Gymnema Leaf (Gymnema sylvestre)
Gymnema Sylvestre, also known as Gurmar, whose name literally means 'Sugar Destroyer', has been used in Ayurveda for several centuries to regulate sugar metabolism. Want to witness the ability of Gymnema first hand? Take a pinch, swish the powdered herb in your mouth, take a sip of water, spit it out, and eat a piece of chocolate. You'll taste the fat, you'll taste the salt, but you won't taste the sugar! Amazing!I Gymnema abolishes the taste of sugar, which effectively suppresses and neutralizes the craving for sweets
The key component of Gymnema - Gymnemic Acid - mimics glucose molecules, numbing receptor sites on your tongue. And even better, research shows Gymnema has the similar effect internally, by supporting the normal function of the specialized cells for sugar taste within the intestinal walls. Gymnema contains Gymnemic acid, Quercitol, Lupeol, Beta-Amyrin and Stigmasterol, which have glucose lowering properties.
In English the species is also known as gymnema and Australian cowplant.
This species also goes under many other names such as; Gurmari, Gurmarbooti, Gurmar, periploca of the woods and Meshasringa. The Hindi word Gur-mar (Madhunaashini in Sanskrit, Chakkarakolli in Tamil), literally means sugar destroyer. Meshasringa (Sanskrit) translates as "ram's horn", a name given to the plant from the shape of its fruits. Gymnema probably derives from the Latin word meaning naked and sylvestre means from the forest.
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