Ginseng (Panax ginseng et Panax quinquefolium). A growing number of good quality studies tend to validate the traditional use of ginseng roots and rootlets to treat ginseng. diabetes, but trials with more subjects would lead to more reliable conclusions⁴. Ginseng is believed to help normalize blood sugar in people with diabetes²⁸, especially after meals.

 psyllium (plantago ovata). The main effect of taking psyllium with a meal is to lower the total glycemic index of the meal. This causes the glucose and insulin levels to drop by 10% to 20% after a meal. The action of psyllium is comparable to that of acarbose, a drug used by some type 2 diabetics: it slows the assimilation of carbohydrates in the digestive system¹². A review carried out in 2010 on 7 random studies concluded that psyllium was an interesting therapeutic option in type 2 diabetics receiving drug treatment, and despite everything having high spikes in blood sugar after meals.⁴⁰.

 Glucomannane. Glucomannan is a soluble fiber, similar to psyllium, but even more absorbent and emollient than the latter. It is made from konjac flour (a type of tuber), in a purified form. The results of several clinical trials indicate that taking glucomannan may be useful in reducing or controlling the glucose in people with diabetes or obesity^5-11 .

 oat (Avena sativa). Research indicates that consuming oatmeal helps prevent the rise in the rate of blood glucose after a meal (postprandial hyperglycemia)^13,14. Oatmeal is also believed to provide better long-term glucose control.¹⁵. This is because, like psyllium, they contain a lot of soluble fiber, which slows down gastric emptying.

 Chrome. Chromium is a trace element essential for human health, naturally present in several foods. In particular, it increases the sensitivity of tissues to insulin, which helps to normalize the rate of sucre in the blood. In 2007, a meta-analysis of 41 trials (including 7 conducted in patients with type 2 diabetes) showed that chromium supplements reduced glycated hemoglobin level by 0,6% and fasting blood sugar by 1 mmol / L⁴¹. The use of chromium supplements (200 μg to 1 μg per day) by people with diabetes remains controversial, however, given the very variable quality of the studies carried out so far.

 Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum). The results of some clinical studies in diabetics have shown that fenugreek seeds may help regulate blood glucose levels in type 2 diabetes.^16-18 . Although promising, these trials had a number of flaws, so it is not possible at this time to suggest a treatment protocol.¹⁹.

 Cannelle (Cinnamomum cassia, or C.). Some small studies have shown cinnamon to lower blood glucose levels in people with diabetes, but more comprehensive studies will be required to confirm these results.^42-44 .

 Tai chi. Some researchers have hypothesized that tai chi may help regulate blood glucose levels in diabetics. So far, different studies have presented conflicting results^20-23 . Some studies show improvements, others do not.

 Aloe (Aloe vera). Aloe is one of the plants to which Ayurvedic medicine (from India) attributes hypoglycemic or anti-diabetic properties.²⁴. The studies carried out so far tend to confirm this use, but are few in number.^25-27 .

Dosage

Although the effectiveness of gel as a hypoglycaemic substance is not clearly established, it is usually recommended to take 1 tsp. at the table, twice a day, before meals.

 Blueberry or blueberry (Vaccinium myrtilloides et Vaccinium myrtillus). In Europe, we use the leaves bilberry for over 1 years to lower blood glucose levels. Tests carried out on animals tend to confirm this traditional use. The use of blueberry leaves for this disease, however, has not been tested in humans.

Dosage

Practitioners recommend infusing 10 g of leaves in 1 liter of boiling water and taking 2 to 3 cups of this infusion per day.

 Gymnéma (sylvestre gymnema). In many countries (India, Japan, Vietnam, Australia …), traditional doctors use gymnema to lower the glucose level in diabetics.^24,28,29. However, no double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trials have been conducted, so there is no scientifically valid evidence for its effectiveness.

Dosage

Rather than the dried leaves, an extract standardized to 24% gymnemic acid is used today. This extract, often referred to as GS4, is the raw material for most commercial products. Take 200 mg to 300 mg of this extract, 2 times a day with food.

 Momordique (Momordica). Momordic, also called bitter gourd, is a tropical climbing plant that produces fruits that resemble cucumber in appearance. Traditionally, several peoples have used its fruits to treat a host of ailments. The consumption of fresh fruit juice would help in particular to regulate the glucose people with diabetes, by a hypoglycaemic action. This effect has been confirmed by several in vitro and animal tests. Studies in humans are in the preliminary stages.

Dosage

Traditionally, it is recommended to drink 25 ml to 33 ml of fresh fruit juice (roughly the equivalent of 1 fruit), 2 to 3 times a day before meals.

 Nopal (Opuntia ficus indica). The stems of nopal, a cactus from the desert regions of Mexico, have been used in traditional medicine to reduce the glucose fasting blood of diabetics. This effect has been observed in a few clinical trials conducted by Mexican researchers.^30-35 . Rich in dietary fiber, nopal acts mainly by reducing the absorption of glucose.

Dosage

In studies with positive results, 500 g of roasted nopal meat was used per day.

 naturopathy. The American naturopath JE Pizzorno in particular suggests that diabetics take a multivitamin and mineral supplement³⁶, because the disease would cause an increased need for nutrients. In his experience, this practice improves blood glucose control and helps prevent the main complications of diabetes. A double-blind, placebo-controlled study of 130 subjects (aged 45 and over), for its part, indicates that people with diabetes who took multivitamins for 1 year had fewer respiratory infections and flu than untreated diabetics³⁷.

In addition, the naturopath considers it important that diabetics consume a large amount of flavonoids, in food form, for their antioxidant effect. Indeed, there are more reactions of oxidation and inflammation in the body of people with diabetes. Flavonoids are found mainly in fruits and vegetables (artichoke, onion, asparagus, red cabbage and spinach) and in even greater quantities in berries. They are also found in the form of supplements.

These measures do not treat diabetes, but could improve overall health. See our Naturopathy sheet.