Researchers reviewed studies about traditional Asian plant-based foods and herbs that might help people with type 2 diabetes. They found that ingredients like turmeric, cinnamon, and special herbal drinks from Indonesia appear to help the body control blood sugar better and reduce damage from harmful molecules. These natural compounds seem to work by changing how certain genes behave in the body. While the early results are exciting and suggest these could be useful alongside regular diabetes treatment, scientists say we need more careful human studies to prove they really work before recommending them widely.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: Whether traditional Asian herbs, spices, and plant-based foods can help control blood sugar and reduce diabetes-related health problems by changing how genes work in the body
  • Who participated: This was a review that looked at many different studies—not a single study with participants. Researchers searched through hundreds of scientific papers about Asian traditional medicines and diabetes
  • Key finding: Multiple Asian plants and their active ingredients (like turmeric’s curcumin and cinnamon) appear to help the body use insulin better, control blood sugar, and reduce harmful oxidative stress that damages cells
  • What it means for you: These traditional foods and herbs may offer helpful support for diabetes management, but they shouldn’t replace doctor-prescribed medications yet. More rigorous testing in humans is needed before we can confidently recommend them as primary treatments

The Research Details

This was a literature review, meaning researchers didn’t conduct their own experiment. Instead, they searched three major scientific databases (PubMed, Scopus, and Science Direct) for all existing studies about Asian traditional medicines and diabetes. They looked for studies using specific keywords like ’nutraceutical,’ ‘antidiabetic,’ ‘herbal medicine,’ and ‘antioxidant’ to find relevant research.

The researchers then analyzed all the studies they found to identify patterns and common findings about how traditional Asian plants might help with diabetes. They focused especially on how these plants’ active ingredients might change gene expression—essentially how they turn certain genes ‘on’ or ‘off’ in the body to improve blood sugar control.

This approach is useful for getting a big-picture understanding of what scientists have discovered so far, but it’s not as strong as conducting a new controlled experiment with human participants.

Review studies are important because they help scientists and doctors see what we know overall about a topic. By gathering information from many different studies, researchers can spot trends and identify which traditional medicines seem most promising. This helps guide which treatments should be studied more carefully in humans next. Without these reviews, doctors wouldn’t know which traditional remedies are worth investigating further.

This review has some important limitations to understand: First, it’s based on other people’s studies, so the quality depends on how well those original studies were done. Second, many studies about traditional medicines are done in labs or with animals, not with actual people, so results might not work the same way in humans. Third, the review doesn’t tell us how many human studies versus animal studies were included. Finally, the researchers note that we still need careful, controlled human trials (called double-blind randomized clinical trials) to prove these herbs actually work for diabetes treatment.

What the Results Show

The review found that several traditional Asian herbal beverages show promise for diabetes management. Three Indonesian herbal drinks—Galohgor, Bir Pletok, and Wedang Uwuh—appeared in studies to help reduce high blood sugar levels, decrease harmful oxidative stress (damage from unstable molecules), and support weight loss in people with type 2 diabetes.

Multiple Asian plants and their active ingredients showed benefits for blood sugar control. Key compounds include curcumin (from turmeric), cinnamon, kaempferol, quercetin, and several others. These ingredients appear to work by improving how the body uses insulin and helping cells respond better to insulin signals.

At the genetic level, these plant compounds seem to influence genes responsible for insulin production and the pathways that control blood sugar. They also appear to boost the body’s natural antioxidant defenses, which protect cells from damage. This suggests these traditional medicines might work through multiple mechanisms in the body.

Beyond blood sugar control, the review identified several other potential benefits. These plant compounds appear to reduce oxidative stress throughout the body, which is important because oxidative stress contributes to many diabetes complications. The herbs also showed potential for supporting weight management, which is crucial since obesity and type 2 diabetes are closely linked. Additionally, some compounds appeared to help protect the insulin-producing cells in the pancreas from damage.

This review builds on growing scientific interest in traditional medicines for diabetes. Previous research has shown that some plant-based compounds have biological activity, but this review specifically focuses on Asian traditional medicines and how they affect gene expression. The findings align with earlier studies suggesting natural compounds can influence insulin sensitivity, but this review emphasizes the genetic mechanisms—how these plants actually change which genes are active in the body. This represents an evolution in understanding from simply ’these herbs help’ to ‘here’s how they help at the molecular level.’

Several important limitations should be understood: The review included studies of varying quality, from laboratory experiments to animal studies to human studies, making it hard to know how well results will apply to real people. Many studies were small or done in controlled lab settings that don’t reflect real-world conditions. The review doesn’t provide a systematic quality assessment of included studies. Additionally, most evidence comes from preclinical (lab and animal) research rather than large human trials. Publication bias may exist, meaning studies showing positive results are more likely to be published than negative ones. Finally, the review doesn’t address whether these herbs might interact with diabetes medications or other treatments.

The Bottom Line

Based on current evidence, traditional Asian herbs and spices may be considered as a complementary approach to diabetes management, but with important caveats: (1) They should NOT replace prescribed diabetes medications without doctor approval. (2) If interested in trying these, discuss with your healthcare provider first, as some herbs can interact with medications. (3) Focus on well-studied options like cinnamon and turmeric in food amounts rather than supplements. (4) Confidence level: MODERATE for potential benefits, but LOW for recommending as primary treatment until human trials are completed.

This research is most relevant for people with type 2 diabetes or those at risk for it who are interested in traditional medicine approaches. It may also interest healthcare providers looking for complementary strategies. However, people taking blood sugar medications should be especially cautious and consult their doctor before adding these herbs. Pregnant women, people with certain health conditions, or those taking multiple medications should definitely talk to their doctor first.

If these herbs do work, benefits wouldn’t be immediate. Based on how diabetes develops and how the body responds to dietary changes, you might expect to see measurable improvements in blood sugar control over 4-12 weeks of consistent use. However, this timeline is based on general nutrition science, not specific studies of these herbs in humans. Individual results would vary significantly.

Want to Apply This Research?

  • Track daily intake of specific Asian herbs or spices (cinnamon, turmeric, herbal tea servings) alongside blood sugar readings if you monitor them. Record amounts consumed and any changes in energy levels, hunger, or measured glucose values over 8-12 weeks
  • Start by incorporating one traditional Asian herb or spice into your regular diet—such as adding cinnamon to oatmeal, turmeric to rice dishes, or trying one of the mentioned herbal beverages 2-3 times weekly. Track this consistently in the app before adding additional herbs
  • Create a long-term tracking system that logs: (1) which herbs consumed and quantity, (2) any blood sugar readings if available, (3) energy and appetite changes, (4) any side effects or concerns. Review monthly trends to see if patterns emerge. Share data with your healthcare provider to ensure safety and effectiveness

This review summarizes research on traditional Asian herbs and their potential effects on diabetes. However, this information is educational only and should not replace professional medical advice. If you have type 2 diabetes or are at risk for it, consult your doctor before using herbal supplements or making significant dietary changes, especially if you take diabetes medications. Some herbs can interact with medications or cause side effects. The evidence reviewed is primarily from laboratory and animal studies; large-scale human trials are still needed. Always inform your healthcare provider about any herbs or supplements you’re considering.