Along with medication and insulin therapy, natural diabetes treatments are also being explored by diabetic patients worldwide and have found to be therapeutic in some cases. Natural treatments being explored include herbal remedies, yoga exercises and even acupressure treatment.

But before you embark on a natural treatment for controlling your blood sugar levels, discuss that with your medical practitioner. These natural methods can lower blood sugar levels and if used in combination with the usual dosage of insulin can sometimes cause a perilous drop in blood sugar levels leading to hypoglycemia. But never stop the medication or insulin injections without the advice of a doctor. Be honest with your doctor and let him be the best judge for your medicine dosages. Remember that uncontrolled blood sugar levels can cause perilous symptoms and in some cases even death.
The herbs commonly used in the treatment of diabetes can be broadly classified into Indian herbs and Chinese herbs. Here is a list of well loved herbal remedies for diabetes.

Chinese Herbs

1. North American Ginseng
Several studies using North American ginseng (Panax quinquefolius) has found that it is effective in lowering blood sugar levels. Patients who had a 3gm dose of ginseng found that their blood sugar levels were nearly 60% lower than that of their counterparts who did not get any ginseng during the research period. But long term effects of using ginseng have not been properly studied. And the effects of ginseng on insulin therapy and medication are also not fully understood. Ginseng is also found to improve the glycosylated hemoglobin level which is an indicator of average blood glucose levels over an extended period of time such as 3 or 6 months.

2. Asian Ginseng
Traditional Chinese medicine uses Asian ginseng in the treatment of diabetes. This herb can improve the pancreatic function of insulin release.
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It is also found to increase the number of insulin receptors in the body cells thereby directly lowering blood sugar levels. Asian Ginseng can thus be helpful for Type 1 diabetes as well. Other positive effects of Asian Ginseng include a general feeling of well being and elevation of moods.

3. Ginkgo Biloba
Ginkgo Biloba is another herb that is popularly used in traditional Chinese medicine for diabetes treatment. This herb is found nearly everywhere in the world and is extracted from the leaves of the Ginko Biloba tree.
The leaves can be easily recognized by its fan like shape. This herbal remedy is known to improve blood circulation to the peripheral nerve tissues of the limbs – the hands, legs, arms and feet. Thus, if used regularly from the initial stages of diabetes, it can effectively prevent the onset of diabetic neuropathy

Stress and Diabetes:
Long-term stress causes diabetes. For a person who is already affected by diabetes, stress is an additional headache that throws the lifestyle into jeopardy.
Is it possible to reckon of tasty food or sleep under stress? Sleepless nights and long hours of fasting result from stress, thanks to adrenaline. When adrenaline is secreted, palpitation of heart increase and the senses go blind to hunger or sleep, staying on constant alert for the impending danger. This will affect the food habits in major ways. It is especially vital for a diabetic to eat at the right time. If that is compromised then it is terrible news for the body.
A body under physical stress will not cope with exercise. The vigor to exercise is really eliminated. Working out is the best method of managing diabetes. Lack of exercise will increase the blood sugar levels further. So, in a way stress introduces a vicious cycle which is very hard to come out of.

If rising blood sugar level is considered terrible then falling sugar level is considered worse. In type I diabetes, the effects of stress are immediately seen by a drastic reduction in blood sugar levels, resulting in fatigue. So type I diabetics should be extremely careful. Diabetics are also sensitive to stress hormones; hence what is perceived as long term effects of stress can be felt immediately in diabetics.