Gymnema Sylvestre may be useful as an alternative supplement in lowering blood sugar levels.
In India, trials under experimental and clinical conditions have shown significant results in lowering blood sugar levels with 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. It came to be known as “destroyer of sugar” because, in ancient times, Ayurvedic physicians observed that chewing a few leaves of Gymnema suppressed the taste of sugar. Recent clinical trials conducted in India have shown that an extract of Gymnema sylvestre is useful in both insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) and in certain types of non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM). As a result of these clinical tests and years of successful treatments, Gymnema is used today all over India for treating diabetes mellitus.
Gymnema Hypoglycemia
Studies conducted in India as early as 1930 showed that the leaves of Gymnema sylvestre cause hypoglycemia in experimental animals. This state of hypoglycemia is explained on the assumption that the drug indirectly stimulates insulin secretion of the pancreas, since it has no direct effect on carbohydrate metabolism.
Gymnema: Gymnemic Acid
Recent pharmacological and clinical studies have shown that Gymnema sylvestre acts on two sites, the taste buds in the oral cavity50 and the absorptive surface to the intestines. The important active ingredient of Gymnema sylvestre is an organic acid called “Gymnemic acid”. The Gymnemic acid is made up of molecules whose arrangement is similar to that two hours, thereby preventing the taste buds from being activated by any sugar molecules present in the food.
Gymnema in Taste
It hs also been noted that Gymnema sylvestre takes away the bitter taste of bitter substances, such as quinine, in much the same way that it affects the sense of sweetness associated with candies and other swwet foods. Therefore, if you are eating an orange within two hours after chewing Gymnema sylvestre leaves, for instance, you would taste the sourness of it but not the sweetness.
Gymnema Therapeutic Uses
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 ( one part in 10) of leaves
Swollen glands treated with an external application of triturated leaves mixed with castor oil
Gymnema helps to normal blood sugar
Gymnema controls sugar level
Gymnema controls and regulate weight
Gymnema controls sugar craving
Gymneam reduces the taste of sugar when it is on the mouth
Gymnema curb sweet tooth
Gymnema for blood glucose
Gymnema for Cholesterol
Gymnema gurmar is the natural way to help control blood sugar
By suppressing the taste of sweet foods, the desire to eat them is also suppressed. Picture a luscious-looking large piece of chocolate candy, which you know, despite the tempting look, is not sweet. Why bother to eat it? It is important to remember that this effect of Gymnema sylvestre's will last for only one to two hours. If you are using the herb to break the sugar habit, then it would be wise to take some Gymnema sylvestre before social events or other times when you might be tempted to dive into the tray of sweets.
Gymnema sylvestre significantly reduces the metabolic effects of sugar by preventing the intestines from absorbing the sugar molecules during the process of digestion. Because there is a change in the absorption of sugar, there is a consequent change in the blood sugar level.
