Herb of the Month

Gurmar

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." The herb is often promoted as an appetite suppressant and weight-loss agent.

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: For more details click here

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.

If people with diabetes have successfully chewed the leaves can help control blood sugar. Several small, placebo-controlled trials indicate that gymnema extracts may indeed lower blood sugar levels. In those with type 1 diabetes, gymnema seems to enhance the action of insulin. In one study, 27 people with type 1 diabetes who took gymnema leaf extracts for several months required less insulin to control their blood sugar levels.

In the case of the far more prevalent type 2 diabetes--also known as noninsulin-dependent diabetes--research findings indicate that the use of gymnema may improve blood sugar control and result in the need for smaller doses of oral diabetes drugs to control the disease.

Reduce Weight :  For more details click here

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

The development of obesity usually precedes the onset of diabetes in many cases. It is also clear that high dietary fat consumption is a primary factor in the development of obesity-associated type 2 diabetes. It is therefore imperative that individuals at risk, such as those with a family history of diabetes, make very serious efforts to reduce the fat contents of their diets.

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.

Two to four gram of powdered root can also be taken daily with sugar, honey, long pepper and ghee in the treatment of these conditions.
 

Ayurvedic Supplements that contains Gurmar :