Hyperglycemia: Herbs With Hypoglycemic Effects - Altern...

Hyperglycemia: Herbs With Hypoglycemic Effects

Hyperglycemia: Herbs With Hypoglycemic Effects
February 18th, 2008
Written by MicroNutra Health

Hyperglycemia and Herbs

Hyperglycemia is the condition of elevated levels of glucose (sugar) in the bloodstream. Maintenance and regulation of healthy blood sugar levels is crucial to ensure overall health. There are several herbs that are associated with the ability to decrease overall blood sugar levels. The following is a list of such herbs with a short description of how the herbs are correlated with such effects.

Cinnamon

Cinnamon, derived from a small evergreen tree, is a widely used herb and spice in many cultures. Cinnamon has a strong correlation for non-diabetics and the prevention of high glucose levels or for maintenance of proper glucose levels. Cinnamon has also been associated with the maintenance and regulation of blood glucose levels in diabetics by acting as an aid to insulin, a hormone produced by the body that is responsible for the regulation of proper blood glucose levels.

The study to find the exact active ingredients responsible for these effects continues. The identification of this active ingredient is necessary to determine the mechanisms by which cinnamon effects overall blood glucose levels in an attempt to aid diabetics in natural methods of treatment.

Banaba

Lagerstroemia Speciosa, commonly known as Banaba, is a natural herb that has strong correlations with an overall decreased appetite. Banaba contains the compound corosolic acid. Corosolic acid is associated with the promotion for the use of glucose to fuel the body. When glucose is used as fuel, overall blood glucose levels are reduced.

Bitter Melon

Momordica charantia, commonly known as bitter melon and bitter gourd, is a naturally grown vegetable associated with the ability to stimulate the process of digestion. Proper digestion is crucial for the absorption and use of vitamins, nutrients, minerals and, most important to diabetics, glucose. Bitter melon contains the compound Gurmarin. Gurmarin has been linked with the regulation of blood sugar levels.

Gymnema Sylvestre

Gymnema sylvestre is another natural herb correlated with increased diabetic health benefits when used for an extended period of time. Gymnema sylvestre contains the active ingredient gymnemic acid. Gymnemic acid is associated with the ability to decrease overall glucose presence, aiding in the proper maintenance of healthy blood glucose levels. It does this on account of its molecular structure. The molecular structure of gymnemic acid is similar to that of glucose and prevents glucose uptake into cells.

Huckleberry

The plant Vaccinium is responsible for the production of huckleberry. Huckleberry is strongly correlated with the ability to naturally promote increased production rates of insulin within the body. Insulin is necessary for the regulation and maintenance of healthy glucose levels. The production of insulin allows for the natural stabilization of blood sugar levels.

Herbs and Hyperglycemia

These herbs all have strong correlations with the ability to affect blood glucose levels. However, the conduction of research occurs on a daily basis in an attempt to find the true connections between natural herbs and these abilities.

References
http://www.webmd.com/diet/features/10-best-healing-herbs
http://diabetes.webmd.com/news/20060404/cinnamon-may-prove-useful-for-diabetes

© 2009 Micronutra Journal



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