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With almost 12% of the U.S. population having diabetes, so many of us are looking for ways to manage our blood sugar.Natural alternatives like herbal supplements may be among the strategies people consider.
But while certainfoodsandspicescan be helpful for diabetes, it’s important to approach herbal supplements with caution.One common assumption is that because something is “natural” it’s good for you, but supplements can come with safety risks, especially when used to treat diabetes.
How so? “Herbal supplements can interact with diabetes medications and lead to hypoglycemia, which can cause dizziness, fatigue and even a loss of consciousness,” saysWhitney Stuart, M.S., RDN, a certified diabetes care and education specialist and founder of Whitness Nutrition. For your health and safety, it’s important to know about the herbal supplements experts say you shouldn’t take if you have diabetes. Learn about the four that made this list.
Complete List of Foods to Eat When You Have Diabetes—and What to Limit
Herbal Supplements Not Recommended for Diabetes
1. St. John’s Wort
2. Ginseng
Ginseng is one of the most popular herbs taken in the U.S.But it doesn’t play nice with diabetes. “One herbal supplement that could be dangerous to take if you have diabetes is ginseng, as it may contribute to lower blood sugar levels and therefore interact with diabetes medications,” saysMascha Davis, M.P.H., RDN, author ofEat Your Vitamins. Some research suggests that ginseng may lower blood glucose, which could raise your risk for hypoglycemia, especially if you manage your blood sugar with medication.
3. Aloe Vera
While often praised for its topical skin-soothing properties, aloe vera can have significant side effects when ingested, particularly for those with diabetes. Some research indicates that oral consumption of aloe vera can lower blood sugar levels, which may result in hypoglycemia if combined with diabetes medications. Furthermore, the lack of standardization in aloe vera supplements can mean that contents and dosages of these supplements can vary widely, resulting in unpredictable impacts on blood glucose control.If you have diabetes, talk to your health care provider first before taking aloe vera.
4. Berberine
The supplement can also interact with a variety of drugs, posing additional risks if you take multiple medications for diabetes or other health conditions. As with other supplements, the quality and concentration of berberine products on the market can be highly inconsistent. For these reasons, if you have diabetes, talk to your doctor before trying berberine.
Alternative Approaches to Manage Diabetes
For those focused on managing diabetes, here are some ways to do so safely and effectively:
The Bottom Line
While herbal supplements are often dubbed “natural,” that doesn’t mean they’re always safe. If you have diabetes, approach herbal supplements with caution. Certain herbs can interfere with blood sugar levels and diabetes medications, leading to potentially serious health complications. Because supplement companies are responsible for putting out safe and accurately labeled products, it’s up to you to take a few precautions to stay safe. “If you choose to supplement, be sure to speak with your provider who can educate you on drug interactions and recommend an independently verified product,” says Davis.
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SourcesEatingWell uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable and trustworthy.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.National Diabetes Statistics Report.Hekmat-Ardakani A, Morshed-Behbahani B, Rahimi-Ardabili H, Ayati MH, Namazi N.The effects of dietary supplements and natural products targeting glucose levels: an overview. Crit Rev Food Sci Nutr. 2023;63(23):6138-6167. doi:10.1080/10408398.2022.2028716Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Diabetes and Mental Health.Stage TB, Damkier P, Christensen MM, Nielsen LB, Højlund K, Brøsen K. Impaired Glucose Tolerance in Healthy Men Treated with St. John’s Wort. Basic Clin Pharmacol Toxicol. 2016 Mar;118(3):219-24. doi:10.1111/bcpt.12486Potenza MA, Montagnani M, Santacroce L, Charitos IA, Bottalico L.Ancient herbal therapy: A brief history ofPanax ginseng.J Ginseng Res. 2023;47(3):359-365. doi:10.1016/j.jgr.2022.03.004Bang H, Kwak JH, Ahn HY, Shin DY, Lee JH.Korean red ginseng improves glucose control in subjects with impaired fasting glucose, impaired glucose tolerance, or newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes mellitus. J Med Food. 2014 Jan;17(1):128-34. doi:10.1089/jmf.2013.2889Chen W, Balan P, Popovich DG.Review of Ginseng Anti-Diabetic Studies. Molecules. 2019 Dec 9;24(24):4501. doi: 10.3390/molecules24244501.Prakash D, Margaret J, Subramanian NS, Maheshbhai CM, Babubhai CK, Kiranbhai CS, Chaudhary SK, Popatbhai CU, Kumar Lodha HL.Effect of aloe vera juice on type 2 diabetes mellitus among Indian patients. Bioinformation. 2023 Oct 31;19(10):1015-1019. doi:10.6026/973206300191015Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Manage Blood Sugar.
Sources
EatingWell uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable and trustworthy.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.National Diabetes Statistics Report.Hekmat-Ardakani A, Morshed-Behbahani B, Rahimi-Ardabili H, Ayati MH, Namazi N.The effects of dietary supplements and natural products targeting glucose levels: an overview. Crit Rev Food Sci Nutr. 2023;63(23):6138-6167. doi:10.1080/10408398.2022.2028716Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Diabetes and Mental Health.Stage TB, Damkier P, Christensen MM, Nielsen LB, Højlund K, Brøsen K. Impaired Glucose Tolerance in Healthy Men Treated with St. John’s Wort. Basic Clin Pharmacol Toxicol. 2016 Mar;118(3):219-24. doi:10.1111/bcpt.12486Potenza MA, Montagnani M, Santacroce L, Charitos IA, Bottalico L.Ancient herbal therapy: A brief history ofPanax ginseng.J Ginseng Res. 2023;47(3):359-365. doi:10.1016/j.jgr.2022.03.004Bang H, Kwak JH, Ahn HY, Shin DY, Lee JH.Korean red ginseng improves glucose control in subjects with impaired fasting glucose, impaired glucose tolerance, or newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes mellitus. J Med Food. 2014 Jan;17(1):128-34. doi:10.1089/jmf.2013.2889Chen W, Balan P, Popovich DG.Review of Ginseng Anti-Diabetic Studies. Molecules. 2019 Dec 9;24(24):4501. doi: 10.3390/molecules24244501.Prakash D, Margaret J, Subramanian NS, Maheshbhai CM, Babubhai CK, Kiranbhai CS, Chaudhary SK, Popatbhai CU, Kumar Lodha HL.Effect of aloe vera juice on type 2 diabetes mellitus among Indian patients. Bioinformation. 2023 Oct 31;19(10):1015-1019. doi:10.6026/973206300191015Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Manage Blood Sugar.
EatingWell uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable and trustworthy.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.National Diabetes Statistics Report.Hekmat-Ardakani A, Morshed-Behbahani B, Rahimi-Ardabili H, Ayati MH, Namazi N.The effects of dietary supplements and natural products targeting glucose levels: an overview. Crit Rev Food Sci Nutr. 2023;63(23):6138-6167. doi:10.1080/10408398.2022.2028716Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Diabetes and Mental Health.Stage TB, Damkier P, Christensen MM, Nielsen LB, Højlund K, Brøsen K. Impaired Glucose Tolerance in Healthy Men Treated with St. John’s Wort. Basic Clin Pharmacol Toxicol. 2016 Mar;118(3):219-24. doi:10.1111/bcpt.12486Potenza MA, Montagnani M, Santacroce L, Charitos IA, Bottalico L.Ancient herbal therapy: A brief history ofPanax ginseng.J Ginseng Res. 2023;47(3):359-365. doi:10.1016/j.jgr.2022.03.004Bang H, Kwak JH, Ahn HY, Shin DY, Lee JH.Korean red ginseng improves glucose control in subjects with impaired fasting glucose, impaired glucose tolerance, or newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes mellitus. J Med Food. 2014 Jan;17(1):128-34. doi:10.1089/jmf.2013.2889Chen W, Balan P, Popovich DG.Review of Ginseng Anti-Diabetic Studies. Molecules. 2019 Dec 9;24(24):4501. doi: 10.3390/molecules24244501.Prakash D, Margaret J, Subramanian NS, Maheshbhai CM, Babubhai CK, Kiranbhai CS, Chaudhary SK, Popatbhai CU, Kumar Lodha HL.Effect of aloe vera juice on type 2 diabetes mellitus among Indian patients. Bioinformation. 2023 Oct 31;19(10):1015-1019. doi:10.6026/973206300191015Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Manage Blood Sugar.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.National Diabetes Statistics Report.
Hekmat-Ardakani A, Morshed-Behbahani B, Rahimi-Ardabili H, Ayati MH, Namazi N.The effects of dietary supplements and natural products targeting glucose levels: an overview. Crit Rev Food Sci Nutr. 2023;63(23):6138-6167. doi:10.1080/10408398.2022.2028716
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Diabetes and Mental Health.
Stage TB, Damkier P, Christensen MM, Nielsen LB, Højlund K, Brøsen K. Impaired Glucose Tolerance in Healthy Men Treated with St. John’s Wort. Basic Clin Pharmacol Toxicol. 2016 Mar;118(3):219-24. doi:10.1111/bcpt.12486
Potenza MA, Montagnani M, Santacroce L, Charitos IA, Bottalico L.Ancient herbal therapy: A brief history ofPanax ginseng.J Ginseng Res. 2023;47(3):359-365. doi:10.1016/j.jgr.2022.03.004
Bang H, Kwak JH, Ahn HY, Shin DY, Lee JH.Korean red ginseng improves glucose control in subjects with impaired fasting glucose, impaired glucose tolerance, or newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes mellitus. J Med Food. 2014 Jan;17(1):128-34. doi:10.1089/jmf.2013.2889
Chen W, Balan P, Popovich DG.Review of Ginseng Anti-Diabetic Studies. Molecules. 2019 Dec 9;24(24):4501. doi: 10.3390/molecules24244501.
Prakash D, Margaret J, Subramanian NS, Maheshbhai CM, Babubhai CK, Kiranbhai CS, Chaudhary SK, Popatbhai CU, Kumar Lodha HL.Effect of aloe vera juice on type 2 diabetes mellitus among Indian patients. Bioinformation. 2023 Oct 31;19(10):1015-1019. doi:10.6026/973206300191015
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Manage Blood Sugar.
