Type 2 Diabetes : Herbal and Natural Therapies

Herbal and Natural Therapies

Herbal remedies can help in lowering blood glucose levels

Many common herbs and spices are claimed to deliver blood sugar lowering properties that make them useful for people with or at high risk of type 2 diabetes.

A number of clinical surveys 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 complementary therapies are available?

Plant-based therapies that have been demonstrated in some studies to have anti-diabetic properties include: 

Aloe vera
Bilberry extract
Bittermelon
Cinnamon
Fenugreek
Ginger
Okra

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 frequently argued that the 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 utilizing 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 used 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 usually 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, resolutions have been positive.

Allium may cause a decrease in blood glucose, increase secretion and slow the degradation of insulin. Limited data are available, however, and further tests are needed.

Bauhinia forficata and Myrcia uniflora

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

Coccinia indica

Coccinia indica is also recognized as the ‘ivy gourd’ and grows wild across the Indian subcontinent. Traditionally employed in ayurverdic remedies, the herb has been ground to contain insulin-mimetic properties (i.e; it mimics the function of insulin).

Substantial changes in glycemic 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 experienced as a diabetic remedy in Spain and Southeastern Europe, but its active component is unknown. Some works in animals suggest that fig-leaf facilitates glucose uptake.

The efficacy of the plant is, nonetheless, still yet to be validated in the treatment of diabetes.

Ginseng

Ginseng is a collective name for a mixture 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, is hailed as ‘cure-all.’ As is the case with many of the herbs employed around the macrocosm in the treatment of diabetics, further long-term studies are needed to verify the efficacy of ginseng.

Gymnema sylvestre

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

Chemical examination of Momordica charantia

Momordica Charantia goes under a change of names and is native to some areas of Asia, India, Africa and South America. Marketed as charantia, it is as well known as Creole or karolla and bitter melon. The herb may be cooked 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 described.

Ocimum sanctum

Ocimum sanctum is an herb used in traditional ayurverdic practices, and is commonly known as holy basil. A controlled clinical test 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 areas where it grows.

Dwellers of the Mexican desert have traditionally employed the plant in glucose control. IntIntestinal glucose uptake may be regarded by some properties of the plant, and animal studies have found significant decreases in postprandial glucose and HbA1cOne time 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 possess a beneficial effect on insulin resistance. The use of milk thistle in glycemic control is little understood.

Trigonella foenum graecum

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

It is likewise a part of Ayurverdic treatment, and is used extensively in cooking.

Of the few non-controlled tests that have been carried out on type 2 diabetics, most reports improved glycemic control. FFurther study in humans is certainly wFurther herbs that have been examined, and may have positive effects for diabetic patients include:

Berberine
Cinnamon
tamala
Curry
Eugenia jambolana
Gingko
Phyllanthus amarus
Pterocarpus marsupium
Solanum torvum and Vinca rosea