Diabetes is a severe metabolic condition. In this situation, your body becomes unable to produce or use insulin. It can result in high sugar levels. [1]
WebMD lists the typical signs of diabetes. These include sudden weight loss, fatigue, increased thirst and hunger, and frequent urination.
But, do take note that having diabetes is not the end of the world. It is a manageable disease, with which you can continue to live an active and fulfilling life.
Some home remedies for diabetes will help you keep your blood sugar in control. These home remedies are available everywhere and will give you desired result.
15 Natural Home Remedies for Diabetes
1. Neem
Neem is a medicinal plant. It’s cultivated in India, Pakistan, Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia, and Sri Lanka. People have assessed it many times for its medicinal properties. [2]
Among these are its profound positive effects on diabetes.
Its leaves, bark, seed oil and stem may have hypoglycemic or blood sugar lowering effects. [2]
Scientific research has found neem beneficial in controlling blood sugar levels. Besides, it can prevent or delay the onset of this condition. [3, 4, 5, 6, 7].
Most of these studies were animal test, particularly on mice induced with diabetes.
There was a study in 2003 on diabetic adult male Wistar rats. Researchers gave them either neem extract or saline solution for 28 days. [6]
Blood sugar levels were stable among those that received neem extract. [6]
The treatment did not cause any damage to the rats’ internal organs. [6]
How to use neem to treat diabetes:
Crush 15-20 fresh neem leaves to extract juice. Take one tablespoon of neem juice in the morning before eating anything. Take this three times a week.
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2. Fenugreek
Herbal medicines are popular for diabetes because of their efficacy and safety.
One of these is fenugreek, which according to many studies, can help keep glucose levels in check. [8, 9, 10]
Researchers conducted a clinical trial in India. They probed the effects of fenugreek seeds on patients with Type 1 diabetes. [8]
Findings reveal that fenugreek reduced blood sugar levels by up to 54 percent. Besides, it didn’t affect the levels of good cholesterol in the bloodstream. [8]
There was another study focusing on type 2 diabetes. During the trial, patients received either fenugreek seeds or a placebo. [9]
After two months, the fenugreek seeds were successful in improving the glucose levels. It also reduced insulin resistance for patients with mild cases of type 2 diabetes. [9]
Researchers combined fenugreek seeds with ginger extract. Patients with coronary heart disease received the treatment. It showed positive effects on the blood sugar levels of them. [10]
Fenugreek has hypoglycemic effect. It’s because of the high viscosity and high dietary fiber content. [11]
Learn how to consume fenugreek for diabetes:
Add two tablespoons of fenugreek powder to a glass of milk. Drink this every day.
Read More: 14 Benefits of Fenugreek for Your Health (Backed by Science)
3. Basil
Basil, or St. Joseph’s Wort is an herb that belongs to the mint family and is a favorite ingredient for cooking.
People love it for its minty flavor and aromatic flavor.
What’s more to love about this herb is its wide range of medicinal uses.
Basil contains eugenol, limonene, terpineol, Linalool, and citral. They make it works as a powerful antibacterial and anti-inflammatory.
Several studies have also verified basil’s positive impact on diabetes. [12, 13]
The International Journal of Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics published a study. It assessed basil’s hypoglycemic effects on human subjects. [12]
Basil leaves could reduce the fasting and postprandial blood sugar levels. [12]
Its curative properties help control blood sugar levels and prevent diabetes. [13]
Basil is rich in antioxidants and essential nutrients. Thus, it can also help improve your health along the way.
Try these simple ways to use basil leaves for diabetes:
Method 1:
Crush five pieces each of basil, bael, and neem leaves to form a paste. Take this every morning before eating anything.
Method 2:
Boil a cup of basil leaves in a pot of water. Let it simmer for 15 minutes. Strain the mixture. Drink the tea two to three times a day for one week.
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4. Indian Gooseberry (Amla)
Indian gooseberry has a lot of amazing health benefits to offer. It not only reduces heart disease risk, but also keeps the skin looking young and fresh,
It’s not surprising at all since it is full of essential nutrients. It contains vitamin C, B vitamins, calcium, phosphorus, carotene, iron, and antioxidants.
If you have diabetes, it’s also one of the effective remedies that you should try.
The Pakistan Journal of Nutrition published a study. It reported that Indian gooseberry or Amla had strong antidiabetic activities. Besides, it doesn’t have any serious side effect. [14]
Researchers fed Indian gooseberry extract in rats induced with diabetes. They fed it at a dose of 200 mg/kg of body weight [14]
Not only it reduced blood sugar levels, but it was also shown to improve liver function. [14]
Its antidiabetic effects were like those of chlorpropamide. It’s a medication prescribed for diabetic patients. [14]
Other studies recommended Amla as an herbal therapy for the person with diabetes. [15, 16, 17]
Besides, amla seeds can stimulate insulin production and reduce blood sugar levels.
A simple remedy for diabetes using Indian gooseberry:
Mix one tablespoon of Indian gooseberry juice with one cup of bitter gourd juice. Take this every day for a few months.
5. Flaxseed
One of the most recognized traditional medicine is flaxseed.
Flaxseed is rich in omega-3 fatty acids and antioxidants but low in carbohydrates. It is another potent remedy for diabetes. [18]
A team of scientists conducted a trial on overweight individuals with pre-diabetes conditions. They discovered that a daily intake of flaxseed reduced glucose levels. Besides, it improved insulin sensitivity. [19]
This herbal remedy maintains blood sugar levels. Besides, it reduces cholesterol levels among patients with diabetes. [20]
In a clinical trial done in 2011, 29 participants with type 2 diabetes attended into two groups. [20]
The first group received 10 grams of flaxseed power for one month. The other group did not receive any supplementation. [20]
According to the results, flaxseed caused a reduction of 19.7 percent in blood sugar. It also showed a reduction of 15.6 percent in glycated hemoglobin. [20]
That’s not all. This remedy also decreased the bad cholesterol and increased the good cholesterol. [20]
All these findings are proof of flaxseed’s potential in the management of diabetes. [20]
How you may use flaxseed if you have diabetes:
Add one tablespoon of flaxseed to a glass of milk. Drink with your breakfast.
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6. Bitter Gourd
You may not like the strong flavor of bitter gourd, but you’ll love what it can do for your health.
After all, it’s a nutritional powerhouse. It’s rich in vitamin A, C, B vitamins, iron, calcium, potassium, copper, phosphorus, and zinc.
People have also used it to treat coughs, skin ailments, ulcers, fever, and many other health issues.
For people with diabetes, bitter gourd can be a successful remedy. [21, 22, 23]
The oral intake of bitter gourd juice or seed powder improves the body’s tolerance to glucose. Scientists from the United Kingdom explained that. It also reduces the fasting blood sugar, whether a person has diabetes or not. [21]
Many of its active compounds might be responsible for these beneficial effects. But the researchers failed to identify which one had the strongest anti-diabetic activity. [21]
Bitter gourd’s antioxidant and hypoglycemic activities make it a potent antidiabetic agent. [24]
How to use bitter gourd for diabetes:
Crush four bitter gourds until they turn into a paste. Use a sieve to extract juice from the paste. Add a cup of water. Drink juice every morning on an empty stomach.
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7. Black Plum
Here’s an interesting fact about black plum that you may not know.
Before insulin, it was black plum or jambul that our ancestors used to treat diabetes. [25]
Researchers have been studying this berry for its antidiabetic effects for many years. Most results show that it was successful in controlling symptoms of diabetes. [26]
The average rate of blood sugar reduction was at 30 percent. [26]
But, black plum might have mild gastrointestinal side effects. [26]
Other than that, it was effective in managing this disease.
Its active compound called mycaminose can be useful in lowering blood sugar levels. [27]
Learn how to use black plum seeds for diabetes:
Grind one tablespoon of black plum seeds into powder. Add powder to a glass of water. Drink solution twice a day every day.
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8. Mango Leaves
Most people are aware of how nutritious and beneficial mangoes are.
Now, what many do not know is that its leaves are almost as healthy.
Med India reports that mango leaves help promote proper levels of insulin in the blood.
Mango leaves contain some excellent antioxidants such as flavonoids, polyphenols, and gallic acid. They give it hypoglycemic and antidiabetic properties, as explained in The Health Site.
Besides, this herbal remedy also helps regulate cholesterol among people with diabetes.
Try this mango leaves solution for diabetes:
Soak 12 tender mango leaves in a glass of water for 24 hours. Strain the solution in the morning. Drink the solution before eating anything.
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9. Cinnamon
Cinnamon is not included in the list of sweets to stay away from if you have diabetes.
Various research findings indicated it as a reliable natural treatment for diabetes. [28, 29, 30]
There was a clinical trial published in the European Journal of Clinical Investigation. 79 patients with type 2 diabetes received either cinnamon or a placebo. They were before treated with oral anti-diabetic medications but not undertaking insulin therapy. [30]
The participants had to take their medication three times a day for four months. [30]
Those in the cinnamon group had a higher reduction in blood sugar levels. It suggesting that cinnamon has moderate effects on type 2 diabetes. [30]
It’s also good to know that cinnamon did not cause any harmful side effects. [30]
Another study found that cinnamon can also help prevent diabetes. [31]
How to consume cinnamon if you have diabetes:
Add one tsp of cinnamon powder to water. Drink cinnamon water every day.
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10. Aloe Vera
Aloe vera has been famous for its fantastic wound healing properties. But it’s also actually a practical way of managing diabetes.
A study revealed that aloe vera gel can reduce both glucose and cholesterol in the blood. [32]
The trial involved diabetic rats. Scientists administered them with a dosage of 300 mg of aloe vera gel extract per kg of body weight for 21 days. [32]
The reason behind its antidiabetic effects can be five phytosterols. The Biological and Pharmaceutical Bulletin published the findings. [33]
Aloe vera gel also helped in keeping cholesterol levels in check. It’s something that will be beneficiary to the diabetic patients.
Learn how to control your diabetes with aloe vera:
Combine one tsp of each of Aloe Vera gel, turmeric powder, and bay leaf powder. Take this mixture with a glass of water twice a day before eating lunch and dinner.
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11. Coriander
Coriander comes with a lot of medicinal values that make it beneficial for use.
One of its most studied benefits has something to do with blood sugar levels.
Coriander can decrease blood sugar levels by inciting the release of insulin. [34]
Scientists confirmed the fact after conducting a laboratory experiment involving diabetic rats. [34]
Learn how you can make coriander tea for diabetes:
Toast one cup of coriander seeds in a pan over medium heat. Remove from the stove. Grind the seeds and turn them into powder. Add a teaspoon of powder in a cup of hot water. Mix well. Drink this tea once a day for one month.
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12. Guava
Guava has some incredible health benefits along with its fantastic taste.
The fruit has a high content of vitamin C that is very effective in maintaining the level of sugar in your blood.
Also, guava is rich in fiber which is an added blessing to the people who have diabetes.
How to eat guava to fight diabetes:
For a diabetic patient, it is for his best not to eat the skin of guava. Again, too much consumption of this fruit in a day is also not good. You can eat one guava per day or on alternate days.
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13. Curry Leaves
Curry leaves are also helpful in keeping your diabetes under control.
Curry leaf is an essential element in a kitchen, and it can play a crucial role in assuring you a healthy lifestyle.
The leaves have the potential of lowering the breaking down of starch. Thus it contributes to maintaining the sugar levels in your blood.
It is also good for those with high cholesterol levels, and it helps obsessed people to lose their weight.
How to consume curry leaves to treat diabetes:
Make sure that the curry leaves are fresh and clean. You can chew 10-12 leaves for the expected results. The best time of its consumption is in the morning. You can repeat this daily for about three or four months.
14. Ginger
The herb ginger is native to India, Africa, China, Jamaica, & Australia. It’s a favorite ingredient in Asian cuisine, as well as medicine.
Ginger is quite useful in lowering blood sugar. Consuming ginger can reduce weight, extra body fat mass, and blood sugar level. It can also increase insulin levels. [35]
The medicinal properties of ginger help cure heart problems due to diabetes. [36]
It’s rich in anti-inflammatory components. These components help prevent specific complication you might have due to diabetes.
Here’s how you should eat ginger to control diabetes:
You can include ginger in your regular food and consume. Try to eat up to 4 grams of ginger per day to keep your blood sugar at a moderate level. Over-consumption may lead to further complications.
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15. Apple Cider Vinegar
Apple Cider Vinegar or ACV is quite beneficial for your health. Both inside and out.
Starting from your upset stomach to sore throats to skin problem, what it doesn’t cure?
Apple cider vinegar is rich in vitamin C. It’s quite beneficial for those who have diabetes.
ACV has a positive effect on the blood cholesterol levels. Besides, it can promote reduced blood sugar levels. [37]
If you have type-2 diabetes, it could improve the levels of your blood sugar, as well as insulin. [38]
How to use apple cider vinegar to control blood sugar level:
You can follow several methods to consume apple cider vinegar. But, consult with your doctor if you already have medicines to reduce blood sugar levels.
Method 1:
Mix two tsp of apple cider vinegar with eight ounces of water and drink it before going to bed.
Method 2:
You can also create a mixture of equal parts of ACV and water and drink the mix along with one oz. of cheese before bedtime.
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When to See a Doctor
You should visit a doctor if you experience one or more of the symptoms associated with diabetes. The doctor will diagnose whether you have type-1 or type-2 diabetes. He/she will prescribe medication based on that.
You can control your diabetes using home remedies. But if you have type-1 diabetes, you may have to take insulin for the rest of your life. Seek for medical attention if you have trouble with your blood sugar level.
Final Word
Until now, there is no permanent cure for diabetes. Don’t get frustrated as you can control it yourself by maintaining some rules.
You must maintain a healthy diet, following regular physical exercises.
The best way by which a person can keep diabetes in check is by following a healthy routine. The person must bring specific lifestyle changes.
You must remember that diabetes is not a condition you can ignore or take lightly.
Visit your doctor if you can’t control your blood glucose levels.
Your doctor can give you proper consultation and treatment. Additionally, use these home remedies to keep your diabetes under control!
Without doubt, these home remedies for diabetes can bring a difference in your life!
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