Bitter melon (Momordica charantia)
Fenugreek seeds (Trigonella foenum graecum)
Gymnema (Gymnema sylvestre)
Cinnamon (Cinnamomum zeylanicum)
American ginseng (Panax quinquefolium)
Milk Thistle (Silybum marianum)
Herbal medicines are also of value in reducing complications. The following herbs have been shown to reduce vascular damage associated with diabetes.
Bilberry (Vaccinium myrtillus),
Gingko (Gingko biloba) and
Gotu kola (Centella asiatica)
New studies continue to identify roles for herbal medicines as shown by a recent clinical study (www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23581458) demonstrating the ability of the medicinal herb Veronia cinerea to reduce blood glucose.
Emphasis should be put on a role of herbal medicines, when combined with nutritional supplements, diet and exercise, in preventing progression of type 2 diabetes with the aim of reducing the need for drug treatment and reducing long term complications. Care must be taken if herbal medicines are combined with orthodox drugs and health care providers should be informed if both drug and herbal medicine treatment are used.