If you have diabetes, your body is unable to use or create the hormone insulin, which is required to maintain blood sugar levels in a healthy range. Therefore, in order to avoid a sudden spike in your blood sugar levels, you must avoid unhealthy foods and maintain a balanced diet. In fact, you must think about using herbs for lowering blood sugar levels.
Here’s how herbs can help control blood sugar
Ayurveda, a traditional Indian medical practice, encourages the use of herbs and spices, because they have several therapeutic characteristics that can aid in the management of blood sugar levels. Herbs, in fact, provide a plethora of health benefits, including aiding weight loss, boosting intestinal health, boosting immunity, controlling blood pressure, and much more.
Health Shots spoke to Roopshree Jaiswal, Consultant – Dietitian/Nutritionist, Motherhood Hospitals, Mechanic Nagar, Indore, to find out about the herbs which can help lower blood sugar levels.
She said, “Thankfully, India, which is a land of herbs, provides us with many herbs and supplements from its natural treasure. And these can help lower your blood sugar levels.”
So, here are 7 herbs to manage blood sugar levels:
1. Rosemary
It is rosemary that gives soups and curries their delightful aroma. Not only does rosemary help in reducing your weight, but it also keeps your sugar levels low. In fact, it also helps in controlling bad cholesterol (LDL) and raising good cholesterol (HDL) in the body.
2. Ginseng
Ginseng, which has always been an integral part of oriental medicine, has high immune-boosting properties and is also anti-diabetic. It reduces the rate of absorption of carbohydrates in the body. Ginseng also stimulates the production of insulin by the pancreas. And increased insulin helps blood sugar enter the body’s cells so it can be transformed into energy.
3. Gurmar
Since time immemorial, this herb has been used in Ayurvedic diabetic treatments in India. It contains gymnemic acids, which block the taste buds on the tongue from responding to sweet foods. This aids in the control of sugar cravings. The herb also aids in the removal of excess glucose from the bloodstream.
4. Sage
Sage helps in lowering blood sugar levels, especially when ingested on an empty stomach. Including sage in the diet boosts insulin secretion and aids with diabetes management. Tea is a great way to ingest it.
5. Aloe vera
Many chronic diseases such as diabetes, are caused by inflammation in the body. And aloe vera cures dyspepsia and lowers inflammation in the body.
You can consume aloe vera supplements or juice prepared from the leaves of this plant. This may assist people with pre-diabetes or type 2 diabetes lower their fasting blood sugar and A1C, known as hemoglobin.
6. Ginger
Diabetes has been treated using this fragrant herb. It improves the body’s insulin sensitivity and aids in the increase of insulin secretion.
7. Fenugreek
Skin and stomach problems have been treated using fenugreek seeds and herb. This plant also aids in the treatment of metabolic problems. It can cause the reduction of blood glucose levels and the treatment of diabetes.
