Tulsi Can Help Reduce High Blood Sugar, Say Researchers

Diabetes Type 2 can be a difficult health condition to manage but help may be at hand right in your kitchen – the humble Tulsi can help reduce high blood sugar.

Researchers have found that the herb Holy Basil, better known as Tulsi in India, can help reduce high blood sugar, according to a report in www.express.co.uk.

Tulsi or Holy Basil has long been known in Ayurvedic medicine as one of the most important medicinal plants. It belongs to the mint family and has been part of Indian homes since ancient times. Tulsi can improve health conditions of those with Diabetes Type 2 by lowering blood sugar, reducing high blood pressure and relieving inflammation.

Research suggests that the herb improves pancreatic beta cell function and insulin secretion, apart from increasing the uptake of glucose by muscle cells, according to UK-based Nutritional Medicine specialist Sarah Brewer.

As part of a trial, 40 people with Type 2 diabetes were given either holy basil leaves or a placebo (spinach) for eight weeks. All their other medication was stopped under medical supervision. When taking holy basil, average fasting blood glucose levels fell by 17.6 percent and glucose levels after a meal fell by 7.3 percent compared with those who were taking spinach.

Another study had 60 people with Type 2 diabetes who continued taking their usual medication throughout the trial period. Half of them also took two 250mg capsules of holy basil per day for a duration of 90 days. Dr Brewer observed that those taking holy basil plus their usual medication had significantly better levels of glucose control.

The Dangers of Diabetes Type 2

Diabetes Type 2 can increase your risk of heart disease and stroke. Under this condition the body doesn’t make enough insulin. The result is chronic high blood glucose.

According to the official WHO data, India tops the list of countries with the highest number of diabetics; China, America, Indonesia, Japan, Pakistan, Russia, Brazil, Italy and Bangladesh follow. In the year 2000, the total number of diabetics in India stood at 31.7 million and is expected to rise by more than 100% by the year 2030, accounting for a whopping 79.4 million.

Diabetes prevention includes making lifestyle changes by improving diet, incorporating more exercise and losing weight. And as research suggests, incorporating the humble holy basil in your diet can be a big help. You can add Holy Basil or Tulsi to your tea or food or take as a supplement.