Equilibrium™

TCM herbal formula for diabetes mellitus — antihyperglycemic; reduces insulin resistance; neuroprotective; nephroprotective; improves blood circulation; treats the cause and complications of diabetes including neurological, renal, and microvascular disorders

⚠️ Contraindicated during pregnancy and nursing. Do not stop drug treatment abruptly — there is a risk of hyperglycemia or diabetic ketoacidosis. Herbal and drug treatments should overlap for 1–2 weeks before tapering off drug treatment. Equilibrium may reduce the dosage and frequency of insulin injections needed but can never replace insulin, especially in type I diabetes — always treat type I with insulin or insulin + herbs, and continue testing blood glucose regularly. Contains Dan Shen (Radix et Rhizoma Salviae Miltiorrhizae), which invigorates blood circulation — patients on anticoagulant or antiplatelet therapies such as Coumadin (warfarin) should use with caution or not at all due to higher risk of bleeding and bruising.

CLINICAL APPLICATIONS

* Diabetes mellitus

* High blood glucose levels and/or high urine ketone levels

* Polyuria, polydipsia, and/or polyphagia

Background: Diabetes mellitus is defined as a rise in blood glucose levels due to impaired insulin secretion and peripheral insulin resistance. Patients with chronic diabetes mellitus are frequently plagued by complications including visual disturbances, prolonged delay in wound healing, frequent recurrence of infections, and impotence. Treatment must focus on treating both the cause and the complications simultaneously.

TCM perspective: Diabetes mellitus is classified as upper, middle, or lower xiao ke (wasting and thirsting) syndrome. Upper xiao ke: Lung heat drying up moisture → polydipsia. Middle xiao ke: Stomach heat damaging fluid → polyphagia. Lower xiao ke: Kidney deficiency → polyuria. Patients with high blood glucose also commonly show signs of damp accumulation and Spleen deficiency. Overall: yin deficiency with damp and heat.

Clinical notes: For type II diabetes, Equilibrium in combination with diet and exercise provides excellent clinical results — most patients experience satisfactory results within 3–4 weeks, including significant reduction in blood glucose levels and less fluctuation throughout the day. Equilibrium was developed by Professor Xiao-Ping Zhang of Anhui Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine — an empirical formula used for over 30 years in China that has helped several thousand patients lower blood glucose and reduce long-term risks and complications of diabetes.

Key clinical studies: One formula with Xi Yang Shen showed a 77% rate of effectiveness to lower plasma glucose in 105 patients. A formula containing Cang Zhu, Huang Qi, Shan Yao, Xuan Shen, and others showed a 92% rate of effectiveness for adult-onset diabetes in 52 patients — 25 complete recovery, 23 improvement, 4 no effect.

Key herb-level clinical data:

— Xi Yang Shen (Radix Panacis Quinquefolii / American Ginseng / Panax Quinquefolium): greatly replenishes vital essence; promotes secretion of body fluids; treats polydipsia; significant hypoglycemic activity in normal and hyperglycemic subjects

— Shi Gao (Gypsum Fibrosum / Gypsum): clears heat in the middle jiao; sedates Stomach fire; suppresses appetite; relieves polyphagia

— Zhi Mu (Rhizoma Anemarrhenae / Anemarrhena): clears heat in the middle jiao; sedates Stomach fire; antidiabetic — increases insulin secretion, decreases insulin resistance, prevents pancreatic atrophy

— Xuan Shen (Radix Scrophulariae / Scrophularia / Figwort): enters the Lung, Stomach, and Kidney; replenishes vital essence and clears heat simultaneously

— Huang Qi (Radix Astragali / Astragalus): strengthens the Spleen — enhances transportation and transformation; antihyperglycemic — increases production and release of insulin; antiobesity; hypolipidemic; neuroprotective — enhances axon growth in peripheral nerves; nephroprotective — reduces fasting blood glucose and albuminuria, reverses glomerular hyperfiltration, ameliorates early diabetic nephropathy; clinically treats diabetic nephropathy, diabetic microalbuminuria, chronic glomerulonephritis, and drug-induced nephrotoxicity

— Shan Yao (Rhizoma Dioscoreae / Dioscorea / Chinese Yam): strengthens the Spleen — enhances transportation and transformation; antidiabetic — controls sharp blood glucose spike after glucose injection; neuroprotective — significant protection against drug-induced neurotoxicity

— Bai Zhu (Rhizoma Atractylodis Macrocephalae / Atractylodes White): strengthens the Spleen; dries dampness; antidiabetic — decreases blood glucose levels

— Cang Zhu (Rhizoma Atractylodis / Atractylodes Black/Gray): strengthens the Spleen; dries dampness; antidiabetic — decreases blood glucose levels

— Dan Shen (Radix et Rhizoma Salviae Miltiorrhizae / Salvia Miltiorrhiza / Danshen / Red Sage): activates blood circulation; inhibits platelet aggregation and thrombus formation; manages microvascular complications of diabetes; prevents atherosclerosis; prevents diabetic neuropathy

— Hong Hua (Flos Carthami / Carthamus / Safflower): activates blood circulation; inhibits platelet aggregation and thrombus formation; manages microvascular complications of diabetes; prevents atherosclerosis

— Lian Zi Xin (Plumula Nelumbinis / Lotus Plumule / Lotus Embryo): tonifies the Kidney; controls frequent urination and polyuria

— Lian Xu (Stamen Nelumbinis / Lotus Stamen): tonifies the Kidney; controls frequent urination and polyuria

WESTERN THERAPEUTIC ACTIONS

* Antihyperglycemic / increases insulin production — Huang Qi (insulin production and release↑, insulin resistance↓); Zhi Mu (insulin secretion↑, insulin resistance↓, pancreatic atrophy prevention); Xi Yang Shen (hypoglycemic, normal and hyperglycemic); Shan Yao (blood glucose spike↓); Bai Zhu + Cang Zhu (blood glucose↓)

* Neuroprotective — Shan Yao (neurotoxicity protection); Huang Qi (axon growth↑, peripheral nerve regeneration)

* Nephroprotective — Huang Qi (albuminuria↓, glomerular hyperfiltration↓, diabetic nephropathy, microalbuminuria, glomerulonephritis, nephrotoxicity)

* Microvascular / circulatory — Dan Shen + Hong Hua (platelet aggregation↓, thrombus formation↓, blood circulation↑, atherosclerosis prevention)

* Antiobesity / hypolipidemic — Huang Qi (antiobesity, hypolipidemic)

CHINESE THERAPEUTIC ACTIONS

* Nourishes Lung, Stomach, and Kidney yin (Xi Yang Shen, Xuan Shen, Zhi Mu)

* Clears deficiency fire; sedates Stomach fire (Shi Gao, Zhi Mu)

* Strengthens Spleen; dries dampness (Huang Qi, Shan Yao, Bai Zhu, Cang Zhu)

* Activates blood circulation; prevents microvascular complications (Dan Shen, Hong Hua)

* Tonifies Kidney; controls polyuria (Lian Zi Xin, Lian Xu)

DOSAGE

Standard: 3–4 capsules three times daily on an empty stomach (one hour before or two hours after meals). Dosing must be adjusted to reflect the condition of the patient and the response to treatment — the severity of diabetes is different in every case.

Supplementary formulas: High cholesterol and triglycerides — add Cholisma. High cholesterol, triglycerides, fatty liver, and obesity — add Cholisma (ES). Hypertension — add Gastrodia Complex. Coronary artery disease — add Circulation. Thirst and dry mouth — add Nourish (Fluids). Blurred vision or visual impairment — combine with Lycium Support. Impotence due to impaired blood circulation — combine with Circulation (SJ). Neuropathy — add Flex (NP). Infection — add Herbal ABX. Recurrent yeast infections — add V-Support. Urinary tract infection — add Gentiana Complex. Ear, nose, and throat infection — add Herbal ENT. Compromised kidney function — add Kidney DTX.

Nutrition: Avoid simple sugars — they have an adverse effect on glucose tolerance. Eat a low-fat, high-fiber diet with plenty of raw fruits and vegetables. Avoid supplements containing the amino acid cysteine (interferes with insulin absorption by cells). Avoid excessive vitamin B₁ (thiamine) and C (may inactivate insulin). Avoid alcohol and tobacco in any form — they increase nerve damage. Increase intake of nourishing, cooling foods: Mexican yam, yam, radishes, potatoes, carrots, melons, cucumbers, beets, turnips, malanga, celeriac, taro, and rutabaga. Avoid spicy/pungent/aromatic vegetables: pepper, garlic, onions, basil, rosemary, cumin, fennel, anise, leeks, chives, scallions, thyme, saffron, wormwood, mustard, chili pepper, and wasabi.

Tao of Nutrition (Dr. Maoshing Ni and Cathy McNease): Recommended foods: pumpkin, wheat, mung beans, winter melon, celery, pears, spinach, yams, peas, sweet rice, soybeans, tofu, mulberries, squash, daikon radish, cabbage, peach, and organic pig or chicken pancreas. Eat a slice of pumpkin with each meal. Make pumpkin and yam pie with no sweeteners. Prepare soup with cabbage, yam, winter melon, and lentils. Drink daikon, celery, carrot, and spinach juice. Make soup from mung beans, peas, and barley. Drink chrysanthemum tea. Steam millet with yam and a few dates. Avoid sweets, sugar, honey, molasses, caffeine, and spicy foods.

Lifestyle: Regular exercise, a sensible healthy diet, and weight control are essential for long-term management of diabetes. Hot baths may be beneficial to regulate pancreatic functions. Avoid smoking and drinking.

CASE STUDIES

— 55-year-old male (R.C.): High blood sugar, overweight, right heel pain preventing exercise; soft pulse, red tongue with center crack; Spleen qi deficiency with damp accumulation; pre-diabetes. Equilibrium + acupuncture for 2 weeks. Result: overall improvement, increased energy, able to run again; blood work confirmed normal at 2-week follow-up.

— 72-year-old female (L.M.): High blood pressure, stress, intense sugar cravings; Kidney yin deficiency, Liver yin deficiency, Gallbladder damp-heat, Liver yang rising. Equilibrium for 2 months. Result: cravings controlled; blood sugar maintained from 250 down to 140 mg/dL.

— 45-year-old female with type I diabetes: Night sweats, aching feet; blood sugar 200–300 mg/dL; Kidney yin deficiency. Equilibrium. Result within 1 week: blood sugar dropped so drastically patient needed to ingest sugar to elevate it; stabilized at ~160 mg/dL in week 2; night sweats also subsided.

— 45-year-old female (J.K.): UTIs 1–2x/month for 12 months, constant thirst, increased fluid intake, increased urination frequency and volume; high blood glucose; diabetes mellitus. Equilibrium 4 capsules 3x/day before meals. Result at 2 weeks: significant improvement of signs and symptoms. Result at 2 months: blood glucose within ideal range; no UTIs during treatment period.

— 45-year-old female with type I diabetes and hepatitis C: Malaise, fatigue, night sweats, hot flashes, low back pain, abdominal bloating, red eyes, weak nails, pale complexion. Liver DTX (3 capsules 3x/day) + Equilibrium (3 capsules 3x/day) + pancreatic homeopathic. Result at 2.5 months: able to cease insulin intake; total reversal of clinical picture once viral load normalized.

— 49-year-old male with type I diabetes: Chronic skin lesions over entire body, peripheral neuropathy (pain in both legs and right arm), history of kidney problems, overweight; dusky tongue with purple veins, scanty coating, deep weak thready slippery pulse; Liver and Kidney yin deficiencies, qi deficiency, damp-heat in skin, qi and blood stagnation. Equilibrium + Silerex (starting at 1/3 dose) + acupuncture. Result at week 2 (2/3 dose): lesions slightly improved, blood sugar improved, arm and leg pain decreased, pulse noticeably stronger.

— 60-year-old male (A.G.): Always hungry (2–3 bowls of rice per meal), slow wound healing (up to 1 month); 6'1", 280 lbs; diabetes mellitus and high cholesterol. Equilibrium 4 capsules 3x/day + Cholisma 4 capsules 3x/day. Result at 3 months: blood glucose within ideal range; cholesterol dropped from 260 to 220 mg/dL; weight dropped from 280 to 255 lbs; ate less, no longer constantly hungry.

Related Reading

Also see: Cholisma – for high cholesterol and triglycerides | Cholisma (ES) – for high cholesterol, fatty liver, and obesity | Gastrodia Complex – for hypertension | Circulation – for coronary artery disease | Nourish (Fluids) – for thirst and dry mouth | Lycium Support – for visual impairment | Flex (NP) – for neuropathy | Herbal ABX – for infection | Kidney DTX – for compromised kidney function | Herbalite – for obesity and weight loss | Metabolic Health Collection.