Herbs for Diabetes

There are a number of botanicals and herbs for diabetes control, particularly in the case of type II diabetes. In some instances, there is evidence that they can be beneficial with type I diabetes as well.

Before you try a natural diabetes cure, you should consult your physician, naturopathic doctor, or other health care professional who can make specific suggestions and inform you about possible drug interactions.

Also, consistently monitor your blood sugar level. Even when things seem to be under control, they can change quickly. People have sometimes ended up in the emergency room when they try to self-administer supplements and herbs for diabetes.

To be very clear, diabetes is a disease of sugar metabolism. As such, any effective treatment plan should include restrictions on dietary intake of sugar, and a regular exercise regiment.

Having gotten these precautions off my chest, let's get into our discussion of some potentially beneficial natural remedies.

Banaba

Banaba is not actually one of the herbs for diabetes, but it is often classified as one and the extract is found in some diabetes supplements. It is actually a tree that grows in the tropics of southern Asia.

Researchers have evaluated many of the herbs and botanicals with historical or traditional use throughout the world. Primarily because there are unwanted side effects associated with many of the prescription medications used in diabetes.

Although such researchers would not go so far as to say that banaba extract is a natural diabetes cure, some are very excited about its prospects. In several studies, participants taking the supplement had lower blood sugar levels and lost weight, both of which are essential to long term diabetes control.

Bitter Melon

Bitter melon is another of the botanicals and herbs for diabetes control. In the Philippines, it is combined with other natural extracts to form a “diabetic tea”. The tea is particularly popular among the poor, who can not afford more modern pharmaceuticals. In India, bitter melon is referred to as “plant insulin”.

Is it a natural diabetes cure? Well, it has certainly been used to control the condition. In cases where patients were allergic to bovine insulin (the most commonly used form) bitter melon extract has been an effective alternative.

Scientists have confirmed that the plant contains a protein that is molecularly similar to standard insulin. The extract appears as an ingredient in some of the newer supplements for diabetes control.

Green Tea

Green tea seems to be good for just about anything that ails you. It may be found on the shelf of your local health food store, along with other herbs for diabetes, or as a common ingredient in many supplements marketed for diabetes control.

Rather than decreasing blood sugar, the antioxidants in green tea are believed to protect the organs of the body from damage caused by chronically high blood sugar levels. Damage to the kidneys and other organs is a major concern in those afflicted with diabetes.

Do not make the assumption that green tea alone is a natural diabetes cure. But it is one of the numerous botanicals that can improve your overall health and help prevent diabetic complications. Individual studies have shown that it improves both glucose metabolism and tolerance in animals.

In one small clinical trial consisting of 60 men and women with borderline diabetic blood sugar levels, a supplement containing green tea was administered for a period of two months. In their conclusion, researchers stated that A1c hemoglobin levels were lower. Testing A1c hemoglobin levels helps doctors evaluate plasma glucose concentration over long periods of time. An additional benefit was that the study group participants had lower blood pressure at the end of the test period.

Other Botanicals and Herbs for Diabetes Control

There are a large number of natural products that may be helpful. Some, such as myricetin, quercetin, and rutin are antioxidants. Antioxidants protect the cells of the body from oxidative stress. So, like green tea, they can protect the organs from damage caused by high blood glucose levels.

Sometimes, products are described as a natural diabetes cure, simply because they were used historically to treat the condition. One in particular, black cumin extract, has been mentioned throughout recorded history.

Milk thistle, Indian Valerian, and omega-3 fatty acids may all be beneficial to those who suffer from diabetes. A naturopathic doctor or natural health expert may recommend something from this list -- or something completely different. This is because the effectiveness of botanicals and other herbs for diabetes depends on the patient’s unique biological make-up.

My name is Dr. Rami El-Hussieny, and I am an experienced naturopathic doctor currently praticing in Lansing, MI and Ann Arbor, MI. Please fill out the contact form below if you are interested in the services and expertise of an ND.

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