Gymnema (Gymnema sylvestre)
Photo: Vinayaraj · CC BY-SA 3.0
- General
- 1 condition
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Overview
Gymnema (Gymnema sylvestre) is a large evergreen climber with small yellow flowers, native to the forests of southern and central India, extending into Southeast Asia and northern Australia. Historically used for managing type 2 diabetes, it is noted for its ability to blunt the tongue’s sweet receptors.
Traditional uses & properties
Antidiabetic: Lowers blood sugar levels, potentially aiding insulin secretion and pancreatic cell regeneration. Sugar Craving & Weight Management: Temporarily blocks sweet taste, discouraging sugar consumption and assisting in weight-control regimens. Digestive Health: Slows sugar absorption in the gastrointestinal tract.
Traditional preparations
Traditional texts describe the preparations below, and where those texts give specific amounts, the amounts are quoted here as part of that record. This is a record of historical practice, not a dosage recommendation - the figures are what the sources say, not what HerbMate tells you to take. Amounts, potency, and safe use vary enormously by preparation, plant part, and person.
Dried leaf (1:8); 2.5-10 ml (0.5-2 tsp.) 2-4 times daily
Dried leaf (1:5, 30% alcohol); 1-3 ml (0.2-0.6 tsp.) 2-4 times daily. Use smaller, more frequent doses to reduce cravings for sweets and to control the appetite.
1,000-2,000 mg, 3 times daily
Safety & precautions
General Safety: Regarded as safe, with minimal known side effects. Blood Sugar Control: Those on diabetic medications should monitor glucose levels closely.
Drug & food interactions
Interaction data is not available for this herb - talk to a pharmacist before combining it with any medication. A blank entry here means we have not documented interactions, not that none exist.
Habitat
Preferring loamy soil in warm, forested settings, gymnema is grown from cuttings or seed. The leaves, which contain gymnemic acids, are typically harvested for their therapeutic value.
Traditionally used for
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Frequently asked questions
What is Gymnema (Gymnema sylvestre) traditionally used for?
Traditional sources describe Gymnema (Gymnema sylvestre) as follows: Antidiabetic: Lowers blood sugar levels, potentially aiding insulin secretion and pancreatic cell regeneration. Sugar Craving & Weight Management: Temporarily blocks sweet taste, discouraging sugar consumption and assisting in weight-control regimens. Digestive Health: Slows sugar absorption in the gastrointestinal tract.
How is Gymnema (Gymnema sylvestre) prepared?
Traditional texts describe the preparations below, and where those texts give specific amounts, the amounts are quoted here as part of that record. This is a record of historical practice, not a dosage recommendation - the figures are what the sources say, not what HerbMate tells you to take. Amounts, potency, and safe use vary enormously by preparation, plant part, and person. GLYCERITE: Dried leaf (1:8); 2.5-10 ml (0.5-2 tsp.) 2-4 times daily TINCTURE: Dried leaf (1:5, 30% alcohol); 1-3 ml (0.2-0.6 tsp.) 2-4 times daily. Use smaller, more frequent doses to reduce cravings for sweets and to control the appetite. CAPSULE: 1,000-2,000 mg, 3 times daily
What safety cautions apply to Gymnema (Gymnema sylvestre)?
General Safety: Regarded as safe, with minimal known side effects. Blood Sugar Control: Those on diabetic medications should monitor glucose levels closely.
Related herbs
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