Monograph on the Use of Herbs to Address Metabolic Syndrome

Introduction

Metabolic syndrome is a collection of symptoms that have become an issue on a global scale. While allopathic medicine can address the downstream symptoms, the metabolic pathways that are the root cause of the syndrome can be managed using herbs.

Methods

Criteria for the syndrome were set by the World Health Organization. Suggested herbs are taken from World Health Organization monographs, the British Pharmacopoeia, the United States Pharmacopoeia and the National Formulary, the Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia, the Pharmacopoeia of the People's Republic of China, and the Japanese Pharmacopoeia. Herbs are cross-referenced with the primary literature when possible. Dietary recommendations and supplements are mentioned tangentially; however, they are not the intended focus of this monograph.

Results

Hyperglycemia is considered a principal component and driver of metabolic syndrome. Insulin resistance, glycolysis, and insulin production can all be affected by herbs. Lipid metabolism occurs primarily in the liver; liver function can be enhanced using herbs. Inflammation caused by a hyperglycemic state can also be managed using herbs and reduced the progression of associated diseases. Since glycolysis and energy production occur in the mitochondria, supporting mitochondrial health with herbs is critical to positively affecting metabolic syndrome.

Conclusions

By using herbs to manage hyperglycemia, inflammation, liver congestion, and mitochondrial health, metabolic syndrome can be slowed, stopped, or even reversed.