Clove For Diabetes: How Does Clove Help Manage Blood Sugar Levels

Pungent and peppery, cloves are used in a variety of curries and pulao for its distinct flavour. Cloves can be found both in whole and ground forms, and both of them are pretty popular in Indian kitchens. The warming spice is a winter favourite too and has many potent medicinal properties that helps keep cold, cough, nausea, digestive disorders and flu at bay. Ayurveda has many healing concoctions or kadhas that uses clove as one of its main ingredients. As per Ayurveda, cloves are said to be kaphahar which means that they have the ability to balance the kapha dosha. Kapha governs the structure and fluid in the body. Its primary function is protection. Being carminative in nature, it helps in improving digestion. Therefore, it is suggested you add cloves while cooking foods like kidney beans or black gram that tend to cause flatulence. Ayurvedic medicine used cloves for tooth decay, halitosis, and bad breath. Ground cloves are traditionally applied to minor cuts for healing purposes. Moreover, its tea is a popular warm beverage to relieve congestion. Using clove oil helps relieve headaches, flatulence, as well as reduce stretch marks. Did you know clove may also help stabilise your blood sugar levels? Read on to know how. 

(Also Read: 4 Diabetic-Friendly Recipes To Try)

Cloves (Laung) For Diabetes: Here's How The Pungent Herb Is Effective In Managing Diabetes

Alongside it's antiseptic properties, cloves also offer anti-inflammatory, analgesic and digestive health benefits for diabetes. Cloves also help keep your blood sugar levels in check and are known to promote insulin production, further controlling diabetes. A recent study, published in Journal Natural Medicine, examined the hypoglycaemic effects of clove on genetically diabetic mice and found that the extract helps increase the secretion of insulin and improve the function of cells that produce insulin. 

(Also Read: 14 Amazing Benefits Of Clove Oil)

Insulin is a hormone that helps keep your blood sugar levels in control. Among diabetics, the insulin hormone is often impaired, which is why it gets difficult for the system to process how much sugar is needed and how much is extra. Clove oil also helps in maintaining the insulin levels. The postprandial insulin and glucose response mechanism is improved significantly on consuming clove oil.

Another way of making the most of clove is through clove tea. Here's how you can make clove tea at home: 

1. Take a teaspoon of clove in mortar and pestle and grind them coarsely.
2. Add this powder to a cup of water and allow it to boil for 8-10 minutes.
3. Once it starts boiling, add half a teaspoon of tea powder and let this mixture steep for few more minutes.
4. Strain the liquid and allow it cool.
5. Drink this tea
 

Other Benefits Of Clove:

1. Using cloves for clearing up cold has been an ancient natural remedy. You can sip away the symptoms of flu and congestion with a healing brew of cloves, cinnamon and some whole cardamoms infused in tea.
    
2. Cloves are great to clear acne and blemishes. Make a paste with cloves, some honey and a drop of lime. Leave it on for 15 minutes and rinse off for glowing skin. 
    
3. Clove oil is one of the richest sources of antioxidants. It is used as an antiseptic and pain reliever, especially for toothaches and stomach pain, as per Dr. Ashutosh Gautam from Baidyanath.

In nutshell, this aromatic spice has anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and digestive properties. Research has confirmed that clove helps to improve insulin sensitivity and lowers the levels of bad cholesterol and triglycerides. Use the spice as per your preference. 

Disclaimer: This content including advice provides generic information only. It is in no way a substitute for qualified medical opinion. Always consult a specialist or your own doctor for more information. NDTV does not claim responsibility for this information.