gymnema sylvestre for diabetes
Gymnema Sylvestre for Diabetes
The use of gymnema sylvestre can prove to be effective in curbing sugar cravings and controlling diabetes. This article sheds some light on the same.
People affected by diabetes, either type 1 or type 2, can benefit a lot from the regular use of gymnema sylvestre. It is one of the herbs commonly used in the Ayuverdic medicines of India. It is found in the tropical forests of southern and central India, and has been used as a natural treatment for diabetes, for more than two thousand years. The Hindi name of this herb, 'Gur-mar', literally means sugar destroyer. The Sanskrit name Meshasringa means 'ram's horn', a name, that must have been derived from the shape of its fruits. The Latin word gymnema has its origin in another Latin word meaning 'naked' and sylvestre means 'from the forest'.
Benefits for Diabetes
- The herb helps reduce the need for insulin, and also helps lower the fasting blood glucose levels.
- It reduces the intestinal glucose uptake, thereby reducing the blood sugar levels.
- The active component GS4 from this herb, helps raise the beta cells in the pancreas. This leads to an increased production of insulin.
- Since diabetes is associated with hormonal imbalance, it helps prevent adrenaline hormone from stimulating the liver to produce glucose.
- The natural health benefits of this herb cut down the need for conventional drug therapy, and the patients don't have to tolerate the side effects of those drugs.
- Studies have shown that it works great for hyperglycemia, restores appetite, and cures dyspepsia. It is useful for anemic patients, and helps prevent several inflammatory conditions.
- Gymnema leaves are used for stomach ailments, constipation, water retention and liver disease. The herb improves the digestive health, which indirectly is helpful for diabetics.
- Obesity is the main problem in type 2 diabetes. The herb helps in losing weight, especially when combined with calcium citrate and chromium. It helps build lean muscle mass.
- When placed in mouth and chewed, it reduces the taste of sugar and this effect can last for at least two hours. The gymnemic acid obtained from the leaves, displays anti-sweet activity and helps fight sugar cravings.
- Additional benefits of this herb are related to decreased cholesterol levels and triglycerides. It helps in the absorption of oleic acid, which is one of the omega-9 fatty acids found in vegetable oil, animal fat, and other sources of dietary fat. This helps reduce LDL (bad) cholesterol and also raise the HDL (good) cholesterol levels.