In the Western world, for those who have been diagnosed with either type 1 or type 2 diabetes, maintaining normal blood sugar levels is both important and an ongoing struggle. But it is possible! Here is a list of seven herbs and spices that will help you keep your blood sugar levels normal while maintaining a healthy body weight.

Basil

Basil is that aromatic kitchen herb that reminds us of summer, Italy and good eating times. It’s fragrant in salads, soups and pesto. Herbal infusions of kitchen herbs, turmeric, rosemary, marjoram, oregano and basil are the five front-runners in flavonoid content. And basil, specifically, lowers blood sugar.

Chamomile

Chamomile lowers blood sugar and prevents diabetic complications by taking the sugar out of your blood and putting it into storage in your liver. And after a day of hard work, there is hardly anything more calming and soothing than a cup of chamomile tea!

Cinnamon

Cinnamon lowers blood sugar. It is loaded with phytonutrients that decrease inflammation and aid in weight loss by lowering cholesterol and speeding up your metabolism. Try and eat it on beans, lentils and brown rice or in meat stews, always without sugar!

Cumin

Cumin is a spice in the parsley family that goes well with red lentils or brown rice. Use it generously, as cumin lowers blood sugar and cholesterol. Cumin also has a good effect on the advanced glycation end products (AGEs) that are so damaging in diabetes.

Dandelion

A dark, leafy green dandelion restocks your body with necessary bitter agents, lowers your blood pressure and heals your liver. Like nettles, dandelions increase urinary flow and, thereby, support a mild cleansing action. And dandelion is said to help with weight loss, which is paramount for most people with diabetes.

Garlic

Garlic exhibits the strongest anti-inflammatory force among them, suppressing exactly those cytokines acting up in diabetes. But garlic can do more. It lowers blood sugars and lipids, as well as C-reactive protein, a marker of inflammation.

Peppermint

Peppermint is super easy to get fresh if you’re interested in growing a peppermint plant, and contains natural antioxidants that fight diabetes, heart disease, aging and cancer. And it adds great flavor to teas. Peppermint relaxes the muscles that are close to the stomach from the esophagus.

By: Hanne Hansen, L.M.T., P.T.T., and Dip Hom. W/ Bach Therapy, Reiki Mstr., Pranic Healer 480-298-0423

CureJoy Editorial

Jun 29, 2016 12:54 p.m.

The CureJoy Editorial team digs up credible information from multiple sources, both academic and experiential, to stitch a holistic health perspective on topics that pique our readers’ interest.