Can I use herbs or natural supplements to treat diabetes?

Sure, you can use anything but you will die sooner than expected.

First the facts- if you have type 1 diabetes, then there is only one treatment and that is insulin. There is no other substitute. There is no herb, lotion, potion, paste, cream enema or a pill that can replace this very vital hormone. All people who have type 1 diabetes should know that there is no substitute for insulin. The consequences of mucking around with herbs for type 1 diabetes usually leads to one quick conclusion-death.

On the other hand, if you have type 2 diabetes, then you have a lot more options. All individuals who have type 2 diabete should exercise regularly and avoid too many sugary foods. Exercise and weight loss can lead to significantly better control of blood sugar. There are also a variety of oral medications that can be used to control blood sugars.

The role of herbs to control type 2 diabetes has not been established. Every single week, there is a new herb that is claimed to lower blood sugar. Some of the common herbs that have been touted to lower blood sugar include stevia, bilberry gymnome, and jambul. Many other herbs including Konjac mannan, American ginseng, Ipomoea batatas, Momordica charantia, nopal, aloe Vera, and fenugreek. However, the results of these herbs are neither consistent nor always reproducible. For most of these herbs, there is no scientific evidence that they actually work in diabetes. Most of the reported “medical benefits” of these herbs are only offered by dealers and vendors of health supplements who have a vested financial interest in the product.

While most herbs are safe and can be taken as supplements, one should not substitute them for the standard conventional anti diabetic medications without first discussing the issue with a doctor.

At present, the American Diabetes Association has argued against the use of herbs because the industry is not regulated and the quality of herbs is not controlled. One cannot even be sure if the same supplement bought in different stores will have the same quality or quantity. In the last few years, numerous Chinese herbs products have been found to contain actual prescription anti diabetic drugs that were banned more than 20 years ago. Given these uncertainties and problems with fake supplements, the consumers should be cautious when it comes to use of herbs for diabetes.

For a type 2 diabetic, the best medical advice is to exercise and reduce weight. These measures alone have been shown to significantly reduce blood sugars, lower blood pressure and decrease cholesterol. This approach is not only cheap and safe but the results are guaranteed if one is dedicated and motivated.