The anti-hyperglycemic effect of 12 edible plants was studied on 27 healthy 
rabbits, submitted weekly to subcutaneous glucose tolerance tests after gastric 
administration of water, tolbutamide or a traditional preparation of the plant. 
Tolbutamide, Cucurbita ficifolia, Phaseolus vulgaris, Opuntia streptacantha, 
Spinacea oleracea, Cucumis sativus and Cuminum cyminum decrease significantly 
the area under the glucose tolerance curve and the hyperglycemic peak. Brassica 
oleracea var. botrytis, Allium cepa and Allium sativum only decrease the 
hyperglycemic peak. The glycemic decreases caused by Psidium guajava, Brassica 
oleracea and Lactuca sativa var. romana were not significant (P > .05). The 
integration of a menu that includes the edible plants with hypoglycemic activity 
for the control and prevention of diabetes mellitus may be possible and 
recommendable.