A series of questions related to the issue of the wereke root have come to our email and here we reflect some of them:
- Is it true that the wereke is used to lose weight or lose weight?
- Does the wereke also receive the name of huerequeque plant?
- What are the benefits of the wereke?
- Could you tell me how to take wereke for diabetes?
- How do you prepare wereke to lose weight?
- I would like to know about wereke benefits and contraindications?
- What are the consequences of the wereke?
- What are the pros and cons of the wereke?
Seeing the great interest that exists on the subject, we have considered it appropriate to provide answers to these concerns, but first, let’s see what the wereke is from a botanical point of view.
General and Botanical Aspects
The wereke, also known as huereque, guareque, wareki, huerequeque, wareque, coyote melon, and choyalhuani, refers to the root of the Ibervillea sonorae plant. The plant grows delicate, leafy vines, but a rather large tuber-like root that has been used medicinally. Seasonally blooms yellow flowers that later develop into large red melon berries. Wereke is a close botanical relative of the gourd, and therefore has many of the same medicinal qualities as other large gourds. It grows naturally in Central America, although it can also be found in the southern parts of the United States and Mexico. It has a very strong bitter taste, and because of this, it is often only tolerated in small amounts or masked by many other flavors.
When used medicinally, the root is often ground up and then made into a tea. However, it also has topical applications. Its use as a medicine dates back to ancient Mayan cultures that cut or pulverized the root and boiled it to make a tea. Next let’s see the wereke benefits and contraindications.
Wereke Benefits
Wereke for Diabetes
Historically, the most popular use of Wereke is to treat diabetes. Although this has only been tested in animal studies, those studies had promising results. In 2005 the effects of the herb on diabetic rats were studied. Aqueous extracts derived from the roots of the plant were administered at doses of 300 and 600 mg/kg body weight over a period of 41 days. At the end of the study period, the rats had improved blood glucose levels, body weight, and triglycerides. However, cholesterol and uric acid levels were not affected.
Interestingly, usually the traditional preparation in animal studies is to use only aqueous extracts during the entire study process. However, in this study, the scientists also tested the crude extract (juice) of the plant and found that it is also effective in treating diabetes.
Those results were also confirmed in subsequent studies conducted in 2007 and 2011, both in animal models. Although research has yet to determine a safe and effective dose for human use, many people claim that currently available herbal supplements help lower glucose levels by up to 15%.
Wereke to Lose Weight
Obesity is strongly linked to diabetes in many cases, so it stands to reason that Wereke can also help diabetics control their weight. In 2011, a group of scientists in Mexico studied the effects of Wereke on a group of rats. Those rats were fed a high-fat diet for a period of 8 weeks to increase weight gain in those animals.
Rats were divided into three study groups that received a 100, 200, or 400 mg/kg treatment that was developed from aqueous extracts of Wereke. At the end of the study period, the rats not only lost weight but also improved dyslipidemic and hyperglycemic conditions. Those results show that Wereke may be a great candidate as a weight management treatment.
Wereke Benefits for Pancreas
Many available formulas are designed to improve pancreatic health. Although this benefit has not been specifically studied scientifically, the pancreas is a key organ for diabetics. Considering the amount of research that has been done on Wereke and diabetes, it is understandable to infer that Wereke can help promote the overall health of the body. Even if you don’t have diabetes, many people suggest that regular consumption of Wereke can promote a healthy pancreas.
Wereke Antioxidant Benefits
A 2012 study showed that Wereke has some antioxidant properties. Callus cultures taken from the plant were examined in detail for their nutritional properties. The results showed that the antioxidant levels in Wereke were significantly higher than in other members of the pumpkin family.
This research also determined that Wereke also had high levels of fatty acids and phenolic compounds with potentially beneficial properties in addition to antioxidants. Although the scientists admit that their research is preliminary, they hope it will serve as a springboard to promote further research on the plant.
Wereke Antifungal Benefits
In 2009, a study was conducted to determine the antibacterial and antifungal properties of various traditional plants, including Wereke. Dried plant samples were obtained and methanol extracts were developed from those plants.
Those extracts were pitted against various strains of bacteria and fungi. While Wereke was shown not to be significantly effective as an antibacterial agent, it was a moderately effective antifungal. As such, Wereke may have future use as an antifungal treatment and supports topical use as an antiseptic.
Wereke Antiseptic Benefits
Ancient cultures used Wereke as a natural antiseptic to treat a myriad of skin conditions, lesions, and open wounds. This specific benefit has not been subjected to scientific testing. However, the 2009 study that found Wereke to be an effective antifungal may support this use. By ridding the skin of dangerous fungi that can lead to infection, Wereke may prove to have important topical uses.
Topical uses were once very popular in traditional cultures, but this use has not been as popular in recent years. However, it may prove to be a great area for further study and use by those unable to use standard antiseptic treatments.
Wereke Benefits for Arthritis
Although it has not been scientifically evaluated, some people report that they experience improved rheumatoid arthritis symptoms after taking Wereke supplements. Traditionally, Wereke is believed to help with inflammation, which may explain why people experience less pain due to arthritis. While this benefit still requires attention from the scientific community, these initial claims are a great place to start your research.
Wereke Benefits for Inflammation
Wereke is considered an anti-inflammatory herb. But, since this benefit has not been scientifically proven, the mechanisms by which it improves inflammation are still unknown. However, there are several suggestions as to how Wereke works as a natural anti-inflammatory.
First, it might relieve joint pain and inflammation, which makes sense in light of its use as an anti-arthritic treatment. Second, it can reduce inflammation-inducing microbes, such as fungi. It may even work as a combination of these factors, or it may have other mechanisms that also make it effective as an anti-inflammatory. In addition to treating diabetes, inflammation is also one of the oldest and most popular uses for Wereke, so this area certainly deserves a focus for further research.
Wereke: How to Take It for Diabetes
To answer the question, how do you take wereke for diabetes? It is important to note that wereke is commonly sold in capsule or pill form and is generally recommended in dosages of 250 to 500 mg. Depending on the manufacturer, the pills can be created in different dosages and can be combined with other herbs (for example, Ampalaya, Cinnamon, Dandelion, Fenugreek, Nopal, and Thresher).
Because of this, dosages are commonly determined by the manufacturer and can vary due to the presence of other herbs and compounds. Scientific studies have not yet determined a standard human dose and the doses are the result of historical use.
Now, if you have obtained fresh wereke root and want to prepare it, here we will explain how wereke is taken for diabetes:
How to Take Wereke for Diabetes:
- Wash a piece of wereke root and chop it into several pieces.
- Grate it, get a teaspoon of the grated and boil in a cup of water along with a cinnamon stick for 5 minutes.
- Let cool and strain.
- Drink 2 cups a day before or with meals.
Wereke: How to Take It to Lose Weight
To answer the question, how do you take wereke to lose weight? We answer that the wereke is very effective when implementing a weight loss regimen. To prepare it, a piece of wereke root must be washed and chopped. Then it is grated and you get 1 tablespoon. Boil in a cup of water. Let cool and strain. Add the juice of one lemon and drink 1 cup after breakfast.
Let’s see, next, the wereke side effects and contraindications.
Contraindications and Side Effects
Although many contraindications and side effects of the wereke have not yet been fully evaluated in a scientific environment, it has been possible to determine some of them, such as the following:
- Do not take in case of pregnancy:
- The wereke should be avoided by pregnant women. It can cause a miscarriage.
- Not to be taken by lactating women:
- Since it has not been possible to fully study the effects in young children.
- Avoid wereke if you are taking medication to control sugar:
- It might interact with the drug and excessively lower blood sugar which could be dangerous to health.
- Do not consume wereke in high amounts:
- Rat models show that Wereke can have toxic effects at high doses. However, the threshold for a high dose has not yet been determined for humans. So you have to be careful in that regard.
- Avoid if you have a sensitive stomach:
- It may cause stomach upset, nausea, or vomiting.
If you take prescription drugs, consult a doctor before using Wereke.