Treating Diabetes with Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine

With an estimated 150 million people world-wide currently diagnosed with diabetes mellitus, and a continuously rising prevalence of this disease in the general population, acupuncture and herbal medicine have become attractive alternatives to the side-effects and high cost of currently used treatments. (1) Researchers continue to study the effects of numerous herbs in an attempt to locate a single treatment that addresses the multiple facets of symptoms usually seen in diabetic patients.

Acupuncture, especially when combined with herbal medicine and diet/lifestyle changes, has become increasingly popular as an effective aid in treating diabetes mellitus. As an example, one approach to treating diabetes is to use the 5-Elements Theory: for a diabetic patient who is overweight, we can insert acupuncture needles in specific points corresponding to the Fire Element and the Earth Element. Because Fire nourishes and strengthens Earth in this theory, and an imbalance or weakness in Earth often correlates with a condition of being overweight, this approach can be quite effective.

An often used Chinese Herbal Formula for diabetic patients is liu wei di huang wan, or “Six-Ingredient Pill with Rehmannia.” One of the main herbs in this formula is the root of the rehmannia plant that has been specially prepared through a cooking process to attain the needed properties. (2, 3)

Another promising herbal treatment is the herb gymnema (Gymnema sylvestre), a large, woody climbing plant from tropical Africa, southern and central India, and tropical Australia. This herb has shown an impressive ability to simultaneously target several of the problems encountered in diabetes patients, including obesity, chronic inflammation, pancreatic B-cell function, and enzymatic defects. This is of great interest, as no single oral hypoglycemic drug presently demonstrates such a wide range of positive effects. (1)

In treating diabetes with acupuncture and herbal medicine, however, a flexible treatment plan is required such that we can tailor the herbs and acupuncture points selected for the constitution and imbalances unique to each individual patient.

(1) Gymnema Sylvestre for Diabetes Mellitus: A Systematic Review, by Mathew Leach; The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, V13, #9, 2007, pp.977-983

(2) Chinese Herbal Medicine Materia Medica, 3^rd edition, by Dan Bensky, et al.

(3) Chinese Herbal Medicine Formulas & Strategies, by Dan Bensky, et al.

Author: Adrian Baume, L.Ac.,

practices Acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine at Traditional Acupuncture Health Center (http://www.acupuncturechico.com) in Chico in Northern California. He also practices Tai Chi and nutritional medicine.

Studies Confirm Health Benefits of Tai Chi

It has long been suggested that the practice of Tai Chi can produce numerous health benefits, so the recent findings in scientific studies don't come as a complete surprise to many of us who practice this ancient Chinese form of conditioning and self-defense. However, it is interesting to know that this increasingly popular activity is showing positive results under the lens of modern science as well. In a 2008 study from the American Journal of Chinese Medicine, a study with a five-year follow-up found that individuals practicing Tai Chi for this period of time showed a reduced decline of aerobic capacity, as well as a smaller increase of one’s body-fat ratio compared to more sedentary participants. Previous studies by the same researchers on elderly participants have demonstrated that Tai Chi also benefits muscular strength and flexibility.

The deep breathing and mind concentration required during the practice of Tai Chi help to produce a balance between our body and mind, and when performed in a long-term practice routine, the benefits continue to accrue. Tai Chi is truly a marvelous form of low-impact exercise that costs very little to study and participate in, and can also be learned for its martial or self-defense applications. In numerous cities across the globe, one doesn’t have to look far to find a group or class practicing in a park on a weekend morning.

A 2007 study from The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine details other potential benefits of practicing Tai Chi. They include improved balance, increased psychologic well-being, sleep enhancement, lower blood-pressure, and reduced tension, depression, and anxiety (due to increased noradrenaline production and decreased salivary cortisol following Tai Chi).

I personally began my study of Tai Chi following the breakage of my left ankle in 2001. Within weeks of having the cast removed, I began participating in a Tai Chi class. It proved to be an excellent method of gently regaining strength, flexibility, and balance without the jarring impact associated with other forms of exercise. I’ve continued my practice to this day, and find it to be very helpful in stress-relief, relaxation, and overall health maintenance. Taking a 30 or 40 minute break from the busy routines of daily life to perform Tai Chi does wonders for both increasing my enjoyment of life as well as allowing me to function optimally, with a clear mind and plentiful energy. My recommendation? Get out and give it a try!

Sources:

Lan C, Chen SY, and Lai JS. Changes of Aerobic Capacity, Fat Ratio and Flexibility in Older TCC Practitioners: A Five-Year Follow-Up. American Journal of Chinese Medicine 36(6):1041-1050.

Ho TJ, Wen-Miin L, Lien CH, Ma TC, Kuo HW, Chu BC, Chang HW, Lai JS, and Lin JG. Health-Related Quality of Life in the Elderly Practicing T’ai Chi Chuan. The Journal of Alternative and Complimentary Medicine 13(10):1077-1083.

Author: Adrian Baume, L.Ac., practices Acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine at Traditional Acupuncture Health Center (http://www.acupuncturechico.com) in Chico in Northern California. He also practices Tai Chi and nutritional medicine.