"High blood sugar isn't just caused by eating sugar!" Can mulberry leaf and ginger tea really lower blood sugar?

"High blood sugar isn't just caused by eating sugar!" Can mulberry leaf and ginger tea really lower blood sugar?A few days later, Chen Jianjun decided to undergo a medical checkup. The results confirmed his suspicions his blood sugar was high, his blood pressure hovered at the borderline, and he exhibited signs of rising liver fire

"High blood sugar isn't just caused by eating sugar!" Can mulberry leaf and ginger tea really lower blood sugar?

In a corner of the park, several elderly gentlemen were gathered around a chess table, engaging in a lively exchange of health tips and anecdotes. "High blood sugar isn't just caused by eating sugar. Just look at your rising liver fire, how could your blood sugar not be high?" Dr. Li's remarks were met with nods of agreement from the surrounding onlookers. Chen Jianjun, a 50-year-old high school history teacher, known for his elegance and eloquence on stage, had recently been experiencing dry eyes, a parched mouth, and a lack of energy. He had come to the park for a break, watching the elders play chess, when he unexpectedly overheard this health conversation.

The elders were deeply engrossed in their discussion, particularly Zhang, who enthusiastically shared his recent discovery mulberry leaf and ginger tea. Patting his chest, he insisted that this was a remedy recommended by his old doctor friend, claiming it could not only clear the liver and improve eyesight but also lower blood sugar and blood pressure. The other elderly gentlemen immediately gathered around, eager to learn about this "miracle remedy." Chen Jianjun, however, was filled with skepticism. "Mulberry leaves and ginger mixed together? Can it really have such a powerful effect?" Yet, considering his chronic dry eyes and elevated blood sugar, he couldn't help but feel a sliver of curiosity.

A few days later, Chen Jianjun decided to undergo a medical checkup. The results confirmed his suspicions his blood sugar was high, his blood pressure hovered at the borderline, and he exhibited signs of rising liver fire. After reviewing the report, Dr. Li frowned and said, "You need to control both your blood sugar and blood pressure, don't take them lightly." Chen Jianjun mentioned the mulberry leaf and ginger tea remedy he had heard in the park. Dr. Li chuckled, "The remedy isn't without merit, but don't blindly believe everything you hear. Mulberry leaves do have a liver-clearing and eye-brightening effect. In traditional Chinese medicine, they are considered cold and sweet with a bitter aftertaste, and enter the liver meridian. They have the ability to calm the liver, improve eyesight, and lower blood sugar. Modern scientific research confirms this, showing that the flavonoids and polysaccharides in mulberry leaves have positive effects on reducing blood sugar levels and optimizing pancreatic function."

However, the doctor quickly shifted his tone, adding, "The problem is, combining these two ingredients is like adding two different types of fuel to a car. Mulberry leaves are cold while ginger is hot, and they can cancel each other out, making the effects less potent than you might think. Especially for someone like you with high blood sugar and rising liver fire, long-term consumption could actually exacerbate the liver fire." Chen Jianjun felt a pang of disappointment. He had hoped to find a solution that didn't involve medications, but it seemed there was more to it than he initially thought.

The doctor continued, "The key to clearing the liver, improving eyesight, and lowering blood sugar lies in maintaining good lifestyle habits and a balanced diet. These remedies may seem simple, but their efficacy depends on whether they address the root cause. Plants like mulberry leaves can be helpful for early-stage, mild diabetes, but their effects are limited unless combined with a proper diet and exercise regimen." The doctor then shared a real case: "We had a patient, in his 50s, with chronic high blood sugar. He firmly believed in the power of mulberry leaf tea to lower blood sugar and drank it every day, while indulging in sweet treats. The result? His blood sugar didn't decrease, it actually went up. Eventually, we prescribed a combined treatment approach using both Western and traditional Chinese medicine. We adjusted his diet to limit sweets and fatty foods, and added some exercise, and only then were we finally able to stabilize his blood sugar."

This example made Chen Jianjun realize that no single remedy is a magic bullet; scientific diet and lifestyle changes are the true path to health. Dr. Li explained further that for many individuals, high blood sugar and high blood pressure are closely related to rising liver fire. The liver is responsible for regulating emotions and smooth energy flow. When liver fire rises, it can lead to mood swings, blood pressure fluctuations, and even insulin resistance, causing blood sugar to rise. Therefore, clearing the liver and reducing fire is crucial for stabilizing blood sugar and blood pressure. However, clearing the liver isn't solely reliant on a few herbs; it requires emotional regulation, avoiding late nights, and a light diet. For instance, consuming more bitter foods like bitter melon and celery, while limiting spicy and irritating foods, can help balance liver fire and stabilize blood sugar.

He further elaborated, stating that modern research has shown that certain components of mulberry leaves do help lower blood sugar. One study observed 300 patients with mild diabetes for six months and found that nearly 70% of those who consistently consumed mulberry leaf extract experienced a decrease in their fasting blood sugar levels. However, the study also clearly pointed out that while mulberry leaves are beneficial for health, they cannot entirely replace medication. They must be combined with healthy dietary management and regular exercise to achieve optimal results.

Regarding ginger, Dr. Li explained that it is suitable for individuals with cold constitutions who experience coldness, as it can warm the stomach and dispel cold. However, for those with rising liver fire and high blood pressure, long-term consumption might be counterproductive. Traditional Chinese medicine emphasizes "balance between cold and heat," and modern nutrition also acknowledges the importance of personalized dietary choices. Therefore, while mulberry leaf and ginger tea have a certain logic, they are not suitable for everyone, especially those with a hot constitution and rising liver fire, who should exercise caution when consuming them.

Chen Jianjun finally understood. These remedies were not as simple as they appeared; they should be tailored to individual constitutions. He resolved to follow the doctor's advice, adjusting his diet to reduce high-sugar and high-fat foods, opting for lighter and easily digestible dishes, and engaging in regular moderate exercise. Back home, he began consciously avoiding late nights, maintaining a calm and composed demeanor, and gradually noticed his blood sugar and blood pressure stabilizing.

However, as he implemented these healthy practices, a new question arose in Chen Jianjun's mind: If mulberry leaves and ginger each possess unique benefits, could there be a specific combination that avoids their "conflict" while maximizing their positive effects? This question lingered in his thoughts for a long time until he returned to the hospital to seek consultation with Dr. Li.

Addressing this question, Dr. Li provided a detailed explanation. In traditional Chinese medicine, the principle of "Lord, Minister, Assistant, and Messenger" is applied, where the combination of herbs and ingredients can either complement or counteract each other. Thus, finding a "balanced" combination requires rigorous scientific experimentation and validation. Currently, although mulberry leaves and ginger each have their advantages, their contrasting properties make achieving "two-in-one" effects challenging. If one truly desires to achieve a combined effect of clearing the liver, lowering blood sugar, and regulating the spleen and stomach, they could consider incorporating ingredients with neutral properties like Poria cocos and Citrus peel. This combination could potentially leverage mulberry leaves' blood sugar-lowering ability while mitigating the potential for increased liver fire due to ginger's warming nature.

In real life, however, it's more important to adapt to specific circumstances and avoid blindly pursuing a so-called "universal formula." Dr. Li concluded by emphasizing that regardless of the remedy, the most crucial factor is to create a personalized health plan based on individual constitution, avoiding the pitfalls of blind adherence.

What are your thoughts on the health benefits of mulberry leaf and ginger tea? Share your views in the comments section!