We have a 30 month old son who was diagnosed with diabetes Type 1 six months ago. He has been through a honeymoon period during which he was on 0.5 units of Actrapid once daily. He is currently back to his initial dosage of 2 units Protaphane and 0.5 units actrapid once daily. We have recently read about an alternative medicine called Yu Xiao San 8805 (Chinese Medicine). Is there any harm in trying this on our son to stabilize his insulin requirement as currently or even possibly reviving his pancreas normal functioning? His to most recent HBA1c results were 5.38 and 5.39.

Unfortunately I am not aware of any medication either herbal or pharmaceutical that will help control diabetes. It appears his diabetes is in good control, but I would not recommend trying medicines that have not been researched, especially in a child. I hope one day there will be a cure for you and the thousands of others who are coping with this disease every day.

JM

[Editor’s comment: A recent recall in the US of herbal remedies for diabetes that contained large doses of prescription oral hypoglycemic medication highlights the need to be wary. These “herbal remedies” could be quite dangerous if given to a young child. See 2 Companies Recall Herbal Products Containing Drug That Cuts Blood Sugar.

JSH]