There is a lot of talk about the effect of various herbal extracts on blood sugar levels. Herbal medicine is the primary form of medicine in many cultures and now, many in traditional medicine are finally accepting plant-based supplements as a natural and effective treatment for a variety of health challenges.

Several of these have been investigated and their ability to reduce blood sugar levels studied:

1. Cinnamon. Researchers at the US Department of Agriculture and their colleagues from Pakistan, tested the effect of cinnamon-capsules on sixty people with diabetes. These people added cinnamon to their diabetic diets after eating, and it was found their fasting blood sugar levels decreased by 18 to 29% plus their cholesterol and triglycerides dropped by up to 30%. There is a lot of information available which suggests adding at least half a teaspoon daily to your diabetic diet. Cinnamon:

• mimics insulin
• enhances insulin sensitivity
• may reduce your need for insulin
• helps end sugar craving
• helps keep your blood sugar levels on an even keel

You can sprinkle cinnamon on your oatmeal, use a cinnamon-stick to make tea, use in salads and mix in with curries and stews. It remains stable when heated.

Cinnamon is known to be safe with no known side effects. It is a blood thinner, so talk with your health care provider if you are taking medications such as warfarin.

2. Gymnema sylvestre has been used as a remedy for diabetes for hundreds of years and is perhaps the most powerful herb for improving blood sugars. Researchers have found gymnema sylvestre may reduce blood sugar levels by:

• boosting the release of insulin
• stimulating insulin-making beta cells
• increasing the number of beta cells

Safety studies have not been done on this herb but it has a long history with no known unpleasant side effects. Apparently it has a rather significant lowering effect on blood sugars so you need to closely monitor your levels.

3. Fennugreek. There have been many studies on fennugreek which has been known to cure a large number of illnesses. In one study sixty people with type 2 diabetes who took a total of 25g of fennugreek twice a day over a six month period, lowered their fasting blood sugars from an average of 149 mg/dl (8.3mmol/l) to 111.6 mg/dl (6.2mmol/l). Fennugreek seems to slow digestion and hinder the absorption of carbohydrates which could be because it is a relative of legumes, chickpeas, green peas and peanuts and is high in fiber.

It is available as capsules, and in seed or powder form. Fennugreek should be avoided if you are pregnant or breastfeeding or have liver or kidney disease. Also, it should not be taken within two hours of any diabetic medication. It too may interact with blood thinners, such as warfarin.

Always check with your health care provider before using any herbal remedy so he can guide you with your plan for type 2 diabetes.

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