Botanical name – Gymnema sylvestre
Family name – Asclepiadaceae
English name – Cowplant, Gymnema
Common Names– Gymnema, Gurmar, Gudmar
Synonyms – Vishani, Meshavalli, Ajashringika, Madhunashini
Habit – Perennial shrub
Parts – Leaves, Root, Bark, and Seeds
Common Uses –
1- The active ingredient of Gymnema Sylvester is gymnemic acid. This gymneic acid has anti-diabetic properties that help in reducing the glucose levels in the body. It has a stimulative effect on the pancreatic cells that are responsible for the secretion of insulin. Insulin is a hormone that is helpful in sugar metabolism in the body.
2- Gymnema is also indicated to cure diabetes mellitus, hyperglycemia, anti-obesity, constipation, indigestion, weight reducing or obesity problems, and it is used as an anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial, and appetiser.
Indications –
Roots and leaves are used internally in jaundice, diabetes, decreased digestive fire, and cardiac debility. Roots and seeds are used for fumigation in cough, dyspnoea, and rhinitis.
Formulations - It is the main ingredient in Madhumehar Yog Capsule.