Natural Herb Cures for Diabetes

A number of diseases fit under the umbrella term "diabetes," but they are all connected to an abnormality in the way the body uses blood sugar (blood glucose). Conventional treatment for the condition typically entails some combination of healthy eating, regular exercise, the monitoring of blood-sugar levels, injections of insulin and oral medications. But there is also a natural path to treating diabetes and includes such herbs as bitter melon, garlic and onion, and blueberry leaves.

Bitter Melon

• Bitter melon (Momordica charantia) is native to South America, Africa and Asia and is composed of, among other things, the compounds momordica and charantin. The former contains a polypeptide (polypeptide P) that acts much like insulin, while the latter is composed of steroids that are more powerful than the oft-prescribed diabetes-fighting drug tolbutamide. Talk with your physician before taking bitter melon, as it could conflict with diabetes medication you are already taking, and children should avoid it. Bitter melon is available in most health food and natural products stores.

Garlic and Onion

• Increase your garlic (Allium sativum) and onion (Allium cepa) intake, as both contain allyl propyl disulphide (APDS), diallyl disulphide oxide (allicin) and flavonoids, all of which may contribute to their blood-sugar-level lowering power. APDS in particular acts like insulin, freeing up regular insulin in the body. Garlic and onion are available at most grocery stores or as an extract from any health food or natural products store.

Blueberry Leaves

• Add blueberry leaves to your diet, as they contain the compound myrtillin, which is thought to be effective in lowering blood-sugar levels. Myrtillin acts like insulin, and though not as strong it is far less toxic. Perhaps best of all, a single dose of blueberry leaf can continue to show results for several weeks. Blueberry leaf extract is available at most health food stores.