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Submitted by admin on Mon, 02/28/2022 - 09:38
Top Product Attributes

  • Common Name

    Gymnema

  • Botanical Name

    Gymnema sylvestre

  • Part Used

    Leaf

  • Clinical Summary

    Click here

  • Monograph

    Click here

  • Alcohol

    25%

  • Dose

    10 to 40mL weekly

Gymnema is the key herb for diabetes. It has wide ranging actions on blood glucose metabolism and is therefore able to alleviate a range of diabetic complications including cardiovascular risk factors such as hypertension, hyperlipidaemia and atherosclerosis, and the diabetic complications trio, retinopathy (damage to the eyes), nephropathy (damage to the kidneys), neuropathy (damage to the nerves), as well as susceptibility to infection and erectile dysfunction. Researchers have found that the appetite can be suppressed for up to 90 minutes after taking gymnema in liquid form. This is beneficial for weight loss if sugar cravings are uncontrollable. 

Main Product Attributes
A guide to Gymnema and its properties

  • Traditional Use

    Gymnema leaves have been used for more than 2000 years in Ayurvedic medicine in India to treat ‘madhu meha’ or honey urine (the equivalent of diabetes). Its native Hindi name ‘gurmar’ means ‘sugar destroyer’ on account of its ability to abolish the taste of sugar. When applied to the tongue gymnema remarkably anaesthetises the sweet taste buds.

  • Actions

    Hypoglycaemic, antidiabetic, appetite suppressant, hypolipidemic, antimicrobial, antibacterial, antiviral, larvicidal, diuretic, antiallergic, antirheumatic, digestive stimulant, laxative

  • Indications

    •    Type 1 and 2 diabetes
    •    Hyperglycaemia
    •    Insulin resistance
    •    Polycystic ovary syndrome
    •    Reduction of sweet cravings and appetite
    •    Weight loss
    •    Obesity including when associated with low thyroid function

  • Energetics

    Bitter, cooling

  • Use in Pregnancy

    There is insufficient reliable information available about the safety of gymnema in pregnancy.

  • Contraindications & Cautions

    None known.

  • Drug Interactions

    Use cautiously in diabetic patients using antidiabetic and insulin medications due to possible potentiation of effects. Serum glucose levels should be monitored and doses of concomitant hypoglycaemic drugs may require adjustment under the supervision of a healthcare professional. Concomitant use of gymnema with lipid-lowering agents may potentiate their effects. In practice these interactions may be useful as a reduction in the drug dose could theoretically be achieved under professional supervision.

  • Dietary Information

    Vegan friendly. Gluten and dairy free

  • Substitutes

    Fenugreek, Goat’s Rue