Cups of herbal tea with chamomile flowers, ginger, cinnamon, and hibiscus petals.

Are Herbal Teas Effective in Managing Blood Sugar? What Research Says

Dr. Sarha Eusuf, MBBS
Written by Dr. Sarha Eusuf, MBBS
Medically reviewed by MD (Endocrinology), FCPS, MACP, MACE
Last reviewed

In this article

  • Can Herbal Teas Really Help Manage Blood Sugar?
  • How Might Herbal Teas Affect Blood Sugar?
  • Which Herbal Teas Have Been Studied?
  • What Does the Scientific Research Actually Show?
  • How to Enjoy Herbal Tea as Part of a Balanced Diet
  • Are Herbal Teas Safe for People With Blood Sugar Concerns?
  • Herbal Tea Compared With Water and Other Drinks
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • The Bottom Line

Herbal teas are enjoyed around the world for their flavor and variety, and some have been studied for their potential effects on blood sugar. Although early findings are encouraging for certain preparations, the evidence is not strong enough to treat herbal tea as a proven diabetes therapy.

“Herbal tea” usually means an infusion made from herbs, flowers, spices, or other plants, rather than the tea leaves of Camellia sinensis used for green and black tea. A cup of brewed herbal tea is also very different from a concentrated herbal supplement, and research on one does not automatically apply to the other. Many people are interested because blood glucose and HbA1c (a blood test reflecting average glucose over about two to three months) are central to managing diabetes and prediabetes.

This article explains what the research shows, which herbal teas have been studied, and where the evidence is limited. It also covers safe use, medication concerns, and how herbal teas compare with water and other drinks. Herbal tea may fit into a balanced diet, but its effectiveness as a treatment remains uncertain.

Can Herbal Teas Really Help Manage Blood Sugar?

Some research suggests they might, but the evidence is early and limited. A 2025 systematic review and meta-analysis in Nutrition Reviews pooled 14 randomized controlled trials with 551 participants with type 2 diabetes. It reported a significant association between drinking herbal tea (prepared with 2 to 20 grams of plant ingredients daily) and reductions in fasting blood glucose and HbA1c.

The sample was small, the trials used different plants and preparations, and the HbA1c result was only just statistically significant (P = 0.045). The review itself found that trial duration, region, and other study characteristics explained some of the differences in results.

Key takeaway: Certain herbal teas are worth studying, but the evidence does not establish a universal blood sugar benefit for every herbal tea or every person. The National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH) states that there is not enough scientific evidence to show that any dietary supplement can help manage or prevent type 2 diabetes.

How Might Herbal Teas Affect Blood Sugar?

Researchers have proposed several mechanisms. Most of this work comes from laboratory and animal studies, so these ideas should be read as hypotheses, not proof of a benefit in daily life.

Plant compounds and antioxidants

Herbs contain many plant compounds, including polyphenols and flavonoids. Scientists are studying whether these substances influence metabolic processes and glucose regulation. To learn more about this class of compounds, see our explainer on what antioxidants are.

Insulin sensitivity and glucose use

Insulin helps move glucose from the bloodstream into cells. Some plant compounds have shown potentially relevant effects in laboratory and preliminary human research. That does not establish that drinking an infusion improves insulin sensitivity in everyday life. For background, see our guide to insulin resistance.

Effects may vary by plant and preparation

A weak infusion, a concentrated extract, and an herbal supplement are not interchangeable. The amount of active compounds varies with the plant species, preparation method, serving size, and product formulation. For example, the 2025 review above included teas made with anywhere from 2 to 20 grams of plant material per day, which is a wide range.

None of these proposed mechanisms prove that herbal teas prevent diabetes or reliably lower glucose.

Which Herbal Teas Have Been Studied for Blood Sugar Management?

Several herbal teas and related plants have attracted research interest. The sections below summarize the evidence and its limits. They are not a ranking, because there is not enough comparative evidence to say which tea is best.

Chamomile tea

Chamomile is a traditional caffeine-free beverage. A systematic review and meta-analysis of chamomile consumption and glycemic markers in the Journal of Diabetes & Metabolic Disorders reported favorable pooled findings for fasting glucose and HbA1c, but it drew on only a small number of human clinical trials alongside animal studies. A systematic review of human trials of chamomile tea (2.5 to 10 grams for four to 12 weeks) also described positive effects on glycemic control, while noting that two of the trials were inconclusive.

These findings are preliminary and do not establish chamomile tea as a treatment. People who are allergic to related plants in the daisy family should be cautious, and anyone with a history of allergic reactions to herbal products should check with a clinician first.

Cinnamon tea

Cinnamon has been studied for possible effects on fasting glucose and insulin resistance, but most research has examined cinnamon supplements, not a cup of cinnamon-infused water. NCCIH reports that data from clinical trials have shown conflicting results on cinnamon for diabetes. The Mayo Clinic similarly notes that it is not clear whether cinnamon helps lower blood sugar, partly because studies used different doses and types of cinnamon.

Cinnamon used in normal culinary amounts is different from large amounts of concentrated products taken regularly. A review of cinnamon supplement trials noted that improvements often did not reach recommended treatment goals.

Ginger tea

Ginger is a common herbal infusion, and researchers have investigated its compounds for potential metabolic effects. The evidence for people with type 2 diabetes is inconsistent. One 2019 meta-analysis of dietary ginger found no significant difference in fasting blood sugar, while a small trial of ginger powder reported improvements in fasting blood sugar and HbA1c.

Many of these studies used ginger powder or supplements at doses of 1,600 to 4,000 milligrams daily, which is not the same as drinking ginger tea. No specific reduction in fasting glucose or after-meal blood sugar can be promised. Our article on ginger health benefits covers its wider uses.

Hibiscus tea

Hibiscus is a tart, caffeine-free infusion. It has been studied more for blood pressure than for blood sugar, and evidence for a reliable blood sugar benefit from drinking hibiscus tea remains limited. Reference summaries note that early research suggests drinking hibiscus tea for two to six weeks lowered blood pressure in people with mildly high blood pressure, and that hibiscus might also decrease blood sugar.

Because hibiscus may affect blood pressure, people with low blood pressure or those taking blood pressure medication should ask a health care professional whether regular use is appropriate. For more on blood pressure, see our guide to how to lower blood pressure.

Other herbal infusions

Fenugreek, bitter melon, and other botanicals are sometimes marketed for glucose management. Evidence from extracts, powders, or supplements is not the same as evidence from tea. Diabetes UK states that it does not recommend herbal remedies and supplements because there is not enough evidence that they are safe and effective for people with diabetes.

What Does the Scientific Research Actually Show?

The research is best understood as a promising but incomplete picture.

Findings from systematic reviews

The 2025 meta-analysis described earlier is the most direct evidence on herbal tea and type 2 diabetes. It included 14 randomized controlled trials with 551 participants and reported reductions in fasting glucose and HbA1c, as well as improved lipid profiles (total cholesterol, triglycerides, and LDL cholesterol) when water or placebo was the comparison (Nutrition Reviews, 2025). The authors concluded that herbal tea consumption significantly affected glycemic profiles, but additional research is needed to corroborate the findings.

A narrower review that looked at Camellia tea and herbal tea together noted that findings on tea and blood glucose in type 2 diabetes have been contradictory. For comparison, see our articles on green tea and blood sugar and green tea and type 2 diabetes, where reviews have been more mixed.

Why results are not definitive

Several limitations make it hard to draw firm conclusions:

  • Many individual trials include small groups of participants.
  • Trials use different plants and preparation methods.
  • The amount and duration of tea consumption vary widely.
  • Participants differ in health, medications, and diet.
  • Study methods and comparison groups are inconsistent.

Statistical significance versus real-world benefit

A result that is statistically significant does not automatically mean the change is large enough to improve someone’s health in a meaningful way. Clinical importance has to be judged separately. A small drop in fasting glucose, for example, may not change long-term outcomes. To understand these measurements, see our guides to the A1C test and blood sugar.

Editorial takeaway: Some evidence is promising, but further high-quality trials are needed before specific herbal teas can be recommended as reliable blood sugar management tools.

How to Enjoy Herbal Tea as Part of a Balanced Diet

If you like herbal tea, you do not need to avoid it. These suggestions are practical and do not promise a therapeutic effect.

Choose unsweetened herbal tea

Plain herbal infusions generally contain very little energy when prepared without added sweeteners. Replacing sugar-sweetened drinks with unsweetened herbal tea can help reduce added sugar intake, which the Dietary Guidelines for Americans encourage. That benefit comes from what you stop drinking, and it does not prove that the tea itself lowers glucose.

Read product labels

Check ingredient lists for added sugar, syrups, or other ingredients. Blended products can contain multiple herbs with different safety considerations. Our guide to nutrition facts explains how to read labels.

Is there a best time to drink herbal tea?

No universal timing has been established for lowering blood sugar. Claims that drinking tea on an empty stomach or immediately after meals guarantees a better result are not supported by good evidence.

Is there a recommended number of cups?

No universal tea dosage has been established for diabetes management. Follow product directions, and seek individualized advice when a tea contains herbs that could interact with your health conditions or medications. For help building meals around your goals, see our overview of the diabetes diet.

Are Herbal Teas Safe for People With Blood Sugar Concerns?

“Natural” does not always mean risk-free. Diabetes UK reminds readers that terms such as “natural,” “herbal,” and “derived from plant” do not necessarily mean “safe”. Most ordinary herbal teas are consumed without problems, but a few points deserve attention.

Herbal teas versus concentrated supplements

Concentrated extracts can deliver very different amounts of plant compounds than ordinary tea. Findings and risks from supplements should not be generalized to all brewed infusions, and the reverse is also true. If you are choosing between a tea and a capsule, they are different products with different evidence.

Possible medication interactions

Some herbs and supplements can affect prescription medicines or cause unwanted effects. Diabetes UK notes that supplements may affect the way diabetes medications work and may worsen diabetes complications such as kidney disease, so people should speak with their health care team and continue their prescribed medication. Examples include hibiscus (blood pressure medicines) and ginger (which may affect blood thinners or blood sugar medicines in larger amounts). Our guide to high blood pressure offers additional background.

Allergies and existing health conditions

Some herbs can trigger allergic reactions or may be unsuitable for people with particular conditions, including pregnancy. Products that contain several herbs make it harder to spot potential interactions. If you have kidney disease, liver disease, or take multiple medications, ask a pharmacist before using a new herbal product regularly.

Do not replace established diabetes care

Herbal tea should not be used instead of prescribed medicine, glucose monitoring, or professional medical advice. Do not change medication doses because of tea consumption. If you notice symptoms of low or high blood sugar, check your glucose and contact your care team. Our guide to the signs of high blood sugar can help you recognize changes.

Herbal Tea Compared With Water and Other Drinks

Comparing beverages by their nutritional properties is more useful than relying on medicinal claims.

  • Unsweetened herbal tea: Usually a low-calorie, caffeine-free option, depending on the ingredients.
  • Water: A straightforward hydration choice without added sugar or active herbal compounds.
  • Sweetened tea: Can contain added sugar that contributes to carbohydrate intake.
  • Sweetened juice drinks and soft drinks: May contain substantial amounts of sugar.

Replacing a sweetened beverage with unsweetened herbal tea can reduce added sugar consumption. That benefit does not prove that the tea itself directly lowers blood glucose. Traditional tea is a separate category; see our guides to green tea health benefits and drinking green tea every day for how it differs from herbal infusions.

Frequently Asked Questions About Herbal Teas and Blood Sugar

What is the best herbal tea for blood sugar?

No single herbal tea has been established as the best option. Some preparations have promising early findings, but the evidence is insufficient to rank teas as treatments (Nutrition Reviews, 2025).

Can herbal tea lower blood sugar quickly?

There is no reliable evidence that a cup of herbal tea can quickly or predictably lower elevated blood glucose. Studies that reported benefits generally involved regular consumption over weeks or months. Follow your established care plan.

Is chamomile tea good for blood sugar?

A small body of clinical research has reported favorable results, but more well-designed human trials are needed to establish its effectiveness. Chamomile tea may be a pleasant, caffeine-free drink, but it is not a proven treatment.

Can people with type 2 diabetes drink herbal tea?

Many unsweetened herbal infusions can fit into a balanced diet. Suitability depends on the ingredients, health conditions, and possible medication interactions, so check with a clinician or pharmacist when in doubt (Diabetes UK).

Does adding honey to herbal tea affect blood sugar?

Yes. Honey contains sugars and contributes to your carbohydrate intake. Unsweetened tea is a more straightforward option for people who want to limit added sugars.

Can herbal tea replace diabetes medication?

No. Herbal teas have not been established as substitutes for prescribed diabetes treatments, and medication changes should be discussed with a qualified health care professional (NCCIH).

The Bottom Line

Certain herbal teas have shown promising results in early research, including a recent meta-analysis reporting improvements in fasting glucose and HbA1c in people with type 2 diabetes. However, the evidence remains limited, and results vary across herbs and preparations.

If you enjoy suitable unsweetened herbal teas, they can be a pleasant beverage choice. Keep your focus on established nutrition guidance and medical care. No herbal tea should be presented as a cure for diabetes or a replacement for prescribed treatment. If you are at risk, our guides to prediabetes and type 2 diabetes cover approaches with stronger support.

Sources

Medical Disclaimer

This article is for general educational purposes only and is not medical advice. It does not diagnose, treat, or replace guidance from a qualified health care professional. If you have diabetes or are concerned about your blood sugar, talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or registered dietitian before changing your diet, adding herbal products, or adjusting your medications. If you think you are having a medical emergency, call 911 or your local emergency number right away.