Blood sugar buster: Gymnema sylvestre

Herbal medicine may seem strange to many who are grounded in western medical practices but the interesting fact is that 30% of modern drugs are derived from a plant source! Further herbal medicine is free of many side effects compared to synthetic drugs. Not so strange after all. One such herb long known to Ayurvedic medicine is Gymnema sylvestre, a woody climbing shrub native to the tropical forests of southern India and Sri Lanka. Other names of this plant are in Sanskrit: Meshashringi, madhunashini, Hindi: Gur-mar, mersingi, Marathi: Kavali, kalikardori, vakundi, Gujrathi: Dhuleti, mardashingi, Telugu: Padapatri, Tamil: Adigam, cherukurinja, Kannada: Sannagerasehambu. Gymnema sylvestre has been used as an Ayurvedic medicine to treat diabetes for nearly two millennia. The leaves of this plant are used for medicinal purposes. Today Gymnema sylvestre has become increasingly popular in the United States as a supportive treatment for diabetes and obesity. The U.S National Institutes of Health (NIH) states that use of Gymnema sylvestre is backed by scientific evidence showing that it helps control blood sugar levels in people with type 1 and type 2 diabetes (when used in conjunction with insulin and other medications as prescribed by a doctor). An interesting report in particular proves this out. Twenty-two type-2 diabetics taking conventional oral diabetes medication were also given 400 mg of Gymnema a day for 18 to 20 months. At the end of the study period, 16 of the 22 participants were able to reduce their medications, while five stopped using them altogether. This means that the herb not only reduced the amount of medication needed, but in nearly 25 percent of the people, completed negated the need for the drug at all. 

The major active constituent of Gymnema slyvestre is a group of compounds called gymnemic acids. Gymnema sylvestre works by suppressing cravings and balancing blood sugar levels. The active component gymnemic acid is molecularly similar to glucose therefore theorized to compete with glucose molecules to bind glucose receptors in the intestine. Just chewing the leaves of plants inhibits the sweet taste sensation. After taking Gymnema sylvestre, putting a pinch of sugar granules on the tongue feels like putting sand in your mouth; and chocolate tastes like putty! So for someone who feels they are 'addicted' to sugar carrying a bottle of Gymnema drops around would certainly strengthen resolve not to eat sweet - or, to some extent, fatty - foods, as they the pleasure of the sweetness will have just vanished. This fact is highlighted in a research study published in the Journal Physiology & Behavior tested the effects of Gymnema sylvestre on fasting patients who were of normal weight. It was observed that those who were given Gymnema sylvestre one hour before being offered snack foods ate less food and fewer sweet foods than patients who had not consumed Gymnema sylvestre. Thus the bottom line is that Gymnema sylvestre helps to curb your desire for sweets, blocks the absorption of sugar, and helps balance blood glucose levels. The other benefits of Gymnema sylvestre include a weight loss aid, anti inflammatory, diuretic, laxative and circulatory system stimulant. 

Gymnema Sylvestre is used in many ayurvedic formulations such as in Diabecon or Meshashringi manufactured by the Himalayan drug company for diabetes. When buying Gymnema Sylvestre supplement be sure the product contains 25% gymnemic acid for reaping its maximum therapeutic potential. If you choose to give it a try, the recommended dosage of Gymnema sylvestre is one 100 mg capsule taken three to four times daily. Finally, Gymnema Sylvestre is safe for most people but precautions must be taken by pregnant or lactating mothers, people with milkweed allergies, people taking anti diabetic medications and prescription antidepressant. And, as always, consult with your doctor before experimenting with any new herbs or supplements.