16 Herbs for control of diabetes
1.Fenugreek (Methi): Fenugreek seeds (trigonella foenum graecum) are high in soluble fibre, which help lower blood sugar by slowing down digestion and absorption of carbohydrates. Several clinical trials showed that fenugreek seeds can improve most metabolic symptoms associated with both type 1 and type 2 diabetes in humans by lowering blood glucose levels and improving glucose tolerance. It contains trigonelline, which is known to reduce blood sugar level. Take the seeds after soaking them in water overnight or powdered form with buttermilk.
2.Bitter Melon (Karela): The fruit contains at least three active substances with anti-diabetic properties, including charantin , vicine and an insulin-like compound known as polypeptide-p. Either these substances work individually or together to help reduce blood sugar levels. Bitter melon also contains a lectin that reduces blood glucose concentrations by acting on peripheral tissues and suppressing appetite - similar to the effects of insulin in the brain. This lectin is thought to be a major factor behind the hypoglycemic effect that develops after eating bitter melon. Karela is rich in vitamins a, b1, b2, c, iron and its regular use prevents complication associated with diabetics such as eye complications, neuritis and defective metabolism of carbohydrates.
3.Jambu fruit (jamun): Its seed contains jamboline, which controls the excessive conversion of starch to sugar. Seed powder can be used with water or buttermilk. It reduces the quantity of sugar in urine and allays the unquenchable thirst.
4.Bael leaves: They are scientifically proved to be anti-diabetic. Drink fresh juice of leaves with pinch of pepper.
5.Garlic: Allicin is having anti-diabetic effect.
6.Aloe Vera: A well known liver tonic, its regular use tones up the hepatic-biliary system and regulates sugar & fat. Preliminary research suggests that intake of aloe vera juice can help improve blood glucose levels and may therefore be useful in treating people with diabetes. Aloe also have following positive effects due to the presence of compounds such as lectins, mannans and anthraquinones.
• Decreased blood lipids (fats) in patients that have abnormally high levels of these molecules in their blood
• Decreased swelling and faster healing of wound injuries: Leg wounds and ulcers are common complications of diabetes, and they typically take longer time to heal than in healthy non-diabetic individuals.
7.Cabbage: It is as effective as insulin.
8.Turmeric: Its efficacy increases when effective with an equal amount of amla powder.
9.Cinnamon (Dalchini): Results from a clinical study published in the Diabetes Care journal in 2003 suggest that cinnamon bark improves blood glucose and cholesterol levels in people with type 2 diabetes, and may reduce risk factors associated with diabetes and cardiovascular disease.
10.Curry Patta: Eating 10 fresh fully-grown curry leaves every morning for 3months is said to prevent diabetes.
11.Indian goose berry (Amala): One tsp of its juice mixed with a cup of fresh bitter gourd juice, taken daily for 2 months, stimulates islets of langerhans (a part of Pancreas) and enable persons to secrete natural insulin.
12.Isabgole: It helps in controlling blood sugar in diabetics by inhibiting the excessive absorption of sugars from the intestines.
13.Beans: Beans are high in carbohydrate and fiber and stimulates the production of insulin. It should be eaten liberally to keep diabetes under control.
14.Cucumber and Radish leaves: These low a carbohydrate vegetables are beneficial in the prevention and control of diabetes.
15.Onion: It has active hypoglycemic substances, r allyl propyl disulphide & allicin.
16.Ginger: It is rich in gingerols, that can increase uptake of glucose into muscle cells without using insulin, and may therefore assist in the management of high blood sugar levels. Two ginger extracts spissum and an oily extract interact with serotonin receptors to reveres their effect on insulin secretion. Treatment led to a 35% drop in blood glucose levels and a 10 per cent increase in plasma insulin levels.