Chinese herbal treatments for diabetes has shown some promise with helping alleviate diabetes:

"A TRADITIONAL Chinese medicine said to help patients with diabetes has been given the backing of scientists.

The natural plant product known as berberine has been documented in Chinese literature as having a blood sugar lowering effect in people with type 2 diabetes, but it was not known why it has this effect.

Now an international team from China, Korea and Australia has demonstrated how berberine helps diabetics. In tests on animals, the researchers from the Garvan Institute in Sydney found berberine was interacting with the body chemistry.

They believe the product could be a valuable new treatment, especially where traditional drugs fail, though it would need to undergo properly evaluated clinical trials before entering widespread use.

Berberine is found in the roots and bark of several plants, such as goldenseal and barberry.

It is commonly used for treatments to tackle diarrhoea and to promote wound healing.

Dr Jiming Ye said: "Our studies in animal models of diabetes show that berberine acts in part by activating an enzyme in the muscle and liver that is involved in improving sensitivity of the tissue to insulin. This helps lower blood sugar levels. it seems berberine can also help reduce body weight.""