Herbal Remedy for Diabetes: Two Case Reports

Abstract

We present case histories of two patients with type 2 diabetes who were taking herbal medicines that was claimed to be effective for the management of diabetes. Both patients had purchased their herbal medicines from India. On chemical analysis, these medicines were found to contain glibenclamide. Here we discuss the use of alternative medicines in the developed world and highlight the problem that adulteration of complimentary alternative medicines with modern medicines can cause in the management of diabetes.

Key words

diabetes mellitus - herbal remedy - adulteration - glibenclamide

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1 Competing interests: none to declare.

Correspondence