Diabetes & Herbs

Diabetes, a long-term disease characterized by elevated levels of blood glucose, is a significant health problem in many countries throughout the world, especially the United States. You are more likely to develop diabetes, notes the National Center for Biotechnology Information, if you are sedentary, obese and have close relatives who already have the disease. Natural treatment methods, such as herbs, are often beneficial in treating diabetes, but speak with your doctor before including herbs in your diabetes treatment regimen.

Diabetes and Health

Diabetes is a health condition that jeopardizes your long-term well-being, especially if you manage your condition poorly. The main symptoms of diabetes include feeling thirsty on a regular basis, urinating more than usual, feeling extreme fatigue, and experiencing weight loss and decreased muscle bulk. Symptoms of Type 1 diabetes, notes the National Health Service of the United Kingdom, tend to develop rapidly, whereas symptoms associated with Type 2 diabetes often develop gradually.

Common Herbs

Many herbs are commonly used to help treat diabetes. In her book "Prescription for Nutritional Healing," certified nutritional consultant Phyllis A. Balch states that some herbs -- especially gulvel, juniper berries, American ginseng, gymnema, fenugreek and bitter melon -- help regulate and normalize blood sugar levels in diabetics. Cedar berries may help nourish your pancreas, while huckleberry may be helpful in boosting your insulin production. Dandelion may protect your liver, which helps convert nutrients into glucose.

A Powerful Herb

American ginseng is a powerful herb used for regulating blood sugar levels in diabetics. American ginseng, states the University of Maryland Medical Center, may effectively lower blood glucose levels in people with Type 2 diabetes -- an effect observed both during fasting and following food consumption. Both the berries and the root of the American ginseng plant may be used to help treat elevated blood sugar levels in diabetics, although the berries may have a more powerful effect, notes UMMC.

Warning

Because prolonged elevations in blood sugar levels can have devastating health consequences, diabetics should discuss treatment strategies with their health care providers as soon as they are diagnosed. Natural treatment methods are an often safe and effective way to manage your diabetes, although natural therapies, including herbs, are not without their risks. Some herbs may cause negative health side effects if they interact with your prescription medication or other health conditions. Your physician can counsel you on the most appropriate herbs for your condition.