Essential Oils That May Help Lower Blood Sugar

Today, the healing benefits of essential oils are more than the claims of ancient tradition and alternative medicine. They are increasingly the stuff of science. Not that essential oils will cure diabetes, but using them can be more than an odoriferous way to spice-up your diabetes management routine.

Essential oils contain potent biologically-active volatile compounds with therapeutic effects. The compounds enter our system when the oils are absorbed by our skin, the fragrance enters the bloodstream via our lungs, their sumptuous scents influence the brain’s limbic system, or they are ingested in dilute amounts.

Essential Oils and Blood Sugar

Several of these essential oils are believed or proven to have an effect on blood sugar levels, including:

    Cinnamon Bark (Cinnamomum zeylanicum). Research studies have demonstrated that cinnamon helps lower glucose levels, LDL cholesterol, triglycerides, total cholesterol, and increases insulin sensitivity in people with type 2 diabetes. Cinnamon oil is generally known for its powerful anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, anti-viral, and anti-fungal properties.


    Coriander (Coriandrum sativum). Coriander helps lower blood sugar in two ways. It demonstrates insulin-like activity at a cellular level, and it facilitates insulin release from the pancreas. Studies reveal that coriander also reduces triglycerides, LDL, and total cholesterol, and is associated with increased HDL cholesterol.

    Davana (artemisia pallens). The davana plant is native to India. There are historical and anecdotal reports of davana effectively lowering blood glucose levels.

    Dill Weed (Anethum graveolens). Dill stimulates the pancreas and helps regulate insulin. It is also known for its antibacterial, and anti-spasmodic properties.

Essential oils can also relieve problems that result from or contribute to diabetes such as stress, anxiety, pain, and insomnia—all maladies that may be lessened using lavender oil.

However, just because the lavender flower is delicate and smells lovely, does not mean we can take the potency of lavender, or any other essential oil, lightly.


Potent Effects: Use Wisely

Because essential oils are extracted from plants, people tend to think their influence can only be benign. This is a potentially dangerous assumption. If you choose to experiment with oils for diabetes relief, it is important to acknowledge their possibly powerful effects.

For instance, some individuals who report lowering blood glucose with essential oils needed to make medication or dietary adjustments to maintain target glucose levels and avoid hypoglycemia.

Other important considerations include the purity and therapeutic grade of the oils being used, how to best administer them (e.g., inhale, rub on skin, ingest), whether they mix well with other medications, and have age, or pregnancy restrictions.

So, before trying essential oils research them, consult essential oil experts, and work with your doctor to make their use safe and effective as possible.


Sources: Diabetes In Control, Heritage Essential Oils, Mercola
Photo: Pexels


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