Herbs That Balance Blood Sugar
- Monday, 09 July 2012
There are many approaches you can take when dealing with your diabetes treatment plan. A type I diabetic must be on insulin, a type II diabetic may be able to control or reverse their diabetes through diet and lifestyle changes. Both conditions can benefit from adding herbs or spices that can help stabilize or lower blood sugar levels. Remember it’s always a good idea to talk with your natural healthcare provider before adding medicinal herbs to your care.
Knowing your body is the key to successfully treating diabetes. When you are adding herbs that help lower blood sugar levels to your routine you need to be able to monitor your blood sugar levels more than usual. Just like food, emotions and physical activity can play with your blood sugar levels, herbs can as well.
3 Herbs That Help Lower Blood Sugar
Cinnamon
Cinnamon slows down the rate your stomach empties after a meal, helping to stabilize blood sugar levels. Consuming cinnamon with meals helps lower the glycemic index (the rate your blood sugar levels increase with a particular food) of the meal you’re consuming. Research has shown that 1 gram of cinnamon per day resulted in an approximate 20% drop in blood sugar levels1.
Fenugreek
Fenugreek seeds have been proven to improve glycemic control and decrease insulin resistance in mild type 2 diabetic patients2. Including fenugreek seeds or their leaves is a great way to help with your diabetes treatment plan.
Bitter Melon
Bitter melon has been used for its hypoglycemic effect on blood sugar levels due to a compound called lectin which has insulin-like activities when consumed. Bitter melon (as its name implies) is very bitter, so try soaking it with salt water for a few hours before cooking, or juice it with other vegetables or fruits to experience its blood sugar lowering effects.
Below in a recipe for a cinnamon tincture for stabilizing blood sugar levels from Rosemary Gladstar’s Medicinal Herbs book.
2-4 oz chopped cinnamon bark (sticks)
80- proof alcohol (brandy, vodka or gin)
Place cinnamon in a wide mouthed glass quart jar. Cover with 2-3 inches of alcohol. Let steep for 4-6 weeks, shaking daily. Strain through a fine mesh strainer lined with cheesecloth. Discard the cinnamon then bottle the tincture.
To use: Take ¼ to ½ tsp. two times a day for 5 days. Take 2 days off, then repeat the cycle. Continue for several weeks until blood sugar levels stabilize.
[2] http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11868855
Susanna Deering has a passion for nutrition and great tasting food. As a type 1 diabetic herself, Susanna is deeply aware first hand how important the right foods are to our diets. Learning to live with diabetes after being diagnosed at the age of 28 grew Susanna’s passion for nutrition. Her journey into the field of holistic nutrition has not only helped her manage her diabetes, it has also inspired her to help others manage their health through nutrition as well.
Finding foods to match a client's needs is something Susanna loves to do. She works with each individual client to find personalized solutions to assist in making positive changes which assists the body to achieving greater overall health.
For consultations with Susanna and more information, please visit- www.nourished-life.com
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