Gymnema (Gymnema sylvestre) Be aware that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration does not strictly regulate herbs and dietary supplements. There is no guarantee of strength, purity or safety of products containing or claiming to contain gymnema. Decisions to use herbs or supplements should be carefully considered. Individuals using prescription drugs should discuss taking herbs or supplements with their pharmacist or health care provider before starting.
Scientists have studied gymnema for the following health problem: Diabetes mellitus | Several studies suggest that gymnema can lower blood sugar levels in people with type 1 diabetes mellitus (insulin-dependent diabetes) and type 2 diabetes mellitus (non-insulin-dependent diabetes). However, these studies have been small and poor quality, and better research is needed to determine safety and dosing. |
Gymnema has been suggested for many other uses, based on tradition or on scientific theories. However, these uses have not been thoroughly studied in humans, and there is limited scientific evidence about safety or effectiveness. Some of these suggested uses are for conditions that are potentially serious and even life-threatening. You should consult a health care provider before using gymnema for any unproven use. Allergy
Antimicrobial
Aphrodisiac
Beryllium toxicity prophylaxis
Cardiovascular disease
Cholesterol reduction
Constipation
Cough
Dental caries
Digestive stimulant
Diuresis
Gout
High blood pressure
High cholesterol | Laxative
Liver disease
Liver protection
Malaria
Microbial infection
Obesity
Oxidative stress
Rheumatic arthritis
Snakebite antidote
Stomach disorders
Uterine stimulant
Viral infection
Weight loss |
Allergies People allergic to plants in the Asclepiadaceae (milkweed) family should avoid gymnema. Side Effects Gymnema may lower blood sugar levels. Caution is advised if you are also taking prescription drugs that may lower blood sugar levels. Patients taking oral drugs for diabetes or using insulin should be monitored closely by their health care provider while using gymnema. Dosing adjustments may be necessary. Gymnema may alter the ability to taste sweet foods. Pregnancy And Breast-Feeding Gymnema cannot be recommended during pregnancy or breast-feeding because of a lack of information on safety and effectiveness.
Interactions with drugs, supplements and other herbs have not been thoroughly studied. The interactions listed below have been reported in scientific publications. If you are taking prescription drugs, speak with your health care provider or pharmacist before using herbs or dietary supplements. Interactions With Drugs Gymnema may lower blood sugar levels. Caution is advised if you are also taking prescription drugs that may lower blood sugar levels. Patients taking oral drugs for diabetes or using insulin should be monitored closely by their health care provider while using gymnema. Dosing adjustments may be necessary. Interactions With Herbs And Dietary Supplements Gymnema may lower blood sugar levels. People using other herbs or supplements that may alter blood sugar levels, such as bitter melon ( Momordica charantia), should be monitored closely by their health care provider while using gymnema. Dosing adjustments may be necessary.
The doses listed below are based on scientific research, publications or traditional use. Because most herbs and supplements have not been thoroughly studied or monitored, safety and effectiveness may not be proven. Brands may be made differently, with variable ingredients even within the same brand. Combination products often contain small amounts of each ingredient and may not be effective. Appropriate dosing should be discussed with a health care provider before starting therapy; always read the recommendations on a product's label. The dosing for unproven uses should be approached cautiously, because scientific information is limited in these areas. Diabetes Mellitus Adults (Aged 18 Or Older) Extract: A dose of 200 milligrams of the gymnema extract called GS4 taken twice per day by mouth has been studied. Children (Younger Than 18) The dosing and safety of gymnema have not been studied thoroughly in children. It is recommended that you discuss doses with your child's health care provider before starting therapy.
Although gymnema has been suggested for multiple conditions, the best evidence supports its use in lowering blood sugar levels. Because this can be dangerous in individuals already taking prescription drugs that lower blood sugar levels, consult your health care provider before starting therapy. Pregnant or breast-feeding women should avoid gymnema. Contact your health care provider immediately if you experience any side effects. The information in this monograph was prepared by the professional staff at Natural Standard, based on thorough systematic review of scientific evidence. The material was reviewed by the Faculty of the Harvard Medical School with final editing approved by Natural Standard.
- Natural Standard: An organization that produces scientifically based reviews of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) topics
- National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM): A division of the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services dedicated to research
Selected Scientific Studies: Gymnema Natural Standard reviewed more than 70 articles to prepare the professional monograph from which this version was created. Some of the more recent studies are listed below: - Baskaran K, Ahamath B, Shanmugasundaram K, et al. Antidiabetic effect of a leaf extract from Gymnema sylvestre in non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus patients. J Ethnopharm 1990;30(3):295-300.
- Khare AK, Tondon RN, Tewari JP. Hypoglycaemic activity of an indigenous drug (Gymnema sylvestre, "Gurmar") in normal and diabetic persons. Indian J Physiol Pharm 1983;27:257-258.
- Kothe A, Uppal R. Antidiabetic effects of Gymnema sylvestre in NIDDM: a short study. Indian J Homeopath Med 1997;32(1-2):61-62, 66.
- Porchezhian E, Eobriyal RM. An overview on the advances of Gymnema sylvestre: chemistry, pharmacology and patents. Pharmazie 2003;58(1):5-12.
- Preuss HG, Bagchi D, Bagchi M, et al. Effects of a natural extract of (-)-hydroxycitric acid (HCA-SX) and a combination of HCA-SX plus niacin-bound chromium and Gymnema sylvestre extract of weight loss. Diabetes Obes Metab 2004;6(3):171-180.
- Satdive RK, Abhilash P, Fulzele DP. Antimicrobial activity of Gymnema sylvestre leaf extract. Fitoterapia 2003;74(7-8):699-701.
- Shanmugasundaram ERB, Rajeswari G, Baskaran K, et al. Use of Gymnema sylvestre leaf extract in the control of blood glucose in insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus. J Ethnopharm 1990;30(3):281-294.
- Yeh GY, Eisenberg DM, Kaptchuk TJ, Phillips RS. Systematic review of herbs and dietary supplements for glycemic control in diabetes. Diabetes Care 2003;Apr, 26(4):1277-1294.
Last updated June 22, 2005
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