By all accounts, diabetes is becoming a bigger and bigger problem in the medical community. Despite billions of dollars spent on researching the condition, people suffering from the disease still have the same options available to them. It is no wonder then, that some people are looking for alternative routes to controlling their condition. More often than not, the herb these people turn to is gymnema.
The herb comes from the leaves of the plant Gymnema sylvestre, known in English as “periploca of the woods,” and in Hindi as “gurmar” (“sugar destroyer”). It is a climbing plant that grows mainly in the tropical areas of India. Gymnema is extracted from the plant’s leaves, and has been used in India for the past two thousand years as a natural approach to controlling blood-sugar levels. It was also recommended for liver conditions and stomach problems.
Despite its age, gymnema remains mysterious. It is not entirely clear what chemical compounds in the plant give it blood-sugar controlling properties, but repeated studies have indicated that the herb does indeed raise insulin levels. In animal studies, gymnema has been shown to markedly increase the amount of insulin produced by the pancreas. For people with Type-I diabetes, it has been shown to decrease the amount of insulin required to control blood-sugar, and for people with Type-II diabetes – those who are not dependent on insulin – it has been shown to decrease the dosage requirement for prescription drugs. Gymnema has also been demonstrated to lower levels of cholesterol and triglycerides in test subjects. Although it is not certain why this happens, it has been suggested that the presence of gymnemic acid – which blocks the human tongue from tasting sweet things – may have something to do with this reaction, but more research needs to be done.
Although gymnema is used in the treatment of diabetes, it is not a replacement for insulin therapy. Part of the reason for this is that gymnema acts much more slowly in raising insulin levels than prescription drugs or insulin shots. For people who need to control their blood-sugar levels carefully on a daily basis, those medications are absolutely necessary, though taking gymnema may alter their required dosage. Instead, gymnema has proven effective as a supplement to prescription medication, slowly building up insulin levels until, ideally, the patient can begin to rely less on the prescription medication. As always, discuss any possible use of gymnema with a qualified medical professional before embarking on any holistic therapy, and never stop taking prescription medications unless your doctor advises you to do so.
Traditionally gymnema has been taken simply by chewing on the leaves of the plant, although it is far more common in this country to find it in a pill, liquid, or powder form. Gymnema teas are popular with diabetics, and can be found in many herbal apothecaries. Dosage varies based on the form of gymnema taken. Presently, there are no known side effects of the herb, provided it is taken properly. Long-term studies, however, have yet to be made on possible effects.
Finally, when buying gymnema, as with any herbal supplement, be sure you are buying from a reputable provider. Many companies have solid reputations for supplements around the world – a little research will help you locate these companies. Buying poorly produced supplements are a waste of money and can actually, in some cases, cause more harm than good.
