What are the Different Herbal Remedies for Diabetes?

Diabetes mellitus, more popularly referred to simply as diabetes, is a group of medical conditions in which the body does not adequately produce or properly regulate insulin, causing fluctuations in blood sugar. Throughout history, and in many parts of the world, herbal remedies have been used in order to help to control this widespread affliction. Some herbal remedies for diabetes include the use of bitter melon, onion and garlic, and fenugreek. Diabetes can be a serious illness, so all herbal treatments should be discussed with the patient's medical team.

Bitter melon is one of the more popular herbal remedies for diabetes. This is a tropical plant, often referred to as a balsam pear, which is grown primarily in South America, Asia, and Africa. It is important to limit consumption of this herbal remedy, as too much can lead to the blood sugar levels being reduced too drastically, causing a new set of medical issues for the patient.

One of the herbal remedies for diabetes that does not carry limitations regarding the frequency of usage is the combination of onion and garlic. These herbal treatments have positive effects when used alone, but the blood sugar lowering effects are greater when used together. Simply adding these ingredients to the diet on a regular basis can have many positive effects on the diabetic patient, including improvements in overall heart health as well as blood sugar control.

Clinical studies have suggested that fenugreek may be able to be added to the list of effective herbal remedies for diabetes. The fenugreek seeds can be swallowed whole or ground into a powder. Some patients prefer to take this herbal remedy with milk, but there is no clear evidence suggesting that this changes the effects at all.

The use of Asian ginseng is a popular choice among those searching for herbal remedies for diabetes. Ginseng has blood sugar lowering qualities as well as possessing the ability to enhance the ability of the pancreas to release insulin. Many diabetic patients also report an increase in energy when taking Asian ginseng.

It is important to note that some herbal remedies for diabetes may potentially interfere with certain prescription medications. Therefore, it is important to discuss any herbal treatments with a doctor before beginning an herbal regimen. Diabetes can have serious effects on a patient's health, so it is extremely important to be monitored by a physician for this condition. Self-medication without physician approval is not recommended for any condition, but with diabetes, this approach could be particularly dangerous.