Gurmar

Gurmar Gymnema sylvestre

Other Names: Gurmarbooti, gurmar, periploca of the woods, meshasringi, Gymnema

Description:

Parts Used: leaves

Gymnema sylvestre is a woody climbing plant that grows in the tropical forests of central and southern India. The leaves are used in herbal medicine preparations. G. sylvestre is known as "periploca of the woods" in English and mesbasringi (meaning "ram's horn") in Sanskrit. The leaves, when chewed, interfere with the ability to taste sweetness, which explains the Hindi name gurmar-"destroyer of sugar."

Healing power and curative properties:

Gurmar is an herb that slows the absorption of sugar into the blood stream and slows the conversion of sugar into fat. Gurmar fits well into a weight management program because it complements exercise and dietary reform by curbing sugar appetite.

Diabetes:

Gurmar stimulates insulin secretion and has blood sugar reducing properties. It blocks sweet taste receptors when applied to tongue in diabetes to remove glycosuria.

A blood sugar balancing herb that slows the absorption of sugars into the blood stream and slows the conversion of sugar to fat.

Gurmar is a blood sugar balancing herb that slows the absorption of sugars into the blood stream and slows the conversion of sugar to fat. Avoiding sugar is almost impossible, but we can offset its power by understanding what it does and then eating less of it. Sugar, either on food or hidden in food and drink, is metabolized into fat. By regular exercise, we can further interrupt the sugar-to- fat route and burn some of it off.

Reduce Weight :

Gurmar fits well into a weight-management program because it complements exercise and dietary reform by promoting healthy blood glucose balance

Other uses :

Suppresses the intestinal absorption of saccharine, which prevents blood sugar fluctuations. Corrects metabolic activities of liver, kidney and muscles.

The leaves are also noted for lowering serum cholesterol and triglycerides. While studies have shown that a water-soluble acidic fraction of the leaves provides hypoglycemic actions, the specific constituent responsible for this action has not been clearly identified. Some researchers have suggested gymnemic acid as one possible candidate. However, further research is needed to clearly determine which constituent is responsible for this effect. Gurmarin, another constituent of the leaves, and gymnemic acid have been shown to block the ability in humans to taste sweets.