16 Herbs For Diabetes That Keep Your Sugar Levels In Control

High sugar levels can lead to diabetes. Thankfully, natural remedies also work great for keeping your sugar levels under control. Using herbs for diabetes is one such remedy you can use. Of course, you also must reduce consuming foods high in sugar or with a high glycemic index. You must also start exercising 4-5 times a week. While diabetes type 1 may require you to take insulin injections along with these herbal remedies, diabetes type 2 can be reversed by changing your lifestyle and taking these herbs. Read on to learn about the 25 best herbs, spices, and supplements for diabetes, how to consume them, and how you can procure them. Fixing your lifestyle and your daily diet can go a long way in improving your health.

1. Gymnema Sylvestre

This plant is literally called ‘sugar destroyer’ in Hindi, so you can well imagine its diabetes-busting properties. The herb is loaded with glycosides known as gymnemic acids. These essentially reduce your taste bud’s sensitivity to sweet things, thereby lowering sugar cravings in prediabeticsⁱ  XA health condition in which blood sugar levels are higher than normal but not high enough to be categorized as type 2 diabetes. . Even those who are already affected by type 2 diabetes can control their sugar levels with the help of this herb. It increases the enzyme activity in the cells, which results in utlization of excess glucose in the body. It can also positively affect insulin production (1).

How To Consume Gymnema Sylvestre & The Dosage

You can consume it in the powdered form, make tea with its leaves or have capsules. You can make tea by steeping the leaves in boiled water for 10 minutes. You can also add the powder to a cup of lukewarm water and consume it. The dosage is as follows.

• Capsule: 100mg
• Powder: ½-1 teaspoon
• Leaves: 1 teaspoon

When To Consume Gymnema Sylvestre

The best time to consume Gymnema Sylvestre is in the morning or 20 minutes before meals.

Where To Buy Gymnema Sylvestre

You can buy it online and at Ayurvedic stores or pharmacies.

2. Ginseng

Ginseng has been known as an immunity boosting and disease-fighting herb for ages, but researchers have recently found that it also contains anti-diabetic properties. When you take ginseng, the absorption of carbohydrates slows down, and the cells take up and use more glucose. Apart from that, insulin production in the pancreas also increases. All these contribute to a healthier body that is less prone to diabetes (2). If you already have diabetes, this can help lower the blood glucose levels by 15 to 20%, better than placeboⁱ  XA substance or treatment with no therapeutic value that is given to trick the brain into functioning as if it were real treatment. , as shown by the research team from the University of Toronto .

How To Consume Ginseng & The Dosage

You can have ginseng root or powder. Chop the root and add it to boiled water. Let it steep for 5-6 minutes. You can also mix powdered ginseng in warm water and have it. The dosage is as given below.

• Powder: 1 teaspoon
• Root: 2-3 g or 7-8 slices

When To Consume Ginseng

Consume ginseng early in the morning and before dinner.

Where To Buy Ginseng

You can buy it online or at Chinese medicine shops and Ayurvedic pharmacies.

3. Sage

Consuming sage on an empty stomach can help reduce the blood glucose levels significantly. It boosts insulin secretion and activity, which helps to curb blood sugar in prediabetics and manage it in type 2 diabetics (3). Apart from that, it also affects liver function positively, thus improving immunity. Although favored as an addition to meat dishes, this herb is at its medicinal best when it is consumed as tea .

How To Consume Sage & The Dosage

The best way to consume sage is in the form of tea. You can also include chew sage leaves or add them to your food or take sage supplements. To prepare sage tea, pour boiling water in a cup containing 1-2 sage leaves. Let it steep for 5 minutes. The dosage is as follows.

• Leaves: 4-6 g/day
• Dried leaves: ⅙-½ teaspoon
• Tea: 2-3 cups/day

When To Consume Sage

Consume sage tea or chew sage leaves early in the morning on an empty stomach. You can include sage leaves in your food for lunch and dinner.

Where To Buy Sage

You can buy sage at grocery stores or online.

4. Bilberry

This is another effective herb for diabetes treatment that has shown immense medicinal potential. Not only does it help type 2 diabetics, who suffer from high blood sugar levels, but it is also quite effective in treating diabetes mellitus. Bilberry contains a compound called glucoquinine, which is chiefly responsible for lowering the blood sugar levels. Bilberry infusions can also help people whose eyesight has been compromised due to this disease. However, you should be careful if you are taking bilberry infusion along with diabetes medication as it might cause your blood sugar to drop to dangerous levels. So, monitor your blood sugar levels regularly (4).

The following graph was taken from a study published in the Journal of Functional Foods that noted the effect of bilberry and wild freeze dried bilberry extract on salivary α-amylase activity. The extracts showed better inhibitory activity than the commercial standard acarbose (control). Human salivary α-amylase was inhibited by bilberry extract and wild freeze-dried bilberry extract in a dose-dependent manner. Bilberry extract inhibited human salivary – amylase by 61%, 57%, and 55% at doses of 66, 6.6, and 0.66 g/ml, respectively, but freeze dried wild bilberries inhibited the enzyme by 78%, 73%, and 68% at the corresponding concentrations.

Effect Of Bilberry Extract On Salivary Alpha-Amylase Activity

How To Consume Bilberry & The Dosage

Bilberry extract is widely available and is the safest way to control your blood sugar levels. Here’s the dosage.

• Bilberry extract: 10-100 mg with 25% anthocyanosidesⁱ  XWater-soluble pigments that appear red, purple, or any color depending on their pH and control pigmentation in plants.

When To Consume Bilberry

You can consume the extract once in the morning and once in the evening an hour before dinner.

Where To Buy Bilberry

You can buy bilberry extract at a pharmacy, Ayurvedic stores, or online.

5. Oregano

Also known as marjoram, this exotic herb of Spanish and Mediterranean origin is known to contain glycosides that lower the blood sugar levels in the body. The water extracts of oregano exhibit a glycosidase inhibitory activity in vitro. The Rosmarinic acid separated from the extract has been shown to increase the pancreatic amylase activity. It also boosts the immune system. It helps in increasing insulin activity and mobilizes glucose in the cells, thus reducing the rate of carbohydrate formation (5).

How To Consume Oregano & The Dosage

Oregano is regularly used in different cuisines. You can use fresh or dried oregano in your food, chew the leaves, make oregano tea, consume diluted oregano oil or capsules. Make oregano tea by adding a teaspoon of dried or fresh oregano to a cup of boiled water. Let it steep for 5 minutes. Scroll down for the dosage.

• Oregano capsule: 600 mg per day
• Oregano oil: 4-6 drops per day (diluted)
• Dried oregano leaves: 1 teaspoon, twice a day
• Fresh oregano leaves: 4-5 leaves, twice a day

When To Consume Oregano

It is best to drink oregano tea early in the morning. You can also chew fresh leaves in the morning. Use dried oregano for lunch and dinner.

Where To Buy Oregano

You can buy oregano at any supermarket or online.

6. Aloe Vera

This fleshy leaf plant grows widely in India, South Africa, Mexico, Australia, and China. It is mostly used in cosmetic and pharmaceutical industries. Aloe vera has been used for ages to treat inflammation, improve digestion, prevent acne, and reduce hair fall. Recent scientific studies have found that aloe vera gel contains lipid-lowering and blood sugar lowering properties (6).

How To Consume Aloe Vera & The Dosage

Aloe vera juice and extract are available in the market. You can consume them as per the instructions on the bottle. You can also prepare aloe vera juice at home. Take a 3-inch aloe vera leaf, extract the gel and blend it. Add water and lemon juice to dilute it. You can also consume aloe vera capsules. Here’s the dosage.

• Aloe vera capsule: 300 mg per day
• Aloe vera juice or extract: as per instructions on the bottle
• Homemade aloe vera juice: 100 gm aloe vera gel

When To Consume Aloe vera

Consume aloe vera juice or extract early in the morning. You can have a capsule before lunch.

Where To Buy Aloe vera

You can buy aloe vera juice, extract, or capsule at any Ayurvedic store or online.

7. Ginger

The mighty ginger is widely used in Asian cuisines and is grown in China, India, Australia, Africa, and Jamaica. Like aloe vera, ginger has also been used in herbal medicines since ancient times. This aromatic spice can also help lower the blood glucose levels. Many scientific studies have confirmed that ginger helps to control the blood sugar levels by increasing insulin secretion and insulin sensitivity (7).

How To Consume Ginger & The Dosage

You can chew raw ginger, use it in your food, drink ginger tea, consume ginger powder, use its oil, and add it as one of the ingredients in a glass of juice. Here’s how much much ginger you should consume per day.

• Ginger root: 1-2 inches
• Ginger oil: 3-4 drops
• Ginger in juice: 1 inch
• Ginger powder: ½-1 teaspoon

When To Consume Ginger

Ginger tea is great to start your day with. Try to avoid consuming ginger after 6 pm. Have a fruit juice along with a little ginger juice before lunch.

Where To Buy Ginger

You can buy it at any supermarket or online.

Quick Tip

Choose organic ginger over processed ginger products, and try to be consistent with your daily consumption.

8. Fenugreek

Fenugreek seeds and leaves are extremely useful to treat metabolic disorders and digestive problems. This plant is native to Spain, India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Turkey, France, Egypt, Argentina, and Morocco. It has been used since ages to treat hair fall, skin issues, and slow metabolism. This spice is also widely used in various cuisines. A study confirmed that fenugreek seeds have blood glucose-lowering effects and can be used to treat type 2 diabetes (8).

How To Consume Fenugreek &The Dosage

The best way to consume fenugreek is to soak the seeds overnight. You can also include the seeds and leaves in food preparations. Here is how much fenugreek you should consume per day.

• Fenugreek seeds: 2 teaspoons
• Fenugreek powder: 1 teaspoon
• Fenugreek leaves: 200 g

When To Consume Fenugreek

Drink fenugreek soaked water first thing in the morning. You can have fenugreek seeds or leaves during lunch or dinner.

Where To Buy Fenugreek

You can buy fenugreek seeds and leaves at any supermarket or online.

9. Cinnamon

This strong-smelling spice, derived from the bark of cinnamon trees, is regularly used in South Asian cuisines and desserts. It is an amazing herbal supplement for diabetes and treat obesity, muscle spasms, diarrhea, and common cold. Many studies have confirmed that consuming cinnamon regularly can help to control high blood sugar and hence, it can be used as an alternative medicine to treat diabetes (9).

How To Consume Cinnamon & The Dosage

You can consume cinnamon bark, powder, or capsules. The dosage is as stated below.

• Cinnamon stick: 2 inches
• Cinnamon powder: ½ teaspoon
• Cinnamon capsule: 500 mg per day

When To Consume Cinnamon

You can have cinnamon tea in the morning and evening. Add cinnamon powder to your smoothie or juice for breakfast. Have the capsule once in two days.

Where To Buy Cinnamon

You can buy cinnamon at any grocery store or online.

10. Clove

Clove is a flower bud that is popularly used in Indian, Pakistani, Bangladeshi, Sri Lankan, and Tanzanian cuisines. This aromatic spice has anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and digestive properties. Research has confirmed that clove helps to improve insulin sensitivity and lowers the levels of bad cholesterol and triglycerides (10).

How To Consume & The Dosage

You can consume clove by chewing it raw. You can also use whole or powdered cloves in food preparations or consume clove capsules. Here is how many cloves you should consume.

• Clove: 2 for chewing, 5-6 in food preparation
• Clove powder: ½ teaspoon
• Clove capsule: 500 mg per day

When To Consume

Soak 3-4 cloves in a cup of water overnight and drink it in the morning. Use whole or powdered cloves in your food for lunch or dinner. Take 2-3 clove capsules in a week before dinner.

Where To Buy

You can buy clove atany grocery store and clove capsules at an Ayurvedic store or online.

11. Turmeric

Turmeric is commonly used in Indian, Bangladeshi, Pakistani, and Iranian cuisines. This ginger-like spice adds color and a distinct flavor to food. Turmeric is also an Ayurvedic medicine that is used to treat bacterial infections, wounds, skin issues, and digestive problems. Research has found that a phytochemicalⁱ  XA chemical substance present in plants that helps them resist bacterial and fungal infections and prevent damage. called curcumin is responsible for turmeric’s yellow color and medicinal properties. Curcumin is also responsible for having a blood glucose-lowering effect. In fact, one study confirmed that patients with type 2 diabetes could lower their blood glucose levels by consuming turmeric (11).

How To Consume Turmeric & The Dosage

You can chew a small bit of raw turmeric, take capsules, or consume it in the powder form. Here is how much turmeric you should consume per day.

• Raw turmeric root: ½ inch
• Turmeric root paste: 1-2 teaspoons
• Turmeric powder: 1-2 teaspoons
• Turmeric capsule: 500 mg, twice a day

When To Consume Turmeric

You can chew turmeric on an empty stomach and use its paste or powder in cooking or smoothies/juices. Take the capsules before lunch or dinner.

Where To Buy Turmeric

You can buy turmeric at any Indian or Pakistani grocery store or order it online.

12. Neem

Neem or Azadirachta indica is native to India. It also grows in the neighboring countries like Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Pakistan. Neem trees have bright to dark green leaves that possess many medicinal properties. In fact, its bark and fruit are also used in traditional medicines. Ayurveda says that neem has antidiabetic, antifungal, antibacterial, antiviral, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory properties. A few studies show that it possesses blood glucose-lowering properties. This confirms neem’s antidiabetic property as mentioned in Ayurveda (12).

How To Consume Neem & The Dosage

You can chew thoroughly washed leaves of neem or take neem paste or neem capsules. Here is how much neem you should consume.

• Neem leaves: 4-5
• Neem paste: 1 teaspoon
• Neem capsule: As per instructions on the bottle

When To Consume  Neem

You should consume neem paste diluted in a glass of water early in the morning. Chewing neem leaves in the morning is also effective. Take neem supplements before breakfast once a day.

Where To Buy Neem

You can buy neem supplements/capsules online or at any Ayurvedic store. You can also buy neem leaves at the local market or Indian supermarkets.

13. Shilajit

Shilajit is found in the Himalayas, Altai Mountains, Caucasus Mountains, and Gilgit-Baltistan Mountains. It is a tar-like mineral oil that oozes out of these mountains. Its color can range from light brown to dark brown. It has antioxidant properties and has been used to improve muscle power, reduce the risk of heart disease, slow down aging, and boost fertility. It has also been found that Shilajit can help stabilize the blood sugar levels (13).

How To Consume Shilajit & The Dosage

You can consume good quality shilajit supplements with milk, honey or sesame oil. Here is the dosage.

• Shilajit capsule: 100-300 mg per day

When To Consume Shilajit

You can consume it in the morning and before lunch/dinner.

Where To Buy Shilajit

You can buy Shilajit online or at any Ayurvedic store.

14. Chromium

When it comes to lowering blood sugar, chromium is one of the best supplements. It has recently gained popularity as a dietary supplement. Chromium helps to keep your carb cravings at bay, lowers bad cholesterol levels, mobilizes fat, and improves insulin sensitivity (14).

How To Consume Chromium & The Dosage

Chromium supplements, such as chromium picolinate, chromium polynicotinate, and chromium chloride, are available in the market. Here is the recommended dosage.

• 100-200 mcg, twice a day
• When To Consume Chromium
• You can take chromium supplements before lunch and dinner.

Where To Buy Chromium

You can buy the supplements at any pharmacy.

Quick Tip

Make sure to consume recommended doses of chromium because overconsumption may worsen insulin sensitivity.

15. Alpha Lipoic Acid

Alpha Lipoic Acid (ALA) is an antioxidant mainly found in potato, spinach, broccoli, liver, yeast, and kidney. It is usually used to treat fatigue, memory loss, kidney disease, liver disease, neuropathyⁱ  XDamage to the peripheral nerves that causes weakness, pain, and fatigue in hands and feet due to nerve damage. , and Lyme diseaseⁱ  XA tick-borne illness caused by bacteria and characterized by rash, fever, fatigue, weakness, and joint pain. . It has been found that alpha lipoic acid supplements can help lower the blood glucose levels and hence, it is a potent supplement for treating diabetes type 2 (15).

How To Consume Alpha Lipoic Acid & The Dosage

ALA supplement capsules are the best way to provide your body with an extra amount of ALA. Dosage is as follows.

• ALA capsule: 600 mg per day for three weeks

When To Consume

Before lunch.

Where To Buy

You can buy it online or at any pharmacy.

16. Rosemary

Research indicates that rosemary exhibits anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties that may aid in managing diabetes (16). Moreover, rosemary has been linked to lowering bad cholesterol and triglyceride levels, which are risk factors for diabetes-related complications (17).

How To Consume Rosemary & The Dosage

You can use fresh or dried rosemary leaves for cooking. Here is a recommended dosage of its extracts:

• Fresh or dried rosemary leaves: About 1-2 g daily.
• Rosemary capsules: 500 mg to 750 mg
• Rosemary extracts: 2 – 4 ml
• Follow the dosage guidelines on the product label or consult a healthcare professional for guidance.

When To Consume Rosemary

Enjoy rosemary in your meals throughout the day.

Where To Buy Rosemary

You can easily purchase fresh or dried rosemary leaves from your local grocery store, while rosemary supplements are available at health food stores or online.

In addition to these 16 herbs, you could also try incorporating stevia, licorice root, milk thistle, mint and holy basil into your diet due to their therapeutic effects on diabetes (18) (19) (20) (21).

Joel Stein, a columnist and an author, spoke about how mint helped him cut down his sugar craving. He said, “Any mint is oddly satisfying after a meal, and knowing that desserts are going to taste worse is a big disincentive to eat them (i)”.

Infographic: 7 Herbs To Manage Blood Sugar Levels

Did you know there are natural ways to keep your sugar levels in check and promote your overall health? Yes, there are several herbs and spices that may help regulate blood sugar levels, which makes them extremely helpful for people with diabetes. Check out the infographic below to know the different herbs you can include in your lifestyle.

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Illustration: StyleCraze Design Team

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Frequently Asked Questions

Can herbs be used as a sole treatment for diabetes or are they best used in conjunction with conventional medications?

Herbs cannot be a standalone treatment for diabetes. Consult your doctor and understand the best conventional medications you can combine with these herbs to reduce the risk of diabetes and help manage its symptoms.

Are there any potential side effects or risks associated with using herbs to treat diabetes?

Yes, using herbs to treat diabetes may cause an allergic reaction. Herbs that contain adulterants like dust, microbes, or pesticides may also lead to stomach irritation, mercury poisoning, or cerebral edema (22).

Are there any interactions between herbs and conventional diabetes medications that people with diabetes should be aware of?

Yes, herbs and conventional diabetes medications may interact with each other, leading to a significant and sudden drop in blood sugar levels (23). Always consult your doctor before combining herbs with conventional medications to control your blood sugar levels.

Image: Dall·E/StyleCraze Design Team

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Heather M. Duquette-WolfRD, CSSD

 

Heather M. Duquette-Wolf is a registered dietitian nutritionist and a certified specialist in sports dietetics with 13 years of experience. She has been the owner of HMD Nutrition in Scottsdale, Arizona since 1999. She started out in medical nutrition therapy and expanded her area of expertise to intestinal disorders, inflammatory disease and exercise nutrition. She is very passionate about teaching...more

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Charushila is an ISSA certified Fitness Nutritionist and a Physical Exercise Therapist. Over a span of 6 years, she has authored more than 400 articles on diet, lifestyle, exercises, healthy food, and fitness equipment. She strives to inform, educate, and motivate her readers via authentic, straightforward, and fact-checked information. After completing her master's in biotechnology from Vellore Institute of Technology,...more

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Ravi Teja Tadimalla is a senior editor and a published author. He has been in the digital media field for over eight years. He graduated from SRM University, Chennai, and has a Professional Certificate in Food, Nutrition & Research from Wageningen University. He has written over 300 articles about ingredients and their benefits for the skin, hair, and health. He...more

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Sindhu Koganti is a Certified Health and Nutrition Life Coach and has over 6 years of experience in writing on health and wellness topics. She has a bachelor’s degree in biotechnology from Acharya Nagarjuna University, Guntur, and a diploma in nutrition from Fab Academy. After her graduation, she decided to combine her knowledge of science and love for writing to...more