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Herbal Remedies (I May Regret This)
For months now, I’ve been receiving a lot of emails pushing various herbal remedies for diabetes. I guess it’s finally time to explore them a little, although it scares me to open this can of worms: nothing invites comment spam like mentioning dietary supplements.
Well, I’m taking the plunge anyway, but don’t be surprised if your comment peddling some herbal product is promptly removed.
So, for those of you just genuinely curious, as I am, I have discovered the following interesting bits
of information about some herbal substances that seem to have a legitimate effect on diabetes and/or your overall health.
(NOTE: I’ve compiled this information from various websites and from the research of D-author Gretchen Becker. A great comprehensive overview is also available from Diabetes Self-Management magazine.)
* Cinnamon — well-documented studies show that cinnamon helps lower BG levels and “normalize” lipids in Type 2 diabetics. Experts have even gone so far as to call cinnamon (and its water-soluble extract) “a natural version of insulin” because the effects were so profound. Apparently this common and tasty spice is truly helpful. (Who knew? Too bad I’m not a cinammon fan.)
* Ginseng – one of the most popular supplements in the US, sold in tablet form and in herbal teas, primarily as an energy booster. It has been reported to lower BG levels, but the many varieties have different effects, therefore you may end up raising your BG, sources say.
* Bilberry — (not blueberry) leaves have also been reported to help with BG control, consumed in an
anti-diabetic tea. The berries are a rich source of antioxidants (compounds that may decrease the risk of heart disease, cancer, and other chronic diseases) and may improve circulation, thus have been suggested as a treatment for diabetic retinopathy. But use in small quantities, please, as too much bilberry can be toxic.
* Gymnema Sylvestre — an Indian herb used in Ayurveda, the ancient Hindi medicine system of India. Injesting the leaves causes gradual hypoglycemic actions, and also helps lower serum cholesterol and triglycerides. A 2001 study by CDE’s in Nebraska confirmed that this herb improves glycemic control in Type 2 patients, significantly reducing postprandial BG and decreasing A1c results (!)
* Gingko Biloba — used primarily to increase circulation. But since it is a blood thinner, should be used with caution, especially if you’re already taking any other type of blood-thinning substance.
* Evening Primrose Oil — studies indicate that the GLA (gammalinolenic acid) in evening primrose oil can help prevent — and potentially reverse — the nerve damage (neuropathy) commonly caused by diabetes. General recommended dose: 1,000 mg evening primrose oil three times a day.
* Saw Palmetto – a spikey-looking bush with berries, recommended for everything from enlarged prostate problems to breast enlargement. It’s use in “peripheral” diabetes treatment is apparently for treating infections of the gastro-urinary tract, and also increasing the strength and function of the bladder.
The thing to keep in mind is that most doctors and medical authorities are luke-warm at best on the value of taking much of this stuff, especially the drugstore-marketed “solutions” — reminding us that many substances are ineffective or potentially even harmful. After years of medical school and in-the-trenches experience with patients, I think they might have a point.
For example, a prominent endocrinologist whom I interviewed recently had this to say when I asked her about nutritional supplements (the packaged kind), including beta complex, omega complex, and creatine:
“Most of them are just hype… However, if you came to me on one of these supplements, and you believe in it, I’d say OK. I wouldn’t protest unless it’s hurting you in some way – damaging your liver or putting an extra strain on your kidneys.”
Right. It’s just that I for one wouldn’t want to find out the hard way, after the damage is done. Any thoughts here? I’m sure you all have many 
Heh. You should talk to Jeff H. over at CWD. He was telling the parents list about a persistent emailer who was trying to sell a cure for diabetes. All you had to do was buy these special inserts for your shoes and then walk backwards. He gets some doozies.
I’m sure there are supplements out there that can help, but until they’re studied and published in a peer-reviewed study, I’m not going to put any faith in them and I’m definitely not going to experiment with them on my daughter.
Posted by: julia | March 1st, 2006 at 8:59 amOne of my brothers is a natropathic doctor. He believes in curing everything with herbs and natural remedies. When I was first diagnosed a year ago, he told me that I should try not taking insulin to see what would happen. He said that I might not have diabetes. As much as I love my brother, I could not follow his advice. I knew what would happen if I stopped taking my insulin and started on whatever “herbal treatment” he had in mind.
Although it would be nice to see some of these things work, I am going to stick with my insulin. I don’t really feel like playing roulette with my health.
Posted by: Elizabeth Zabell | March 1st, 2006 at 9:01 amThe only one I take that you listed is Ginsing. Does it help? Who knows — but it hasn’t hurt either.
Posted by: Jo | March 1st, 2006 at 4:21 pmAmy:
I’ve been using supplments for over 30 years and always look for some reasonable studies; my armamentarium includes Evening Primrose,Alpha Lipoeic, Conjugated Linoleic, DHEA, L-arginine, Biotin, Asprin, Omega 3s, Glucosamine and a multi vitamin. 30 years ago most doctors said a vitamin supplement wasn’t necessary. I am still walking and talking and really do not know if any of it helps me but it doesn’t seem to hurt.
Posted by: Kirk | March 2nd, 2006 at 6:32 amI take cinnamon and chromium. I’ve seen studies that suggest vinegar can support healthy BG levels. As a result, I eat a lot of dill pickles. I don’t think I could drink vinegar straight.
Posted by: mike | March 2nd, 2006 at 9:19 amI take the “Diabetes Health Pack” from Nature Made or Nature’s Way or something like that. No idea if it does anything for me, but I fell for the packaging.
Posted by: Angus | March 2nd, 2006 at 9:44 amAlpha lipoic acid (ALA; for neuropathy) has some pretty solid research behind them. NCCAM is doing some interesting clinical trials with chromium, as well.
Posted by: Paula | March 3rd, 2006 at 9:06 amThe supplements a 30-year Type I who takes LONG hikes (Kirk, above) takes for his diabetes sounds good to me! I’ve heard some noise about Glucosamine raising BGs, but if you’re active, you tend to need it for your old joints. I haven’t noticed it effecting my BGs. Kirk, if you’re reading this, do you take a timed release ALA? I’ve heard it matters, but the timed release ones are much more $.
Posted by: Andrea H. | March 3rd, 2006 at 3:17 pmAlthough there are at least 1,200 medicinal plants with anti-diabetic activity, they are not usually as strong as drugs, nor as consistent in preparation or activity. There is some science for them but it is not usually very good science. Most
everybody agrees that herbals deserve further study, but we decided not to wait. We tried a bunch of herbs.
Of these, we found cinnamon and milk thistle most easily tolerated (least unfriendly). Some herbs did not seem to be very effective. Others were effective enough, but caused side effects (headache, upset stomach, diarrhea) that made us stop using them. Wolfberries seemed to be helpful, or at least not harmful. Fenugreek, Aloe vera, garcinia cambogia, cloves, and turmeric were also useful.
Posted by: Ronald S. Brown | March 3rd, 2006 at 4:56 pmWhile I was on a year abroad years ago, I asked various people in India, Mexico, Thailand, and Belize about local treatments for diabetes. The most popular were Nopalita (rural Mexico) and Fennugreek Seeds (India).
Posted by: Kim | March 5th, 2006 at 6:23 pmMy mother-in-law tried to get me to drink mangosteen juice; she said it would “cure” my gestational diabetes. Somehow I doubted that fruit juice, even exotic fruit juice, could cure much of anything, let alone diabetes. So I’m not surprised that mangosteen juice didn’t make the list of herbal remedies that work.
Posted by: Wacky Hermit | March 7th, 2006 at 8:28 pmFor information on the latest research on medicinal properties of herbs try the Herb Research Foundation, http://www.herbs.org/index.html. This organisation is run by top scientist in the fields pharmacology and botany.
Posted by: Van | March 9th, 2006 at 5:55 amDoes cinamon do anything for Type 1s?
Posted by: David | March 9th, 2006 at 11:10 amCinnamon seems to work for me but I don’t know the right quantity/frequency to use. It is the problem with herbal treatment. U are never sure if you are over/underdosed. Cinnamon sticks are cheap but most of the other harbal pills that you get from the store cost as much if not more than common diabetic drug like glucophage.
Posted by: Steven Wu | November 3rd, 2006 at 5:55 pmthank you for the work you are doing to fight against diabetes.Aim a student from the University Of Arusha.I have discovered harbs which heal diabetes and cancer of the mouth.I now ask you to help me to standardize my harbs.I have tested this to many people.Inow look for your cooperation to enter in this service.Aim looking forward to hearing fom you.thank you.
Posted by: Peter M. Lot | March 1st, 2007 at 3:23 amCinnamon has been a proven herb that has the potential to reduce blood sugar levels as much as 50%. Doctors are now recommending it to their patients
Posted by: naturalist | April 4th, 2007 at 9:30 amWhat about Cactus?? It’s called nopales in Spanish. I used to eat it scrambled with eggs when I was little, (you cut it into cubes and soak it because it is very gooey like aloe vera). When I had gestational diabetes the diabetic center told me to try it because they had seen some substantial results. My diabetic uncle takes cactus pills. I was wondering if it really works!
Posted by: Alisa | April 16th, 2007 at 2:32 pmIf any of diebeties pateince wants to avoid kidney failure practice this (During emptying your urine squat down a little during that time and this is practiced all over India by males and females and it helps)
Posted by: Nantha Kumar | August 21st, 2007 at 12:32 amThe rigth way to take cinnamon is by brewing it just like tea but without the tea and replays your daily water or tea (beverages) with cinnamon with non diebetic sugar cubes to add to taste as good as any beverages
Posted by: Nantha Kumar | August 21st, 2007 at 12:39 amI was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes a little over a year ago. Like everyone else here I have been searching for herbal or natural remedies to control my diabetes (no known cure).
Posted by: Andrew McDowell | February 17th, 2008 at 6:21 amI have discovered two things that with surety effect my diabetes.
1) If I eat beef for some reason my BG is reduced into the lower end of the acceptable range
2) If I exercise (walk greater than 1 mile) I see the effects as lowered BG.
Sorry but I have tried cinnamon and other natural herbs and to date have not found them to be helpful. I am a Christian and I know our Father created some combination of foods that will help the type 2 diabetics improve insulin resistance, but I have yet to discover what this combination is.
i have been taking two chromium picolante capsules two cinnamon two fenugrek one gymnema sylvestre one neem and two bitter gourd every day so far i have been off all diabetic pill and insulin. walk very fast for ten minutes power walk and lots of water
Posted by: shanti maharaj | February 24th, 2008 at 4:38 pmMy grandmother was diagnosed with diabetes over 15 years ago. I Wish she would of known the things that we all know about diabetes now. The natural herbs and are amazing on this site.
Posted by: Natural Remedies for Diabetes mom | May 7th, 2008 at 6:11 pmMy grandmother was diagnosed with diabetes over 15 years ago. I Wish she would of known the things that we all know about diabetes now. The natural herbs and are amazing on this site.
Posted by: Natural Remedies for Diabetes mom | May 7th, 2008 at 6:11 pmThis is my 10 time coming back to this site. Great information. Keep it up.
Posted by: Natural Remedies for Diabetes mom | May 14th, 2008 at 1:58 amThis is my 10 time coming back to this site. Great information. Keep it up.
Posted by: Natural Remedies for Diabetes mom | May 14th, 2008 at 1:58 ami`m starting to experience menopausal symptoms and have read a lot about angus cactus. Does anyone know what effects it might have on type 2 diabetes thats diet controlled?
Posted by: thora | September 26th, 2008 at 10:31 amFOUND THIS WEBSITE: HTTP://WWW.MANALLC.COM: TRIED IT AND IT WORKS …OFF OF ALL DIABETES MEDICINE A1C DROPPED FROM 8.2 TO 6.6. WHAT EVER IT TAKES TRY IT; WHAT DO WE HAVE TO LOSE OTHER THAN OUR HEALTH AND LIFE WORTH THE TRY, I BELIEVE IN IT. NO SIDE EFFECTS.
Posted by: MANA | October 22nd, 2008 at 1:51 pmMANA