Gymnema is a woody climbing shrub native to India and Africa. The leaves are used to make medicine. Gymnema has a long history of use in India’s Ayurvedic medicine. The Hindi name, gurmar, means “destroyer of sugar.” Gymnema is used for diabetes, metabolic syndrome, weight loss, and cough. It is also used for malaria and as a snake bite antidote, digestive stimulant, laxative, appetite suppressant, and diuretic.
Gymnema Sylvestre is a staple herb of the Ayurvedic apothecary, traditionally used for supporting balanced blood sugar levels and dulling the palate to the taste of sweets. Gymnema is fascinating in that it works a multifaceted path towards maintaining healthy blood sugar.
Gymnema contains substances that decrease the absorption of sugar from the intestine. Gymnema may also increase the amount of insulin in the body and increase the growth of cells in the pancreas, which is the place in the body where insulin is made. Gymnema has played an important role in traditional Ayurvedic medicine for centuries. Its use has been confined primarily to the management of diabetes and similar conditions of altered blood sugar.
Main Applications
-
This is one of the main herbs used for healing diabetes mellitus.
-
Gymnema removes sugar from pancreas, restores pancreatic function.
-
Gymnema stimulate the circulatory system, increases urine secretion.
-
Gymnema is also useful for the treatment of swollen glands, cough, and fever
Health Benefits of Gymnema Extract
Improves cholesterol and reduces triglycerides in your blood
This study found taking gymnema sylvestre ‘improved serum cholesterol and triglyceride levels through influence over a wide range of lipid metabolism’.
Treats obesity and an effective aid in a weight loss program
By blocking sugar absorption and decreasing appetite, a daily dose of gymnema sylvestre, in either capsule or as gymnema tea, has been shown to assist in losing weight.
Gymnema for Diabetes
Gymnema sylvestre is also called gurmar, which is a Hindi name meaning “destroyer of sugar.” It has been used for thousands of years as an herbal treatment for diabetes.It has the ability to block the absorption of glucose from the intestines and helps to reduce cravings for sugar.
Gymnema sylvestre reduces inflammation
Research found the active ingredients in gymnema elevated beneficial liver enzymes and the body’s natural antioxidants to combat inflammatory free radicals.
May help reduce the symptoms of arthritis and gout
Gymnema is a traditional treatment for these joint problems and many patients report success with taking it as a preventative before their their arthritis usually flares up.