How to Make Avocado Seed Tea for Diabetes?

January 7, 2026 •

4 min read

According to the World Health Organization, more than 422 million people worldwide have diabetes, and many seek natural ways to support their health alongside medical treatment. While the creamy avocado flesh is well-known for its benefits, its often-discarded seed is also gaining attention as a potential herbal tea for regulating blood sugar.

Quick Summary

This article outlines how to prepare avocado seed tea, including instructions for drying and grinding, and discusses its potential effects on blood sugar and cholesterol based on research. Safety precautions are emphasized, as human research on avocado seed consumption is currently limited.

Key Points

Limited Human Evidence: Research on the effects of avocado seed tea on humans is limited, with most studies conducted on animal subjects or concentrated extracts.
Potential for Toxicity: The seed contains natural compounds like tannins and persin that can be toxic if consumed in excess and may cause gastrointestinal issues.
Consult a Doctor: Always consult with a healthcare provider before using avocado seed tea, particularly if you have diabetes, take medication, or are pregnant.
Proper Preparation is Crucial: The seed must be properly cleaned, dried, and ground into a powder or grated before brewing to be consumed.
Concentrated Extracts vs. Tea: Lab studies on concentrated avocado seed extract may not accurately reflect the effects or safety of a homemade, boiled tea.
Enjoy the Flesh Instead: The nutrient-rich flesh of the avocado is a proven, safe dietary component. Focusing on this part of the fruit is a more reliable health strategy.

A Cautionary Guide to Making Avocado Seed Tea

Interest in using avocado seed for health purposes, including diabetes management, has grown significantly. Some studies suggest that extracts from avocado seeds may help improve glycemic control and reduce symptoms in diabetic rats. However, it is crucial to understand that research on direct human consumption, and its safety, is limited. Consulting a healthcare provider before adding any new natural remedy, especially if you are managing a condition like diabetes, is essential.

Preparing the Avocado Seed for Tea

Proper preparation is key to safely making avocado seed tea. The process involves drying and grinding the seed to create a powder suitable for brewing.

Method 1: Sun-Dried Powder

Rinse the seed: After eating the avocado, thoroughly wash the seed to remove any leftover fruit pulp.
Dry completely: Place the clean seed in a sunny spot for several days until it is completely dried and hardened.
Grind to powder: Using a high-powered blender or coffee grinder, pulverize the dried seed into a fine powder. Start with small, manageable pieces to avoid damaging your equipment.
Storage: Keep the avocado seed powder in an airtight container in a cool, dry place.

Method 2: Boiled and Grated

Initial boil: Boil a whole, clean avocado seed in water for about 5 minutes to soften its exterior.
Peel the skin: Once slightly cooled, remove the loose, dark outer skin.
Grate the seed: The softened seed can now be grated directly into smaller, usable pieces.

Brewing Avocado Seed Tea

There are two primary methods for brewing, depending on your preferred preparation. Remember to start with a minimal amount of seed to test your tolerance.

Using Powdered Seed

Add 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon of avocado seed powder to a mug.
Pour 1 cup of hot water over the powder and let it steep for 5–10 minutes.
Strain the tea into another mug to remove the sediment.
Add a natural, zero-calorie sweetener or lemon to taste, if desired.

Using Grated Seed

Add the grated pieces of one avocado seed to 2 cups of water in a pot.
Bring the mixture to a boil and simmer for about 10–15 minutes.
Strain the liquid into a cup to remove the seed pieces.
Drink the tea warm. You can add a squeeze of lemon or other spices, like ginger or cinnamon, for flavor.

Potential Benefits and Risks of Avocado Seed Tea


Aspect	Potential Benefits	Potential Risks & Cautions
Blood Sugar	Animal studies suggest that avocado seed extract may help regulate blood sugar levels. Flavonoids and chlorogenic acid may reduce sugar absorption and increase insulin secretion in diabetic rats.	Insufficient human evidence exists to confirm this effect in people. No reliable dosage for human use has been established.
Cholesterol	High soluble fiber content may help lower total and LDL ("bad") cholesterol levels. Antioxidants contribute to heart health.	Animal studies show mixed results, with some suggesting adverse effects on the liver in very high doses.
Antioxidants	Contains a high concentration of antioxidants like flavonoids and phenolic compounds, which help protect cells from damage.	Boiling the seed can reduce the concentration of beneficial antioxidants.
Digestive Health	The soluble fiber can aid digestion, prevent constipation, and soothe stomach aches.	The high tannin content can cause gastrointestinal irritation, nausea, or vomiting, especially in large quantities.
Toxicity	N/A	Contains compounds like persin, tannins, and cyanogenic glycosides, which can be toxic in excess. The California Avocado Commission advises against eating the seed.

Conclusion

While the concept of using avocado seed tea for diabetes holds some promise due to preliminary animal and lab research on its extracts, its use should be approached with significant caution. The scientific evidence for safety and efficacy in humans is limited and inconclusive. Potential health benefits for blood sugar and cholesterol are based on studies of concentrated extracts in animals, not homemade tea, and the risk of consuming potentially harmful compounds like tannins and persin is a serious consideration. Individuals with diabetes should prioritize medically proven treatments and diet plans recommended by their healthcare provider.

Important Caveats and Medical Advice

It is imperative to consult with your doctor or a registered dietitian before attempting to use avocado seed tea for diabetes or any other health condition. This is especially important for individuals who are pregnant, breastfeeding, on blood-thinning medications (like Warfarin), or have liver or kidney problems. The information provided is for educational purposes and is not a substitute for professional medical advice.

Final Recommendations

Given the unresolved safety concerns and lack of human studies, the most prudent approach is to avoid consuming avocado seed tea. Instead, focus on incorporating the nutrient-rich flesh of the avocado into your diet and follow established medical guidelines for managing diabetes. For those interested in herbal remedies, a discussion with a healthcare professional can help explore safer, evidence-based alternatives.

Frequently Asked Questions

No, avocado seed tea is not a replacement for prescribed diabetes medication. Any potential health benefits are not yet supported by extensive human research, and you should never alter your treatment plan without consulting a doctor.

Avocado seed tea is not considered safe for everyone. It should be avoided by pregnant or breastfeeding women, and those on blood-thinning medications should consult their doctor due to the seed's Vitamin K content.

Due to insufficient safety data, a recommended frequency is not officially established. Starting with a very small amount, like 1/4 to 1/2 a teaspoon of powder, is advised for initial consumption, but caution is paramount.

Avocado seed tea has a slightly bitter and earthy taste. Many people add natural sweeteners, lemon, ginger, or cinnamon to improve its palatability.

No, you should not eat the avocado seed raw. Raw seeds are extremely bitter, hard to digest, and contain higher levels of potentially toxic compounds.

When stored properly in an airtight container in a cool, dry place, homemade avocado seed powder can last for several weeks.

The most recommended methods involve either drying and grinding the seed into a fine powder to steep, or boiling the seed in water after an initial softening process.