Gymnema sylvestre, of the family asclepiadaceae, is a tropical, woody, many-branched climbing plant with ovate leaves and yellow flowers. It's typically found growing wild in the monsoon forests, scrub jungles and thickets of central and southern India, and the entire plant is used for medicinal purposes.
Ayurveda
Gymnema sylvestre has been used in the Ayurvedic tradition to treat diabetes, eye complaints, bronchitis, stomach ailments including ulcers, asthma, constipation, water retention and liver problems. It's considered to be bitter, acrid, cooling, tonic, alterative, anthelmintic and alexeritic. It's widely cultivated as a medicinal crop throughout India.
Uses
In addition to the uses listed above, gymnema is also given to stimulate the secretion of urine, the uterus, the heart and the circulatory system and as an antibiotic with some efficacy against strains, including staphylococcus aureus. It is reputed--although not scientifically proved--to help lower blood sugar in diabetics.
Side Effects
According to the University of Michigan, "gymnema is generally safe and devoid of side effects" when taken in the suggested doses of 2 to 4 grams per day of leaf powder or 400 to 800 mg per day of standardized extract. Diabetics using the plant to treat their condition should do so only under the supervision of a medical professional. Safety for use during pregnancy has not been ascertained.
Names
Gymnema is also known, in various cultures, as gurmarbooti, gurmar, periploca of the woods, the sugar destroyed, bediki, kalikardori, vakundi, ajaballi, vishani, netaushadhi, putrashringi, mera-singi, sanngera or meshasringi,
Fun Fact
Chewing gymnema sylvestre leaves effectively blocks your ability to perceive sweet tastes for several hours. This may be why it's reputed by some to help decrease cravings for sugar.
Constituents
Chemical compounds found inside gymnema sylvestre include hentriacontane, pentatriacontane, phytin, tartaric, formic and butyric acids, quercetin, a variety of glycosides, tritepenoid saponins and gymnemasins.
