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| Marking diabetes day in a lighter mood! |
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Saturday, November 15, 2008
World Diabetes Day, marked the world over on November 14th every year, has become a globally-celebrated event to increase awareness about diabetes. It is proving internationally effective in spreading the message about this disease and the awareness campaign was introduced amidst concern over an escalating diabetes epidemic by the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the International Diabetes Federation (IDF). Each year a theme is decided upon to help those most in need. For instance this year, World Diabetes Day was concerned with diabetes in children and adolescents.
Anyway, a group of women met at a friend’s house to have coffee and exchange notes about diabetes and how they are coping either on their own behalf or that of their families. But soon the discussion turned from serious to light and it was interesting to note that a number of women were using what is known as ‘alternate’ medicine, the most favoured being the herbal variety.
Prescriptions handed down by grandparents or other elderly relatives, with stories of ‘miracle’ cures were repeated and noted - those who suffer are desperate to try anything that may work! Some of the herbs and vegetables mentioned were garlic; aloe vera; fig leaves; ginseng; fenugreek (methi) and kerala (bitter gourd).
According to the users, a mixture of these plants is either derived by soaking; making a paste or just swallowed raw (garlic). For reasons best known to those that ingest them, these derivatives are usually taken on an empty stomach.
“I take out the juice of ‘kerala’ and drink it first thing in the morning,” said an elderly participant of the discussion who does not want to be named in case she is considered ‘irresponsible’ though she swears the juice has helped her! “It is difficult to swallow as it is very bitter but I have become used to it,” she laughed. “Try it and see for yourself.” What if this vegetable is not available? Take out enough juice while it is in season and store it, came the prompt reply.
A younger participant, Nasreen Kiani, confided that she drank tea made from fig leaves and it seemed to help while another said she was trying the gel of aloe vera - often called a ‘miracle herb.’
Though the subject was serious, the women put their worries aside and there was much laughter over who drank/ate what and the affect it had on their condition - a healing process in itself! In the end it must be said that using herbal remedies and plant derivatives to help in the treatment of diabetes should not be discounted but experts warn that although the ability of herbal compounds to supplement insulin as a treatment is often relied on by those who believe in them, these should not be taken at face value without thorough research and consultation with experts.
— Ishrat Hyatt
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ISSN 1563-9479 
