Diabetes is one of the most dreaded ailments that are plaguing the world. Millions of people are becoming victims of this disease annually. There are two kinds of this ailment – Type 1 Diabetes and Type 2 Diabetes. In Type 1 Diabetes, the body is not capable of producing enough insulin and in Type 2 the insulin which is produced does not function properly.
Symptoms of diabetes are many. Some of the common ones include weight loss or weight gain, excessive fatigue, increased urination, excessive thirst, blurred vision and time to heal cuts and bruises. Though various kinds of medicines are prescribed for curing diabetes, it is best to control diet and follow restrictions.
8 Natural Home Remedies for keeping diabetes under control:
- Fenugreek Powder
Fenugreek is one of the most common spices in India. Both the leaves and the seeds of fenugreek are flavored and strongly aromatic. There is an unusual amino acid in fenugreek, namely 4HO-lle and it has anti-diabetic properties. The amino acid helps in increasing insulin secretion in hyperglycemic situations and increases insulin sensitivity.
How to use it
To get the best results, take a glass of water and soak some fenugreek seeds in the same and keep it overnight. Drink the liquid next morning on an empty stomach. This helps in reducing blood glucose levels considerably.
- Periwinkle
Periwinkle is a very common plant, which bears white and purple colored flowers. Vinca Rosea is the scientific name of the plant and is commonly seen in many Indian homes. Periwinkle has been extensively used as an anti-diabetic therapy. The flowers of the plant have tannins and alkaloids, which have high medicinal value.
How to use it
Take 2 flowers from the periwinkle plant, which makes 10 petals. Wash them thoroughly with clean water. Now chew the petals before breakfast every day. Diabetes can be greatly controlled by this home remedy.
- Cinnamon
Cinnamon is a widely used spice in Indian homes. Used in the form of stick as well as in powder form, cinnamon helps in reducing stomach emptying rates after meals. Not only that, cinnamon has the capability of reducing blood sugar levels. The essential oils in cinnamon contain highly active components, including cinnamyl acetate and cinnamyl alcohol, which help in reducing blood sugar levels by decreasing insulin resistance.
How to use it
While preparing a diabetic diet, use cinnamon powder so that the blood sugar levels remain under control and the food becomes aromatic and spicy.
[ Read: How Cinnamon Helps In Diabetes ]
- Bitter Gourd
Also known as bitter melon, bitter gourd plays a crucial role in controlling diabetes. The components present in bitter gourd help in lowering blood glucose levels. Instead of working on a particular organ, bitter gourd works on the overall glucose metabolism in the body. Pancreatic insulin secretion is increased and insulin resistance is prevented with this ingredient.
How to use it
Make some bitter gourd juice and drink the same every morning in empty stomach. If it seems too bitter, add little water to it and then drink. Continue this for minimum 2 months. Apart from this, bitter gourd can be included in daily diet as well.
- Mango Leaves
Tender and delicate mango leaves helps in treating diabetes effectively. The insulin levels in the blood are regulated accordingly. It is also possible to improve blood lipid profiles with mango leaves.
How to use it
Take 10-15 tender mango leaves and wash them thoroughly. Now take a glass of water and soak the leaves in them overnight. Filter the water in the morning and drink the same in empty stomach.
Another way of taking mango leaves is by drying them in the sun and then grinding them. Eat half teaspoon of this powdered mango leaves twice daily for best results.
[ Read: How Yoga Can Help Your Diabetes ]
- Blueberries and Blackberries
These are the most commonly found berries in the market and both of them have excellent anti-diabetic properties. Blackberries have high fiber content and that can lower blood sugars by slackening the digestive process and delaying the time for gastric emptying. Blueberry is known as ‘diabetes super-food’ and has high content of antioxidant vitamins and fiber. Thus, it is greatly beneficial for controlling diabetes.
How to use it
Make a puree with different kinds of berries and store the same in a bottle. Take a teaspoon of the puree after meals as it reduces glucose absorption rate after a meal.
You can also crush the berry seeds and let it dry under shade. Once they dry up properly, store them in an air tight container. Every morning in empty stomach, take two spoonful of this powder. Great results are obtained.
[ Read: How Does Okra Cure Diabetes ]
- Neem
Neem tree is commonly found in India and has excellent medicinal properties. The leaves of the tree are extremely bitter in taste and have been used in innumerable herbal and Ayurvedic medicines since a long time. Neem has the capability of enhancing insulin receptor sensitivity. Not only that, this herb helps in dilates the blood vessels and improves blood circulation, helps in reducing blood glucose levels and lowers dependence on hypoglycemic medicines.
How to use it
Take 10-15 tender neem leaves and crush them in a mortar and pestle. A paste of neem leaves is formed. Eat the paste and drink a glass of water. It is highly effective home remedy for treating diabetes.
Juice of neem leaves and tender neem shoots can be made and drunk. To get best results, this should be done in empty stomach.
- Aloe Vera
The aloe vera plant is a very useful one as the plant has innumerable useful properties. Fasting blood glucose levels can be lowered easily with aloe vera gel. The gel has phytosterols, which have anti-hyperglycemic properties and is very good for treating Type-2 diabetes.
How to use it
The combination of bay leaves, aloe vera gel and turmeric has shown to have great results for controlling blood sugar levels. Take 1.5 teaspoons of ground bay leaves, 1.5 teaspoon of turmeric and 1 tablespoon of aloe vera gel. Mix all the ingredients together thoroughly. Take this mixture twice daily – once before lunch and once after dinner.
[ Read: How Diet Food For Diabetes Can Help Your Health ]
Proper eating and exercising to control diabetes
Though taking medicines regularly can help in keeping blood sugar levels under control, it is important to follow a strict diet and maintain healthy eating habit to control diabetes in the best way possible. Mentioned below are some tips for eating healthy:
- Talk to your dietician and make a diet chart which will be suitable for your diabetes
- Foods that are included in the diet chart should be low in trans fat, saturated fat, calories, salt and sugar. Refraining from such foods helps in keeping diabetes at bay.
- Include foods like bread and cereals, vegetables, fruits, skimmed or low fat milk, whole grains and cheese in the diet as these are good for controlling diabetes.
- Increase the consumption of water. Refrain from drinking soft drinks, soda and other aerated drinks.
- Include foods in the diet, which are high in fiber content like rice, whole grain cereals, crackers, breads and pasta.
Along with following a balanced diet, include some exercises in your daily routine. These need not be rigorous exercises; they can be simple jogging, brisk walking or some free hand exercises. Indulge in different kinds of physical activities so that fitness levels are maintained. Do these simple things and see how simple and easy it is to keep diabetes at bay.
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How do you manage your diabetes? Do you have any home remedy which works wonder for you? Please share with me in the comments…