6 Impressive Health Benefits of Gymnema Sylvestre

Medically Reviewed on 7/22/2022
6 health benefits of Gymnema sylvestre
Numerous nutritional and health supplements include Gymnema sylvestre pills, teas, beverages, energy supplements, and food items.

Gymnema sylvestre is a slow-growing, perennial, woody climber and has a broad variety of medicinal components. The plant is indigenous to tropical Africa, Australia, and central and western India. It is a member of the Asclepiadaceae or “milkweed” family.

  • Ayurvedic, homeopathic, and folk medicine employ this strong herb to treat diabetes, inflammation, asthma, and snakebites, etc.
  • Gymnema sylvestre has antibacterial, antihypercholesterolemic, hepatoprotective, and blood-sugar-lowering properties.
  • Additionally, it prevents dental cavities brought on by Streptococcus mutans and is utilized in cosmetics.

What is the dosage of Gymnema sylvestre?

Numerous nutritional and health supplements include Gymnema sylvestre pills, teas, beverages, energy supplements, and food items that are aimed to control body weight.

  • The usual suggested dosage for Gymnema sylvestre is 100 mg oral capsules, four times each day. It is advised to start with one capsule and raise your dosage gradually, paying close attention to any adverse effects.
  • Consult a healthcare provider if you have questions about how to utilize Gymnema sylvestre for diabetes, obesity, and high cholesterol levels.
  • Studies suggest that taking 200 to 400 mg of gymnemic acid may have antidiabetic benefits and lower blood sugar levels.
  • Follow the instructions on the packaging of Gymnema sylvestre extract or powder. Mix the powder or extract with any beverage.
  • Gymnema sylvestre tea is a simple approach to get the herb’s benefits. You may get Gymnema sylvestre tea online or at your neighborhood health food store. Make sure you buy it from a reliable source to avoid contamination.
  • Use Gymnema sylvestre leaves to make tea by boiling them for 10 to 15 minutes.

6 health benefits of Gymnema sylvestre

  1. Helps fight diabetes: Researchers claim that Gymnema sylvestre forms the platform of diabetes therapy in the traditional system of medicine. Studies have demonstrated its outstanding hypoglycemic benefits that help maintain normal blood sugar levels, especially after meals.
  2. Aids weight loss: Gymnema sylvestre is gaining a lot of interest for obesity due to the herb's capacity to lower body weight, prevent glucose absorption, and lessen sugar cravings according to a 2017 study.
    • Gymnema sylvestre constituents can inhibit the buildup of triglycerides in the muscles and liver and reduce the buildup of fatty acids in the body.
    • The herb affects the metabolism of fats and carbohydrates.
    • Gymnema could help lessen your sweet cravings if you are getting rid of sugar addiction.
  3. Lowers cholesterol levels: Gymnema has been shown to affect cholesterol levels and fat absorption.
    • This herb can decrease triglycerides and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, protecting against heart disease.
    • In a 2014 study, published in the journal Diabetes, Obesity & Metabolism, participants who received hydroxy citric acid, niacin-bound chromium, and Gymnema sylvestre saw a five to six percent decrease in body weight, body mass index, and a significant reduction in food intake, total cholesterol, low-density lipoproteins, triglycerides, and serum leptin levels.
  4. Reduces arthritis symptoms: Gymnema sylvestre's anti-inflammatory properties are due to its tannins and saponins.
    • Gymnema helps combat inflammatory diseases, such as arthritis.
    • Researchers suggest that Gymnema sylvestre may decrease inflammatory mediator release, which further decreases bone loss and arthritic symptoms.
    • Gymnema extracts effectively reduced edema by 39 to 75 percent in a study with mice.
  5. Prevents cavities: The antibacterial properties of Gymnema sylvestre have been demonstrated to treat microbial tooth infections. Thus, Gymnema sylvestre powder has been used in herbal toothpaste, which is readily accessible.
  6. Modulates immune system: According to research on mice, Gymnema possesses immunomodulating properties. The herb decreases immunological reactions, which can lessen swelling and other inflammatory elements.

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Medically Reviewed on 7/22/2022
References
Image Source: iStock image

Kanetkar P, Singhal R, Kamat M. Gymnema sylvestre: A Memoir. J Clin Biochem Nutr. 2007 Sep;41(2):77-81. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2170951/

WebMD. Gymnema - Uses, Side Effects, and More. https://www.webmd.com/vitamins/ai/ingredientmono-841/gymnema

Khan F, Sarker MMR, Ming LC, et al. Comprehensive Review on Phytochemicals, Pharmacological and Clinical Potentials of Gymnema sylvestre. Front Pharmacol. 2019 Oct 29;10:1223. https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fphar.2019.01223/full

Tiwari P, Mishra BN, Sangwan NS. Phytochemical and pharmacological properties of Gymnema sylvestre: an important medicinal plant. Biomed Res Int. 2014;2014:830285. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3912882/

Tiwari P, Ahmad K, Baig MH. Gymnema sylvestre for Diabetes: From Traditional Herb to Future's Therapeutic. Curr Pharm Des. 2017;23(11):1667-1676. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27834124/

Al-Romaiyan A, Liu B, Docherty R, Huang GC, Amiel S, Persaud SJ, Jones PM. Investigation of intracellular signalling cascades mediating stimulatory effect of a Gymnema sylvestre extract on insulin secretion from isolated mouse and human islets of Langerhans. Diabetes Obes Metab. 2012 Dec;14(12):1104-13. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22775778/

Pothuraju R, Sharma RK, Chagalamarri J, Jangra S, Kumar Kavadi P. A systematic review of Gymnema sylvestre in obesity and diabetes management. J Sci Food Agric. 2014 Mar 30;94(5):834-40. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24166097/

Preuss HG, Bagchi D, Bagchi M, Rao CV, Dey DK, Satyanarayana S. Effects of a natural extract of (-)-hydroxycitric acid (HCA-SX) and a combination of HCA-SX plus niacin-bound chromium and Gymnema sylvestre extract on weight loss. Diabetes Obes Metab. 2004 May;6(3):171-80. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15056124/