Diabetes Herbal Remedies

When a person is diagnosed with diabetes, initial treatments would include managing nutrition and diet, regular physical exercise, and in extreme cases, medication and regular insulin treatments.  Along with medications, it is vital that a patient follows a strict regimen on managing weight and sticking to a recommended dietary plan. Over the years though, natural remedies or diabetes herbal remedies have become most popularly recommended as alternative treatment to diabetes even by the medical world. Among these natural alternative methods is the use of herbal plants.

Since ancient times, long before patented drugs were invented out of clinical studies funded by pharmaceutical companies, medical practitioners have already sought the intrinsic power of herbal remedy plants. Most documented are ancient Chinese and the Ayurvedic (Sri Lankan monks and Indian doctors) medical treatment. Modern medicine also includes herbal remedies as natural alternatives and supplements to the treatment and management of diabetes and its complications.

The following are the most common diabetes herbal remedies recommended by diabetes specialists: Cinnamon, Bitter Gourd or Bitter Melon, Fenugreek, seeds of the Jamun, Gulair, Coriander Lettuce, Red Rose & Fennel plants, Milk Thistle or Sylimarin, Ginko Biloba, European Blueberry, Gymnema Sylvestre, and Banaba. 

1. Cinnamon.Methylhydroxy chalcone polymer (MHCP) is the active ingredient found in this herbal plant. Science found that an intake of half a teaspoon of cinnamon twice a day helps improve the efficiency of insulin and according to experts it might even triple the body’s sensitivity to the role of insulin in converting glucose into energy. It also contains antioxidants that help fight the damaging effects of diabetes to the body.
   
2. Bitter Gourd or Bitter Melon. This herbal plant has been the most commonly used traditional treatment for diabetes especially in countries in the tropics where this plant abounds. It was discovered to have blood sugar lowering ingredients. There are two active ingredients in this herbal plant. They are Charantin and Momordica. Charantin works potently like hypoglycemic drugs. Momordica on the other hand possesses capabilities that decrease blood glucose levels, the role that insulin does in the body. Homemade preparations and intake include crushing the leaves to extract the juice and an ounce of it twice a day is enough for the therapy.
   
   
   
3. Fenugreek. Like Bitter Melon, the juice of this plant is extracted and taken most recommended in the morning. This has been found effective to treat the early stages of diabetes.
   
   
   
4. Seeds of Jamun, Gulair, Coriander Lettuce, Red Rose & Fennel Plants. Powder is extracted from the seeds of these plants and then mixed altogether to form the formulation, which is taken twice a day.
   
   
   
5. Milk Thistle or Sylimarin. This plant usually grows wild and the seeds from its flower are extracted and manufactured into either tablet or capsule form. Aside from its potency in cases of liver cirrhosis, tumors, prostate and lung cancer, it has also found to have capabilities of lowering down blood sugar levels in diabetic conditions. Its normal dosage is one capsule or tablet, ranging from 200-800 mg, per day.
   
   
   
6. Ginkgo Biloba. The use of this plant as an herbal remedy traces its roots to traditional Chinese medicine. The medice is extracted from its leaf and it is administered in standard dosage of 40-80 mg, three times a day. It has found to have effects on the prevention and early treatment of diabetes aside from its potency in improving the flow of blood in the peripheral tissues of the nerves in the arms, legs, hands, and feet.
   
   
   
7. Blueberry. The leaves of this plant have also found to have active ingredients that are powerful in getting rid of excessive sugar in the blood aside from its power to relieve inflammation of the bladder, kidney, and prostate. To extract the juice, leaves are boiled. Three cups a day is recommended to have its power in full blast. This is one of the herbal remedies that are found effective, non-toxic, and have tremendous cases of efficiency.
   
   
   
8. Banaba. The leaves of this crepe myrtle variety are also effective in handling glucose and lowering down blood sugar. It has also become a popular ingredient in weight-loss products. This plant grows wild in the Philippines, India, Malaysia, and Australia and has been subjected to numerous studies in Japan due to its effective ingredients in the treatment of diabetes. It is taken in either as a tea or in tablet form. 
   
   
   
9. Gymnema Sylvestre. Called the “sugar destroyer”, this plant is native to the tropics of India and has been used in traditional Indian medicine for 200 years now as a treatment of diabetes. It was found to have the power of insulin in lowering blood sugar levels. As a home herbal remedy, its dry leaves are pounded with Coriander fruit and are taken orally.
   
   
   

Indeed, nature always provides countless cures and remedies to various diseases and herbal remedy have been in use for countless years. In the treatment of diabetes, it has become undoubtedly one effective part of relieving the damaging effects but a holistic approach should always be considered. This includes proper awareness of the disease, strict nutrition regimen, adequate physical exercise, and religious monitoring of blood glucose level with the guidance of a medical professional.