myristic-acid, nigellin, nigellone, oleic-acid, palmitic-acid, phenylalanine, phytosterols, potassium, beta-sitosterol, alpha-spinasterol, stearic-acid, stigmasterol, tannin, threonine, thymohydroquinone, thymoquinone, tryptophan, tyrosine
Properties: Stimulant, aromatic, carminative, digestive, diuretic, emmenagogue, excitant, galactatagogue, purgative, resolvent, stimulant, stomachic, sudorific, tonic, and vermifuge

In Algeria, the roasted seeds are combined with butter for cough and honey and taken for colic.

Externally the seeds can be ground to a powder, mixed with a little flour as a binder and applied directly to abscesses, on the forehead for headache, nasal ulcers, orchitis, and rheumatism. The seeds also are a rich source of sterols, especially beta-sitosterol, which is known to have anticarcinogenic activity. This substantiates its folk use for indurations and/or tumors of the abdomen, eyes and liver.

In India, Nigella seeds are combined with various purgatives to allay gripping and colic and also help kill and expel parasites. Middle Eastern Unani medicine affirms its abortifacient properties and also use it as a diuretic to relieve ascites, for coughs, eye-sores, hydrophobia, jaundice, paralysis, piles and tertian fever.

Contraindications: Do not take during pregnancy.

Fig Leaves as Natural Remedies for Diabetes

This herbal nutrient is also good for high blood pressure, bronchitis, and skin problems. Most of the tinctures come from the sap or milk of tree leaves. Natural advocates recommend using this regularly to cure diabetes.

Fresh or dried fig fruit is LIKELY SAFE for most people when used in food amounts.

Fig LEAF is POSSIBLY SAFE for most people when taken by mouth for up to one month as a medicine. However, in high doses, fig LATEX, the sap from the tree, might cause bleeding in the digestive tract in some people.

Applying fig leaf to the skin is POSSIBLY UNSAFE. It can cause skin to become extra sensitive to the sun. Avoid prolonged sun exposure when applying fig LEAF to the skin. Wear sunblock outside, especially if you are light-skinned. Fig FRUIT is unlikely to cause sun sensitivity.

Skin contact with fig fruit or leaves can cause rash in sensitive people.

Special Precautions & Warnings:
Pregnancy and breast-feeding: Fresh or dried fig fruit is LIKELY SAFE in amounts found in food, but there’s not enough information to know if it’s safe in the larger amounts that are used as medicine.

Allergies. People who are sensitive to mulberry, natural rubber latex, or weeping fig might have allergic reactions to fig.

Diabetes. Fig might lower blood sugar. If you take fig by mouth and you have diabetes, monitor your blood sugar levels closely.

Surgery: Fig might lower blood sugar levels. There is some concern that it might interfere with blood sugar control during and after surgery. Stop using fig as medicine at least 2 weeks before a scheduled surgery.

Insulin interacts with FIG
Fig leaf might decrease blood sugar. Insulin is also used to decrease blood sugar. Taking fig leaf along with insulin might cause your blood sugar to be too low. Monitor your blood sugar closely. The dose of your insulin might need to be changed.

Medications for diabetes (Antidiabetes drugs) interacts with FIG
Fig leaf supplements seem to lower blood sugar in people with diabetes. Diabetes medications are also used to lower blood sugar. Taking fig leaf along with diabetes medications might cause your blood sugar to go too low. Monitor your blood sugar closely. The dose of your diabetes medication might need to be changed.Some medications used for diabetes include glimepiride (Amaryl), glyburide (DiaBeta, Glynase PresTab, Micronase), insulin, pioglitazone (Actos), rosiglitazone (Avandia), chlorpropamide (Diabinese), glipizide (Glucotrol), tolbutamide (Orinase), and others.

Fenugreek as Natural Remedies for Diabetes

Fenugreek spice commonly is sold as the dried ripe seed. Also known as methi, fenugreek is an annual that is native to Asia and southeastern Europe.

The European herb fenugreek has been used for centuries as a cooking spice and has been used in folk medicine for almost as long. The herb has been used in folk medicine in the treatment of boils, diabetes, cellulitis, and tuberculosis. Extracts of the seeds are used to flavor maple syrup substitutes. Fenugreek also has been used as an insect repellent. The seeds are rich in protein and the plant is grown as an animal forage. Following commercial extraction of diosgenin (which is used as a natural precursor in commercial steroid synthesis), the nitrogen and potassium-rich seed residue is used as an agricultural fertilizer.

Cholesterol-lowering effects
Clinical data from very small studies suggest the use of fenugreek for cholesterol lowering. Further studies are necessary to determine the full benefits of fenugreek to reduce cholesterol.

Glucose-lowering effects
Glycemic control was improved in a small study of patients with mild type-2 diabetes mellitus. Since patients receiving the fenugreek were also allowed to receive their other diabetic medications, caution is advised in the interpretation of these results.

Pregnancy/nursing
Avoid use in pregnancy as fenugreek has documented uterine stimulant effects. It has been used to stimulate milk production in nursing mothers. Excretion into milk has not been studied.

Interactions
The effects of anticoagulant drugs such as warfarin may be potentiated. Patients taking anticoagulants should consult their health care provider before taking fenugreek; dosing adjustments may be necessary.

Side Effects
Dyspepsia and mild abdominal distention have been reported in studies using large doses of the seeds. Culinary quantities are essentially devoid of adverse effects. However, a case of hypersensitivity to fenugreek in curry powder has been reported.

Toxicities
The acute toxicity from a large dose of fenugreek has not been characterized. Hypoglycemia is a potential danger.

Bitter Melon as Natural Remedies for Diabetes

Bitter melon, also called bitter apple, bitter gourd or bitter cucumber, is a vine-grown vegetable that can range in color from dark green to white and can grow between three to twelve inches tall. Diabetes Health reports that several compounds in bitter melon may have glucose-lowering properties and they include polypeptide P, vicine, and momordin and charantin, which are glycosides. The juice and pulp can be eaten and an injectable compound made from this vegetable has also been tested. There's no traditional dose established for bitter melon. You should always consult your doctor before using bitter melon as a supplement to help control diabetes.

The easiest way to consume bitter melon is by adding it to a stir-fry. Add several slices to your favorite vegetables and cook quickly over high heat. The taste of bitter melon is very bitter, so you may consider also adding sweeter vegetables such as onions, baby corn or green bell pepper.

Medicinal plants named in honor of Pope Francis

Scientists from the University of Santo Tomas Graduate School and the College of Science discovered a new plant species in Mt. Madia-as, Antique that has the potential to treat cancer, fever, malaria, and rheumatism.

Dr. Grecebio Alejandro of the UST Graduate School and the Research Cluster for the Natural and Applied Sciences named the plant Hedyotis papafranciscoi Alejandro, sp. nov. in honor of Pope Francis.

The UST College of Science discovered two other newly-characterized organisms: the Phyllostica francisci, sp. nov., a fungal endophyte that could be used in studies about drugs, and vBE-popefrancis, a bacteriophage isolate that has the potential as an alternative to conventional therapy for bacterial infections.

According to a press release sent to GMA News Online, the plants will be featured in a papal exhibit until March 28 at the UST Main Building lobby that will be showcasing new plants species, organisms, and bacteria discovered by UST faculty members and students. A paper about Hedyotis papafranciscoi Alejandro, sp.nov was published in the Antoninus Journal.

Researchers are Thomasian scientists Dr. Thomas Edison de la Cruz, Carlo Chris Apurillo, Donna May Papa, Paola Bianca Buiser, and Delia Ontengco.


From: http://www.gmanetwork.com