The Use of Traditional and Complementary Medicine for Diabetes in Rural Guatemala

The global burden of type 2 diabetes mellitus is increasing, especially in Central America. In resource-limited settings, such as Guatemala, there are significant barriers to diabetes care and many Guatemalans use medicinal plants as treatment. The purpose of this study is to understand the use of medicinal plants in an indigenous population with diabetes in rural Guatemala.

Semi-structured interviews were conducted in communities around San Lucas Tolimán, Guatemala with people with diabetes, health promoters, and traditional healers.

Out of the 55 people with diabetes interviewed, 35 (63.6%) had used medicinal plants, most frequently using Artemisia absinthium, Moringa oleifera, Carica papaya, and Neurolaena lobata. The majority of participants cited lack of access to medications as the reason for their use of medicinal plants.

There is widespread use of medicinal plants in San Lucas Tolimán. More research is needed to understand the degree of glycemic control in these communities.