10 of the Best Herbs and Supplements for Diabetes

Can herbs or supplements help you control your diabetes? These 10 have shown promise in lowering blood sugar, boosting insulin sensitivity, reducing high blood pressure and cholesterol, and more.

Gymnema sylvestre

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• Main use: Lowering blood sugar
• Typical dosage: 200 to 250 milligrams twice daily

This plant’s Hindi name, gurmar, translates as “sugar destroyer,” as the plant is regarded as one of the most powerful herbs for blood-sugar control. It’s believed to work by boosting the activity of enzymes that help cells use glucose or by stimulating the production of insulin. Though it hasn’t been studied ­extensively, it’s not known to cause serious side effects. A 2017 study published in the journal Appetite found that among 51 healthy participants, those who drank tea containing Gymnema sylvestre reduced their liking for sweet foods, an effect that could have implications for obese and overweight people. Try these healthy habits to prevent diabetes.

Bitter melon

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• Main use: Lowering blood sugar
• Typical dosage: 50 to 100 milliliters (approximately 3 to 6 tablespoons) of the juice daily

The aptly named bitter melon is thought to help cells use glucose more effectively and block sugar absorption in the intestine. A study in the Journal of Ethnopharmacology compared bitter melon to a diabetes drug and found that it did reduce fructosamine in people with type 2 diabetes. However, a low-dose of the already approved medication did so more effectively. In a 2017 study on mice published in Evidence-based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, researchers suggest that bitter melon may reduce high blood glucose in type 1 diabetes. Gastrointestinal problems are possible side effects.

You can reverse type 2 diabetes with these science-backed strategies.

Magnesium

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• Main use: Lowering blood sugar
• Typical dosage: 250 to 350 milligrams once a day

Magnesium deficiency is not uncommon in people with type 2 diabetes, and it can worsen high blood sugar and insulin resistance. Research into whether using magnesium supplements improves insulin function and lowers blood sugar levels is inconclusive. If you do have diabetes, have your doctor check you for deficiency before supplementing with magnesium. “If you have kidney damage, which is fairly common in diabetes, your magnesium levels may already be too high,” Shane-McWhorter says. “Excess magnesium may cause low blood pressure and an irregular heartbeat.” These are signs that you’re not getting enough magnesium.

Prickly pear cactus

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• Main use: Lowering blood sugar
• Typical dosage: If you eat it as a food, aim for 1⁄2 cup of cooked cactus fruit a day. Otherwise, follow label directions.

The ripe fruit of this cactus has been shown in some small studies, including a 2017 animal study published in Evidence-based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, that found the fruit to lower blood sugar ­levels in diabetic rats. However, the results of animal studies are not always transferable t humans. You may be able to find the fruit in your grocery store, but if not, look for it as a juice or powder at health food stores.  The fruit is also high in fiber.

Gamma-linolenic acid 

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• Main use: Easing nerve pain
• Typical dosage: 270 to 540 milligrams once a day

Gamma-linolenic acid, or GLA, is a fatty acid found in evening primrose oil. Preliminary clinical research suggests that taking GLA for six months or more may reduce symptoms of nerve pain in people with diabetic neuropathy. Avoid these bad eating habits for people with diabetes.

Chromium

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• Main use: Lowering blood sugar
• Typical dosage: 200 micrograms once daily

A chromium deficiency is more common among individuals with type 2 diabetes. A popular belief is that taking chromium will help control their disease. However, a review of research published in 2016 in the Oxford Academic Nutrition Reviews suggests that the evidence supporting the benefits of chromium supplements for type 2 diabetes is mixed.

Bilberry

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• Main use: Protecting the eyes and nerves
• Typical dosage: 80 to 120 milligrams two times per day of standardized bilberry extract

This relative of the blueberry contains powerful antioxidants in its fruit and leaves. These antioxidants, called anthocyanins, may help prevent damage to tiny blood vessels that can result in nerve pain and retinopathy (damage to the eye’s retina). Although bilberry is promoted most commonly for improving vision, the extract has been reported to reduce blood sugar levels. And another study on adults with metabolic syndrome saw that eating fresh bilberries stimulated insulin secretion, too.

Alpha-lipoic acid

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• Main uses: Easing nerve pain, lowering blood sugar
• Typical dosage: 600 to 800 milligrams a day

ALA, short for alpha-lipoic acid, neutralizes many types of free radicals—reactive oxygen atoms that can damage other cells. A build-up of free radicals, caused in part by high blood sugar, can lead to nerve damage and other problems. A 2015 study published in the Canadian Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology found that ALA helps both in the prevention and in the treatment of diabetes. As a treatment for diabetic neuropathy, says Shane-McWhorter, “ALA may help more with early nerve damage than with more advanced problems.” Other studies have shown a decrease in nerve pain, numbness, and burning. Learn key facts about diabetic neuropathy.

Ginseng

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• Main use: Lowering blood sugar
• Typical dosage: 1 to 3 grams a day in capsule or tablet form, or 3 to 5 milliliters of tincture three times a day

Known for its immune-boosting and disease-fighting benefits, this Chinese herb has several positive diabetes studies behind it. Researchers have found that ginseng slows carbohydrate absorption; increases cells’ ability to use glucose; and increases insulin secretion from the pancreas. A team of researchers from the University of Toronto has repeatedly shown that ginseng capsules lower blood glucose compared to placebo pills in people with type 2 diabetes. These are the best superfoods for people with diabetes.

Fenugreek

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• Main use: Lowering blood sugar
• Typical dosage: 5 to 30 grams with each meal or 15 to 90 grams with one meal per day

“Fenugreek is an herb that is thought to have a positive effect on metabolism and possibly blood pressure,” says Kellie Rodriguez, a registered nurse and director of the Global Diabetes Program at Parkland Health & Hospital System in Dallas. Yet, research is limited. The effect may be partly due to the seeds’ high fiber content. They also contain an amino acid that appears to boost the release of insulin. One small study, published in 2017 in the journal Ayu, suggests that eating fenugreek may reduce blood glucose levels in people with type 2 diabetes.

How To Get Rid of Cystic Acne, Sometimes Overnight (Really!)

All the beauty treatments and over-the-counter creams in the world won’t help with the large, painful, sometimes hardened bumps that characterize cystic acne. Here’s a look at the dermatologist-approved treatments that will.

Cortisone injection

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If you find yourself with a cyst, whatever you do, don’t prod, poke or attempt to pop it—as that is most likely to lead to scarring. If you have an important event and need a quick solution, call your dermatologist and make an appointment for a cortisone injection. “Cortisone is a steroid that is injected directly into the cystic acne to calm the inflammation and help it resolve more quickly, thus minimizing the risk of scarring,” explains Mara Weinstein Velez, MD, board-certified dermatologist at University of Rochester Medical Center. The cyst should shrink 70 to 90 percent and become a lot less painful within 24 to 48 hours.

Isolaz

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Isolaz is an in-office treatment done weekly or bi-monthly. “It combines suction, to empty blocked pores, with intense pulsed light, to kill P. acnes, the bacteria that causes acne,” explains Kenneth Howe, MD, a board-certified dermatologist at Wexler Dermatology, New York City. The procedure offers the bacteria-killing effects of an antibiotic (but without the potential side effects of oral medications) and is highly effective against all types of acne, from blackheads to inflamed cysts. Good news: Patients usually see improvements after just two or three treatments, and significant clearing by the time they’ve done four or five treatments.

Oral antibiotics

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Oral antibiotics work to kill P. acnes, the bacteria that causes acne. Some antibiotics—like those in the tetracycline family—are also anti-inflammatory, which helps improve redness and swelling. Results could be seen in as little as two weeks, but they may take anywhere from six to eight weeks. The duration of your treatment may depend on the severity of your acne. But some experts from the American Academy of Dermatology say to take antibiotics for the shortest amount of time possible, and only if other treatment options haven’t worked.

Birth control pills or spironolactone

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Cystic acne, particularly in adults, tends to be related to hormones. Birth control pills and spironolactone are the most effective treatment for hormonal acne in women whose breakouts tend to occur a week or so before their period.  “These medicines work by partially suppressing the effects of androgens, the male-type hormones in the body,” says Dr. Howe. Keep in mind, the beneficial effects of these treatments often take several months to achieve, so this isn’t a quick fix. “With spironolactone, it may take quite a while to work up to the most effective dose,” says Dr. Howe.

Topical antibiotics

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Topical antibiotic creams, gels, and lotions (like dapsone and clindamycin) help to kill acne-causing bacteria, thereby reducing inflammation, redness and preventing breakouts before they start. Dr. Weinstein Velez advises that they work best when used regularly—as part of a daily routine—and not as a spot treatment. “The goal is to prevent and not play catch up when it comes to acne,” says Dr. Weinstein Velez. “With consistent use, the frequency of breakouts should be lesssened and current acne should resolve more quickly.”

Topical retinoids

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“Pimples develop because the cells that line our hair follicles clump up and form plugs,” says Dr. Howe. Retinoids are prescription-strength topical vitamin A derivatives that work to clean clogged pores and regulate cell turnover to prevent future congestion, targeting acne before it begins. “Differin Gel (adapalene 0.1%) is a prescription-strength retinoid that is approved for over-the-counter sales and is one of the best, derm-approved drugstore acne treatments. The active ingredient targets acne by treating existing flare-ups, reducing inflammation and redness, and unclogging pores,” says Dr. Engelman. She suggests starting with a once-a-week application to the entire face, then increasing frequency if no skin issues arise. Results can be seen in as little as four weeks. Try these other surefire ways to get rid of acne once and for all.

Photodynamic therapy

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Photodynamic therapy controls resistant, hard-to-treat cystic acne via a treatment that combines the application of a light-sensitizing liquid with light to target and destroy acne activity. “And for some patients, with more severe cases, we can also expose them to red light in the same sitting,” says Dr. Weinstein Velez. This procedure is best performed monthly. “There is about a week of downtime—in terms of the redness and possible peeling after treatment—but the skin clears up pretty quickly.” When photodynamic therapy is done routinely, or in combination with other acne treatments, patients can expect an 85 percent reduction in acne.

Isotretinoin

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Isotretinoin (originally known as Accutane; now there are several generic versions available) is designed for patients with the most severe nodulocystic acne as well as for patients whose acne has proven resistant to other treatments. According to Dr. Howe, isotretinoin works by regulating the shedding of skin cells in hair follicles and shrinking enlarged oil glands. “Nearly all acne patients clear while on isotretinoin, once the proper dose has been reached,” says Dr. Howe. “And about 60 percent of treated patients remain clear of acne for life.” It’s important to note that there are a number of side effects associated with isotretinoin—namely that if taken by a pregnant woman, it causes birth defects. For this reason, all female patients of childbearing age must register with Ipledge before starting isotretinoin. Be sure to talk to your doctor about alternative treatments before deciding on this course of action.