According to a new research, some traditional Chinese herbs have beneficial effects on people who are at high risk of diabetes. These herbs are found to have the capability to help control blood sugar levels.

The researchers did a nine-month study which examined 16 clinical trials of 15 different herbal formulations. The herbs were found to have generally helped lower blood sugar levels in people with “pre-diabetes” or those with impaired blood sugar control that can progress to a full-blown type 2 diabetes.

Pooling data from 8 of the studies, the researchers found that adding an herbal remedy to lfestyle doubled the chances that the participants’ blood sugar level will return to normal. Participants who used the herbal remedies were also found to be two-thirds less likely to progress to diabetes.

Lead researcher Suzanne J. Grant, of the Center for Complementary Medicine Research at the University of Western Sydney, in Australia told Reuters, “There are a lot of herbal medicine products on the shelves, but few have been subjected to a rigorous trial,” referring to the importance of making sure those who want to try any herbal product should consult it first with a doctor.

This research appears in the Cochrane Library, published by Cochrane Collaboration.