Home Remedies for Diabetes

1. Basil leaves

Basil leaves (tulsi) are packed with antioxidants that relieve oxidative stress and have essential oils that help in lowering blood sugar levels in the body. Take 2 tablespoons of juice extracted from basil leaves and drink on an empty stomach in the morning.

2. Green tea

Drink a cup of green tea on an empty stomach daily in the morning before your breakfast; is good for overall health. Green tea has polyphenol content, a strong antioxidant compound that is helpful in reducing the blood sugar insulin level in the body.

3.vitamins & minerals

Eating a healthy diet that contains vitamins and minerals like fruits such as apples, apricots, and berries, and vegetables like carrots, beet and bitter gourd is essential for keeping your body healthy and in balancing blood sugar levels.

4. Drum stick

Drumstick (Moringa) leaves are high in fiber content best known for their ability to boost one’s energy. The leaf increases satiety and helps in slowing the breakdown of food and also in lowering blood pressure.

5.Flax seeds (Alsi)

Due to their high fibre content flaxseeds help digestion and aid in the proper absorption of fats and sugars. Consuming flax seed helps reduce a diabetic’s postprandial sugar level by almost 28 per cent.
Tip: Consume one tablespoon of ground flaxseed powder every morning on an empty stomach with a glass of warm water. However, do not have more than 2 tablespoons per day, as it can be detrimental to your health. Here are 11 ways to include flaxseeds in your diet.

6.Leaves of bilberry (neelabadari) plant

The leaves of bilberry have been used in Ayurveda for many centuries to control diabetes. Recently, the Journal of Nutrition stated that the leaves of the Bilberry plant contain high amounts of anthocyanidin, which enhance the action of various proteins involved in glucose transportation and fat metabolism. Due to this unique property, bilberry leaves are a great way to lower one’s blood sugar levels.
Tip: Crush bilberry leaves in a mortar and pestle and consume 100 milligrams of this extract everyday on an empty stomach.

7.Drumstick leaves

Also called moringa, the leaves of this plant are best known for their ability to boost one’s energy. In the case of diabetics, the moringa leaf increases satiety and slows the breakdown of food and lower blood pressure.
Tip: Take a few drumstick leaves, wash and crush them to extract their juice. Now take about 1/4th cup of this juice and drink it on an empty stomach, every morning to keep your sugar levels under control.

8.Psyllium husk (Isabgol)

Also known as psyllium husk is often used as a laxative. When isabgol comes in contact with water, it swells to form a gel-like substance. This slows the breakdown and absorption of blood glucose. Isabgol also protects the stomach lining from ulcers and acidity.
Tip: Cosume isabgol after every meal, ideally with milk or water. Avoid having it with curd as it can lead to constipation. Read in detail about 8 health benefits of isabgol or psyllium husk you didn’t know.

9.Neem

Found abundantly in India, the bitter leaf has a number of amazing medicinal properties. Neem enhances insulin receptor sensitivity, helps improve blood circulation by dilating the blood vessels, lowers blood glucose levels and reduces one’s dependence on hypoglycaemic drugs.  Here are more health benefits of neem.
Tip: Drink the juice of the tender shoot of neem leaves on an empty stomach for best results.

10. Bitter Gourd

Bitter gourd, also known as bitter melon, can be helpful for controlling diabetes due to its blood glucose lowering effects. It tends to influence the glucose metabolism all over your body rather than a particular organ or tissue.
It helps increase pancreatic insulin secretion and prevents insulin resistance. Thus, bitter gourd is beneficial for both type 1 and type 2 diabetes. However, it cannot be used to entirely replace insulin treatment.
• Take 4-5 bitter gourds and peel them. Also remove the seeds. Crush the peeled and de-seeded bitter gourds to paste. Place this paste into a sieve and extract the juice. Drink this fresh bitter gourd juice on an empty stomach every morning. If you wish, add some water.
• Cook bitter gourd in ghee (clarified butter) and have this frequently. If possible, have it daily for at least three months.
• Include at least one dish made from bitter melon daily into your diet.
• Mix 1 tablespoon of amla juice with 1 cup of bitter gourd juice and have daily for few months.
• If you can’t find fresh bitter gourds, take a few pieces of dried bitter melon and boil them in a cup of water. Have this bitter gourd tea once or twice a day. This will be less bitter than the fresh juice of bitter guard.

11. Cinnamon

Powdered cinnamon has the ability to lower blood sugar levels by stimulating insulin activity. Itcontains bioactive components that can help prevent and fight diabetes.
Certain trials have shown that it can work as an effective option to lower blood sugar levels in cases of uncontrolled type-2 diabetes.
Cinnamon, however, should not be taken in excess because we commonly use Cassia cinnamon (found in most grocery stores) which contains a compound called coumarin. It is a toxic compound that increases the risk of liver damage.
There is another variety of this herb known as Ceylon cinnamon or “true cinnamon.” It is considered safer for health but its effects on blood glucose levels have not been studied adequately.
Mix one-half to one teaspoon of cinnamon in a cup of warm water. Drink it daily.
Another option is to boil two to four cinnamon sticks in one cup of water and allow it to steep for 20 minutes. Drink this solution daily until you see improvement.
You can also add cinnamon to warm beverages, smoothies and baked goods.

12. Fenugreek

Fenugreek is an herb that can also be used to control diabetes, improve glucose tolerance and lower blood sugar levels due to its hypoglycaemic activity. It also stimulates the secretion of glucose-dependent insulin. Being high in fiber, it slows down the absorption of carbohydrates and sugars.
• Take 4 tablespoons of fenugreek seeds and soak them in 250 ml (1 cup) water overnight. Crush the seeds in the morning and strain to get the water. Have this water everyday in the morning for at least two months.
• Soak 2 tbsp fenugreek seeds in water overnight. In the morning chew the seeds and drink the water along with it. Do it on an empty stomach everyday for few months.
• Take 2 tbsp of fenugreek seeds powder and add it to a glass of milk or warm water. Have it everyday.
• Take 100 g fenugreek seeds (6-7 tbsp) and 50 g turmeric powder (about 3 tbsp). You may add a little white pepper too with this mixture. Add 1 teaspoon of this powder mix to a glass of milk and have twice daily.
• You can also add fenugreek powder to your flour that you use to make breads or chapatis.

13. Indian Gooseberry (Amla)

Indian gooseberry, also known as Amla, is rich in vitamin C and Indian gooseberry juice promotes proper functioning of your pancreas.

Ways to take Amla for Diabetes

• Take 2-3 gooseberries and discard their seeds. Now grind the amla to get a fine paste. Either using a fine cloth or a sieve, squeeze out the juice from this amla paste. You should get two tablespoons of amla juice. Mix these 2 tbsp of amla juice in a cup of water, mix well and have it every morning on an empty stomach.
• Take a cup of bitter gourd juice and 1 tablespoon of amla juice. Mix them well and have it daily for few months.


• When fresh amla is not available, the powder of amla fruit can be be taken mixed with water. Use 1- ½ tbsp of such powder in a glass of water.
• Take ½ tsp turmeric powder, 1 tsp amla powder and ½ tbsp fenugreek seeds powder. Mix them in half a glass of water. Have this daily in the morning on an empty stomach.
• Include amla in your daily diet.
• You may also have raw amla.
14. Mango Leaves
The delicate and tender mango leaves can be used to treat diabetes by regulating insulin levels in the blood. They can also help improve blood lipid profiles.
Soak 10 to 15 tender mango leaves in a glass of water overnight. In the morning, filter the water and drink it on an empty stomach.
You can also dry the leaves in the shade and grind them. Eat one-half teaspoon of powdered mango leaves two times daily.
15. Curry Leaves

Curry leaves are useful in preventing and controlling diabetes as they have anti-diabetic properties. It is believed that curry leaves contain an ingredient that reduces the rate at which starch is broken down to glucose in diabetics.
So, you can simply chew about 10 fresh curry leaves daily in the morning. For best results, continue this treatment for three to four months. It also helps reduce high cholesterol levels and obesity.
16. Aloe Vera
Aloe vera gel helps lower fasting blood glucose levels. It contains phytosterols that have possible anti-hyperglycemic effects for type 2 diabetes.
The combination of aloe vera gel, bay leaves and turmeric is helpful for controlling blood sugar. To make this herbal medicine:
Mix together one-half teaspoon each of ground bay leaves and turmeric and one tablespoon of aloe vera gel.
Consume it twice daily, before lunch and dinner.

17.Guava

Due to its vitamin C and high fiber content, eating guava can be really helpful in maintaining the blood sugar level. It is best for diabetics not to eat the skin of the fruit so peel it first. However, too much consumption of guava in a day is not recommended.

18.Jamun Remedy for Diabetes

Rich in Vitamin C, calcium, phosphorus and iron. Jamun Syzygium cumini, jambul, jambolan, jamblang or the Black plum ( and not black berry which is a different fruit), has been traditionally used by Unani, Ayurvedic and other Asian medicine systems for controlling diabetes. Jamun seeds are extensively used to cure diabetes. However, extracts of the bark and leaves too are beneficial for lowering blood sugar and glycouria or sugar in urine. The main ingredient with anti-diabetic function in jamun seeds is jamboline chemical. This chemical alone can not act as anti diabetic cure. It is only effective when with other inorganic or inactive substances in the jamun seed. Jamun seeds are rich in alkaloids that have hypoglycemic effects. Many studies have shown that jambul or jamun has such hypoglycemic effects that can reduce upto 30% of blood sugar.

19. Neem Margosa Leaves Remedy for Diabetes

Known for its antibacterial and antifungal effects, neem is also beneficial for diabetes due to its anti-hyperglycemic activity. Leaves of Neem, also known as Margosa, are bitter in taste. These leaves enhance insulin receptor sensitivity. Not only this they also improve blood circulation by dilating the blood vessels, lower blood glucose levels and gradually reduce the patient’s dependence on hypoglycemic drugs.

Ways to take Neem leaves for Diabetes

• Take enough neem leaves to get 1 tablespoon of neem leaf juice. Crush the leaves and strain to get 1 tbsp of juice. Have this every morning on an empty stomach. Always take tender shoots of neem to use for diabetes remedies.
• Chew 8-10 tender neem leaves daily in the morning
• Mix 1-2 tsp of dried neem leaves powder in a glass of water and have this in the morning daily.
20. Lady’s Finger Remedy for Diabetes
High on vitamins A, B6, C, K, magnesium, potassium, zinc, and soluble fiber, lady’s finger or okra makes a good remedy for diabetes. It is an excellent blood sugar stabilizer. The seeds of this vegetable contain alpha-glucosidase inhibitors that stop starches from converting into glucose. The fibers present in okra regulates the rate at which sugar is absorbed from your intestinal tract.

How to use lady’s finger for diabetes?

Get this:
• Lady’s finger- 2-3
• Water- 1 glass
Do this:
• Wash the lady’s fingers thoroughly.
• Cut the head and tail of the lady’s fingers. Then slit the vegetables vertically from middle to get two long pieces from 1 lady’s finger.
• Place them in the glass filled with water.
• Cover and let it soak overnight.
• In the morning, have the water on an empty stomach. If you can, eat the lady’s fingers too. Raw lady’s fingers are more beneficial than cooked ones.
• Do it daily for a couple of months.
21. Papaya Leaf Remedies for Diabetes
Papaya leaves help in enhancing insulin sensitivity. It decreases the enzyme levels of ALT and AST, the bio-markers of type 2 diabetes, for improving insulin sensitivity so that cells can efficiently take up the glucose. Not only this, papaya leaves also reduce the chances of complications that may follow diabetes such as fatty liver, kidney damage and oxidative stress. There is one more benefit- it helps diabetics heal their wounds faster because of its antioxidant and antibacterial properties. Japanese, Australian and many other traditional medicine use papaya leaves for curing diabetes.


Make Papaya Leaves Tea for Diabetes
Get this:
• Papaya leaves- 10
• Water- 8 cups
Do this:
• Add papaya leaves to water.
• Boil the water till it is reduced to half of its quantity, about 4 cups.
• Let it cool down
• have this in small doses through out the day.
This detoxifying tea is good for your over all health too as it cures indigestion and boosts your immunity too.
Diet Remedies for Diabetes
Here are some diet remedies that will help you manage your diabetes.
Avoid refined flour. Instead use wholegrains in your diet. Use whole wheat breads, whole wheat pasta and brown rice in place of polished rice.
Use low fat dairy products like skimmed milk, cheese, yogurt etc.
Include garlic, onion, bitter gourd, spinach, raw banana, black plum in your diet.
Mix 1 part of barley flour, 1 part black chickpea flour and 4 parts of whole-wheat flour. Use this mixed flour to make your pancakes and breads.
Avoid sweets. Reduce intake of salt too.
Avoid having high carbohydrate foods, potatoes, sweet potatoes, colocasia, yams, yogurt high in fat, oily and spicy foods.
Avoid having sweet fruits like pineapple, grapes, mangoes, etc.
Take ½ tsp ginger juice and ½ tsp garlic juice, mix with a little honey or jaggery and have this twice a day.
Make a juice of carrot, pumpkin and pomegranate and have one to two glasses of this juice daily.
Along with home remedies for diabetes, you also need to be physically active. Exercise regularly even if brisk walking in morning and evening. Walk for at least 40 minutes in a day to manage your diabetes effectively.

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