Gurmar is an herbal supplement that is used to regulate glucose levels, boost insulin levels, prevent sugar cravings and promote whole-body cleansing. After chewing gurmar leaves, the tongue is unable to taste sweets, and the literal translation of this plant's name is “sugar killer” or “destroyer of sugar.” Gurmar, or gymnema sylvestre, grows in the tropical forests of India and has been used for more than 2,000 years in traditional Ayurvedic medicine.
Gurmar is one of the most popular herbal supplements for the treatment of diabetes because of its ability to prevent sugar from accumulating in the body. Diabetics do not naturally produce enough insulin to regulate the rate at which their bodies absorb glucose, or sugar. Glucose then builds up in the person’s bloodstream without being absorbed into the cells for energy production. Gurmar increases the amount of insulin produced by the pancreas and allows the body to naturally maintain healthy blood sugar levels. It has been used to balance blood sugar levels in people with type 1 and type 2 diabetes and can reduce the amount of prescription insulin a diabetic must take on a daily basis.
This herb is also recommended as a supplement to maximize the muscle’s use of carbohydrates by increasing insulin levels in the body. When taken after a workout, the increased insulin levels in the body will result in increased muscle growth and a lower rate of muscle breakdown. The insulin also will help the body’s ability to absorb more of the protein and carbohydrates in a post-workout meal. This helps prevent extra carbohydrates and calories from being converted into fat.
When taken in liquid form and applied to the tongue, gurmar can help in weight loss plans, because it removes the person’s ability to taste sweets. Without the ability to taste sugar, many people find their appetite for sugary foods and carbohydrates to be suppressed or lowered. This plant also slows the process of converting carbohydrates to fat, so the body is able to maintain a balanced sugar level that helps to prevent sugar cravings or blood sugar level crashes. The effect of liquid gymnema sylvestre lasts for one or two hours.
As a diuretic, gurmar cleanses the body and promotes circulatory health by getting rid of excess water through increased urine secretion. The root of this plant has been used to treat snake bites. It is also used to treat inflammation, swollen glands, constipation, malaria and coughs. As with any herbal supplement or medication, one should talk to his or her doctor before taking gurmar. It is not known to have side effects, but it could influence the way other medicines affect the body.