Each day in the United States, some 18 million people with diabetes walk a fine line between too little sugar in the bloodstream and too much.

Too little, which may come from a complication of medication, and they may quickly be overcome by dizziness, fatigue, headache, sweating, trembling, and, in severe cases, loss of consciousness and coma, leading to death.

Too much, which can happen after eating too much, especially if the person is older and overweight, and the person may experience weakness, fatigue, excessive thirst, labored breathing, and loss of consciousness.

If diabetes is poorly controlled or left untreated, it may lead to blindness, kidney disease, blood vessel damage, infection, heart disease, nerve damage, high blood pressure, stroke, limb amputation, and coma.

Because the initial symptoms (fatigue, weakness, frequent urination) are usually mild, about 30 percent of all people with diabetes do not realize that they have the disease. And that can have tragic consequences, because with early diagnosis and treatment, the chances of living a long and productive life are higher than if the disease creeps along until irreversible damage occurs.

Normally, the process goes like this: The carbohydrates from your food are converted into a form of sugar called glucose. Glucose is the preferred fuel for your body’s cells, and it’s the only food your brain can use. The glucose floats along in the bloodstream until the pancreas, a large gland located behind the stomach, goes into action. The pancreas produces insulin, a hormone that signals body cells to take in the glucose. Once inside the cell, the glucose is either used as fuel to produce heat or energy or is stored as fat.

In a person with diabetes, however, the pancreas either produces little or no insulin or the cells become resistant to the hormone’s action. The result is that the glucose can’t get into the cells; it accumulates in the blood and is later expelled in the urine. In short, blood sugar rises while cells starve.

Five to 10 percent of people with diabetes have type 1, or insulin-dependent, diabetes, which usually develops in childhood or young adulthood. People with type 1 diabetes require daily injections of insulin to keep their blood glucose levels under control.

The vast majority of people with diabetes, on the other hand, have the type 2 form, which is sometimes referred to as adult-onset diabetes, even though more and more children these days are developing this type.  Lifestyle changes can play a vital role in controlling type 2; they are generally the initial and preferred method for regulating blood sugar levels, although oral medication and even insulin may eventually need to be added to the treatment regimen.

Diabetes or diabetes mellitus is a result of inability of pancreas to produce insulin or to use it in a proper way thus resulting in excessive quantity of sugar in blood and urine. Globally it affects 240 million people and US alone has 7% of this share of people suffering from diabetes.

Apart from consuming raw and natural food and reducing processed food intake there are also some commonly used herbs helpful in the treatment of diabetes.

1. Bitter Gourd- It is very rich in insulin that is available in natural form devoid of side effects. It lowers blood sugar level in a natural way with no side effects .Its juice should be taken twice a day on empty stomach to gain maximum benefits.

2. Garlic- Apart from reducing cholesterol level it also lowers blood sugar levels. 3-4 grams of garlic that is freshly crushed should be taken daily with water to lower blood sugar levels.

3. Neem- Its leaves though bitter in taste are known for its healing properties. A daily intake of a gram of its leaves is very beneficial in reducing blood sugar content.

4. Fenugreek- It is an effective herb used for controlling blood sugar level. It can be taken in powdered form or can be used as an additive while cooking vegetables.

Fenugreek can be taken internally or used topically. It is most often used to treat coughs and sore throat, although current research suggests that it may be quite effective in the treatment of Type 2 diabetes, can help lower blood cholesterol, and increase circulation. It is also often recommended as an herbal treatment for tinnitus. Harvest and dry seedpods in early to mid fall, and store them in an airtight container in a dry, dark spot.

Fenugreek Aphrodisiac

Fenugreek usually makes the short list of sexual stimulant herbs, and has been used with some success in treating male impotence. It’s thought that Fenugreek’s ability to help improve circulation is the cause.

In women, fenugreek may also help in treating vaginal dryness. It is a common ingredient in curries and imitation maple syrup. It can also be used as a dye.

5. Turmeric- This herb has the power to energize the pancreatic cells to produce more insulin. It should be consumed in powder form with warm water.

6. Cinnamon-. Although it has been used as a natural remedy for hundreds of years, recent studies support the contention that cinnamon may prove to be a key component in the treatment of Type 2 diabetes.

Though it does not elevate insulin production by the pancreas, it greatly assists in reducing blood sugar level. It can be taken as a tasty additive in almost anything a person eats.

One of the key advantages to using cinnamon to help in the treatment of Type 2 diabetes is that it does not have the inherent risks of insulin inhalers or injection. There are also side benefits, in that cinnamon also shows promise in the treatment of cardiovascular diseases, hypertension, kidney disorders, and even help to combat infection.

Each day in the United States, some 18 million people with diabetes walk a tightrope between too little sugar in the bloodstream and too much. Too little, which may come from a complication of medication, and they may quickly be overcome by dizziness, fatigue, headache, sweating, trembling, and, in severe cases, loss of consciousness and coma. Too much, which can happen after eating too much, especially if the person is older and overweight, and the person may experience weakness, fatigue, excessive thirst, labored breathing, and loss of consciousness.

If diabetes is poorly controlled or left untreated, it may lead to blindness, kidney disease, blood vessel damage, infection, heart disease, nerve damage, high blood pressure, stroke, limb amputation, and coma.

Because the initial symptoms (fatigue, weakness, frequent urination) are usually mild, about 30 percent of all people with diabetes do not realize that they have the disease. And that can have tragic consequences, because with early diagnosis and treatment, the chances of living a long and productive life are higher than if the disease creeps along until irreversible damage occurs.

Cinnamon, the dried and ground bark of an evergreen tree that grows in the tropics, may have greater benefits than anyone could ever have imagined. Although it has been used as a natural remedy for hundreds of years, recent studies support the contention that cinnamon may prove to be a key component in the treatment of Type 2 diabetes.

Since the publication of a study conducted by the Agricultural Research Unit in Maryland in 2000, there has been a lot of interest in cinnamon’s therapeutic value in enhancing the effects of insulin on the body.

One of the chemical compounds in cinnamon, hydroxychalcone, has been shown to lower blood glucose levels, LDL cholesterol, and triglycerides, prompting some experts to recommend the addition of a daily dose of cinnamon to the diet of diabetics.

Although additional research is required, it is believed that cinnamon augments the ability of fat cells to absorb glucose and remove it from the bloodstream. Studies with mice have been very encouraging, and human testing is underway.

Commonly afflicting people in middle to old age, Type 2 diabetes develops slowly and is marked by a gradual increase in insulin resistance. Typically it is treated with diet modification, supplemented by insulin or related drugs if necessary. As the baby boomer generation ages, more and more people will be diagnosed with this illness, and finding a safe and economical treatment is of growing interest to the medical community.

One of the key advantages to using cinnamon or a cinnamon derivative to help in the treatment of Type 2 diabetes is that it does not have the inherent risks of insulin inhalers or injection. There are also side benefits, in that cinnamon supplements are also showing promise in the treatment of cardiovascular diseases, hypertension, kidney disorders, and even help to combat infection.

Many herbal remedies are being reevaluated as possible aids in the treatment of illness. Cinnamon is the latest in a long list of herbs and spices that have been shown to provide surprising benefits in the treatment if disease. If you have been diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes, or know someone who has, explore the possibility of cinnamon as an aid in treatment. You might just discover that the answer to your problem was right in your spice rack all along.

Before making any changes to your current treatment, check with your health care provider. It is possible that self-medicating with cinnamon may cause a precipitous drop in glucose levels if you are currently taking prescribed diabetes medications like insulin or sulfonylureas. The ingestion of cassia cinnamon has also been linked to instances of liver damage. So you want to talk to your herbalist and be sure that you use the correct cinnamon

Home Remedy Treatments for Diabetes

If you have been diagnosed with diabetes, it is important to see your doctor regularly to make sure that your medications are working to control your blood sugar. In the meantime, here are some home remedies that will help diabetics cope with their disease:

Asparagus. This vegetable is a mild diuretic that’s said to be beneficial in the control of diabetes. Eat it steamed and drizzled with olive oil and lemon juice.

Lemon. A tasty substitute for salt. It’s great squeezed into a diet cola, too. It cuts the aftertaste.

Parsley. Steep into a tea and drink. This may act as a diuretic as well as lower blood sugar.

Watercress. This is said to strengthen the natural defense systems of people who have diabetes. It’s also a mild diuretic. Wash the leaves thoroughly, and add them to a salad. Or smear a little cream cheese on a slice of bread, then top with watercress for a delicious open-faced sandwich.

Hence the key to healthier living to avoid or improve your condition while suffering from diabetes is to consume a balanced diet along with keeping one fit with some form of physical activity.

Be a sport. Whether or not you have diabetes, exercise is good for your body. It tones up the heart and other muscles, strengthens bones, lowers blood pressure, strengthens the respiratory system, helps raise HDL (”good” cholesterol), lowers LDL (”bad” cholesterol), fosters a sense of well-being, decreases tension, aids in weight management, enhances work capacity, and can confer a sense of control. However, if you have diabetes, exercise provides even more benefits because it can improve your body’s ability to use blood glucose and insulin.

Maintain a regular eating schedule. This will reduce stress on your system and improve your body’s ability to anticipate and regulate sugars.

Watch your mouth. People with diabetes must be diligent about oral health. The high levels of sugar in their blood make their mouths extra inviting to oral bacteria, and their decreased ability to fight off infection means they must be especially cautious about preventing tooth decay and periodontal disease. Keep a supply of toothbrushes on hand so you won’t have to deal with old, worn brushing aids. Brush and floss without fail after every meal and before bedtime. And see your dentist regularly (every six months at least) for checkups and cleaning.

Check your dentures. Ill-fitting dentures or permanent bridgework can cause sores in the mouth that don’t heal. If you notice sore spots in your mouth or find that your dentures are moving or slipping, see your dentist to have the problem corrected as soon as possible.

See your eye doctor. Be sure to visit your opthalmologist at least once a year. Diabetes is the leading cause of blindness.

Take charge. The more you know about your disease, the better you can control it. Educate yourself through reputable books, magazines, and Web sites related to diabetes. If you need help understanding what you should do, ask your doctor for a referral to a registered dietitian or a diabetes educator.

Do something nice for yourself. While it’s important to learn as much as you can about your diabetes and stay with your treatment regimen, you also need to keep things in perspective. Don’t get so caught up in your diabetes that you neglect the rest of your life. Make a list of all the things you would like to do if you had the time, and then make the time to do at least some of them.

Do something nice for someone else. It’s hard to dwell on your own problems when you are engaged in helping someone else. Doing volunteer work at a nursing home, hospital, school, or church can help others and can make you feel better, too.

Perhaps the most important step you can take in managing your diabetes is to monitor what you eat. In addition to making the healthy food choices you already know about, we will explain how certain foods can actually be considered home remedies for the diabetic condition.

Natural Home Remedies for Diabetes

Diabetes is a complex disease, affecting many parts of the body. Some of the problems of the disease can be relieved with simple things right from the kitchen, though. And for a person with diabetes, a little relief never hurts.

Home Remedies From the Cupboard

Olive oil. Studies indicate this may reduce blood-sugar levels. Use it in salad dressing or wherever cooking oils are indicated. For an inexpensive and easy no-stick olive oil spray-on coating, buy an oil mister in any department store kitchen supply area and use it to spray your pans before cooking. Remember: As with all oils, olive oil is high in calories, and being overweight places you at risk for diabetes. Limiting the amount of olive oil by using the oil mister is a good way to control the calories.

Peanut butter. After you’ve experienced an episode of low blood sugar and corrected it, follow up with a protein and carbohydrate snack. Peanut butter on a couple of crackers supplies both, and it’s easy to fix when you may still feel a little jittery. Just avoid brands that contain added sugar, glucose, or jelly.

Plastic container. If you’re on insulin, keep your extra vials in the refrigerator. Designate a spot where your insulin bottle won’t freeze, yet is away from the food. Then keep the vial in a plastic container, preferably one that shields it from light, in that spot to keep it from rolling around or getting knocked aside or misplaced. If the insulin bottle is frosted or the insulin clumps, do not use it. Consult your pharmacist and the package insert for information about proper storage.

Salt. Dry, itchy skin is a side effect of diabetes, and soaking in a tub of salt water can be a great itchy skin reliever. Just add 1 cup table salt or sea salt to your bathwater. This solution will also soften skin and relax you. To exfoliate, after you take a shower or bath and while your skin is still wet, sprinkle salt onto your hands and rub it all over your skin. This salt massage will remove dry skin and make your skin smoother to the touch. It will also invigorate your skin and get your circulation moving. Try it first thing in the morning to help wake up or after a period of physical exertion.

Salt shaker. Set it aside, put it back in the cupboard, hide it. High blood pressure is a side effect of diabetes, and that salt’s a no-no. So don’t cook with it, and don’t make it handy to grab when you eat a meal or snack. If it’s out of sight, or inconvenient to get, you might just skip it. Instead, reach for a nice herb or spice blend that’s sodium free. Make one yourself with your favorite spices or buy one at the store.

Sugar. Yes, even people with diabetes need it occasionally, when their blood sugar goes too low. A spoonful of straight sugar will work, as will a piece of hard candy. Just be sure it’s not sugarless. And only use it when necessary — your doctor can help you know when that would be.

Vinegar. Muscle cramps, especially in the legs, can affect people with diabetes. For relief from the ache, add 8 ounces apple cider vinegar to a bathtub of warm water. Soak for at least 15 minutes.

Home Remedies from the Drawer

Fork. This is how you should apply salad dressing and sauces to limit your intake of sugar, as well as fat and cholesterol. Instead of dumping the dressing or sauce all over your food, have it served “on the side” and dip your fork into it, then pick up your food. You’ll get the flavor without all the extra goop.

Notebook. Use this to keep track of glucose readings, medication schedules, and symptoms.