Gymnema Sylvestre

Health and gymnema sylvestre

1. Gymnema sylvestre when added to insulin and drugs that are taken orally for diabetes may be beneficial in type-1 and type-2 diabetes.
   
   
   
   Thus can be used (up to 20 months) as adjunct to conventional drug therapy. Gymnema may help lower glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) and also serum glucose levels.
2. Gymnema may help decrease cholesterol and triglyceride levels in patients with diabetes.
3. Gymnema when taken by healthy adults with a high carbohydrate meal may also help curb the cravings for sweets.
   
   
   
   
4. Traditionally based on scientific theories gymnema is used for cardiovascular diseases, cancer, aphrodisiac, digestive stimulant, laxative, type-2 diabetes cure, rheumatoid arthritis, obesity, antimicrobial, cough, constipation, gout, liver diseases, malaria, weight loss, stomach ailments, urine stimulant and snake venom antidote.  
5. These health benefits are based on unclear scientific evidences; more scientific studies on this herb are required to assess the safety and effectiveness in these conditions.
   
   
   
   

Side effects of gymnema sylvestre

1. Chronic use of this herb can lower blood pressure. People with diabetes, hypoglycemia or drugs or herbal supplementation, or other dietary supplements that include garlic, fenugreek and other dietary product which affects blood sugar levels should use gymnema with caution.
   
   
   
   Blood sugar levels should be monitored by a health care professional and adjustment of medical dose may be necessary.
2. Gymnema can lower blood cholesterol levels, therefore increase effects might occur when taken along with other cholesterol lowering drugs.
3. Gurmarin is a component present in gymnema suppresses the ability of the tongue to detect sweet tastes.
4. Gymnema is not recommended during pregnancy and lactation as well as for children, as its safety and effectiveness are not clear in these conditions.