Scientific name: Gymnema sylvestre
Family name: Asclepiadaceae
Gurmar or Gymnema Sylvestre is a climbing plant belonging to the Apocynaceae family, a popular herb in Ayurveda valued for its indispensable medicinal and healing properties. It is a perennial woody wine that is indigenous to tropical regions of India, Africa and Australia.
Chemical constituents:
It is endowed with triterpenoid saponins of gymnemic acid A, B, C and D with sugar residues such as glucuronic acid, galacturonic acid, ferulic and angelic acids. Aside from these, the leaves also comprise betaine, choline, gymnamine alkaloids, inositol, and d-quercitol.
• Properties:
• Rasa- Tikta, Kasaya.
• Guna- Laghu,Ruksha.
• Vipak- Katu.
• Virya- Ushna.
• Karma- Dipna,Kaphahara,Mutrala,Sirovirechan,Sramsana,Vatahara.
Benefits:
Controls Diabetes
Gudmar’s exceptional anti-diabetic properties make it effective in flattening blood sugar spike and overcoming metabolic syndrome.It improves insulin response to food, reduces the insulin need.Weight Loss
Gudmar extracts, when taken before a meal, reduce food intake by triggering satiety feelings in
The nervous system. This makes it an effective anti-obesity herb, helping users to shed excess
Weight. In addition, the supplement helps regulate stress, reverse disrupted sleep, and balance
Cortisol level.
Oxidative Damage
Gudmar is a storehouse of —including beneficial tannins and saponins—that work to lower
Inflammation, effectively reducing the risk of chronic diseases.
Is Gurmar safe? Yes it is safe but, if you use gurmar in combination with blood sugar and diabetes medications, as it may cause an unsafe blood sugar balance in the body.
Contraindication:
• Gymnema sylvestre should be avoided in children, in pregnant or breastfeeding people, and before surgery.
• The supplement may cause hypoglycaemia.
