Posted on November 7, 2007 in Herbs for Health
You may be taking a dozen medicines to keep your blood sugar in control, stimulate insulin production and keep your self healthy as you deal with diabetes on a daily basis. But did you know, you could incorporate simple herbs for diabetes in your diet and go a long way in treating diabetes? The best part is that the diabetes herbs are remarkably effective yet non-toxic. They won’t mess with your daily medications, instead work in tandem to get you the best of both worlds.
Natural Herbs for Diabetes Cure
Here are a few natural herbs for diabetes cure that even doctors swear by –
- Indian Kino – Indian Kino or Pterocarpus marsupium (a gum-resin) is considered as one of the effective diabetes herbs. It looks like dried blood. It has a wide usage in Indian medical science Ayurveda for the treatment of diabetes. Epicatechin and crude alcohol extract of the bark of the Indian Kino has shown regeneration of functional pancreatic beta cells that produce insulin. This is something that no other chemical or natural drug has been known to do.
- Bitter Melon – Bitter Melon or Momordica Charantia has been extensively used in folk medicines in Asia, Africa and South America for the treatment of diabetes. Clinical and experimental studies have also confirmed that Bitter melon can lower blood sugar when taken in the form of juice or unripe fruit. The bitter melon contains a polypeptide which is similar to insulin. It is known as the Polypeptide P and it lowers blood sugar levels in Type 1 diabetics when injected subcutaneously. It can also be taken orally.
- Gurmar – Gurmar or Gymnema Sylvestre can effectively assist the pancreas in producing insulin in Type 2 diabetics. It also encourages the insulin’s properties of lowering blood sugar in both types of diabetes. It also reduces sweet cravings.
- Onion and Garlic – Onion and Garlic i.e. Allium Cepa and Allium Sativum play a vital role in lowering blood sugar. If your favorite flavor is Garlic, you have a reason to rejoice. Clinical and experimental evidence shows that the active ingredients of Onion and Garlic lower glucose levels by competing with insulin for insulin inactivating zones in the liver. This causes an increase of free insulin. Onion extract affects the hepatic metabolism of glucose. It also prevents the insulin destruction and increases the release of insulin. Garlic and Onions are also good for cardiovascular health. They lower lipid levels and inhibit aggregation of platelets. They are also as good as your anti-hypertensive medicines.
- Fenugreek – Fenugreek or Trigonella Foenum graecum has good anti-diabetic properties. Fenugreek seeds contain alkaloid trogonelline, nicotinic acid and coumarin which make them effective against diabetes. Diabetics who had a habit of chewing Fenugreek seeds as a mouth-freshener often have been greatly benefitted.
- Blueberry Leaves – Leaves of Blueberries or Vaccinium Myrtillus have been commonly used in folk medicine for the treatment of diabetes. They contain an active ingredient called Myrtillin. Myrtillin is an anthocyanaoside that increases capillary integrity, inhibit the damage caused by free radicals and improve the patient’s vascular health. In Europe it is commonly used as an anti-hemorrhagic agent for the treatment of diabetic retinopathy. Myrtillin is also injected intravenously. It is a little weaker than insulin but said to be less toxic even when taken 50 times a gram per day therapeutic dose. Even a single dose of Myrtillin is said to produce effects that last several weeks.
- Asian Ginseng – Asian Ginseng or Panax Ginseng is widely used in traditional Chinese medicine as a remedy for diabetes. It enhances the release of insulin from the pancreas and to increase the number of insulin receptors. Studies show that it has a direct glucose lowering effects.
- Ginko Biloba – Ginko Biloba is another popular herb from the rich traditional Chinese medicine culture. It has been useful in treatment and prevention of the early stages of diabetic neuropathy.
- Cinnamon – Cinnamon or Cinnamomum verum is popularly used as a spice. It is said to triple insulin’s efficiency. Clinical and experimental studies have shown that cinnamon relatively increases the conversion of glucose to energy by 20 times. It inhibits the formation of dangerous free radicals thus preventing the body from their damage. This causes a slow down the progression of the inevitable diabetic complications. In addition to these, Cinnamon also relieves stomach gas, treats loss of appetite and eases nausea.
- Indian Gooseberry – Indian Gooseberry or Emblica Officinalis is a very rich source of Vitamin C. Its Vitamin C content is said to 15 times that of the lemon. It has properties that help in the stimulation of pancreas for the production of insulin. It is extremely beneficial for diabetics when it is taken with bitter melon juice. It is a power anti-oxidant and has a cooling effect on the body. It is also very effective in reducing body fat.
- Goat’s Rue – Goats rue, French Lilac or Galega has an consists of an alkaloid called Galegin. When Galegin was isolated from the original plant and used to treat diabetes mellitus it showed remarkable results in lowering blood sugar levels.
Leave a Reply
August 16th, 2008 at 8:34 am
Dear Sir/madam,
It’s very pleasure to know the valuable medicinal herbs, if you can
add a photo along with the herbs it will be more value added news the riders who have not come across in their way to identify to use also how it sound in Hindi or in the local language where its available.
Thanks& Regards
M.Masi
August 16th, 2008 at 8:43 am
Sir/madam,
It’s very pleasure to know the valuable medicinal herbs, if you can
add a photo along with the herbs it will be more value added news, the reders who have not come across in their way to identify to use ,and also how it sound in Hindi or in the local language where its available.
Thanks& Regards
March 27th, 2009 at 4:16 pm
please give indian names for the herbs