No. 79

Lowering Blood Sugar With Herbs

If you have recently been diagnosed with borderline high blood sugar or have developed diabetes II, you may be able to control your blood sugar with herbal medicine and diet.

Certain herbs are well know for lowering and controlling blood sugar and can be taken daily by dissolving a dose in water or by capsulizing them. The herbal remedy is taken on an empty stomach.

Empty stomach is defined as;

Powders dissolved in water-
30 minutes before a meal or 2 hours after a meal

Capsules taken with water-
Taken 1 hour before eating or 2 hours after a meal

Average Dose:  The average dose is 1 teaspoon of powder daily as a starter dose and 1 teaspoon 2 or 3 times daily if needed. Always begin with the smallest dose when starting an herbal remedy and increase every 2 weeks if needed.

Always consult your doctor before beginning a new dietary or supplement program. Combining herbs with drugs can be contrary so be sure to speak to your pharmacist or doctor if taking medications before you begin.

Diet:  In order to expect herbal medicine to work, you must consider the dietary changes needed for controlling or lowering blood sugar. The dietary guidelines can be found by searching Low Glycemic Index and within the Index, search Low Glycemic Load. The lowest load foods are lowest in sugar and starch. Eating healthy is required to be successful.

To try different herbal mixes, combine 4 oz. of herbs to supply 1 teaspoon daily for about 1 month. If you are going to be taking 1 teaspoon 2 x per day, you will need 8 oz. of herb powder. If you are going to be taking 1 teaspoon 3 times daily, you will need 12 ounces.

Always use at least 2 different herbs. Herbs are synergistic with one another and perform better in groups of 2 or more as opposed to only one as a single. Choose any combination from the following list;

Herbs

1. Gymnema Sylvestre (stimulates the production of insulin)
2. Ceylon Cinnamon (not cassia)
3. Fenugreek (stimulates the production of insulin)
4. Turmeric (reduces inflammation, lowers sugar)
5. Bitter Melon (blocks sugar absorption in the gut)
6. Cedar Berry (lowers blood sugar)
7. Garlic (lowers blood sugar, lowers cholesterol)
8. Onion (lowers blood sugar, lowers cholesterol)
9. Prickly Pear (lowers blood sugar)
10. Bilberry (lowers blood sugar, improves capillary health)
11. Ginseng (increases insulin production)
12. Siberian Ginseng
13. Goldenseal (use 30 days, stop 30 days, repeat)

Taking these supplements with your herbal choices will also be beneficial-

Supplements

Chromium – 200 mcg daily (blood sugar stabilizing
ALC- 500 mg daily (nerve pain, repair)
GLA- 500 mg daily (nerve pain)
ALA- 500 to 800 mg daily (supports the liver, nerve pain, stabilizing)
Magnesium- 250 to 450 mg daily (improves insulin function)