25 African Plants That Are Traditionally Used To Treat or Manage Diabetes

Diabetes Mellitus is a chronic metabolic disease in which there are high blood sugar levels in an individual over a long period of time. Symptoms of high blood sugar include frequent urination, increased thirst, and increased hunger. If left untreated, diabetes can cause many complications.

Some of the common symptoms of diabetes are:

• Frequent urination
• Loss of weight
• Persistent hunger
• Loss of energy and tiredness
• Skin issues
• Excessive thirst
• Prolonged healing time for wounds
• Yeast infections
• Tingling and/or numbness of feet or toes.

There are three main types of diabetes; type I diabetes, type II diabetes and gestational diabetes.

The management or treatment of diabetes is focused on the following:

1. Regulating the metabolism of carbohydrates and so lower blood sugar levels
2. Regulating sugar absorption
3. Stimulating the secretion of insulin
4. Improve insulin sensitivity
5. Regenerating the beta cells of the pancreas

There are many plants of African origin that are used to treat or manage diabetes because they can help in regulating blood sugar levels. Below are 25 of them:

1. Mormodica charantia fruit called ejinrin in Yoruba and bitter gourd in English.
2. Mormodica foetida leaves called ejinrin wewe in Yoruba.
3. Ficus exasperata leaves called epin in Yoruba and sandpaper leaves plant in English.
4. Gymnema sylvestre leaves called hyena’s vine in English and yaryadin kura in Hausa.
5. Hunteria umbellata seeds called abere in Yoruba.
6. Detarium microcarpum bark, called ofor in Igbo, ogbogbo in Yoruba and sweet detar in English.
7. Gongronema latifolium leaves and stem, called madunmaro in Yoruba and utazi in Igbo.
8. Lawsonia inermis leaves, called henna plant laali in Yoruba and Hausa.
9. Daniella oliveri leaves, called iya in Yoruba, ozabwa in Igbo and African balsam in English.
10. Khaya senegalensis/grandifolia stem bark, called oganwo in Yoruba and Senegal/African mahogany in English.
11. Mangifera indica leaves called, mangoro in Yoruba and mango tree in English.
12. Morinda lucida called, brimstone tree in English and oruwo in Yoruba.
13. Ocimum gratissimum leaves or whole plant, called efinrin in Yoruba, nchanwu in Igbo and basil in English.
14. Vernonia amygdalina leaves, called bitter leaf plant in English, ewuro in Yoruba, onugbu in Igbo and shiwaka in Hausa
15. Anthocleista djalonensis/vogelii stem bark, called sapo in Yoruba, kwari in Hausa and cabbage tree in English.
16. Irvingia gabonensis stem bark, called oro in Yoruba and African wild mango in English.
17. Alstonia boonei/cogensis stem bark, called ahun in Yoruba.
18. Cryptolepsis sanguinolenta root, called yellow dye root in English and paran pupa in Yoruba.
19. Abrus precatorious leaves, called emisinmisin in Yoruba and rosary bead plant in English.
20. Mimosa pudica leaves, called padimo in Yoruba and touch-me-not plant.
21. Azadirachta indica leaves, called neem in English and dogonyaro in Yoruba and Hausa.
22. Mondia whiteii roots, called isirigun in Yoruba and white/African ginger in English.
23. Phyllanthus amarus leaves, called eyin olobe or ehibisowo in Yoruba and stone breaker in English.
24. Rauvolfia vomitoria roots, called asofeyeje in Yoruba, wadda in Hausa, ikanta in Igbo and serpent or snake root in English.
25. Cassia/Senna occidentalis leaves, called rere in Yoruba, reidore in Hausa and coffee senna in English

Most of these plants or herbs can be used alone or in combination with others. There are many more herbs from Africa that help in the treatment and management of diabetes. 

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