Diabetes mellitus is known to be a disease associated with very serious dietary restrictions. At the same time, some fruits and berries, despite the presence of sugar in their composition, have a number of useful properties that make it possible to use them as a prophylactic and therapeutic agent even for diabetics. It is worth talking in more detail about the benefits and harm that a red viburnum can bring to such a patient, as well as how to properly use this berry for a particular type of diabetes.

Useful properties of berries

The useful potential that a plant carries for the body is determined primarily by its chemical composition. So, the fruit of viburnum red is the source of the following biologically active substances:

Vitamins	A, B1, B2, B4, B5, B6, B9, C, E, K, PP
Minerals	Potassium, calcium, magnesium, silicon, iron, sulfur, phosphorus, boron, selenium
Organic acids	Valerian, isovalerian, acetic, caprylic, capric, formic, palmitic, linoleic, oily, ursolic, crotonic, oleanolic
Amino acids are essential	Valine, histidine, leucine, isoleucine, methionine, lysine, threonine, tryptophan, methylalanine, threonine
Amino acids are interchangeable	Glycine, proline, cystine, tyrosine, serine, arginine, alanine, glutamine
Flavonoids (glycosides)	Viburnin, coumarin (in the form of derivatives - esculletin and scoproletin), comperol-tri-glycoside, kempferol, amirin, astragaline, peonoside, rutin, triterpene saponins, steroids (sterols), including phytosterol and phytosterol
Alkaloids	Viburnitol
Other biologically active nutrients	Pectins, resins, essential oils, fatty oils

Thanks to such a rich composition, viburnum provides not only a restoration of the balance of vitamins, minerals and general immunity, but also has very specific healing properties that have long been used in folk medicine.

• In particular, with the help of various kinds of infusions, decoctions and extracts, it is possible to provide:
• antipyretic effect;
• pain relief (analgesic and antispasmodic effect);
• relief of inflammatory processes and healing of wounds;
• antioxidant effect (general rejuvenation of the body, prevention of cancer and cardiovascular diseases);
• skin condition improvement (used to treat acne, boils, eczema);
• reduction of allergy symptoms;
• excretion of salts of heavy metals, toxins and other harmful substances from the body;
• strengthening of blood vessels and heart muscle;
• lowering blood pressure;
• pulse normalization;
• improving liver function;
• diuretic effect;
• stop bleeding, including internal (astringent effect);
• elimination of sputum from the respiratory tract (expectorant effect);
• stimulation of metabolism (improves the digestive system, restores the intestines both with diarrhea and constipation);
• calming and relaxing effect (used in the treatment of insomnia);
• lowering blood cholesterol.

The benefits and harms of the disease

Whatever the beneficial properties of a medicinal plant, in terms of its compatibility with the diet of a patient with diabetes mellitus, the concept of glycemic index is of paramount importance. As you know, by this criterion all products are usually divided into three groups:

The group (zone) of the product in terms of glycemic index	Glycemic index range	Characteristic
First (red)	More than 70	Increase blood sugar due to the fast breakdown of carbohydrates and their transformation into glucose
The second (yellow)	Over 40, but less than 70	Slightly increase blood sugar
Third (green)	Less than 40	They break down slowly and practically do not lead to an increase in blood sugar

However, the amazing properties of viburnum are that it not only does not contribute to an increase in sugar level, but also reduces this indicator by stimulating the pancreas and providing more active production of insulin.

The glycemic index of viburnum ranges from 10 to 20. Thus, the berry enters the green zone and belongs to the category of products that can be consumed with diabetes.

From the above, in turn, it follows that the use of berries of viburnum in diabetes is directly indicated. At the same time, in addition to the glycemic ability of the plant, all the other useful properties that it possesses are no less relevant for a diabetic, and possibly even more than for a healthy person. However, in order for the berry not to turn into a poison from the medicine, you need to use it correctly, and in this matter, a preliminary consultation with the doctor is very important. In addition, the reception of viburnum has certain features depending on the type of diabetes mellitus with which the patient suffers.

You may be interested in information about the benefits and harms of viburnum juice.

How to use viburnum with diabetes of all types

As you know, diabetes is of two types, and both in the first and in the second case, the disease is associated with an increase in the level of sugar in the blood of the patient. Both types of diabetes are characterized by similar symptoms and in the absence of adequate treatment can lead to the so-called lactacidic coma - a condition that directly threatens life.

Restrictions on the composition of foods that are important for diabetics are also common for both types of illness. Nevertheless, the nature of type 1 and type 2 diabetes is completely different. Generally speaking, the first type of disease is characterized by the fact that the patient’s pancreas does not produce insulin, a hormone necessary for the breakdown of glucose. For the treatment of diabetes mellitus of the first type, accordingly, the patient must constantly receive an injection of insulin, which is why this type of disease is sometimes called insulin-dependent.

The pancreas is functioning normally in a patient with type 2 diabetes mellitus, insulin production is carried out in the required volume. However, for reasons that are still not completely known to science, insulin in the body “doesn’t work”: blood sugar, as in the first case, does not break down, while the additional receipt of an insulin injection does not solve the problem. Did you know? The Russian name for viburnum most likely comes from the word “potassium” or “red-hot”, that is, it is directly related to the blood-red color of the berry. It is believed that if diabetes mellitus of the first type is a disease in the literal sense of the word (health problems do not depend on the behavior of the patient), then the second type of disease occurs due to an improper lifestyle, in particular, against the background of obesity. Understanding the fundamental difference between the two types of diabetes, it becomes clearer the role that this or that food product can play in a patient’s condition, in this case, viburnum.

For a patient with type 1 diabetes, regular consumption of the berry is necessary, first of all, from the point of view of its general strengthening properties and for the prevention of complications that can occur against the background of a chronic disease.

These include, but are not limited to:

• renal failure;
• violations of the liver;
• various pathologies of the cardiovascular system;
• vision problems, in particular, inflammation of the eye retina.

The same effect of viburnum will provide in the case of its administration in diabetes mellitus of the second type. However, in this case, the berry, in addition, plays an additional role of a narrowly targeted medicine, namely:

• stimulates the uniform functioning of the pancreas, including in relation to the production of insulin;
• struggles with the "non-perception" of insulin by body tissues;
• removes excess sugar from the blood.

To achieve the above beneficial effect, it does not matter in which way the fruits will be consumed - in natural (fresh, frozen, dried, dried) form or in the form of compotes, infusions, fruit drinks, herbal tea, etc. It is only important that viburnum was present in the diet regularly, as for the daily dosage, it is necessary in each case to consult with your doctor.

Plant bark and its use

A feature of many medicinal plants is that not only the fruits, but also other parts have useful properties in them. Viburnum is no exception. In folk medicine, its berries, leaves, shoots, root and even bark are widely used. By the way, it is in the cortex that contains the bulk of flavonoids, tannins, and also vitamin K, which has a pronounced astringent and hemostatic effect.

• For this reason, preparations based on viburnum bark are more effective than its berries for:
• improving the digestive system, protecting the mucous membranes of the stomach and intestines from the action of various kinds of irritants and pathogenic microflora;
• a calming effect on the nervous system and relieving spasms of a different nature (the sedative effect of valerian is known to everyone, but few know what it achieves due to valerianic and isovalerianic acid, which are rich in other plants, including viburnum bark);
• increase the tone of muscles and blood vessels;
• cramp control;
• providing a vasoconstrictor effect (increase in blood pressure);
• stop bleeding (due to increased blood coagulation);
• stimulation of hematopoiesis, in particular, an increase in platelet count (a low concentration of these particles leads to a loss of vascular elasticity and their fragility, which, in turn, is the main cause of the development of atherosclerosis and other cardiovascular diseases);
• improved kidney function due to the diuretic effect.

Did you know? It was established that viburnum has an unpleasant property to reduce sperm activity. Consider the berry as a reliable contraceptive, of course, is not worth it, but couples planning a pregnancy, this property of the plant should still be considered.

For the winter for diabetics

Viburnum, like most medicinal plants, is a seasonal product, and therefore patients with diabetes mellitus who want to take a drug based on this useful component all year round should take care in advance of creating stocks of healing raw materials for the winter. For berries, for this purpose, it is best to resort to freezing, drying or drying, while the bark can only be dried.

For harvesting, it is best to cut the bark in early spring, after the start of sap flow, but before the buds open.

It is during this period that the raw material obtained will contain the maximum concentration of nutrients. First, young shoots must be cut off from the bush (so as not to harm the plant, but, on the contrary, stimulate its further growth), after which a sharp knife should be removed from the branches with a bark about 0.2 cm thick, being careful not to touch the wood. The resulting "scales" are dried by placing them with a thin layer in a well-ventilated place away from the bright sun with periodic stirring.

Learn also about the healing properties of viburnum flowers.

There are three main recipes for preparations based on viburnum bark, which are also used in the diet of diabetics:

• decoction;
• infusion;
• tincture.

Take such a remedy three times a day before meals for 1-2 tbsp. l To prepare the broth you need to grind with a sharp knife 1 tbsp. l dried bark, pour it with a glass of boiling water and simmer over low heat for half an hour. Allow the liquid to cool, strain it through a sieve, add water in the amount that boiled away during cooking.

The infusion is prepared using another technology that does not involve prolonged cooking. However, the proportions can be used the same. The crushed bark is poured into a thermos, filled with boiling water and left to infuse overnight.

The intake rate is 50 ml before meals 2 times a day.

Tincture, unlike infusion, involves an alcohol base. The concentration of medicinal raw materials in such a preparation should be very high. In some recipes for 250 ml of strong alcohol, it is recommended to take 4 tbsp. l crushed bark, other folk doctors use vodka and dried bark in equal parts. In any case, both ingredients need to be mixed, tightly corked and insisted in a cool place for a week, then strain.

You need to take the product before meals, 20–25 drops 2-3 times a day.

With diabetes, you have to forget forever about the huge number of products, including delicious, beloved and even useful in many ways. Fortunately, there are exceptions to this rule, and one of them is viburnum. This berry, as well as the bark of a fruit shrub, if it is picked up and properly harvested on time, is not only acceptable in the diet of a diabetic, but also can significantly improve its condition by reducing the patient’s blood sugar level.