The 8 Most Powerful Natural Remedies for Diabetes

Diabetes used to be a relatively rare disease, but in recent years it has turned into a true epidemic. The dramatic increase in cases of diabetes is due to a number of factors, but perhaps the most likely culprits are the prevalence of highly-processed foods in the American diet, and the high rate of obesity.

Whatever the reasons, diabetes is a huge national health problem. The American Diabetes Association estimates that 29.1 million Americans – or 9.3% of the population – have diabetes. Of those, approximately 8 million cases are undiagnosed. There’s no denying those are scary numbers.

Many people who have diabetes rely on expensive – and potentially dangerous – prescription medication to keep their diabetes under control. Before we talk about some natural remedies, let’s take a closer look at diabetes.

Understanding Diabetes

Diabetes is a disorder of the endocrine system. It is caused by one of two things:

• The endocrine system fails to produce enough insulin (Type 1 diabetes)
• The body develops a resistance to insulin (Type 2 diabetes)

Insulin is a hormone that helps to regulate the amount of sugar, or glucose, in the bloodstream. Type 1 diabetes tends to begin in childhood or early adulthood, while Type 2 diabetes is more common in adults. However, as obesity rates among children have increased, more and more children are developing Type 2 diabetes, as well.

Diabetes has many symptoms, but here are some of the most common:

• Increased thirst
• Increased hunger (especially after eating)
• Dry mouth
• Frequent urination
• Unexplained weight loss
• Fatigue
• Blurry vision
• Slow-healing wounds or cuts
• Weight gain (more common with Type 2 diabetes)
• Yeast infections
• Numbness of the extremities (hands and feet)
• Decreased libido or erectile dysfunction

The only way to test for diabetes is to get a fasting blood glucose level. Treatments for diabetes are varied. Mild cases may be treated by making lifestyle changes such as decreasing sugar intake and exercising, while more serious cases require additional treatments. Here are some of the potential treatments:

• Controlled diet combined with regular blood glucose tests with at-home strips
• Drugs which increase the body’s response to insulin, such as Metformin and thiazolidinediones
• Drugs that help your body to produce more insulin, such as Glynase and meglinitides
• Drugs that help to reduce blood sugar levels, such as Januvia
• Drugs that prevent the kidneys from reabsorbing sugar from the bloodstream, such as Invokana
• Insulin therapy. Insulin taken orally is not effective, so it must be injected.
• In very severe cases where the kidneys absorb too much sugar and cease to function, renal dialysis may be performed on an outpatient basis.
• Kidney transplant. People who are reliant up on dialysis may be candidates for kidney transplantation if a suitable candidate can be found.

Many of these treatment options carry very serious side effects. For that reason, treating diabetes with natural methods may be a better choice.

8 Natural Remedies for Diabetes

Now let’s take a look at the 8 most powerful natural remedies for diabetes.

Make a tea featuring ingredients known as “plant insulin.” You will need:

1. 20 grams blueberry leaves
2. 20 grams black mulberry leaves
3. 40 grams white pea pods
4. 20 grams ground white ivy (Glechoma hederacea)

Mix all ingredients, then add 3 Tablespoons of the mixture to a half liter of water. Cook it for 15 minutes, then cover it and let it sit for three hours. Have 8 ounces of this mixture three times a week.

In addition to trying the natural remedies above, it is also important to look after your general health. Stay away from processed foods that contain high amounts of sugar and hydrogenated fats, and make sure to eat a healthy variety of fruits and vegetables. It is also important to drink enough water, cut back on caffeine, and get 20-30 minutes of aerobic exercise per day. If you stick to this routine, you can control your diabetes without relying on prescription drugs.