Management of Diabetic Patients

with Thai Traditional Medicine

* Center of Applied Thai Traditional Medicine, ** Department of Medicine, *** Department of Pharmacology,

Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand

Siriraj Medical Bulletin 2022;15(3): 181-188

Chantanat Thippayacharoentam*, Khuannara Narajeenrone*, Thanaphak Chaowpeerapong*,

Taweesak Wannachalee ** , Pravit Akarasereenont *, ***

Abstract

Type 2 diabetes is one of the most common chronic diseases. It is an important public health issue

because of the steady increase in the number of patients with diabetes. The main factors are inappropriate

consumption behaviours and improper self-care that are preventable. Thai traditional medicine (TTM) is the

knowledge that can be used to relieve the symptoms of diabetes. This article presents the management of

diabetes patients using TTM. This article explains the cause of diabetes from Tri-dhātu imbalance leading to

abnormal body elements. TTM uses herbal medicines, maneuvers and advice including having a wide range of

food with different flavours, especially herbs or vegetables to help maintaining the health and balance of body

elements in diabetic patients. This article presents a case report of diabetic patient who used Maturameha in

combination with Western medicine. The outcome of the management was satisfactory and without any

adverse drug reactions. Moreover, we also discussed the evidence-based medicine approach and the use

Moringa oleifera

Lam. in diabetic patients as a guideline for providing herbal-based information to these

patients. In addition, information on the treatment of diabetes by Western medicine, which consists of both

pharmacological and nonpharmacological treatments. This article also provides considerations for the

appropriate implementation of herbal medicine in the management of diabetic patients, as well as cautions for

some maneuvers due to numbness from peripheral neuropathy. In conclusion, diabetic care with TTM applies

the principle of balancing the elements using herbal medicine and various procedures, such as massage, herbal

compress, herbal steam, and behavioral modiﬁcation according to Dhammanamai principle. These principles will

help to relieve symptoms, control blood sugar levels and reduce complications in diabetic patients, which will

lead to the improved quality of life.

Keywords: diabetes; Thai traditional medicine; herbal; Maturameha; evidence-based medicine

Correspondence to : Khuannara Narajeenrone

E-mail : khannara.naa@mahidol.edu

Received: 19 April 2022

Revised: 25 May 2022

Accepted: 30 May 2022

http://dx.doi.org/10.33192/smb.v15i3.257015

181

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การูแลู�่ วยเบาหวาน�วยศาสตร์

การแพทย์แนไทย

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



 











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













182 ี ่� 15 ฉั่� 3 กรกฎาคม - กันยายน 2565

Original Article



 























 

























 















Review Article









  

     



  







 



 



  



 







 



  



  



183

Siriraj Medical Bulletin















 





























 























 







Siriraj Medical Bulletin



 

































 







184 ี ่� 15 ฉั่� 3 กรกฎาคม - กันยายน 2565

Original Article

Review Article

















 









 











 











 



 



 

 





 

















 















 













     















  



   



   



  



 





185

Siriraj Medical Bulletin



 





















 









 















 

 

 

 

















 











 





Siriraj Medical Bulletin





186 ี ่� 15 ฉั่� 3 กรกฎาคม - กันยายน 2565

Original Article





 































 





Moringa oleifera





 

































 













 







Review Article

































1   4

   

3    

  

5    

  























187

Siriraj Medical Bulletin































 



 













 





















 















 

















 





 







 











 

























































Siriraj Medical Bulletin

188 ี ่� 15 ฉั่� 3 กรกฎาคม - กันยายน 2565

Original Article



 











    





 



 



 



 



 



 



 





 







 





 





 







 









 





 

Moringa oleifera



 

Moringa oleifera





 

Moringa oleifera







 





 







 







 









 









 







 



 







 







 







Review Article