Botanical Index No. 488

Gymnema

gymnema

Medicinal Actions

Analysis pending research update.

Primary Conditions Treated

decrease cravings for sweets lower serum cholesterol and triglycerides lowering blood sugar Adenopathy Asthma Biliousness Bite Boil Bronchosis Cardiopathy Conjunctivosis Constipation Cornea Cough Diabetes Dysuria Epilepsy Fever Furunculosis Glycosuria Hemorrhoid High Cholesterol IDDM Inflammation Leukoderma NIDDM Obesity Opacities Ophthalmia Pain Paraguesia Side Ache Snakebite Stomachache Syndrome X Water Retention Worm

General Dosage

1–2 tbsp fresh leaf; 2–3 g dry leaf; 2 g dry leaf:10 ml alcohol/10 ml water; 2–4 g powdered leaf; 2–4 g powdered leaf/day; 14–28 ml leaf decoction; 5–10 ml/day 1:1 extract; 1–2 ml/day to decrease cravings for sweets; 400 mg water-soluble acidic fraction in India. 1–2 tbsp fresh leaf; 2–3 g dry leaf; 2 g dry leaf:10 ml alcohol/10 ml water; 2–4 g powdered leaf; 2–4 g powdered leaf/day; 14–28 ml leaf decoction; 5–10 ml/day 1:1 extract; 1–2 ml/day to decrease cravings for sweets; 400 mg water-soluble acidic fraction in India.

Safety & Contraindications

Not covered. Generally safe and devoid of side effects at indicated levels; safety in lactation and pregnancy undetermined; should be used for diabetes under the purview of a practitioner; not to be used in place of insulin. Gymnema leaves raise insulin levels in healthy volunteers; leaves also lower serum cholesterol and triglycerides; water soluble acidic fractions are hypoglycemic. Gymnema given orally proved as potent as tolbutamide in lowering blood sugar, and keeping it low, in a 1-month study. Not covered. Generally safe and devoid of side effects at indicated levels; safety in lactation and pregnancy undetermined; should be used for diabetes under the purview of a practitioner; not to be used in place of insulin. Gymnema leaves raise insulin levels in healthy volunteers; leaves also lower serum cholesterol and triglycerides; water soluble acidic fractions are hypoglycemic. Gymnema given orally proved as potent as tolbutamide in lowering blood sugar, and keeping it low, in a 1-month study.

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