Home remedies to treat diabetes naturally

Some people think that diabetes is just an increase in blood sugar levels and they can treat it by simply taking insulin in medication. Well first of all i would like to appeal to all my freinds who have diabetes to be serious about the disease as it is not just common illness it is a "sneaky silent killer" as I explained in my earlier article. If you don't take it seriously and leave it untreated it can land you in serious health complications like blindness, chronic pains, limb amputations, excessive fatigue and heart attacks. 

So you must learn how to control your diabetes first! Careful management of type 2 diabetes can reduce your risk of serious — even life-threatening — complications. Despite so many researches going on and precautions taken, one cannot predict who will suffer from diabetes. Even gestational diabetes is also on the rise. Treatment can be given to diabetics depending on the type and severity of their disease. Here are a few natural remedies that can be helpful in reducing the sugar levels in a diabetic patient.

Natural Home remedies for treating diabetes at home:

1) Bitter Melon 

Bitter melon or bitter gourd is an ancient remedy to treat diabetes at home. It can be helpful for controlling diabetes due to its blood glucose lowering effects. It tends to influence the glucose metabolism all over your body rather than a particular organ or tissue. It helps increase pancreatic insulin secretion and prevents insulin resistance. Thus, bitter gourd is beneficial for both type 1 and type 2 diabetes. 

It can be taken in the form of juice, or cooked and fried and consumed with food daily. Many prefer drinking the stock after boiling the bitter gourd. The best effects can be gained when taken on empty stomach every morning. Be cautious while taking bitter gourd as it can even lead to hypoglycemia or low blood sugar levels.

2) Garlic

This is a common kitchen staple known to every family and is extensively used in everyday cooking. Everyone is aware of the cholesterol-reducing effect of garlic; few people know about its anti-diabetic effect. The chemical Allicin in garlic is believed to have hypoglycemic effects. Studies have found that garlic might protect against heart disease in the general population as well as help control abnormally high blood sugar levels in diabetics.

3) Olive Oil

German researchers, found that blood glucose levels were lower in people who ate a diet rich in monounsaturated fat than in people who ate a low-fat diet. Numerous other studies have suggested that people with diabetes who consume a diet high in monounsaturated fat have the same level of control over blood sugar levels as those who eat a low-fat diabetic diet. But monounsaturated fat also helps keep triglyceride levels in check, reduce LDL cholesterol levels, and increase HDL cholesterol levels. Cooking all foods with edible olive oil brings about this effect on the long run. 

4) Cinnamon

Cinnamon is the common spice used in every household. The taste and the aroma enhancer also has beneficial anti-diabetic properties. Research studies show that intake of 1, 3, or 6 g of cinnamon per day reduces serum glucose, triglyceride, LDL cholesterol, and total cholesterol in people with type 2 diabetes and suggest that the inclusion of cinnamon in the diet of people with type 2 diabetes will reduce risk factors associated with diabetes and cardiovascular diseases. 

It is believed to have the same properties like insulin in lowering the blood glucose level. It is recommended to take half spoon of cinnamon powder everyday to get the desired effect. It can also be chewed in its natural form instead of being made into a powder.

5) Fenugreek

Fenugreek seeds are rich in sugar-lowering properties. several clinical trials showed that fenugreek seeds can improve most metabolic symptoms associated with both type 1 and type 2 diabetes in humans by lowering blood glucose levels and improving glucose tolerance. 

Even the leaves of this plant can be made as curry and consumed regularly. 

Fenugreek helps to reduce the insulin dependency when taken in regular intervals. A teaspoon-full of seeds should be soaked in a glass of water over night and the water along with the seeds should be drunk on empty stomach. No foods or medications should be taken for the next 30 minutes after consuming the water. This treatment is recommended for 2 – 3 times per week.

6) Fig Leaves

Figs leaves are very commonly used in treating diabetes. They are believed to have anti-diabetic properties that help them to reduce the sugar levels in the blood. Fig leaves have anti-diabetic properties and are used in a tea form. You simply take the fresh leaves and cut them up, including the stems and boil them in water. The leaves need to be boiled for at least 15 minutes. The sap in the stems is what is of high value.

7) Aloe Vera

This is a very common plant grown in most households. It has been widely used for medical and cosmetic properties for centuries. Recent studies prove that it has hypoglycemic characteristics, and can reduce high blood sugar levels. It also has anti-inflammatory properties that promote wound healing. Mix one to two teaspoons of ground bay leaves, one teaspoon of turmeric and one teaspoon of aloe vera gel. Drink this solution daily, before lunch and dinner. Or you can take aloe gel with buttermilk to improve the taste. 

8) Grape Seed Extract (GSE)

Grape seeds are a rich source of vitamin E, flavonoids, linoleic acid and oligomeric proanthocyanidins. Recent studies have proved their efficacy in treating diabetes. Research studies have shown that GSE significantly reduced inflammation, hypoglycemia and oxidative stress in obese type 2 diabetics.

The grape seeds are ground and placed in capsules; the person can take up to 300mg per day to reduce the blood sugar levels.

9) Neem

Neem, a tree that is believed to have anti-bacterial and anti-fungal property, has anti-diabetic properties as well. Neem leaf extracts and seeds are used as an active ingredient as an effective cure for diabetes. It has been scientifically proven after a number of tests and research by leading medical institutes, that neem parts have high efficacy in treating the disease. Neem leaf extracts improve the blood circulation by dilating the blood vessels and also helpful in reducing the need for hypo-glycaemic drugs. It has been found to reduce insulin requirements by up to 50%. 

10) Indian Gooseberry

Amla the common man’s fruit that is rich in vitamin C also has hypoglycemic properties. The fruit when taken orally helps to reduce the sugar level by stimulating insulin production within 30 minutes of consumption. The researchers found that oxidative stress markers reduced by 23% in those who took 250 mg of extract and 28% in group who took 500 mg extract.

11) Jamun

This is a seasonal berry that is not available all through the year. It is a rich source of vitamin A and C, 100 grams of this fruit consumed per day can do wonders to the blood glucose levels. A teaspoon of dried seeds powder is advised to take in early morning first thing in empty stomach, to reduce high blood sugar. in addition, it helps to reduce the insulin dose. 

12) Vinegar

Many may not include vinegar in their regular diet. But this again helps diabetics to reduce the sugar concentration in the blood. Add vinegar to foods that can be palatable with this ingredient. Two spoons of vinegar before food helps in the reduction of glucose influx. 

13) Oysters

Oysters may have no direct effect in reducing the blood glucose level. But, as a rich source of zinc, they help to promote wound healing in diabetics. Thus, it is advisable for diabetics to include oysters in their diet for better wound healing capability. 

14) Papaya

It is recommended to consume papaya on a daily basis as it has natural blood sugar controlling capability that helps to control diabetes by and large. It is also a rich source of vitamin C and anti-oxidants along with carotenes and flavonoids.

15) Vitamin C

Wondering why vitamin C is used for diabetes? Recent researches have found that consuming up to 600mg of vitamin C daily can help to normalize the blood glucose levels. Foods rich in vitamin C should be consumed daily by chronic diabetics.

16) Mango

The leaves of the mango tree are believed to have anti-diabetic properties. The leaf extracts need to be administered at least 60 minutes before food consumption then only the desired effect can be seen. It helps to reduce the intestinal glucose absorption, which is the reason behind its anti-diabetic effect.

17) Holy Basil

This is a medicinal plant, which is also considered holy by many Indians right from ancient times. It is recommended to extract the juice from the leaves and consume it. A daily habit of eating fresh leaves from the garden after washing has tremendous effects on the body. Basil leaves bring about a significant reduction in the blood glucose level. Apart from that, this leaf also has anti-stress, anti-asthmatic, anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, gastric anti-ulcer, anti-oxidant, anti-viral, anti-tumor, anti-mutagenic and immuno-stimulant properties.

18) Lady's FingerThis most sought out vegetable is rich in soluble fibers. It helps to slow down the absorption of glucose from the intestine. Soak one lady's finger slit in the middle in a glass of water overnight and consume it on an empty stomach. Done over a month, it reduces the blood glucose level to a great extent.

19) Beans

Beans help to slow down the digestion process thereby preventing the rise in blood glucose level. Beans give a feeling of fullness to the stomach and satiety is reached early.

20) Soy

Soy is a blessing for those having unmanageable chronic diabetes. Soy contains isoflavones that help to reduce blood sugar levels while keeping the body well nourished. It also prevents the accumulation of fat as it gives very little calories. It is ideal for weight reduction program too.