Diabetes prevention and treatment with Greco-Arab and Islamic-based natural products

Diabetes has been recognized by medieval Greco-Arab physicians and its main symptoms were known by the increased thirst, frequent urination, and tiredness. Arab and Muslim physicians had used series of medicinal plants for treating these combined symptoms (named Zarab). In addition to several instructions for specific food consumption, a mild exercise was recommended. Currently, traditional ArabIslamic medicine continues to be practiced in most Arab and Islamic countries. The current form of Arab and Islamic herbal medicine has historical roots in medieval Greco-Arab and Islamic medicine. This medicine has influenced Europe where it formed the roots from which modern Western medicine arose in late middle ages and early European medical education. It is important to highlight that the GrecoArab and Islamic medicine was not a simply translations and continuation for Greek ideas but rather a venue for innovation and change. This review article provides a comprehensive overview on traditional Arab-Islamic herbal medicine including the historical background, medical innovations introduced by Arab physicians, methods of therapies, and a state of the art description of traditional Arab herbal medicine