Treating Diabetes: The Chinese Way!
Julia Hanf -
juliahanf@gmail.com When it comes to uncovering the facts about diabetes, the layer of fiction that need to be sifted out can be very intimidating. Especially because with every fact that is declared, there are a number of fallacies which raise their ugly heads, partially on account of public ignorance, which is then convoluted by an equally large number of fake 'cures' that litter the marketplace. And once a diabetes first-timer has faced the bitter consequences of their misguided beliefs, he is also inclined to disregard other credible forms of treatment in spite of their reasonable and proven stance on diabetes management. One such victim of diabetes fallacies is Chinese medicine.
Contrary to the popular myth that diabetes is only a new-fangled disease that has found its way through lifestyle disorders, diabetes is probably one of the oldest diseases known to man a fact which is commendably captured by ancient Chinese documents which date as far as 2,000 years ago. The proof of how effective, and scientifically grounded Chinese medicine is, is palpable by the fact that the incidence of diabetes in China is a mere 0.67% as opposed to the American standard of 2.2%.
As in the modern ways of diabetes management, Chinese medicine also believes in treating diabetes, as per its stage of development, which is further diagnosed by the characteristics the disease manifests in its victim. The Chinese term for diabetes, namely deletion-thirst disease, is an apt representation of their accurate diagnosis of the excessively high amounts of urine a diabetic body produces as a result of the soaring glucose levels in the blood. Chinese medicine also holds the repute of being the only one of its kind to diagnose and treat the disease at the pre-diabetic phase, which modern medicine considers a relatively recent medical breakthrough.
As per the Chinese methodology, the pre-diabetic phase is characterized by a deficit of yin, which builds up excessive amounts of heat in the body. Treatment at this stage is centered on nourishing the yin and the fluid content in the body with herbs like glehnia, adenophora and asparagus root. If administered in time, these herbs prove invaluable in healing the lungs, heart and stomach, thus preventing the body from developing 'dry heat'.
If this yin deficiency is allowed to progress to the next level where dry heat is produced in the body, the qi and yan balances are disrupted, bringing about further yin and yang deficits. To restore the qi, the Chinese use herbs like ginseng, astragalus, and atractylodes, which also counter symptoms like fatigue and digestive imbalances like excessive appetite, bought about by hypoglycemia, or very low blood glucose. The third stage develops rapidly, once the second is attained, and includes further imbalances in the qi, yin and yang. Here, the individual is prescribed herbs like cinnamon, aconite and cornus which function as kidney and liver tonics while also enhancing the blood circulation.
Chinese dietary patterns play a crucial role in keeping the disease from growing into its more mature phases, while also safeguarding the vulnerable from developing this condition. Some of the more influential factors include the absence of saturates found in diary products, which the Chinese rarely consume and the inclusion of the Chinese yam, bitter melon and ginseng tea as a part of their daily nourishment. These three elements alone are powerful allies to diabetes control on account of their blood glucose reducing properties.
Modern medicine has begun to study the traditional Chinese treatments in minute detail, on account of the systematic and scientific process adopted in their manner of treating diabetes and also because of the statistically proved advantage this way of treatment has in diabetes management and treatment. Certain herbal therapies and treatments have also been officially approved as safe and effective, prompting extensive research to be conducted on the various nuances of this form of medication. When it comes to controlling your diabetes, options are many and close at hand. All you need to do is take a closer look at alternatives and be willing to try new practices with an open mind with your physician's approval. As the adage goes, there's no better time to start than 'right now'. So, why wait any longer? Take control of your diabetes today and bid adieu to all the myriad obstacles that stand between you and a long, fulfilling life!
Julia Hanf is the author of the book How To Play the Diabetes Diet Game and Win. Through a real life emergency Julia discovered how to live diabetes free. Meet Julia at Your Diabetes Cure at
http://www.yourdiabetescure.com and learn more about how you can avert diabetes.
