The gymnema herb or in English Gymnema sylvestre, some resort to using its leaves to treat some diseases as a form of alternative medicine and it is famous for being a sugar-destroying herb, so what are its potential benefits for weight and sugar? Does it have damages that should be paid attention to? Learn more about the details through the following lines.

Gymnema herb benefits

The herb may have some potential benefits for the body, and the treatment of some diseases, according to the belief of some. We will learn about some of them today, and among these benefits:

1- Reduces sugar intake

This herb may help reduce the craving for sugars, due to a component present in it, which is gymnemic acid, as this acid blocks sugar receptors in the taste buds, which reduces the ability to enjoy sweet things, and thus turn away from them.

2- Gymnema for the treatment of diabetes

It is believed that the herb has a role in reducing blood sugar, as it reduces the ability to absorb sugar, which may help reduce the level of sugar in the blood after eating meals, and in general there is still a need for more studies to confirm.

But in general, the herb should not be relied upon as a treatment for diabetes and diabetes medications should never be stopped, so a doctor should be consulted first.

3- Improve cholesterol and triglyceride levels

It is also believed that this herb can help reduce triglycerides and harmful cholesterol also in the body, according to a study conducted on people with moderate obesity, and some studies on mice even showed that the herb, including its extract, may have a role in maintaining weight. .

Therefore, the herb can help reduce lipid levels and reduce heart disease as well.

4- Weight loss

Various studies on mice and humans have shown that the herb can help reduce weight and even help reduce food intake, as we have already mentioned its effect on reducing the desire for sweet food, and thus this may help reduce weight.

5- Reducing inflammation

It is believed that some of the plant compounds present in the herb, such as tannin and saponin, may play a role in fighting infections, because they have anti-inflammatory properties, and the herb can also help stimulate immunity and thus reduce inflammation.

How can the herb gymnema be used?

The herb can be taken in three different ways, either by:

• Boil and drink it as tea, where we boil the herb for 5 minutes, then leave it for a period of time about 10 minutes to a quarter of an hour.
• Use it as a powder.
• Use it in the form of capsules.

Important warnings

Regarding doses and quantity, you should consult a doctor first, especially if you are taking any herbal medicines, supplements, or medicines in general, or suffer from any different diseases.

Pregnant women and women who plan to become pregnant and breast-feeding women should also consult a doctor first, before using the herb or even giving it to children.

You should stop using the herb before any surgery until two weeks before the operation, and generally inform the doctor of any medications that you are taking.

Gymnema herb damage and side effects

• Taking the herb with sugar-lowering medications may cause a severe decrease than normal.
• The appearance of some side effects such as headache, nausea and dizziness.
• Some people may be allergic to the herb.

Gymnema herb names

This herb is known by different names throughout the Arab countries, where it is also called:

• gymnastics
• Sylvester.
• Gurmar.
• Gudmar.

In the end, we advise you to consult a doctor before taking the herb and taking it as a treatment for any disease, especially for diabetics, and we recommend a healthy diet in general, and exercise to maintain the level of sugar and cholesterol in the blood.