Herbs to Grow at Home with Diabetes

Gardening is a wonderful way to get exercise and grow healthy herbs to include in your daily diet. The combination of solid medical advice and consuming certain herbs can help people with diabetes to better manage their blood sugar levels. Discover which herbs you should grow at home with diabetes.

• Growing herbs at home gives you control over the use of pesticides and you get access to the freshest ingredients to include in your favorite diabetes recipes. Cinnamon is easy to grow at home and adds a spicy, sweet taste to a variety of foods. It also emits a pleasant fragrance that can help reduce stress. Studies have shown that cinnamon can help blood sugar control and improve triglyceride levels to help lower high cholesterol. Add it to baked apples for a guilt-free dessert. Sprinkle some cinnamon over a steamy cup of coffee for calorie free taste.
• Ginger has been shown to help manage high blood sugar levels because it can boost the uptake of glucose into your muscle cells. Add ginger to your pork or chicken recipes or a cup of herbal tea for added flavor while you help control your blood sugar levels.
• A recent study indicated Asian ginseng can increase your energy levels and improve blood sugar control in people with Type 2 diabetes. Put four or five slices of ginseng in a cup of boiling water to make healthy flavorful tea. Ginseng may interfere with some prescription medications so check before you add it to your garden.
• Bitter melon is often used in Asian cooking and can become a tasty addition to brown rice with simmered chicken breast. Used in traditional Chinese medicine, bitter melon can help reduce fatigue and minimize thirst, which are symptoms often associated with Type 2 diabetes.
• Turmeric is another herb to include in your home garden. Studies have shown this spice may help reduce blood sugar levels, combat cancer, promote fat loss, support liver health and reduce the risk of developing cardiovascular disease. Add it to soups, stews, cooked vegetables and sauces for a burst of flavor. It is often used with curry dishes.
• Garlic is a versatile herb that may help lower your blood sugar. Toss this robust herb into tomato sauces, soups and stews instead of using salt. Simmer your favorite lean meats and fish with garlic. Use a garlic press to finely chop garlic, heat it up in olive oil and use this delicious sauce to top off a small dish of whole wheat pasta. Roast a whole head of garlic in the oven and spread some on a slice of multi- grain bread.
• Onions are another alternative to using salt. They are easy to grow at home and may help to lower your blood sugar. Mix diced onions and garlic with egg whites to make a healthy morning omelet. Sauté onions in olive oil and add to chicken, fish or lean beef for a main meal. Add onions to sauces, stews and soups.
• Grow sweet basil for health benefits and the best tomato sauce without adding salt or sugar. Sweet basil can help you manage your blood sugar levels and has antibacterial, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties to help fight infection, reduce inflammation and combat cardiovascular disease. It also tastes great in salads, stews and soups.

While certain herbs can help you control your blood sugar and ward off other health conditions, they are not a substitute for medical advice. Keep diabetes supplies on-hand to test your blood sugar often. The combination of modern medicine and alternative therapies, such as homegrown herbs, can be the right mix for some people with diabetes.