Not only
does orthodox medical treatment for diabetes come with nasty side effects but
they can really cause a dent in your bank account; what I am about to share
with you doesn’t do either of those things. There is no downside.
You may be
new to using herbs, spices and food for their medicinal value, yet they are a
fundamental component for good personal health. They are not to be overlooked.
The #1 antidiabetic drug used to treat diabetes—metformin— actually has it’s
origin from a biguanide compound isolated from French lilac. And it is these
same naturally-potent sources which lay at the heart of a simple 60- second
protocol to reverse diabetes. But more about that later... first, let’s look at
the magical herbs and spices that can reduce your blood sugar levels naturally
at home.
Here are the
magical herbs that cure diabetes naturally at home:
Aloe Vera
This natural remedy is succulent, filled with a thick, slimy gel has been utilized throughout history
for it’s cooling, healing and soothing properties. These amazing properties are
the result of aloe’s active compounds: anthraquinones, lectins, and mannans.
The gel is incorporated into a number of personal care, health and beauty
products because of it’s strong anti-inflammatory properties. It can be used
both externally and internally, and when used internally—in the form of
juice—has a direct impact on blood glucose levels. Studies have shown that aloe
vera extract can regulate fasting blood glucose levels in prediabetics within 4
weeks, and reverse lipid profile levels within just 8 weeks. It is the
anti-inflammatory, antioxidant nature of aloe that targets
diabetically-weakened areas of the body, for example, pancreatic beta cell
damage caused by oxidative stress. The antioxidant potential of aloe is
responsible for a lot of it’s positive effects. Some additional benefits of
aloe: it encourages faster healing, decreases blood lipids and reduces the
swelling and inflammation of skin ulcers and wounds.
Red Ginseng
Ginseng root
has long been used in Chinese medicine as a natural remedy for a range of ailments. The root
is traditionally used as a tonic to improve energy, stamina, mental performance
and improve immunity, however it can also be used for diabetes. There are two
main species of ginseng—American ginseng and Asian or Korean ginseng—though the
kind which is diabetes-specific is Korean red ginseng. This kind of ginseng has
been proven to provide glycemic control, improve pancreatic cell function and
enhance the uptake of blood sugar from tissues. When used in animal studies it
has significantly decreased blood glucose levels, blood glucagon levels, and
increased blood insulin levels. When performing similar studies on humans it
was found that even in non-diabetics, ginseng impacted blood sugar levels. The
inherent benefits of red ginseng can be further enhanced if it is fermented,
since the live bacteria which result from the fermenting process helps optimize
the absorption of ginsenosides within the ginseng. Beyond blood sugar control,
red ginseng has also been found to provide antioxidant protection, an important
element when dealing with diabetes. All these things combined make this herb a
powerful diabetic, anti-hyperglycemic ally.
Psyllium
Psyllium
comes from seed husks of the plantago ovata plant. It is most commonly known
for it’s laxative effects, and because of this, is featured in many fiber
supplements to treat constipation, diarrhea or other intestinal ailments such
as irritable bowel syndrome. Psyllium helps lower blood cholesterol, as well as
blood sugar levels, resulting in less need for insulin. For those wanting to
treat type 2 diabetes, psyllium is key. The high-fiber, soluble nature of
psyllium helps control blood sugar; it doesn’t raise blood glucose
levels—ensuring it doesn’t spike unnecessarily—and slows the absorption of
sugar. The husks transform to a gel when mixed with water. When ingested, this
gel quality plays a pivotal role in how food is assimilated in the body; the
psyllium slows down and delays food digestion, reducing the absorption of
sugars—and consequently—minimizing blood sugar peaks. In fact, in 2000, a study
performed by K von Bergmann showed a high intake of dietary fiber “improved
glycemic control, decreased hyperinsulinemia and lowered plasma lipid
concentrations in patients with type 2 diabetes.”
In fact, information published in the Oxford University Press confirmed that
psyllium is a great addition to any health program because of it’s glycemic benefits
and glucose-reducing action.
Garlic
Containing
more than 400 powerful chemical components—such as disulfide, allicin, and
S-ally
Systerine—garlic
is highly regarded for it’s ability to address a number of physical ailments
and issues (it can protect the heart, is antimicrobial and even protects
against cancer.) Components such as the ones mentioned above are responsible
for lowering blood sugar and helping diabetes. Allicin in particular—a sulfur-
containing compound—has been noted for it’s powerful hypoglycemic effect. These
compounds increase the insulin released from beta cells in the pancreas as well
as increasing hepatic metabolism. Garlic in any form is potent—raw, aged or
cooked. It regulates blood glucose, aids blood flow, and increases insulin by
supporting the liver. There have even been studies which pit garlic tablets
against metformin (using placebo tablets as a control group.) The result of
these studies have been impressive; whereas there was no change in the placebo
groups’s readings, garlic tablets positively effected fasting blood glucose and
were pronounced “comparable to metformin.”
Sage
Belonging to
the same “family” as lavender, thyme, rosemary and mint, and used frequently in
Mediterranean cooking, sage contains a number of antioxidant and
anti-inflammatory compounds. Sage has been noted for it’s metformin-like
effects and is a known antidiabetic plant. It can be drunk as a tea (an
infusion) or used in the form of essential oil. It is useful in the treatment
of diabetes if taken supplementally. There have been a number of studies
performed which confirm these findings; in 2010 a study by KB Christensen found
that sage tea infusions can be as effective as metformin in type II diabetes,
increasing the action of insulin and lowering the production of liver glucose.
Sage tea can also improve the lipid profile as well as increasing antioxidant
defenses. When used in an animal study, sage decreased serum glucose in type I
diabetic rats and an aqueous extract of the herb was discovered to have an
insulin-like effect in the body. Essential oil of sage has also been used for
it’s antidiabetic effects.
Rosemary
You may
typically use this herb to flavor your meals, maybe spice up a chicken dish,
but rosemary also has therapeutic value, both as a protective and treatment
measure for diabetes. It is high in antioxidants such as rosmarinic acid,
gallic acid and eugenol. It is considered medicinally potent in both it’s fresh
and dried forms, although fresh is thought to be the better of the two options.
The impact of rosemary is two-fold: it stabilizes blood sugar levels and
promotes weight loss. In fact, the plant is known to be anti-hyperlipidemic and
anti-hyperglycemic. Both of these offer major benefits for those with diabetes.
When taken consistently in therapeutic doses, this herb has been found to
regulate and lower blood sugar levels, cholesterol, and triglyceride levels.
Win, win, win.
Cinnamon
A spice
often used in baked goods, with a warm, mellow flavor; cinnamon has a
long-standing reputation in the natural health community. However, this history
is now reinforced by modern day scientific research. In 2013, in Annals of
Family Medicine, it was concluded that cinnamon is responsible for
“statistically significant” decreases in fasting blood sugar, overall
cholesterol, LDL cholesterol and triglycerides. And in 2012, an animal study
published in Pharmacognosy Research, supports these findings. It is important
to bare in mind that there is not just one kind of cinnamon, there are a few
different varieties and they are not all created equal. The preferred variety
for therapeutic purposes is Ceylon cinnamon. This is the variety which has been
effective in scientific studies. It also needs to be noted that Cinnamomum
aromaticum and Cassia cinnamon (the other kinds of cinnamon) are known to be
high in coumarin—a blood-thinning substance. Ceylon cinnamon has much lower
coumarin levels.
Turmeric
Belonging to
the ginger family, this bright orange root has been used in both Ayurvedic and
Chinese medicine—for hundreds and hundreds of years—and for good reason;
turmeric is a spectacular herb for the body. The most crucial component of
turmeric is curcumin—the substance which gives turmeric it’s signature orange
hue. It has numerous benefits: it supports healthy digestion, eases pain,
brightens the skin, improves liver function and on and on... With anti- inflammatory
and antioxidant properties, this root helps treat both types of diabetes, as
well as preventing the onset of diabetes in the first place. Specifically,
turmeric improves insulin function, reduces insulin resistance, protects beta
cells (which are responsible for insulin production), improves any
insulin-response pathways which have been disrupted, reduces the inflammatory
signals which are typically overactive in diabetes (for example, IL-1,
cytokines IL-6 and TNF) and treats many diabetic symptoms due to it’s
anti-inflammatory effect. Curcumin can be difficult for the body to properly
absorb, but the addition of black pepper remedies this. Just by using a small
amount of black pepper you can enhance the bioavailability of this medicinal
plant.
Fenugreek
Commonly
known for it’s culinary uses, and featuring prominently in Middle Eastern and
Indian cooking, fenugreek seeds have more to offer than their flavor. Beyond
it’s culinary use, fenugreek is a wonderful medicinal plant—used in both
Ayurvedic and traditional Chinese medicine. Because of the amino acid 4-
hydroxyisoleucine, which is present within this plant, Fenugreek seeds improve
the metabolic symptoms associated with both type 1 and 2 diabetes: reducing
fasting blood glucose levels, slowing the absorption of carbohydrates, lowering
cholesterol, and improving glucose tolerance. In fact, a study published in the
European Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that type 1 diabetics were able to
improve glucose tolerance, lower their fasting blood sugar levels and decrease
urinary glucose output by 54% when using fenugreek seeds medicinally. In
another study, performed on people with type II diabetes, including fenugreek
seeds in a meal reduced the characteristic spike in blood glucose levels after
eating. By taking the seeds regularly, this spice has been associated with
decreased LDL cholesterol, an important step in the regulation and management
of diabetes and heart disease.
Gymnema Sylvestre
Although not
as commonly known as some of the other herbs in this list, gymnema
sylvestre—also known as gurmar—is a crucial herb for lowering blood sugar
levels and treating diabetes. A vine found in Sri Lanka and India, it’s Hindi
name is translated as, “sugar destroyer.” A nickname which accurately describes
it’s purpose and action in the body. Even chewing a fresh leaf from this plant
disrupts our tastebuds’ ability to register anything sweet (which is attributed
to the presence of gymnemic acids within the plant.)
Gurmar
lowers blood glucose by promoting the utilization of glucose at a cellular
level. The phytoconstituents responsible for it’s sugar fighting/regulating
properties are triterpene saponins such as gymnemasaponins and gymnemic acids,
as well as the polypeptide gurmarin. It is capable of treating both type 1 and
2 diabetes and has even been known to rejuvenate pancreatic beta cells. The
gymnemic acids found in this herb slow down the transportation of glucose from
the intestines to the bloodstream. There really isn’t a thing this herb can’t
do!
Milk Thistle
Milk thistle
has been used predominantly to treat issues related to the liver and
gallbladder, but it is actually a wonderful herbal remedy for a variety of
ailments. It is a powerful detoxification aid and helps cleanse the system of
unwanted, harmful substances, especially those collected in the liver. Although
considered a weed, this plant has antioxidant properties which reduce
inflammation and contains a substance called silymarin—a flavonoid complex
composed of over 7 compounds. This compound is linked with the reduction of
oxidative stress in the body, consequently reducing the damage and effect of
diabetes. Studies have shown that oxidative stress can effect the pancreas which
can worsen diabetes. Milk thistle helps address all these issues, supporting
and strengthening the whole system and is regarded as an effective treatment
for diabetes-caused hyperglycemia and insulin resistance. In recent studies,
milk thistle has been found to contain a substance—specifically called PPARĪ³, a
molecular target of thiazolidinediones—which lowers blood glucose levels in
type 2 diabetics by acting as an insulin sensitizer. Another substance found in
milk thistle, a compound called silibin, has been linked with reducing body
weight and the associated visceral and subcutaneous fat. Since diabetes can
interfere with ideal body weight management, producing excess body fat this
action of milk thistle can be very helpful when looking to restore good health.
A study performed on humans with diabetes and liver cirrhosis, found that 600mg
of silymarin significantly reduced fasting blood glucose and mean daily glucose
levels, as well as reducing the need for insulin by 20%
The simple 60 second protocol to reverse diabetes
Comments
Post a Comment