Today, diabetes is one of the most common diseases of which about half the world's population is suffering from. Every other person you know is suffering from the dangerous disease where the blood sugar level varies from the normal level due to the inadequate secretion of insulin, the most important hormone of our body.
Diabetes can be considered as a fatal disease which can risk our life by creating complications in the other health disorders such as cardiovascular disease, cardiac arrest, nerve damage, gangrene etc. Thus for a better and a healthier life, we need to take good care of our body and try to maintain the blood sugar level so as to avoid this fatal, life risking disease.
Since ancient times, various herbs are being used to treat diabetes. Scientific investigations have confirmed the effectiveness of these herbs. Some of the major diabetes herbs are:
- Fenugreek (methi): The ability to control the blood glucose levels has made fenugreek one of the widely used spices to control diabetes. Fenugreek lowers insulin resistance and controls the blood glucose levels by increasing the number of insulin receptors in red blood cells. This improves the utilization of glucose in peripheral tissues thereby reducing the glucose levels in blood. Simply soak fenugreek seeds overnight in a glass of water. Next morning have the water and chew the seeds, it will prove very beneficial in controlling sugar. Known side effects of high doses include mild digestive pain. Fenugreek should not be used by pregnant or nursing women.
- Indian Kino or Pitasara: It has a long history of use in India as a treatment for diabetes. The flavonoid epicatechin, extracted from the bark of this plant helps reduce sugar levels.
- Cinnamon (dalchini) bark: It makes human fat cells more accessible to insulin and increases the conversion of glucose to energy manifold times. It also blocks the formation of dangerous free radicals.
- Onion: Onion has significant blood sugar lowering action. Onion extract reduces blood sugar levels during oral and intravenous glucose tolerance. Onion affects the hepatic metabolism of glucose and increases the release of insulin, thus preventing insulin's destruction.
- Garlic (lahsun): Garlic is considered to be the best herb for directly lowering blood sugar as well as for the repair of pancreas cells and stimulating the pancreas to produce insulin. This has been proven in numerous studies, but it still ignored by most. This makes garlic a very useful anti diabetes herb, and any herbal treatment of diabetes should include it.
- Isabgul or Psyllium: Isabgul or Psyllium has cholesterol and glucose lowering properties. Its high fiber content makes it a good bowel cleanser as it can alleviate constipation. It can lower cholesterol and reduce the risk of heart disease.
- Indian Gooseberry (amla): 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 (karela) juice. It is a power anti-oxidant and has a cooling effect on the body. It is also very effective in reducing body fat.
- Basil (tulsi): Studies have shown that basil has a positive effect on postprandial (after eating a meal) and fasting glucose. The herb facilitates the insulin secretion process.
- Tian hua fen (trichosanthis): It is shown to reduce blood sugar levels in Chinese research studies. It is very commonly used in herbal formulas for diabetics.
- Gymnema Sylvestre (Gurmar or Cherukurinja): Gymnema, an Ayurvedic herb helps the pancreas in the production of insulin in Type 2 diabetic patients, as well as improves the ability of insulin to lower blood sugar in both Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes.
- Ginkgo biloba: Ginkgo biloba extract is useful for prevention and treatment of early-stage diabetic neuropathy.
- Mango leaves: Mango leaves are known to be an effective cure in diabetes as well. Simply soak the leaves of the mango plant overnight in a cup of water and in the morning squeeze them in the water. Drain the leaves out and drink the water. This helps to relieve the signs of diabetes. In another method the leaves are dried and ground to a powder and mixed with water and consumed twice a day.
- Stevia: Stevia has been used traditionally to treat diabetes, and has beneficial effects on glucose tolerance. Stevia has been studied in animal experiments, but is yet to undergo large, controlled human studies.
- Bitter Melon (karela): The blood sugar lowering action of the freshly extracted juice or the pulp extract of the unripe fruit has been widely accepted. 50-60 ml of the juice if taken orally shows effective results. Excessive high doses of the juice can cause abdominal pain and diarrohea.
- Bilberry: It helps lower the risk of diabetic complications, such as diabetic cataracts and retinopathy (eye damage).
- Asian Ginseng (ashwagandha): Asian ginseng is commonly used in traditional Chinese medicine to treat diabetes. It has a direct blood sugar lowering effect as it enhances the release of insulin from the pancreas and increases the number of insulin receptors.
Generally, any herb that strengthens the pancreas or liver will be helpful for diabetes treatment. Continuing research into the use of herbs for diabetes may well result in a cure for the disorder. In the meantime these herbs for diabetes have been shown to be helpful in treating the disease or its symptoms. If you are diabetic and you are taking medication to control your blood sugar levels, it is best to have your blood sugar monitored while taking these herbs, and have your doctor adjust the dosage of your medications accordingly, so your blood sugar doesn't drop too drastically.
Read more: http://www.lifemojo.com/lifestyle/herbs-for-diabetes-2629411#ixzz12326rYTm
No comments:
Post a Comment