Rosemary & Diabetes

Today, more and more herbal supplements appear at the local supermarket. People assume that just because herbal supplements do not contain all the chemicals found in conventional medicine that these herbal cures do not cause side effects or interfere with other medications. Rosemary is a good example of a common herbal supplement that should be avoided if suffering from diabetes or taking certain prescription medication.

Traditional Uses

• According to "The New Healing Herb," ancient people used rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis) to preserve meat. Because of this conserving property, ancient people considered rosemary a remedy for better memory. Rosemary is also believed to provide support for the circulatory and nervous systems. In pregnant women, rosemary is believed to induce abortion. Other uses include relieving muscle pain and spasms, improving hair growth and increasing menstrual flow. None of these traditional claims have been confirmed by science.

Scientific Data

• According to the University of Maryland, laboratory studies have revealed the antioxidant properties of rosemary. The most researched parts of rosemary are caffeic acid and its derivative rosmarinic acid---both of which are antioxidants. Antioxidants are compounds that neutralize destructive particles called free radicals that damage cell membranes, tamper with DNA and cause cell death. Since cell death and damage are linked with cancer, rosemary has the potential to become an important cancer therapy. Rosemary also shows promise in treating toxic liver and inflammatory conditions. In test tube experiments, rosemary demonstrates antimicrobial properties, but it's still unknown how effective rosemary is in patients. In Europe, the German Commission has approved rosemary as a treatment for indigestion (dyspepsia).

Warning

• Patients with diabetes or hypoglycemia must be cautious when taking rosemary extract. Rosemary extract may increase blood sugar levels in both diabetic and nondiabetic individuals. Rosemary extract may also interfere with any drugs taken to control diabetes.

Safety

• There are no hazards when using rosemary, either dried or the fresh leaves, in culinary amounts. Only rosemary extract or tincture has the potential to affect a medical condition.

Other Precautions

• Children should not take any herbal supplements unless you have checked with the child's doctor, and if over 65, you should start with a small dose. Rosemary oil should never be taken orally. Pregnant women should not take rosemary as a supplement. Patients taking blood thinners such as Warfarin (Coumadin), Clopidogrel (Plavix) and aspirin should avoid rosemary extract since it may affect the blood's ability to clot. If taking a high blood pressure medication (ACE inhibitor) such as Captpril (Capoten), Elaropril (Vasotec), Lisinopril (Zestril), avoid rosemary extract as well since rosemary may interfere with the effect of these drugs. Anyone taking lithium is advised against taking rosemary extract because rosemary has a strong diuretic effect, causing the body to lose water, which may lead to lithium build up in the blood. Overall, rosemary supplements and other herbal remedies should not be used without consulting a doctor. One should never self-diagnose and attempt to treat conditions.