Looking for a home remedy for diabetes? Look no more! This list of 12 diabetes home remedies cover the most reputed herb remedies - including Ayurvedic, Chinese, and traditional Western herbs. There are also foods that can help normalize blood sugar levels, and vitamins to avoid in excess.

1. Gymnema sylvestre - Bitter Melon

  • lowers bood glucose significantly
  • regulates insulin response and activity
  • generally a safe herb
  • some studies showed a regeneration of islet cells and an increase in pancreatic beta cell function
  • supports healthy functioning of the pancreas
  • in non-insulin dependant diabetics the leaf extract was used successfully:
    –>> this home remedy for diabetes helped control hyperglycemia in a study on 22 type-2 diabetes patients

          –>> they could reduce the dose of the regular diabetes drugs they were taking. Some could even stop taking them completely (do not do this unless you are under the supervision of your doctor and they say it is okay)

         –>> in type-2 diabetes patients, it does seem possible that beta cells could be regenerated

         –>> After taking this diabetes home remedy, these patients had increased blood levels of insulin

  • More recent research suggest it may also help those with type 1 diabetes, though this there has been no research that suggest it also regenerates beta cells in type-1 diabetics. It may help control symptoms however.
  • A study in India in the 1990’s found that gymnema helped repair beta cells in the pancreas. The study participants took 40gm of the dried herb daily.
  • If you take gymnema, make sure you get your blood sugar levels checked regularly by your doctor, as you may need to have your medication adjusted.
  • The effects of gymnema can be accentuated when taking antidepressants, aspirin and other salicyclates, fenfluramine, and tetracycline antibiotics.
  • Its’ effectiveness can be decreased by oral contraceptives, epinephrine, marihuana, thyroid hormones, and phenothiazines

2. Momordica charantia

  • this home remedy for diabetes lowers blood glucose
  • it increases tissue uptake of glucose (due to charantin)
  • this diabetes remedy is classed as Insulinomimetic
  • Momordica may be an abortifacient, so it should not be used by pregnant women
  • it also reduces fertility, so it shouldn’t be used whilst you’re trying to fall pregnant. This affects both men and women’s fertility
  • people with hypoglycemia should not use charantia
  • in one study on people with adult onset diabetes, it was found to significantly improve the glucose tolerance of 73% of people

3. Bitter Gourd

  • in one study on people with adult onset diabetes, this remedy was found to significantly improve the glucose tolerance of 73% of people
  • another study found that 100mg per kilo of bodyweight was comparable in its effects to the diabetic drug Glibenclamide taken twice a day

4. Garlic

  • this diabetes home remedy stabilizes blood sugar levels
  • it increases immune function
  • garlic improves circulation
  • use kyolic garlic if you’re going to use a supplement
  • it slows the natural breakdown of insulin in the body
  • garlic increases secretion of insulin
  • garlic reduces blood glucose levels

5. Aloe vera

  • this home remedy for diabetes could lower fasting blood glucose
  • it could lower levels of HbA1c
  • the dried sap and gel is used to treat diabetes

6. Ivy Gourd - Coccinia indica

  • this remedy is an Ayurvedic herb that has insulin-like properties
  • the studies that have been done show it assists significantly with blood sugar levels

7. Kudzu - Kudzu is used as a thickener in Oriental cooking, but it also has medicinal qualities that have made it a prized natural remedy in macrobiotics. Take 1 teaspoon mixed in a small amount (say a quarter to a half a cup) of cold water. Drink daily. You can add a few drops of soy sauce or tamari to taste.

8. Sweet vegetables - sweet vegetables like sweet potato and pumpkin are great for people with diabetes. Try adding them to casseroles and soups (miso is great). These should not be baked, however.

9. Other good foods to help normalize blood sugar levels include berries, brewers yeast, cheese and other dairy products, egg yolks, fish, kelp, sauerkraut, vegetables

10. Avoid supplements containing cysteine, an amino acid. It can break down the bonds of insulin and impairs the absorption of insulin by the cells in the body.

11. Large amounts of vitamin B1 and vitamin C can inactivate insulin, so these should only be taken according to the RDA (or obtained from food sources)

12. Avoid large amounts of vitaminB3. Vitamin B3 in the range of 50 to 100mg a day is fine, however.

References:
1. Prescription For Nutritional Healing by P.A. Balch
2. gmanews.tv/story/35962/Ampalaya-tablets-out-soon-for-diabetics
3. ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=AbstractPlus&list_uids=3807390
4. raysahelian.com/gymnema.html
5. heartspring.net/diabetes_bitter_melon.html
6. thehealthierlife.co.uk/article/2937/blood-sugar-levels.html
7. tropilab.com/bittermelondatabase.html
8. bodyandfitness.com/Information/Herbal/Research/gymnema.htm
9. drugdigest.org/DD/PrintablePages/herbMonograph/0,11475,552556,00.html