Gymnema Sylvestre

What is Gymnema Sylvestre?

Gymnema sylvestre is a woody, vine-like plant which climbs on bushes and trees in the Western Ghats in South India, and to the west of those mountains in the territory around the coastal city of Goa.

Gymnema is a remarkable herb which can be a huge benefit both to those who truly want to cut down their consumption of sweet foods and those with blood sugar issues. It has been used in India for the treatment of diabetes for over 2,000 years. The blood sugar-lowering action of gymenema sylvestre leaves was first documented in the late 1920s.

Some of the more common nutritional supplement uses for Gymenema Sylvestre include:

• Suppress the taste of sweet foods, and consequently the desire to eat
• Reduce metabolic effect of sugar by preventing the intestines from absorbing sugar molecules during digestion
• Treatment of diabetes
• Snakebite treated by powder or paste of the root applied to the wound
• Fever treated with oral administration of half announce to an ounce of leaves
• Swollen glands treated with an external application of triturated leaves mixed with castor oil
  

Side Effects and Warnings of Gymnema Sylvestre

The main side effect of using Gymnema Sylvestre is that as it can reduce blood sugar levels. Caution may be necessary if you take it with other agents, such as herbs or pharmaceutical drugs, which might lower blood sugar.

If blood sugar levels fall too low, side effects include shakiness, sweating, confusion, distorted speech, and loss of muscle control may occur.

Since there is very little research still on Gymnema Sylvestre, pregnant women or those who are breast feeding should not use this supplement unless they have instructions from their medical provider.

Bookmark this:

Bookmark this page