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Herbal supplements

Herbal supplements are currently very popular for a whole range of conditions including diabetes. However, they have not been tested or regulated in the same way that drugs are.

Diabetes UK is unable to recommend the use of herbal supplements as there is still a lack of clinical evidence about their effectiveness and safety for people with diabetes. There is, unfortunately, no cure available for diabetes, and no herbal remedy can claim to cure a particular disease or condition.

If you want to, or already do take supplements, whether vitamin, mineral or herbal, you should monitor your diabetes more carefully and discuss the supplements with your GP or healthcare team. There may be risks associated with taking supplements because of their interaction with diabetic complications (eg kidney disease) and diabetes medication.

At no time should you stop taking your insulin and/or tablets without first consulting your GP or diabetes care team. Diabetes UK encourages grant applications from individuals in the UK who want to carry out clinical research into aspects of complementary and alternative medicine in relation to diabetes