Abstract:
Background:
Biologic based therapies are frequently used as Complementary medicines in diabetes. The aim of this study was to identify the commonly used herbal remedies and their preparations in Sri Lankan patients with type2 diabetes.
Methods:
This is a descriptive, cross-sectional study of 220 diabetic patients using herbal remedies for perceived glyceamic benefit.
Results:
All the patients used their regular conventional medications together with herbal remedies. The most commonly used medication was metformin (91.4%). Ivy gourd (Coccinia grandis) was the most commonly used herbal remedy (32%), followed by Crepe ginger (Costus speciosus) (25%) and Bitter gourd (Momordica charantia) (20%). Herbal remedies used less frequently were Finger millet (Eleusine corocana) (5%), Anguna leaves (Wattakaka volubilis) (5%), Goat weed (Scoparia dulcis) (4%), Selacia reticulata (4%), Fenugreek (Trigonella Foenum Graecum) (3%) and Tree turmeric (Coscinium fenestratum) (0.5%). None of the patients used commercially available over-the-counter herbal products. The common preparations were salads (72.8%), curries (12.8%), herbal tea (6%) and herbal porridges (6%).
Conclusion:
The practice of using household ingredients as complementary medicines is common in Sri Lanka. Few herbal remedies and their methods of preparation have limited evidence for efficacy. In view of the frequent use by diabetic patients each needs to be documented for reference and scientifically explored with regard to their hypoglycaemic potential.
Key words: Type 2 Diabetes
Complementary Medicine
Ivy gourd
Crepe ginger
Bitter gourd
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