Chinese Medicine and the treatment of Type 2 Diabetes

Diabetes Mellitus can by classified, in terms of Chinese Medicine, as a Xiao Ke syndrome, or “wasting and thirsting disorder.” Xiao Ke is a disorder in which fluid dysregulation within the three burners has occurred leading to simultaneous fluid deficiency with stagnation and consumptive heat. The san jiao is the organ responsible for the irrigation and movement of fluids throughout the three jiaos, so when the mechanism of the san jiao is not functioning properly, regulation of the fluid metabolism will not occur, leading to symptoms of simultaneous dryness, dampness and heat.

            According to Sun Si Miao, Xiao Ke was thought to be an issue of the san jiao mechanism with underlying consumptive heat within the middle jiao (Yuen, 2017). The idea behind this was that over indulging in rich food and alcohol (a pathology of heat) led to undigested food in the middle jiao. The body then responded to this consumptive heat with dampness and phlegm that prevented irrigation of the san jiao’s distribution of Yuan qi and fluids to the 5 Zang organs leading to dryness and depletion of the 5 Zang (Yuen, 2017). Therefore, the treatment principles for the treatment of Type 2 Diabetes would be to 1.) Drain Dampness and Phlegm, 2.) Fortify the Spleen and Stomach 3.) Regulate the San Jiao by clearing consumptive heat from all three burners.

             Sun Si Miao’s theory on the pathology behind Xiao Ke syndrome is that heat created from undigested food creates stagnation which rots into consumptive heat in the middle jiao (digestive system), and the body responds to this heat with phlegm/dampness which obstructs the san jiao’s mechanism. This suggests that the herbal formula must: clear heat and dampness from the three  jiao, clear food stagnation and phlegm, and fortify the middle burner so that it is able to transform and transport fluids. Since stagnant heat and phlegm damage the fluids, herbs which clear heat and simultaneously nourish fluids must also be employed.

               The dietary recommendations that I would make for a patient with Type 2 Diabetes are to first and foremost avoid sugars, and avoid damp producing foods such as dairy and gluten since this helps cut down on excess mucus in the body. I would recommend the patient eat more sprouts which promote movement of food stagnation and can be helpful in losing weight (Yuen, 2017). Examples of sprouts that the patient could incorporate into her diet include: barley sprouts, alfalfa sprouts and brussels sprouts (Yuen, 2017). I would also recommend that the patient eat more mucilaginous vegetables which contain fiber and cellulose that binds to sugar and chelate sugar out of the body (Yuen, 2017). Examples of mucilaginous foods for this patient include: okra, eggplant, and water spinach (Yuen, 2017). Eating legumes such as adzuki beans and mung beans may also be helpful. Adzuki beans, “act as a mild diuretic and clear heat from the upper burner (Yuen, 2017), and mung beans, which are also a diuretic, can be useful “with the healing of skin and diabetic rashes (Yuen, 2017).”

References:

Bensky, D. (2004). Materia Medica. Seattle, WA: Eastland Press, Inc.

Deadman, P. A Manual of Acupuncture (2007).East Sussex, England: Journal of Chinese Medicine Publications.

Litton, K. “Point Energetics 2.” Lecture at Daoist Traditions College of Chinese Medical Arts,

Asheville, NC, Fall Semester, 2014.

Yuen, J. (2017, February 18-19th). Classical Approaches to Contemporary Problems: Xiao Ke/Diabetes. Lecture presented at Daoist Traditions College of Chinese Medical Arts, Asheville, NC