Gymnema sylvestre (GS) is
a woody climbing plant that grows in the
tropical forests of central and southern
India. The leaves are used in herbal
medicine preparations. Gymnema sylvestre
is known as "periploca of the woods" in
English and mesbasringi (meaning "ram's
horn") in Sanskrit. The leaves, when
chewed, interfere with the ability to
taste sweetness, which explains the Hindi
name gurmar - "destroyer of sugar."
Gymnema sylvestre has been used in India
for the treatment of diabetes for over
2,000 years. The primary application was
for adult-onset diabetes, a condition for
which it continues to be recommended today
in India. The leaves were also used for
stomach ailments, constipation, water
retention, and liver disease.
Extrac
ts of Gymnema sylvestre given to
patients with type I diabetes on insulin
therapy reduces insulin requirements and
fasting blood sugar levels, and improves
blood sugar control. In a study of type II
diabetics, Gymnema sylvestre extract given
along with oral hypoglycemic drugs was
shown to improve blood sugar control and
to either lead to discontinuation of the
medicine or a significantly reduced
dosage. Gymnema sylvestre is interesting
to note that Gymnema sylvestre extract
given to healthy volunteers does not
produce any blood sugar-lowering, or
hypoglycemic, effects.
