Diabetes is a medical condition in which the body cannot produce or utilize insulin that is produced in the pancreas. It affects millions of people in the world and crosses all age groups, genders and ethnicities. There are two types of diabetes--Type 1 and Type 2--and both conditions are treated similarly--i.e., with diet, exercise, adopting healthier lifestyle changes and medication, including insulin. However, other alternative and complementary modalities, including herbal medicine, are used in treating diabetes. Here are five herbs that have anti-diabetic properties and can help with some of the symptoms of diabetes.
Asian Ginseng
Asian Ginseng has been used for many decades in Eastern medicine because it possesses medicinal and anti-diabetic properties. The herb can increase the insulin receptor numbers on the cell surfaces and enhance the amount of insulin that can be released from the pancreas. It also has the ability to directly lower blood sugar levels in the body.
Garlic and Onion
These popular herbs are used often in cooking meals all over the world. They are known to have many health benefits besides adding flavor and taste to many culinary dishes. These herbs possess the ability to significantly lower the levels of sugar in the blood. The active ingredients in garlic and onion are allyl propyl disulphide (APDS) and diallyl disulphide (allicin).
Bitter Melon
Bitter melon is an herb that can help manage some of the symptoms of diabetes. The juice or extract from the unripe fruit can lower the levels of blood sugars in the body.
Bilberry
Bilberry is an herb and fruit that can be used in cooking and can also be bought as tablets in most health food and organic food stores. Bilberry leaves contain anti-diabetic properties that may decrease the risks of particular long-term, chronic diabetic problems, like, diabetic retinopathy and diabetic cataracts.
Fenugreek
Fenugreek is an herb that can be bought in many health food and organic stores both as the whole plant or as organic seed packages. Fenugreek seeks have many anti-diabetic properties that may help to decrease some of the symptoms of diabetes.
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