Abuta PlusT is a formula containing three South American herbs: Abuta (Chondodrendon tomentosum), Lemon Grass (Cymbopogon citratus) from the Amazon rainforest and Pasuchaca (Germanium delsianum), a mountain herb which grows in the Peruvian Andes. Scientific literature has suggested for some time that both Pasuchaca and Lemon Grass contain blood sugar regulation (hypoglycemic) properties. Abuta however had not been studied scientifically for its effect on blood sugar although there is an oral tradition in some parts of the Peruvian rainforest which attests to its positive effect on high blood sugar. Whole World Botanicals, Inc. sponsored a clinical trial in 2001 to ascertain the validity of the oral tradition and the results have been most impressive. As the results of the study have not yet been published, only a summary is provided here. The study was a double blind, placebo controlled study involving 20 patients. The patients were all taking oral medication for Type II Diabetes. They were asked to continue with their medication and while they also took one capsule of the Abuta Formula Extract twice daily with breakfast and lunch. The patients in the study all had blood sugar levels of between 180 and 270, in spite of being on oral medication. By the end of the eight weeks of the study all of the patients taking the abuta extract were within normal limits of blood sugar level, ranging from 70 to 120. The patients taking the placebo remained at roughly the same level of blood sugar.

What is especially remarkable about this study is that

1. virtually all studies of the effects of a therapeutic botanical on blood sugar level have been done on experimental animals, not with human beings.

2. The scientists conducting the trial explicitly told the participants that they did not want them to improve their diet.

The initial intake interview revealed that the diet of the participants included a substantial amount of starches (white rice and/or potatoes on a daily basis); fried foods, and refined white sugar on a daily basis as well. The participants in the study were told not go "hog wild" with their diet but also not to improve their diet. The reason: the investigators did not want to be measuring the effect of an improved diet-they wanted to measure the effect of the botanical. Since a strong contributing cause to the development of Type II Diabetes Mellitus is a poor diet, and since most people suffering from this condition are unable to maintain a hypoglycemic diet for any length of time, the most desirable outcome of the study would show that the participants could continue to eat a hyperglycemic diet but at the same time improve their blood sugar levels. To try to minimize the possibility that they were improving their diets during the study, the investigators did NOT have the physician ask these participants what they had eaten when they picked up their capsules every week.

The initial study was followed up with a second smaller study of the Royal Abuta PlusT formula which included Pasuchaca (Germanium delsianum), a well known hypoglycemic herb from the Central Sierra of Peru and with Cymbopogon citratus, which is native to the New World and grows especially well in tropical climates.

Although the latter is generally known more for its digestive effects, its hypoglycemic qualities have also been documented. This formula represented an improvement on the single herb in several respects, which will become part of the published study.

At the end of the eight week study, some of the participants in the trial elected to discontinue their medication. The physician participating in the study advised them to double their dosage of Royal Abuta PlusT to two capsules twice daily with meals (12 hours apart). These individuals have been able to maintain a normal blood sugar, with the exception of one man, whose diet was particularly unhealthy. He required two capsules of the Royal Abuta Plus Formula three times a day (a total of 6) in order to maintain a normal blood sugar level.

Whole World Botanicals presents this formula not as a cure, diagnosis, prevention or treatment of diabetes. Rather it is helpful in ameliorating the symptom of an elevated blood sugar level and can be used as a nutritional therapy in conjunction with an oral pharmaceutical drug prescribed by a physician. The real value of this herbal formula is that it helps correct the effects of a hyperglycemic diet which is high in starch (white rice, potatoes, corn) and in refined white sugar. This type of diet is part of the cultural norm both in urban Peru and in the United States and in industrialized countries everywhere. Whereas there may be a genetic predisposition to the development of Type II Diabetes Mellitus, dietary factors are very important in reducing the symptoms. This herbal formula represents part of a healthy diet for a person with Type II diabetes and is presented as a dietary supplement which will help to offset unfavorable dietary factors.

Dosing Considerations

The effects of Royal Abuta PlusT require about six weeks to take full effect. This is an advantage as there is no sudden drop in blood sugar level. It is recommended that this product be taken with breakfast and with lunch.

WARNING: People with "brittle diabetes" who experience great swings from high to low blood sugar and are at risk for falling into a diabetic coma at night should consult their physician before taking this product and should not take it at night.

Directions

Take one capsule with breakfast and one with lunch on a daily basis. If blood sugar drops below normal (80), consult your physician about reducing your pharmaceutical medication.

If after six weeks, the blood sugar is still high (out of normal range), one capsule of Royal Abuta PlusT may be taken in the morning and two capsules may be taken with lunch. If after an additional three weeks, the blood sugar still continues high, two capsules may be taken with breakfast and two capsules taken with lunch.

*This product has not been evaluated by the FDA, and is not intended to diagnose prevent or cure any disease.  If you are ill, consult a qualified health care practitioner.

Viana Muller, Ph.D. 2002
This material may not be copied in part or in it's entirety without prior written permission from the author.