Skip to main content

Herbal and Natural Therapies for Diabetes






Herbal and Natural Therapies

Herbal remedies usually assist in lowering blood glucose levels
Herbal remedies can assist in lowering blood glucose levels
Many common herbs and spices are claimed to have blood sugar lowering properties that make them useful for people with or at high risk of type 2 diabetes.
A number of clinical studies have been carried out in recent years that show potential links between herbal therapies and improved blood glucose control, which has led to an increase in people with diabetes using these more 'natural' ingredients to help manage their condition.

What herbal therapies are available?

Plant-based therapies that have been shown in some studies to have anti-diabetic properties include: 
While such therapies are commonly used in ayurvedic and oriental medicine for treating serious conditions such as diabetes, many health experts in the west remain sceptical about their reported medical benefits.

In fact, because certain herbs, vitamins and supplements may interact with diabetes medications (including insulin) and increase their hypoglycemic effects, it is often argued that use of natural therapies could reduce blood sugars to dangerously low levels and raise the risk of other diabetes complications.
Whatever your intended reasons for using these specific herbs, you must always discuss your plans with your doctor and diabetes healthcare team first to ensure they are safe for your condition and determine a suitable dose.

Further herbal therapies

The herbs and plant derivatives listed below have been employed traditionally by native people in the treatment of diabetes, in the areas in which they grow.
Many suffer from an inadequate knowledge base.

Allium

Allium sativum is more commonly known as garlic, and is thought to offer antioxidant properties and micro-circulatory effects. Although few studies have directly linked allium with insulin and blood glucose levels, results have been positive.
Allium may cause a reduction in blood glucose, increase secretion and slow the degradation of insulin. Limited data is available however, and further trials are needed.

Bauhinia forficata and Myrcia uniflora

Bauhinia forficata grows in South America, and is used in Brazilian herbal cures. This plant has been referred to as ‘vegetable insulin'. Myrcia uniflora is also widely employed in South America. Studies utilising the herbs as tea infusions suggest that their hypoglycaemic effects are overrated.

Coccinia indica

Coccinia indica is also known as the ‘ivy gourd’ and grows wild across the Indian subcontinent. Traditionally employed in ayurverdic remedies, the herb has been found to contain insulin-mimetic properties (i.e; it mimics the function of insulin).
Significant changes in glycaemic control have been reported in studies involving coccinia indica, and experts believe that it should be studied further.

Ficus carica


Ficus carica, or fig-leaf, is well known as a diabetic remedy in Spain and South-western Europe, but its active component is unknown. Some studies on animals suggest that fig-leaf facilitates glucose uptake.
The efficacy of the plant is, however, still yet to be validated in the treatment of diabetes.

Ginseng

Ginseng is a collective name for a variety of different plant species.
In some studies utilising American ginseng, decreases in fasting blood glucose were reported. Varieties include Korean ginseng, Siberian ginseng, American ginseng and Japanese ginseng.
In some fields the plant, particularly the panax species, are hailed as ‘cure-all.’ As is the case with many of the herbs employed around the world in the treatment of diabetics, further long-term studies are needed to verify the efficacy of ginseng.

Gymnema sylvestre

Gymnema sylvestre is also employed in traditional ayurverdic medicine. The plant grows in the tropical forests of southern and central India, and has been linked with significant blood glucose lowering. Some studies in animals have even reported regeneration of islet cells and an increase in beta-cell function.

Momordica charantia

Momordica Charantia goes under a variety of names and is native to some areas of Asia, India, Africa and South America. Marketed as charantia, it is also known as karela or karolla and bitter melon. The herb may be prepared in a variety of different ways, and may be able to help diabetics with insulin secretion, glucose oxidation and other processes.
Acute effects on blood glucose levels have also been reported.

Ocimum sanctum

Ocimum sanctum is an herb employed in traditional ayurverdic practises, and is commonly known as holy basil. A controlled clinical trial showed a positive effect on postprandial and fasting glucose, and experts predict that the herb could enhance the functioning of beta cells, and facilitate the insulin secretion process.

Opuntia streptacantha

Opuntia streptacantha (nopal) is commonly known as the prickly-pear cactus in the arid regions where it grows.
Inhabitants of the Mexican desert have traditionally employed the plant in glucose control. Intestinal glucose uptake may be affected by some properties of the plant, and animal studies have found significant decreases in postprandial glucose and HbA1c.
Once again, to validate the prickly-pear cactus as an effective means of aiding diabetic patients, long-term clinical trials are needed.

Silibum marianum

Silibum marianum is also known as milk thistle, and is a member of the aster family. Silymarin contains high concentrations of flavinoids and antioxidants, some of which may have a beneficial effect on insulin resistance. The role of milk thistle in glycaemic control is little understood.

Trigonella foenum graecum

Trigonella foenum graecum is known as fenugreek and is widely grown in India, North Africa, and parts of the Mediterranean.

It is also a part of Ayurverdic treatment, and is used extensively in cooking.
Of the few non-controlled trials that have been carried out on type 2 diabetics, most report improved glycaemic control. Further study is certainly warranted.
Further herbs that have been studied, and may have positive effects for diabetic patients include:
  • Berberine
  • Cinnamomym tamala
  • Curry
  • Eugenia jambolana
  • Gingko
  • Phyllanthus amarus
  • Pterocarpus marsupium
  • Solanum torvum and
  • Vinca rosea
Explore Herbal Remedies
Join the Diabetes Newsletter

Comments

  1. I am here to appreciate Dr OGU for using his herbal medicine to cure my Herpes virus. Is about 2 years and 6 months now I have been living with this virus and it has been a serious problem to me, I was so confused cause i have been taking several drugs to be cured but all of my effort was in vain,one morning i was browsing through the internet then i saw several testimonies about Dr. OGU curing people from Herpes virus and immediately i contacted Dr. on his email: drogugusolutionhome@gmail.com , i told him about my troubles and he told me that i must be cured, he gave me some instructions and which i rightly followed. so he prepared a herbal medicine and sent it to me via DHL which i used for 2 weeks and i was cured everything was like a dream to me and my Herpes virus was totally gone, dr .OGU , God bless you and give you more power and ability for more cures.i dont know if there is any one out there suffering for herpes virus or any of these diseases.. DIABETES, CANCER,GENITAL AND SIMPLEX HERPES,LOW SPERMS COUNT,SYPHILIS, HIV/AIDS, FIBRIOD,COPD,MENINGITIES,HEPATITIES B [HBV] DISEASES .etc why don't you contact dr.Ogu today and be free from your diseases because he is very good and honest Doctor. contact him via email; drogugusolutionhome@gmail.com or text/call via: +1 (719) 629 0982

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

The 16 Best Foods to Control Diabetes

Subscribe GO Nutrition Evidence Based The 16 Best Foods to Control Diabetes Written by Franziska Spritzler, RD, CDE on June 3, 2017 Figuring out the best foods to eat when you have diabetes can be tough. The main goal is to keep blood sugar levels well-controlled. However, it's also important to eat foods that help prevent diabetes complications like heart disease. Here are the 16 best foods for diabetics, both type 1 and type 2. 1. Fatty Fish Share on Pinterest Fatty fish is one of the healthiest foods on the planet. Salmon , sardines, herring, anchovies and mackerel are great sources of the omega-3 fatty acids DHA and EPA, which have major benefits for heart health. Getting enough of these fats on a regular basis is especially important for diabetics, who have an increased risk of heart disease and stroke ( 1 ). DHA and EPA protect the cells that line your

TWITA, BRENUETUATTA, TWETA ( SIDA ACUTA)

TWITA, BRENUETUATTA, TWETA ( SIDA ACUTA) Preferred Scientific Name Sida acuta Burman f. Preferred Common Name sida Other Scientific Names Malvastrum carpinifolium (L.f.) A Gray Malvinda carpinifolia (L.f.) Medik. Sida acuta subsp. carpinifolia (L. f.) Borss. Waalk. Sida acuta var. carpinifolia (L. f.) K. Schum. Sida acuta var. intermedia S. Y. Hu Sida acuta var. madagascariensis Hochr. Sida berlandieri Turcz. Sida bodinieri L.f. Sida carpinifolia L. f. Sida carpinifolia f. acuta (Burm. f.) Millsp. Sida carpinifolia f. spiraeifolia (Link) Millsp. Sida carpinifolia var. acuta (Burm. f.) Kurz Sida chanetii Gand. Sida frutescens Cav. Sida garckeana Pol. Sida jamaicensis Vell. Sida lancea Gand. Sida lanceolata Roxb. Sida orientalis DC. Sida planicaulis Cav. Sida scoparia Lour. Sida spiraeifolia Link Sida spiraeifolia Willd. Sida stauntoniana DC. Sida ulmifolia Mill. Sida vogelii Hook. f. International Common Names English:  bro

POPULAR GHANAIAN FRUITS, VEGETABLES AND SPICES INSIGHTS

ADASEMA (Chrysophyllum africanum) Family Name:  Sapotaceae Local Name:  Adasema, Alasa, Adasa Uses As Per Literature:  The latex from the bark and young fruit is used as birdlime. A bark infusion is used in traditional medicine as a stomachic and carminative. A maceration of the stem bark is taken to promote lactation. Powdered bark is applied to sores. The fruit is used to treat diarrhoea and vomiting. The seed oil is edible, and the seeds are also used to make soap. Source: Useful Tropical Plants Database 2014 Traditional Uses:  Fruit pulp is eaten as a fruit. Plant Category:  Forest Foods Seasons Available:  Rainy Season Food Category:  Fruits How it is eaten:  Raw Part eaten:  Fruit Tetrapleura tetraptera ( PREKESE) Family Name:  Fabaceae Local Name:  Prekese Uses As Per Literature:  The bark is used to treat gastric ulcer and dysentery. The fruit is us