Gurmar - the sugar destoyer

Gurmar leaves ( bio name -Gymnema sylvestre; is a perennial woody vine that grows in tropical areas of India, Africa, and Australia and has been used for medicinal purposes in Ayurvedic medicine. Common names include gymnema, Australian cowplant, and Periploca of the woods, and the Hindi term gurmar which means "sugar destroyer")

Treatment of Type 1 diabetes

In type I diabetes, cell in pancreas do not produce insulin, thus leading to increase in blood and urine glucose, as the sugar cannot be absorbed by body. It also affects metabolism of fats and proteins and increases risk of other vascular disease. Gurmar stimulates Islets of Langerhans – cells in pancreas which secretes insulin and hence finds use in treatment of type I diabetics or insulin dependent diabetes.

Treatment of Type 2 diabetes

Diabetes type 2 or non insulin-dependent diabetes is a metabolic disorder characterized by high blood glucose due to insulin resistance and relative insulin deficiency and is often caused by is caused by a combination of lifestyle and genetic factors. A human study with extract from leaves of Gurmar found effective in controlling hyperglycemia in Type 2 diabetics patients. In the study, long term dosage of Gurmar supplements resulted in reduction of blood glucose and reduced need for conventional medicines.

Helps reduce cholesterol

Gurmar leaf contains chemicals which avoid absorption of harmful cholesterol and triglycerides in intestine and thus results in excretion of cholesterol. Lab tests showed that Gurmar leaf extract reduced cholesterol level in rats with artificially increased cholesterol. The results indicate anti atherosclerotic potential of Gurmar and its use to reduce risk of cholesterol deposition in heart arteries.

Natural food against Obesity

Obesity is due to accumulation of fats and carbohydrates. Obesity is often genetic and also common in people with diabetes. A hypothesis is that there is a common link between diabetes, gymnemic acid and obesity; and medicines useful for reducing diabetes are useful to reduce obesity. Gymnemic acid reduces absorption of glucose in blood. It reduces sugar craving which is common in obese people. It also acts in suppression of appetite. Gurmar also reduces risk of diabetics in obese people.

Natural Anti-Inflammatory food

Lab results have shown anti-inflammatory properties of Gurmar leaves extract, thus showing its protective effect in protecting body parts from free radicals. It has been used traditionally in treatment of asthma, eye complaints, osteoporosis and inflammations.

Protection for Liver

Gurmar possesses protective properties and helpful as tonic for protection of liver. Some tribes in India still use Gurmar leaves for treatment of jaundice.