Can I use Chinese herbal medication to control my diabetes? I have type 2 diabetes and am 44 year old.

There are hundreds of Chinese herbs that have been touted to have anti diabetic properties. In fact, millions of Chinese do take these herbs and claim that these substances do wonders for their health. In addition, there are many articles in Chinese medical literature attesting to the fact these herbs do have decent sugar lowering ability. While it is true that some Chinese herbs do have the ability to lower blood sugars, the health supplement market is poorly regulated. Even the same herb in a different store has different ingredients and quality. Moreover, the same herb is sold under many different names and this makes the topic very confusing.

Diabetes is not a medical disorder you want to fool around with, as it has devastating complications. The longer you delay your blood sugar control, the greater the chance you will develop complications. So until the Chinese pharmaceutical industry comes with more evidence about their herbs and avoids the problems with fakes/counterfeit products, you are better off taking what your doctor ordered. In the meantime, if you really want to get rid of your type 2 diabetes, exercise regularly.

I have been having anxiety attacks for many years but do not want to take any drugs. Do you think kava may help?

Anxiety attacks can be quiet debilitating and can often lead to variety of chronic emotional and physical problems. The major treatment for anxiety is some type of psychotherapy and medications. However, many people seem to believe that herbs like kava may be more beneficial, safer and cheaper than the traditional medical therapies. A look at some of the published studies reveals that kava extracts may have a mild beneficial effect in some people with anxiety. Unfortunately kava does not relieve anxiety in everyone. Kava must be taken regularly in order to derive the benefits- at least 12-18 weeks. So far no study has shown if the benefits of kava are long lasting. Moreover, no one knows if kava has side effects if it is taken indefinitely. The only way to know if kava will work for you is to try the herb out.

Are there any natural products sold for sexual enhancement?

Besides gingko and ginseng, there are a variety of other natural supplements sold as sexual enhancers. These include Muira Pauma, Catuaba bark, Cuscuta seed and Epidemium leaf extract. You can take them all together by mouth, boil them and drink them like tea, chew them, paste them on your genitals or even insert them in the arse  - they still won't give you an erection or sexually arouse you. 

The world has gone mad about herbs. Herbs are not magical substances- the only reason they are so hyped up is because people who manufacture them want to make money. As far as sexual enhancement is concerned, please give herbs a break –they are a complete waste of money.

Are there any herbs to cure a varicocele?

No, there are no herbs which can cure varicocele. A lot of herbs have been postulated to improve varicoceles. However, there is no scientific data that have verified any of these statements. If varicoceles are asymptomatic, one should not resort to fictitious herbal therapies which are now being sold in every natural food store. If your varicocele is symptomatic, go and see a bona fide surgeon.

Can folate help me with my depression? I am 32 and am having a hard time with my symptoms.

Folate is widely used by both men and women to help resolve symptoms of depression. The alternative health care practitioners have routinely recommend folate for a variety of medical disorders including depression.

From the few studies conducted, there is little clinical evidence to suggest that folate can help reverse symptoms of depression in everyone. Some evidence indicates that perhaps folate may be helpful in people with mild depression and also have folate deficiency. In the majority of people, it had no affect.  However the nutrient was found to be safe. If you continue to have depression, then folate is not going to solve your problem. If you feel strongly about it, you may go ahead and use the nutrient. However, remember folate is not a replacement for any anti depressant medication.

I am a 27-year-old female with severe anxiety. I do not want to take drugs but have heard that passiflora can help. Any suggestions?

Anxiety is a very common mental health disorder in the North American population. The disorder peaks in the 2/3 decade of life and is more common in women. The disorder is treated with a combination of psychotherapy and medications, but many people are now turning to herbal medicine.

One of the herbal plants widely touted to treat anxiety is passiflora (passionflower extract). From anecdotal reports, it appears that this herb can relieve anxiety. 

To date, there have not been many clinical studies that have rigorously looked at the effectiveness of this herb. Only one study in a small number of patients showed that passiflora was as effective as benzodiazepines. Simply based on this one study, it is difficult to draw any conclusions about its safety or effectiveness. The only way to know if passiflora works for your anxiety is to try the herb out. However, it is best to speak to your doctor before you make any changes in your medications.

I am 28 and have been struggling with depression for some years. Do you think folate supplements can help?

Depression is a terrible illness and unfortunately its treatment is not great. Most patients find no relief from the currently available medications or when they do, the side effects are not tolerable. Thus, many patients are now turning to alternative health care for better treatment. One of the treatments advocated for depression is folate supplements. Unfortunately, review of the studies indicate that folate is no better than a sugar pill for depression. While folate is safe, it does not reverse depression. I think it is wise to speak to your doctor and perhaps you may benefit from a change of medication or even ECT.

My friends tell me that chitosan can help one lose weight. Is that true?

Chitosan is a health supplement widely used by people of weight loss. There are several reports claiming that this supplement can lower blood cholesterol and help one lose weight. From the few studies conducted, chitosan does appear to be more effective than a sugar pill in helping people lose weight. The weight loss is minuscule and the results are not sustained. On average people who took chitosan lost less than 8 ounces in 3 months – and that was mainly water. Best advice- walk more and eat less and get new friends.

Is Green Tea safe for regular consumption?

With so many reports glorifying green and black tea, what is a consumer supposed to believe? There is never a day when another miraculous healing property is attributed to green tea. Closer evaluation reveals that green tea mania is okay if you consume this beverage socially. As far as medical benefits are concerned, the jury is still out. The one thing to have come out from all these studies is that green tea is safe for regular consumption. However, there are many types of green tea products and some are exorbitantly expensive. Expense has nothing to do with health benefits- even cheap tea is just as enjoyable.

Can Green Tea help me lose weight?

As far as weight loss is concerned, no study has ever shown that any type of tea can help an individual lose weight. However, there are anecdotal reports that regular consumption of green tea can help reduce blood cholesterol. There are other reports claiming that green tea may help increase insulin sensitivity to glucose.

Recent reports indicate that anti oxidants found in green tea may help protect the brain from injury. Animals studies have revealed that these anti oxidants may play a role in prevention and treatment of various brain disorder like Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s disease.

If you want to lose weight, start eating less and walk more. Of course, you can drink all the green tea you want at the same time.

Are there any benefits to drinking green tea?

A few clinical reports on green tea extracts suggest that this beverage may  help decrease heart disease and prevent development of certain cancers. However, none of these reports  have been verified in double blind well controlled studies. As far as weight loss is concerned, there is no evidence that drinking green tea can lead to better weight management.

The majority of green tea beverages contain caffeine, unless specifically stated. Normal green tea itself contains more caffeine than coffee. Other ingredients in green tea extracts include polyphenols, which are believed to have healing and anti oxidant properties. Many animal studies done in the Orient claim that these green tea extracts can decrease risk of heart disease, improve bone density, delay, or prevent cognitive problems, dental caries, and kidney stones. Asides from its beneficial effect on the heart, the other purported clinical benefits of green teas are not consistent nor do they occur in everyone. 

What is all the fuss about Green Tea?

Green tea is a social beverage widely consumed by people all over the globe. While most of us drink green tea just for the pleasure of having a good cup of tea, some people drink green tea because they believe it has many medical benefits.

Green tea is a type of tea made from leaves of the plant, camellia Sinesis. Green tea has it origins from the Orient and has been widely used in Chinese and Indian culture for centuries. In the last few decades, many varieties of green tea have become available in North America. One remarkable thing about green tea is that it has been ascribed magical medical powers. The people who sell green tea claim that this beverage can cure almost every medical disorder underneath the sun and even help you lose weight. Since the early reports suggesting that green tea can prevent heart disease, consumers all over of the globe have been drinking gallons of green tea every day. And people still continue to die from heart disease!

Does Tea Tree oil have any side effects?

After repeat application of tea tree oil, some people do develop a contact dermatitis. Thus, people who have allergic to plants should be cautious about using tea tree oil. Moreover, if one has allergy to the eucalyptus oils, then tea tree oil products should be voided. In addition the higher strength tea tree oil have also been associated with reduced hearing and confusion in some people. There is no enough information about tea tree oil in pregnancy. Experts recommend that all pregnant or breast-feeding women avoid use of this product during this time period. There is always a theoretical chance that the tea tree oil can be absorbed from the fragile skin of the infant.

Tea tree oil does not interact with any medications but it is wise to speak to a health professional if you plan to use it. There is no way to tell if tea tree oil works in everyone. The only way to know if this oil works is to use it. Reports on cyberspace indicate that it does nothing special and certainly does not cure any infections. Depending on where you buy it, the price of tea tree oil varies from $15-$40. All consumers should understand that tea tree oil is not a substitute for the traditional medications used to treat skin infections or vaginitis- it is only a supplementary aid. 

How is tea tree oil supposed to be used?

Tea tree oil is not to be ingested and only for topical use. There are many reports of toxicity when the oil is consumed by mouth. While the product is generally safe when applied to skin, there are also reports of allergic reactions and mild irritations. Contact dermatitis appears to occur in at least 3-8 percent of people who regularly apply tea tree oil to the skin.

To date the exact dose of tea tree oil remains unknown. However, stores routinely sale tea tree oil as 5 or 10 percent oil either as a gel or in a shampoo. The extract should be applied on the skin everyday for at least 4-6 weeks to obtain the medical benefits. Other health care practitioners also recommend the 100% tea tree oil for fungal infections. It is highly recommended that tea tree oil never be taken by mouth. Even though it is available as a mouthwash it should never be swallowed. Tea tree oil is only recommended for use in adults over the age of 18. The product should not be used in children and infants, as its toxicity in this age group has never been studied.

Can you tell me a little about tea tree oil and why people are crazy about it?

Tea tree oil is extracted from the leaves of the melaleuca alternifolia plant. In the last 2 decades, much has been reported about the medical benefits of this naturally healing plant. In Australia and the South Pacific, the leaves of this plant have been widely used to treat a variety of skin infections. While the extracts of tea tree oil have been proven in a laboratory to have anti septic properties, large scale studies on humans are still lacking. Today, extracts of tea tree oil are available in many health food stores and used to treat a variety of fungal infections of the skin, acne and certain vaginal infections. 

The cosmetic skin care industry also routinely adds extract of tea tree oil to enhance the moisturizing ability and to prevent fine lines or wrinkles. However, the consumer should be aware that there is a lack of definitive evidence for most these conditions. Because there is no strict regulation on the sale of tea tree oil, consumers have been using this oil to treat genital herpes, lice, eye infections, athlete's foot, dandruff, nail infections and thrush. 

Will Coenzyme Q10 help control my diabetes?

One area where CoQ10 is heavily marketed is in the treatment of type 2 diabetes. There are many anecdotal reports, chiefly made by the manufacturers of CoQ10, that it can lower blood glucose levels in diabetics. This finding is not universal and seen in less than 3-5 percent of individuals. Many diabetics do take CoQ10 but see no benefit. So far there is no scientific evidence that CoQ10 can lower blood sugars or prevent the complications of diabetes. It’s use in medicine remains controversial.

Another problem with CoQ10 sold in health food stores is that the dose of the supplement is not regulated. It is available in a wide range of concentrations and sold under many generic names. And each product appears to have a different concentration of CoQ10. There are also reports of contamination of CoQ10 products with various chemicals. Since many of these health supplements are made in the Orient and not well regulated, it is wise for all diabetics to check with their health care provider before they start CoQ10.

CoQ10 is currently not recommended for consumption by children under the age of 18. Further, there have been reports of allergies induced by CoQ10 formulations.

For the present, all diabetics should know that CoQ10 is not a substitute for insulin or any of the other oral diabetic medications.

What role does Coenzyme Q10 play in the body?

What role does Coenzyme Q10 play in the body?

Coenzyme Q10, otherwise known as CoQ10, is very popular health supplement. Millions of individuals take this supplement on a daily basis. It is a substance which has a very similar structure to some of the water soluble vitamins. CoQ10 is also present in the human body is varying concentrations. What it does in the body is still a puzzle but current laboratory evidence indicates that it may play a role in the production of energy at a cellular level. CoQ10 is found in highest concentration in the liver, brain, kidney, lungs and heart- parts of the body which are associated with high consumption and generation of energy.

However, the levels of CoQ10 are not consistent in all individuals and we still do not know whether it is a substrate or a product during the generation of energy. The alternative health care market has been hyping up the substance as a treatment for many medical disorders. On cyberspace, it appears that CoQ10 is a cure for everything in the medical dictionary. There is no correlation between the levels of CoQ10 and disease. Some people have high levels and have disease; but there are people who have low levels of CoQ10 and have no evidence of a medical disorder. At the moment, CoQ10 is still looking of a disease it can cure

I keep on getting recurrent colds. Should I take Echinacea?

Extracts of the Echinacea plant are widely used in both Europe and North America to treat the common cold. Echinacea extracts vary in quality and are also obtained from different parts of the plant using different manufacturing techniques. Several good clinical studies have looked at the benefits of Echinacea for the common cold- the conclusion is that Echinacea preparations made from the leaves are only slightly more effective than other extracts. However, the results are not consistent and only seen in adults. Experts do not recommend Echinacea as a preventive aid for the cold. If you want to prevent a cold, get the vaccine. It is cheaper and more effective than Echinacea

Does the American Diabetes Association recommend any herbs for treatment of diabetes?

For the moment, the American Diabetes Association has argued against the use of herbs because the health supplement industry is not regulated and the quality is not controlled. One cannot even be sure if the same supplement bought in different stores will have the same efficacy. In the last few years, numerous Chinese herbs products have been found to contain actual prescription anti diabetic drugs. These were drugs banned more than 20 years ago. Given these uncertainties and problems with fake supplements, the consumers should be cautious when it comes to use of herbs for diabetes.

For a type 2 diabetic, the best medical advice is to exercise and reduce weight. This therapy alone has been shown to significantly reduce blood sugars, lower blood pressure and decrease cholesterol. This approach is not only cheap and safe but the results are guaranteed if one is dedicated and motivated.

Can one use herbs to treat diabetes?

First the facts. Type 1 diabetes has only treatment- insulin. There is no substitute for it. There is no herb, lotion, potion, cream, pill, or drug that can replace this vital medication. The consumer is well advised not to replace the insulin with herbs for type 1 diabetes because the consequences can be lethal.

The treatment of type 2 diabetes is quite varied and involves a multidisciplinary approach, including weight loss, eating proper foods and medications. The role of herbs in type 2 diabetes remains a puzzle. Every single day, there is a new herb that is claimed to lower blood sugar; there are thousands of such anecdotal reports. Some of the common herbs which are presently being studied for their role in diabetes include stevia, bilberry gymnome and jambul. Many other herbs including Konjac mannan, American ginseng, Ipomoea batatas, Momordica charantia, nopal, aloe Vera, and fenugreek have been reported to lower blood sugar. However, the results of these herbs are neither consistent nor always reproducible. For most of these herbs, there is no scientific evidence that they actually work in diabetes. Most of the “medical benefits” of these herbs are offered by dealers and vendors of health supplements who have a vested financial interest.

While most herbs are safe and can be taken as supplements, one should not substitute them for their standard conventional anti diabetic medications without first discussing the issue with a health care professional.

Is saw palmetto safe?

It is safe as long as you do not buy Chinese made brand names. 

In general, saw palmetto is safe but has been associated with rare cases of allergies. Other common side effects of saw palmetto include stomach cramps, nausea, vomiting, bad breath and constipation. Experts recommend taking saw palmetto with food to avoid the nausea. The lipidosterolic extract is felt to be safe and has much fewer side effects. Other rare side effects of saw palmetto include yellow discoloration of skin and liver damage.  Since saw palmetto can enhance bleeding, people undergoing surgery or dental work should stop this herb at least 7-12 days before the procedure.

Some men do report breast tenderness, decreased libido and testicular discomfort after taking saw palmetto for a long time. Because of safety concerns the product PC SPES is no longer available in North America

Saw palmetto is not recommended for women.

How does one take saw palmetto?

The dose of saw palmetto is about 1-2 g of dried powder. There are also solutions, tinctures and whole berries available for sale and the dose is quite variable.  There are even tea formulas prepared from berries but these formulas do not work well. There is not enough data to recommend saw palmetto for use in children.

What is the big deal with saw palmetto?

Saw palmetto (Serenoa repens, Sabal serrulata) is a popular herb in North America and Europe. For decades, this herb has been used by Europeans to treat symptoms of prostatic hypertrophy (enlarged prostate or BPH). In the USA, saw palmetto is quickly gaining fame for BPH partly because it is safe and has much fewer side effects compared to the conventional drugs. However, all consumers should understand that saw palmetto is not a replacement for traditional medical therapy for prostate hypertrophy but a complimentary therapy.


Centuries ago saw palmetto was used by the Mayans to treat a variety of infections. Even the berries of the plant were widely consumed to relieve cough and fever.


At the moment saw palmetto is an accepted licensed product in many European countries but in North America it is classified as a health supplement. Its use in America is empirical and one does not need a prescription.


There is some evidence that saw palmetto does inhibit enzymes that make the hormone, testosterone, and there are other reports which indicate that the herb may also have a direct action of androgen receptors.