Abstract
In Brazilian culture, the consumption of Bauhinia forficata Link tea, popularly known as cow’s paw is an example of the plant use in the folk medicine, being used as an alternative treatment for diabetes due its effects of controlling glucose blood levels. Aiming at comprehending the hypoglycemic effects of Bauhinia forficata Link’s tea (infusion) in patients with DM, a literature review was performed in which 7. Studies verify that the cow's paw plant has beneficial properties to health, such as the hypoglycemic effect due to bioactive compounds, such as kaempferitrin and other polyphenols, capable of promoting inhibition of salivary and pancreatic enzymes α-amylase and gut border brush enzyme α-glycosidase, decrease of small intestine sodium-glucose linked transporter (SGLT1), suppression of glucose release by the liver and stimulation of glucose uptake by peripheral tissues of the body. However, studies in humans are insufficient to consolidate the benefits of the plant, as it depends on the adherence of the tea infusion consummation with medication treatment.