Herbs for lowering blood sugar – check which are the best and how to use them!

Carbohydrate disorders in the body are an increasingly common problem, resulting from an excess of high glycemic index carbohydrates in the diet. Long-term maintenance of a diet high in simple sugars leads to insulin resistance, and then to the development of a dangerous disease such as type 2 diabetes. Anyone struggling with blood sugar spikes should start reacting as early as possible. To stabilize glucose levels, it is worth paying attention to natural methods to help control sugar, among which herbs are leading the way. Many of them are a treasure trove of bioactive substances that can realistically help in the fight against too high blood sugar levels. Explore the palette of the best herbs for lowering blood sugar!

Type II diabetes – a civilization epidemic

Type 2 diabetes is a metabolic disease that has become one of the world’s biggest health challenges in recent decades. It is characterized primarily by reduced cellular sensitivity to insulin and insufficient insulin production by the pancreas. As a result of the pancreas secreting too little of this hormone, glucose cannot be efficiently transported to all the body’s tissues and cells, which in turn results in consistently too high blood sugar levels.

This condition mainly affects adults, although it is increasingly being diagnosed in younger generations as well. The causes? The main culprits are an unhealthy diet, lack of physical activity, excess calories and sugars, and stress.

Type 2 diabetes develops slowly and is often asymptomatic. Its typical symptoms include excessive thirst, attacks of voracious hunger, frequent urination, chronic fatigue, mood swings, apathy, weakness, frequent skin infections, and vision problems.

Unlike type 1 diabetes, which is an autoimmune condition and occurs regardless of diet or lifestyle, type 2 diabetes is largely the result of unhealthy habits. It is worth noting that appropriate lifestyle changes can significantly reduce the risk of its occurrence and improve the quality of life of those already affected by the condition.

How to lower blood sugar levels with natural methods? 6 effective ways

Maintaining normal glucose levels in the bloodstream is very important for health, especially for people with type 2 diabetes. In addition to pharmacotherapy, there are many natural methods that can help treat diabetes and prevent complications.

Here are six effective ways to lower blood sugar:

1. Follow a diet rich in foods that have a low glycemic index. Avoid processed carbohydrates, which quickly raise sugar levels, in favor of whole grains, vegetables and fruits with a low GI.
2. Increase your intake of dietary fiber. Fiber slows the absorption of sugars in the intestines, thus helping to control glucose levels. Include more vegetables, seeds, and whole-grain products in your diet.
3. Eat oatmeal for breakfast. It’s an ideal source of slowly digestible carbohydrates that stabilize sugar levels and keep you feeling satiated for longer.
4. Regularly reach for medicinal plants. Lowering blood sugar with herbs is an effective practice, especially in cases of unadvanced diabetes, insulin resistance and pre-diabetes. Natural preparations such as cinnamon, ginger and fenugreek can very actively support glucose-insulin metabolism and counteract hyperglycemia. You just need to combine them with your diet and use them systematically.
5. Drink apple cider vinegar before meals. Studies show that apple cider vinegar lowers sugar levels after a meal, especially when it contains carbohydrates.
6. Exercise regularly. Physical activity increases cellular sensitivity to insulin and promotes better glucose control. Choose exercises that you enjoy so that you don’t have a problem keeping your workouts regular.

Herbs for lowering sugar levels, herbs for diabetes – when are they especially useful?

Herbs for lowering sugar, first of all, are worth using for mild to moderate glycemic disorders. They will also work well as support for the first perceived episodes of rapid fluctuations in blood sugar, which manifest themselves, for example, in sudden drowsiness after a meal and attacks of ravenous hunger.

Herbs for lowering sugar levels are also helpful in insulin resistance, characterized by an impaired response of the body to insulin, as well as in pre-diabetes, where they can slow the development of the disease. However, if you are diagnosed with diabetes, you should exercise caution and consult your doctor before incorporating herbs into your therapy to avoid drug interactions or worsening the condition.

Best herbs for lowering sugar

Managing the body’s carbohydrate balance and fighting high sugar levels does not have to be limited to pharmacology. Which herbs will best support you in the fight for lower blood sugar?

White mulberry

White mulberry has enjoyed a reputation in natural medicine for centuries, especially in the fight against high blood sugar. Its leaves contain compounds that weaken the action of enzymes responsible for breaking down complex carbohydrates into simple carbohydrates, thus counteracting postprandial hyperglycemia. As a result, white mulberry effectively reduces sugar spikes after meals.

Studies confirm the hypoglycemic properties of white mulberry, which means that regular consumption can help lower blood glucose levels. In addition, the plant helps lower cholesterol levels, which is especially important for people with diabetes who have an increased risk of cardiovascular disease.

White mulberry also improves tissue sensitivity to insulin, which is extremely important for people with insulin resistance. As a result, the body uses insulin better and blood sugar levels are more stable. Regular consumption of white mulberry, whether in the form of teas or supplements, can be a valuable part of a treatment to help manage diabetes and its complications.

Dandelion

Dandelion is a plant known for its numerous health-promoting properties, including its ability to regulate blood sugar levels. The dandelion root plays an overarching role in this process, helping to stabilize glycemia thanks to its high content of inulin, a natural prebiotic. Inulin is a type of soluble fiber that not only supports gut health, but also affects carbohydrate metabolism.

Consuming dandelion infusions, especially when drunk before meals, delays the absorption of carbohydrates from foodfood, thereby lowering the glycemic index of meals consumed, which can be beneficial for people with diabetes or insulin resistance. Dandelion also has many other health-promoting properties, such as acting as a diuretic, aiding digestion and detoxifying the body, making it a valuable part of a healthy diet.

Cinnamon

Cinnamon is not only a popular spice, but also an effective aid in controlling blood sugar levels. Systematic consumption of cinnamon bark extracts can significantly reduce blood glucose levels in people with type 2 diabetes, people in a pre-diabetic state and people with insulin resistance.

The active substances in cinnamon bark, mainly cinnamaldehyde, stimulate the pancreas to secrete insulin and increase the sensitivity of cells to insulin. As a result, glucose is more efficiently transferred to tissues instead of circulating in the bloodstream. Cinnamon also counteracts blood sugar spikes after eating a meal by slowing down the breakdown of carbohydrates in the digestive tract.

When looking for a remedy for elevated sugar, consider the dietary supplement NuviaLab Sugar Control. Among other things, it contains extracts of Ceylon cinnamon and cucumber quail – two powerful plant ingredients that help to whip up blood sugar levels.

Fenugreek

Fenugreek seeds exhibit hypoglycemic properties, meaning that they prevent glucose levels in the bloodstream from staying too high. Fenugreek’s effect is due to its unique composition, which includes such active substances as 4-hydroxyisoleucine, coumarin, trigonelline, glukomannan, galactomannan.

Thanks to them, fenugreek regulates the level of insulin, whose task is to transport glucose into the cells. By sensitizing tissues to the action of insulin, it influences the body to use glucose more efficiently and lower its level in the blood.

In addition, fenugreek slows down the breakdown of complex sugars into simple ones in the digestive tract. By inhibiting the absorption of carbohydrates from food, it helps keep sugar levels stable after meals. Its seeds can be added to smoothies and health-promoting concoctions, or consumed in the form of dietary supplements.

Sage

Sage is one of the most highly regarded herbs distinguished by its wide spectrum of effects, including excellent antiseptic and astringent properties. As it turns out, it also shows activity in stabilizing blood sugar levels, and does so thanks to such active compounds as essential oil, triterpenes, tannins, flavonoids and saponins, among others.

Sage extracts stimulate the receptor that eliminates excess free fatty acids from the blood, thereby increasing tissue sensitivity to insulin. As a result, the body is better able to handle the absorption of glucose. The result is more normalized sugar levels. Sage also improves digestive processes and regulates metabolism, which is important for people with carbohydrate disorders.

Common nettle

Common nettle is one of the most versatile herbs, which is used, among other things, in regulating blood sugar levels. Nettle leaf contains a number of valuable substances (including quercetin and kemferol) that help control glycemia. One of nettle’s most important mechanisms of action is to delay the absorption of sugars from the digestive system into the blood. In this way, the herb counteracts sugar spikes after meals.

Nettle also has a beneficial effect on the work of the pancreas, which is important for people with carbohydrate metabolism disorders. It also has many other valuable properties – it improves metabolism and digestive processes, strengthens immunity, and stimulates detoxification of the body. Thanks to its phenolic compounds and large amounts of chlorophyll, it shows strong antioxidant activity.

How to use herbs for lowering blood sugar?

Herbs with hypoglycemic properties can be consumed in the form of infusions or decoctions, depending on the part of the plant that constitutes the herbal raw material.

We make decoctions from the harder parts of herbs, such as the root, rhizome, stems or bark. They should be boiled for a few minutes over low heat to extract the valuable active ingredients.

From the tender parts of plants such as herb, inflorescences, buds and leaves, we make infusions – just pour boiling water over the herb and leave it covered for about 10 minutes to infuse.

Remember that in the case of herbal treatment, regularity of use is crucial. Herbs with sugar-lowering properties should be drunk 3 times a day. We consume infusions or decoctions immediately before meals.

Lesser-known herbal ingredients for elevated blood sugar

In addition to the popular herbs mentioned above, there are also a number of lesser-known medicinal plants that are also effective in lowering blood sugar.

Here are herbs that are particularly worth paying attention to:

• Gurmar – an herb known as a “sugar destroyer.” It reduces glucose absorption in the intestines and suppresses cravings for sweets.
• Berberis – contains large amounts of berberine, which improves cellular sensitivity to insulin and helps regulate glycemia.
• Juniper – its fruits help lower sugar levels and also support pancreatic function.
• Rutabaga – works similarly to insulin to help control blood glucose levels.
• Cucumber quail – is a plant with strong hypoglycemic properties, which inhibits the absorption of sugars from food.