It is being claimed by alternative medicine practitioners that there are many spices and herbs that can bring down the blood sugar level. Thus, some therapists are now suggesting that they should be used for people with diabetes. There have been a significant amount of clinical studies into herbal and natural remedies for diabetes, and these have been very positive.
Herbal and Natural Remedies for Diabetes:
Thanks to various clinical studies, it is now known that the following natural products have a positive effect on diabetes:
– Bilberry extract
– Aloe vera
– Cinnamon
– Bitter melon
– Ginger
– Fenugreek
– Okra
These therapies have been part of Oriental medicine and Ayurveda for a long time, but they are now also starting to be accepted in mainstream medical care. However, the danger is that many of these natural products interact with insulin and other diabetes medication. This means that health care professionals must be careful about how they recommend certain herbal and natural remedies for diabetes, and that they educate their patients about these issues as well.
The treatments listed below have been used in the treatment of diabetes for thousands of years by traditional medicine specialists:
1. Allium sativum, or garlic, which is a strong antioxidant that has effects on a microcirculatory level. There have been a few studies linking garlic with blood glucose levels and insulin, suggesting it can increase secretion, reduce blood glucose, and slow down insulin degradation.
2. Myrcia uniflora and bauhinia forficata, which are South American plants used by Brazilian herbalists. It is known as "vegetable insulin". There have been some studies into the herbs, where they were used as tea infusions, and they have been found to have some hypoglycemic effects.
3. Coccinia indica, or "ivy gourd", which is a common plant on the Indian subcontinent. An essential part of Ayurvedic remedies, scientific studies have shown that it has insulin-mimetic properties. In fact, significant glycemic control has been seen as well.
4. Ficus carica, or fig leaf, is used as a diabetic remedy across southwestern Europe, and particularly Spain. It is not known why it works, but some studies have shown that glucose uptake is facilitated through it.
5. Ginseng, which refers to various different plants. American ginseng has been shown to decrease blood sugar levels after a fast. Siberian ginseng, Korean ginseng, and Japanese ginseng continue to be studied. Some call ginseng a "cure all", and it is an essential part of many forms of traditional medicine.
6. Gymnema sylvestre, another Ayurvedic medicine, grows naturally in the central and southern Indian tropical forests. Studies have shown it to significantly reduce glucose levels, as well as to regenerate islet cells while increasing beta-cell function at the same time.
7. Momordica charantia, native to South America, Africa, India, and Asia, is known as bitter melon. Some have suggested that it helps with glucose oxidation, insulin secretion, and acute effects on levels of blood glucose.
8. Ocimum sanctum is also known as holy basil. A controlled clinical trial has demonstrated a positive effect on fasting and postprandial glucose, and it is believed that it can improve beta cell functioning while facilitating insulin secretion as well.