What is Gymnema Sylvestre Extract?
Gymnema (scientific names Gymnema sylvestre) is a plant that's been used in Ayurvedic medicine for centuries. The extract from the plant's flowers, leaves and fruits are thought to have anti-allergic, antiviral and lipid-decreasing properties. Gymnema is mainly used to manage and treat conditions associated with blood-sugar levels, such as diabetes mellitus and related hypo- or hyperglycemic conditions. Additionally, Gymnema has shown effectiveness in treating a range of different ailments.
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Significance
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The Gymnema plant is indigenous to the tropical forests of India and parts of Africa; however, the plant's extracts are commonly used throughout Australia, Japan, Vietnam and more recently Europe and the United States.
Features
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Gymnema contains gymnemic acid (GA), quercitol, lupeol, ß-amyrin and stigmasterol compounds, which boast glucose decreasing traits.
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Effects
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Gymnema's hypoglycemic properties can help regulate blood sugar levels by enhancing the cells consumption of glucose and boosting the actions of glucose using enzymes, inhibiting the liver from making glucose and thus decreasing blood sugar levels.
Function
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The extract from the leaves of the plant serve numerous medicinal purposes, as they increase levels of insulin (by helping to restore the pancreatic cells that produce insulin) and can also lessen serum cholesterol and triglycerides, prevent hyperglycemia and work as a cardiovascular accelerator.
Potential
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Gymnema can also be used to treat stomach and gastrointestinal disorders, constipation, water retention, cholesterol, high or low blood pressure, anemia, liver disease, tachycardia, arrhythmia and weight gain.
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Resources
- Photo Credit Gymnema Sylvestre Leaves (www.gymnema.org)
