Natural Herbs Good For Diabetes

Diabetes is a common health problem among Americans. The National Diabetes Information Clearinghouse states that Type 2 diabetes is the most common type of diabetes -- a metabolism-related disorder in which your body either does not produce enough insulin or your cells are unresponsive to insulin. Other types of diabetes include Type 1 and gestational diabetes. If you are considering using herbs to help treat your diabetes, talk with your doctor about the inherent risks and benefits of herbal treatments.

Diabetes

If you are diabetic, you have too much sugar, or glucose, in your blood. An abundance of glucose in your blood can lead to significant health complications, including organ damage and lower extremity amputations. The cause of elevated blood sugar may differ between diabetics, however. Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune condition, or a condition in which your immune system attacks your insulin-producing cells in your pancreas. Poor diet, excess body fat and a sedentary lifestyle may lead to Type 2 diabetes. Gestational diabetes, a potentially reversible condition, occurs during pregnancy.

Helpful Herbs

Many herbs have been used in treating diabetes. According to Dr. Joseph E. Pizzorno Jr., a naturopathic physician and author of "The Clinician's Handbook of Natural Medicine," before insulin was invented, diabetes was treated with botanical medicine. Helpful herbs for diabetes include garlic, onion, bitter melon, gymnema, fenugreek, bilberry, ginkgo and ginseng. Licorice and stevia, which may help reduce sugar cravings and serve as sugar substitutes, may also help diabetics control their blood sugar levels.

A Commonly Used Herb

Gymnema, or Gymnema sylvestre, is an herbal remedy commonly used to help treat diabetes. Gymnema, notes the University of Michigan Health System, is a woody plant indigenous to the tropical forests of central and southern India that has been used to treat both Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes.Gymnema has hypoglycemic action and may help regenerate pancreas cells when used for prolonged periods. Gymnema's ability to lower your blood sugar levels is due to a group of substances called gymnemic acids.

Considerations

Pizzorno states that the effective natural treatment of diabetes, including the use of botanical medicine, requires thoughtful integration of diet, nutritional supplements and lifestyle factors. Some herbs contain powerful substances that exert strong effects on your body. Visit a health care professional before taking herbs to help treat your diabetes. A health care professional with advanced knowledge of botanical medicine can provide you with helpful information about dosage, possible drug interactions and any side effects you might experience.