Many home remedies have been shown to lower blood sugar. From foods to vitamins to herbs, help can often be found in the kitchen pantry. To prevent high blood sugar, the American Diabetes Association recommends a diet low in fat and sugar and high in grains and vegetables.
Cinnamon
The common household herb cinnamon can lower blood sugar. Made from the bark of the cinnamomum burmanni tree, cinnamon has been used around the world for thousands of years. The blood sugar lowering action is attributed to a chemical in cinnamon called MHCP that has been shown to improve the body’s ability to absorb and respond to insulin in the blood. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, a clinical study found that cinnamon intake reduced glucose, triglyceride and cholesterol in 60 people with type 2 diabetes. Cinnamon can be taken as a tea or by swallowing capsules. The recommended dose is one to six grams daily.
Fenugreek Seeds
Fenugreek seeds can lower blood sugar. Animal and human trials have shown fenugreek is useful for blood sugar management in people with both type 1 and type 2 diabetes. An amino acid in the seeds, called 4-hydroxyisoleucine, increased insulin secretion in a 2009 study using mice, but more research on humans is needed.
Fiber
According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, a diet high in fiber can lower blood sugar and insulin levels and even prevent the occurrence of diabetes. Fiber can also lower cholesterol levels. Foods high in fiber include whole grains and vegetables.
Bay Leaves
The bay leaves that many have in their kitchen can be used as a remedy to lower blood sugar. Research conducted in 2007 showed that bay leaves lowered blood glucose by 20 to 26 percent after 10 days, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. One to three grams of bay leaves were used in the study and all the amounts were useful in blood sugar control. Grind two dry leaves into a powder and drink in a cup of warm water, as a tea.
About this Author
Melanie Grimes is an integrative medical professional. She teaches homeopathy at Bastyr University and edits medical journals.
