Gymnema sylvestre, or Gurmar, is acclaimed as a natural ‘sugar buster’. As its Hindi name Gurmar suggests, the plant has properties that kill sugar (gur: jaggery or sugar; mar: kill) in the blood stream. Its wonderful hypoglycaemic (sugar lowering) properties have made this herb a natural choice for Ayurvedic and Unani doctors as an
anti-diabetes drug. A time-tested fruit Gurmar’s formulations have been in use in traditional systems of medicine in different parts of the world for at least 2,500 years.
Herbalists often call Gymnema a miracle fruit. However, its leaves are used in herbal formulations and the fruit is not used. Gurmar’s action is instant. If you want to test whether the Gurmar leaves have hypoglycaemic properties, take a leaf, wash it properly and chew it. For the next two hours you will not be able to taste or feel anything sweet. Even sugar will not “taste” sweet to your taste buds!
Ancient Ayurvedic texts have dwelt at length on the health benefits of Gurmar (mesha-shringi in Sanskrit) for diabetics.
Also known as Madhunaashini in Sanskrit, modern experiments, both in vivo and in vitro, have shown that Gurmar works well with Type 2 or non-insulin dependent diabetes. In Type 1 or insulin dependent diabetes, the intake of Gurmar reduces the need for insulin injections. Type 1 diabetics have to take an insulin supplement along with Gurmar.
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w If you want to fight obesity by reducing your intake of sugar, chocolates or sweets, just chew a leaf or two of Gurmar. It will reduce your craving for sugar or sweet preparations. The Gurmar leaf acts on the taste buds that recognise sweetness and thus your craving for sugary things will go down the natural way.
w Gymnema herbal tea is readily available. You could use this special tea to keep your blood sugar levels in check, if you are a diabetic. Non-diabetics may also drink Gymnema herbal tea as a general tonic, as
the herb is considered the body’s “refrigerant”.
w Herbal practitioners believe that Gurmar has special properties that fight snake venom. Snakebite is often treated by using a paste prepared from the root of the Gurmar plant.
w Fever (high body temperature) can be brought down via Gurmar extracts available with herbal stores.
w Finely ground and sieved seeds of Gurmar are often prescribed for those suffering from asthma.