Gymnema 300 g, 200 g, 100 g, 50 g, 25 g

Gymnema 300 g ($29.99), 200 g ($20.99), 100 g ($12.99), 50 g ($8.99), 25 g ($5.99)

Benefits:
Sugar Cravings Reduction  Gymnema sylvestre can help reduce sugar cravings. One of the primary active components in this plant is gymnemic acid, which helps suppress sweetness. When consumed prior to a sugary food or beverage, gymnemic acid blocks the sugar receptors on your taste buds. Research shows that Gymnema sylvestre can reduce the ability to taste sweetness and thus make sweet foods less appealing.

In a study in fasted individuals, half were given Gymnema. Those who received the supplement had less appetite for sweet foods at a subsequent meal and were more likely to limit their food intake, compared to those not taking it.

Lower Blood Sugar Levels  According to the World Health Organization, more than 420 million people worldwide have diabetes, and this number is expected to increase. Diabetes is a metabolic disease characterized by high blood sugar levels. It’s caused by the inability of your body to produce or use insulin effectively.

Gymnema sylvestre is considered to have anti-diabetic properties. As a supplement, it has been used in combination with other diabetes medications to lower blood sugar. It’s also called gurmar, which is Hindi for “destroyer of sugar”.

Similar to its effects on your taste buds, Gymnema sylvestre can also block receptors in your intestines and thus sugar absorption, lowering your post-meal blood sugar levels. Scientific proof of Gymnema’s ability to lower blood sugar is insufficient to recommend it as a stand-alone diabetes medication. However, research shows strong potential.

Studies suggest that consuming 200–400 mg of gymnemic acid reduces the intestinal absorption of the sugar glucose. In one study, Gymnema appeared to improve blood sugar control in people with type 2 diabetes by lowering blood sugar levels. The study concluded that reducing blood sugar after a meal resulted in a decrease in average blood sugar levels over time. This could help decrease long-term complications of diabetes.

For people with high blood sugar or a high HbA1c, Gymnema sylvestre can help reduce fasting, post-meal and long-term blood sugar levels. However, if you’re taking blood-sugar-lowering medications, consult with your doctor first.

Increasing Insulin Production  Gymnema’s role in insulin secretion and cell regeneration may also contribute to its blood-sugar-lowering capabilities. Higher insulin levels mean that sugar is cleared from your blood at a faster rate. If you have prediabetes or type 2 diabetes, your body tends to not make enough insulin, or your cells become less sensitive to it over time. This results in consistently high blood sugar levels.

Gymnema sylvestre may stimulate insulin production in your pancreas, promoting the regeneration of insulin-producing islet cells. This can help lower your blood sugar levels. Many traditional drugs help increase insulin secretion and sensitivity. However, herbal therapies are gaining momentum in drug development.

Cholesterol, Triglyceride Levels  Gymnema sylvestre may help lower “bad” LDL cholesterol levels and triglycerides. While Gymnema gets its fame from lowering blood sugar levels and reducing sugar cravings, research shows that it may also influence fat absorption and lipid levels. In one study in rats on a high-fat diet, Gymnema extract aided weight maintenance and suppressed the accumulation of liver fats. Also, animals fed the extract and a normal-fat diet experienced lower triglyceride levels.

Another study found that Gymnema extract had an anti-obesity effect on animals fed a high-fat diet. It also decreased blood fat and “bad” LDL cholesterol levels. In addition, a study in moderately-obese people showed that Gymnema extract decreased triglycerides and bad “LDL” cholesterol by 20.2% and 19%, respectively. What’s more, it increased “good” HDL cholesterol levels by 22%.

High levels of “bad” LDL cholesterol and triglycerides are risk factors for heart disease. Therefore, the positive effects of Gymnema sylvestre on LDL and triglycerides levels may contribute to a lower risk of heart conditions.

Weight Loss  Gymnema sylvestre extracts have been shown to aid weight loss in animals and humans. One three-week study showed reduced body weight in rats given a water extract of Gymnema sylvestre. In another study, rats on a high-fat diet that were fed a Gymnema extract gained less weight.

What’s more, a study in 60 moderately-obese people taking a Gymnema extract found a 5–6% decrease in body weight, as well as reduced food intake. By blocking sweet receptors on your taste buds, Gymnema sylvestre may cause you to eat fewer sweet foods and consume fewer calories. A consistent calorie deficit can result in weight loss.

Reduce Inflammation  Inflammation plays an important role in your body’s healing process. Some inflammation is good, such as when it helps protect your body from harmful organisms in cases of injury or infection.

Other times, inflammation may be caused by the environment or the foods you eat. However, chronic low-grade inflammation can contribute to various health issues. Studies have confirmed the link between excessive sugar intake and increased inflammatory markers in animals and humans. The ability of Gymnema sylvestre to reduce sugar absorption in your intestines may also allow it to decrease inflammation caused by excess sugar intake.

What’s more, Gymnema appears to have anti-inflammatory properties of its own. This is thought to be due to its content of tannins and saponins, which are beneficial plant compounds. Gymnema sylvestre leaves are considered immunostimulatory, meaning they can regulate the immune system, reducing inflammation.

People with diabetes not only suffer from high blood sugar and insulin resistance but may also have decreased antioxidant levels, which can contribute to inflammation. Due to its anti-inflammatory properties, Gymnema sylvestre can help those with diabetes and high blood sugar in a variety of ways, including by fighting inflammation.

Botanical Name: Gymnema sylvestre
English: Australian Cow Plant, Ipecacuanha Indian, Periploca of the wood
Ayurvedic: Meshashringi, Meshavishaanikaa, Meshavalli, Chhaagalshrugi. Ajashringı, Dolichandrone falcata, Pergularia extensa
Also, known as: Kannu Minnayamkodi, Passaam, Shirukurinja, Madhunasini, Medhasingı, Kaavalee, Nadhasinge, Gudmaar, Medhaa Singee, Kadhasige, Cakkarakkollı, Madhunaashini Kaavalee, Medhaashingi, Shirukurum Kaay, Shakkaraikkolli, Podapatro, Mesasrangi
Habitat: Central and Peninsular India & China
Origin: India
Harvested: Wild
Parts Used: Leaves

General Information:
Gymnema sylvestre is a climber plant. It has a dark medium size simple leaves with soft hair on the surface. Leaves are oval shaped approximately 2 to 6 cm long and 1 to 3 cm broad. The leaves are elongate oval shaped. It has small yellow umbelliferous inflorescence which is produced throughout the year. The odour of the plant is very unpleasant, and taste wise it is bitter. Gymnema is being used in Asia over thousands of years. The plant contains large number of chemical which are very useful for various purposes in medicine industry.

 

How to use:
We make these suggestions to help you get the best benefit from the herbs that you’re choosing to improve your health. Also we make these ideas and recommendations so that consuming them easier and better fit into your lifestyle by adding them to the food that you already eat.
For the full health benefit, it is best to consume (or use the whole herb in poultices) the whole herb. All of the compounds in the herb act best together, as nature intends. Extracts draw out the most prominent beneficial compounds and may concentrate them. What is not extracted can be helpful in ways that we do not yet understand.

Cut Pieces or Powdered Herb:
There are different ways to use cut pieces or powdered herb.
Food Preparation: You can add powdered or pieces of herb (if the pieces you buy are bigger than you like, a coffee or herb grinder will quickly reduce) to any yogurt, smoothie, apple or other sauces, spreads, salads or other foods more familiar to you that don’t use heat. Heat can be damaging to the beneficial compounds in the herb. Other options like oatmeal, scrambled eggs, pasta sauce, soup, cookies and anything else that fits your lifestyle, but minimizing (by adding near the end of cooking) the heat is helpful.
Also, for children, you can mix powdered herb with honey or glycerin to make paste. The thicker the paste, the more potent and herbal in taste. The sweet taste of honey and glycerin will help medicine go down. The resulting liquid is called an electuary.
For seeds in general, but especially small seeds, it’s best to grind these to break the protective hulls a short time before consumption. This makes all the benefits available, rather than some remaining locked inside the hulls that are unbroken by insufficient chewing.
To make adding herbs even easier, you could add a week’s worth of your chosen herb(s) to an amount of, for example, yogurt that you would eat in a week. Mix thoroughly and eat this each day of the week. So you make once /week and just eat each other day.
Hot Infusion: The basic method for dried herbs and flower is, take 2-3 tablespoons of dried herb in a cup or teapot. Pour hot water over it and cover it with lid for 10-30 minutes. The heat from making tea can degrade some of the beneficial compounds in the herb. This method minimizes this effect. For the full health benefit, it is recommended to consume what is left over after making tea.
Decoctions: Decoctions are suitable for roots, barks, large seeds & berries, and other dense material. The simple way to make decoction is, in a saucepan, add 1 tablespoon of dried herbs to 1 cup of water, Bring the water to boil, reduce heat and simmer for 30-60 minutes with the pot covered. Squeeze out as much as liquid as possible. Best practice is to drink the liquid and also consume the solid material that remains. Herb pieces can also be used.
Powdered Herb:
There are different ways to use powdered herb.
Capsules: HerbsCrafters makes capsules guaranteed to be filled with the pure herb with no filler or any other products. You can also use powdered herb to make your own capsules at home. These capsules are best taken with liquid to aid in digestion and absorption and to ensure it doesn’t stick in your throat.
Poultice: Poultice can be made with an herbal powder and liquid (mostly water) to form a paste which is then applied to the skin. This method is very helpful for skin conditions.
Herbal shot: Powdered herb can be mixed with water, fruit juice or other liquid to make herbal shot.

Tips:
You can sweeten your herbal decoctions with bit of honey, natural fruit juice, stevia leaves powder or licorice root powder.

Precautions:
You should consult with a qualified healthcare practitioner before using any herbal products, particularly if you are pregnant, nursing, or on any medications.
All information on this website is for educational purpose ONLY.
This information has not been evaluated by Health Canada.
This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.