Research Progress in Traditional Chinese Medicine for the Treatment of Diabetes
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.54097/3nah4j93Keywords:
Diabetes, Emaciation-thirst disease, Syndrome Differentiation and Treatment, Traditional Chinese Medicine Therapy, External Treatments in Traditional Chinese MedicineAbstract
Diabetes is a major public health problem around the world. Its prevalence keeps rising. Western medicine can control blood glucose, but it does little to stop complications. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) focuses on syndrome differentiation and treatment. It has clear strengths in managing diabetes and its complications. This paper reviews recent work on TCM treatment of diabetes. It covers etiology, pathogenesis, syndrome differentiation, decoctions, proprietary medicines, single herbs, and external therapies. Research shows that TCM views "yin deficiency with internal heat" as the core problem in diabetes. In practice, doctors often use therapies that tonify qi and nourish yin, clear heat and promote fluid production, or nourish yin and moisten dryness. Classic formulas like Baihu Decoction, Shashen Maidong Decoction, and Huangqi Sijunzi Decoction have shown good results. Proprietary medicines such as Huang Kui Capsules and Gui Fu Di Huang Pills also work well. These treatments ease symptoms, protect the kidneys, and help control glucose and lipid levels. Some work by activating insulin pathways or reducing oxidative stress. External therapies—acupuncture, moxibustion, and herbal plasters—also show value as add-on treatments. However, current work still faces problems. Diagnostic criteria are not consistent, and evidence-based data are scarce. Future studies should carry out high-quality clinical trials and mechanistic research. This will help blend traditional Chinese and Western medicine in a coordinated way.
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