This invention provides a process for extracting a pharmaceutically active fraction from the foliage (leaves and stems) and/or roots of Rauvolfia vomitoria and the fruit of Citrus aurantium. In one aspect, the process requires extracting from a boiled tea of Rauvolfia vomitoria foliage and/or roots and Citrus aurantium fruit an active fraction made by filtering the boiled tea and concentrating the supernatant. In one embodiment, the fraction is concentrated by freeze drying the supernatant. The fraction is useful to treat a disorder associated with abnormally elevated glucose levels in a subject by administering to the subject a therapeutically effective amount of the extract or a pharmaceutical composition containing the extract. Such conditions include, but are not limited to the diabetes Type II, abnormal steraroyl-CoA desaturase activity, hyperphagia, abnormal lipid mobilization, abnormal fatty acid profile from the eye of the subject, ulcers and a glucosuria.