Blood glucose, or "blood sugar," levels are indicators of how well your body processes carbohydrates and sugars. Often, high blood glucose levels indicate a risk of or diagnosis of diabetes. Many different herbs can help your to lower your blood glucose levels, whether you've already been diagnosed with diabetes or you're at risk of developing the condition. Some herbs will help your body to produce more insulin, while others will lower glucose by improving the way your body uses the insulin that your pancreas makes.
Fenugreek
The dietary fiber content in fenugreek may help to control your blood glucose levels. Fenugreek is a common spice used in curry dishes that has important medicinal effects as well, says the University of Maryland Medical Center. The University of Pittsburgh Medical Center cites open human trials, double-blind studies and animal tests that all indicate that fenugreek can significantly improve blood sugar and insulin response. Fenugreek has also shown effects on lowering triglyceride levels and raising HDL, or "good cholesterol," levels in the blood, possibly as a result of increased insulin activity, the University of Pittsburgh says.
Psyllium
Psyllium supplements may also help to lower blood glucose levels. Double-blind clinical trials have found that taking psyllium can help to control blood glucose and cholesterol, says the University of Michigan Health System. The University of Michigan points to a double-blind study of men with type 2 diabetes who took 5.1 g of psyllium daily for eight weeks. The study participants experienced an 11 percent to 19.2 percent reduction in their blood glucose levels, an 8.9 percent reduction in their total cholesterol and a 13 percent decrease in their LDL, or "bad cholesterol" levels.
Aloe
Taking the gel extracted from the aloe vera plant may help to improve blood sugar levels. The University of Pittsburgh Medical Center points to placebo-controlled clinical trials that found taking aloe gel lowered blood glucose levels in people with diabetes. Taking 1 tbls. of aloe gel either alone or in combination with the oral hypoglycemic drug glibenclamide can lower blood sugar levels in people with type 2 diabetes, according to animal and preliminary human trials cited by the University of Michigan Health System.
Ginseng
Taking Asian or American ginseng can help to lower your glucose levels. Animal and test tube studies have found that taking Asian ginseng can "enhance the release of insulin from the pancreas and increase the number of insulin receptors," says the University of Michigan Health System. The University of Michigan also points to double-blind clinical trials in humans that found taking 200 mg of Asian ginseng extract or 3 g of American ginseng had blood sugar-lowering effects. The ginsenosides found in high concentrations in American ginseng may lower blood sugar, but some studies of Asian ginseng, or Panax ginseng, have found that certain preparations of the herb can actually raise blood sugar levels, notes the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center.
Bitter Melon
Bitter melon may help to lower your blood glucose levels and effectively treat diabetes mellitus, says the University of Maryland Medical Center. Taking extracts, juice or whole slices of bitter melon might improve your blood sugar control if you have type 2 diabetes, according to preliminary clinical trials cited by the University of Michigan Health System. But the scientific evidence supporting the belief that bitter melon can help to treat diabetes is based on only uncontrolled human trials and animal studies, cautions the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center.
Cinnamon
If you have type 2 diabetes and high cholesterol, taking cinnamon can help to treat both conditions. Various studies of cinnamon's effects on treating diabetes have yielded inconsistent results, cautions the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. But a clinical study cited by the University of Maryland Medical Center found that taking 1, 3 or 6 g of cinnamon daily lowered glucose, triglyceride, LDL cholesterol and total cholesterol levels in people with type 2 diabetes. Study participants among the different dosage-treatment groups experienced a reduction in blood glucose of 18 percent to 29 percent, notes the University of Michigan Health System. "Other clinical studies have found similar results," leading medical experts to believe that cinnamon may effectively regulate blood sugar in diabetics, the University of Maryland says.
Gymnema
Like ginseng, gymnema also helps to stimulate insulin production in the pancreas. Preliminary medical studies indicate that taking as little as 400 mg per day of gymnema extract for 18 months or longer can lower blood sugar levels in people with type 1 and type 2 diabetes and allow diabetics to reduce their dependence on insulin medications, says the University of Michigan Health System. Taking gymnema may be particularly helpful in treating "mild cases of type 2 diabetes when taken alone or in combination with standard treatment," notes the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. Gymnema may also alter your ability to detect sweet tastes, thus reducing sugar intake, adds the University of Maryland Medical Center.
Milk Thistle
The component of milk thistle called silymarin may help to improve your blood sugar control. The University of Michigan Health System cites a double-blind clinical trial that found taking 200 mg of silymarin three times daily can help to control blood glucose levels. The University of Pittsburgh Medical Center also points to a double-blind trial that found taking milk thistle may improve blood sugar control in people with type 2 diabetes.
