Gymnema Sylvestre Extract

Introduction

The Extract of Gymnema is prepared from its leaves. Gymnema extract is used in many traditional medicine which is useful to reduce blood sugar and cholesterol levels in diabetic animals and humans.

Gymnema extract is an herbal tincture containing concentrated parts of the gymnema climbing plant which grows in India, Japan, and Sri Lanka. 

Plant anatomy

Gymnema is a woody climbing shrub native to India and Africa. The leaves are used to make medicine. Gymnema has a long history of use in India’s Ayurvedic medicine. The Hindi name, gurmar, means "destroyer of sugar."

Cultivation & Harvesting

Gymnema germplasm collected from various regions of Madhya Pradesh was evaluated on the basis of their morphological characteristics and gymnemic acid content. Gymnemic acid content in the leaves was estimated by HPLC. We have also standardized the non-destructive harvesting practices of Gudmar. Selective harvesting was done without harming the main plant. Only mature leaves (60%) were hand plucked in the month of October. Second harvest was done in the month of June.

Location  

It is found growing in Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Karnataka, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Maharastra, Orissa, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal.

Chemical Composition

Main chemical componenets are gymenic acids, gurmarin, gymnemagenin, amino acids, saponins, choline, betaine quercitol, lupeol, beta-amyrin and stigmasterol.

How does it work?

Gymnema contains substances that decrease the absorption of sugar from the intestine. Gymnema may also increase the amount of insulin in the body and increase the growth of cells in the pancreas, which is the place in the body where insulin is made.

It reduces absorption of glucose and oleic acid in the intestine and improves uptake of glucose into cells.It prevents adrenaline from stimulating the liver to produce glucose and reduce blood sugar level.

It interferes the ability of taste buds to taste sweet and bitter flavors.

Uses

• 1. Due to its non-toxic nature and sweetness-suppression activity, Gymnema sylvestre can play a role in treating conditions caused by excessive sugar intakes. Conditions like obesity, hyperglycemia, anemia and osteoporosis can also be helped by using Gymnema sylvestre.
• Today, gymnema is used for diabetes, metabolic syndrome, weight loss, and cough. It is also used for malaria and as a snake bite antidote, digestive stimulant, laxative, appetite suppressant, and diuretic.
• It useful in hyperdipsia, fever, cough, hiccough, bronchitis and hoarseness of voice.
• It is used in ulceration of urinary tract, retention of urine and gastric ulcers.
• It is used in skin diseases, opthalmic diseases and pharyngitis.
• It is used in epilepsy, anaemia, meno-metrorrhagia and intrinsic haemorrhage.
• It is externally applied to cuts and wounds.