Though drugs are supposed to be your only option — according to conventional wisdom — to help cure certain illnesses while keeping others under control, they aren’t without side effects. As far as blood sugar medication for diabetics, this can include problems such as liver failure.

To combat this, many are turning toward natural remedies for blood sugar control, concocted from herbs instead of chemicals. While not all purported blood sugar control herbs are legitimate, there are three that show a lot of promise.

American Ginseng

In 2000, the American Diabetic Association announced support for ginseng based on clinical trials performed by the University of Toronto. In it, participants continued to adhere to strict diets, regular exercise and medication.

The 23 participants were then given either three grams of American ginseng or a placebo for eight weeks. By the end, the diabetic patients on American ginseng showed lower blood sugar levels.

Fenugreek Seeds

Fenugreek seeds have long been a folk remedy for diabetes, prompting study by scientists. Placebo controlled studies suggest that Fenugreek seeds low blood sugar considerably.

Sage

Long used in recipes, it is more commonly used as a way to treat cramps. That being said, a German study found that diabetics that drank infusions of sage with nothing in their stomachs showed reduced blood sugar levels. Even so, it is still an herb that needs a bit more testing before any truly accurate results can be released.

Sources:

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19839001

http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/266480.php