Can Pteridium aquilinum (Chinese name: Fan Bai Cao) and Gynostemma pentaphyllum (Jiaogulan) bitter tea lower blood glucose?
Disease description:
I have had diabetes for many years, and the effectiveness of my blood sugar–lowering medications has been inconsistent. Someone recommended two types of tea to help control blood glucose levels: Pteridium aquilinum var. latiusculum (commonly known as “Fan Bai Cao”) and Gynostemma pentaphyllum–Ilex kudingcha tea (Jiao Gu Lan–Ku Ding Cha). Can these teas lower blood glucose?
Doctor's answer (2)
Dr. Zhang Nan
Folium Pteridii and Gynostemma pentaphyllum bitter tea may provide some auxiliary effects in lowering blood glucose. However, most diabetic patients require long-term oral hypoglycemic medications to control disease progression. Dietary management also plays a supportive role in diabetes treatment: patients should generally limit intake of foods high in starch and sugar, and instead opt for light, low-calorie meals.
