High Blood Sugar

Used traditionally for diabetes. A leaf extract lowered blood sugar in diabetic mice; not tested in people.

A small amount of research suggests aloe by mouth may lower blood sugar in diabetes.

A cold bark infusion is traditionally taken for diabetes. Not studied in people.

A review of 5 trials found it lowered fasting blood sugar.

In one small 3-month study, arjuna bark plus metformin improved blood sugar about as much as sitagliptin plus metformin. There was no placebo group.

A review of small trials found a borderline drop in long-term blood sugar (HbA1c); evidence is weak.

Reviews disagree: one found lower blood sugar in diabetes trials, another found no clear effect against placebo. May add to diabetes medicines.

A 2017 review of 7 trials in type 2 diabetes found it improved fasting blood sugar.

In a small trial in type 2 diabetes, 3 g a day for 10 weeks lowered HbA1c.

Widely used traditionally for diabetes, but a Cochrane review found too little evidence that it works. It may add to the effects of diabetes medicines.

In people with type 2 diabetes, a review found lower fasting blood sugar but no significant change in long-term blood sugar (HbA1c); results varied widely.

Traditionally used for thirst with frequent urination (signs of diabetes), and lowered blood sugar in animal studies. Not tested in clinical trials.

Used in Puerto Rico alongside diabetes treatment. A root extract lowered blood sugar in diabetic rats; it hasn't been tested for this in people.

A leaf drink is traditionally used for diabetes; it slowed sugar absorption in rats but also reduced absorption of metformin.

Lowered blood sugar in diabetic rats. It hasn't been tested in people.

A folk medicine for diabetes in East and Southeast Asia. It lowered blood sugar in diabetic rats, but hasn't been tested in people.

May help lower blood sugar in type 2 diabetes, but many studies weren't high quality.

Garlic supplements may slightly lower blood sugar in people with diabetes.

Some studies in people with prediabetes or diabetes found lower fasting blood sugar, but the results conflict.

A root extract lowered blood sugar in diabetic mice. Not tested in people.

Traditionally used for diabetes in East Asia. Small studies of a Japanese guava leaf tea found it lowered the rise in blood sugar after meals. The studies were reported by the tea's maker.

Used in Ayurveda for diabetes; lowered blood sugar in animal studies, with mixed results in people.

Traditionally used for diabetes. Lab and animal studies suggest effects on blood sugar; it hasn't been tested in people.

Lab and animal studies suggest it may lower blood sugar; many of these studies were weak.

Traditionally used for diabetes in Trinidad. This use hasn't been tested in people.

Traditionally used for diabetes; lowered blood sugar in lab and animal studies, but not tested for this in people.

A traditional diabetes remedy. Lowered blood sugar in rats, and a small study of a four-herb tablet including it helped people with type 2 diabetes.

Research suggests extracts may help control blood sugar in type 2 diabetes, though most studies were done in the Middle East.

Traditionally used for diabetes; lowered blood sugar in diabetic rats. Not tested in people.

Used for diabetes in Caribbean and folk medicine. It lowered blood sugar in diabetic mice but hasn't been tested in people, and the plant can be poisonous.

Studies suggest pomegranate may lower blood sugar slightly.

Formulas containing fu ling, added to diabetes medicines, lowered blood sugar in low-to-moderate quality Chinese trials.

Reviews of trials found purslane lowered fasting blood sugar a little, but not long-term blood sugar (HbA1c). Better trials are needed.

A Cochrane review found reishi didn't lower long-term blood sugar in people with type 2 diabetes.

A review of 13 trials found sesame products lowered long-term blood sugar (HbA1c).

Traditionally used for diabetes in Asian medicine. Not shown in the sources to work in people.

Traditionally used for diabetes in Bangladesh. This use hasn't been tested in people.

In one small trial in prediabetes, tarragon slightly lowered HbA1c and insulin output.

Traditionally used in Mexico for diabetes. Lab and animal studies suggest it may lower blood sugar, but it hasn't been tested in people. Don't combine it with diabetes medicines.

A 2023 review of 12 trials found it lowered fasting blood sugar and HbA1c.

Lowered blood sugar in diabetic rats. Not tested in people.

May help blood sugar control in prediabetes, based on only 2 small trials.