December 4, 2023 by Margie Navarro
Ingredient Spotlight: Gymnema 'Sugar Balancer'
Gymnema sylvestre: The Powerhouse Sugar Balancer
Known as chi geng teng in China, G. sylvestre has a wide range of use historically. It is now primarily used for diabetic or metabolic conditions, as modern research shows its positive effects on blood sugar homeostasis, controls sugar cravings, and promotes regeneration of the pancreas. By helping maintain blood sugar homeostasis, you’re less subject to a ‘sugar rush’ thereby controlling cravings.
The mode of action of the drug is through stimulation of insulin secretion from the pancreas. It also exerts a similar effect by delaying the glucose absorption in the blood. Components of G. sylvestre attach to receptors in the external layer of intestine, thereby preventing the absorption of sugar molecules, leading to reduction in blood sugar levels. These metabolic changes can reduce body weight, blood cholesterol, and triglyceride levels [1].
In type 1 diabetes the ability of the pancreas to secrete insulin can be much more greatly reduced, moreso than in type 2 diabetes or pre-diabetes, because the beta cell (β-cell) mass and function in the pancreas are diminished. This leads to insufficient insulin secretion and hyperglycemia (or high blood surgar levels). β-cells are the most populous pancreatic cell responsible for synthesizing and secreting insulin. Interestingly, they have been shown to regerenerate with the help of this herbal extract [2].
Due to the simultaneous nourishing and draining properties of this herb, I find it particularly helpful in the summer season. A qualified herbalist or medical practitioner familiar with the research on this herb could evaluate the suitability of this herb for your goals as well as recommend proper dosing and/or other herbs that could be used to complement the desired effects of the herb without leading to doses so high that they would cause side effects.
Growing conditions: G. sylvestre is an evergreen climber preferring tropical and sub-tropical climates, although it can also grow in dryer conditions.
Harvest recommendations: The leaves can be harvested along with the flowers beginning when the plants start flowering, during end of June or first week of July, starting in the second year of growth.
– Margie Navarro, herbalist & acupuncturist
References:
[1] Pothuraju, R., Sharma, R. K., Chagalamarri, J., Jangra, S., & Kumar Kavadi, P. (2014). A systematic review of Gymnema sylvestre in obesity and diabetes management. Journal of the science of food and agriculture, 94(5), 834–840. https://doi.org/10.1002/jsfa.6458
[2] Ahmed, A. B., Rao, A. S., & Rao, M. V. (2010). In vitro callus and in vivo leaf extract of Gymnema sylvestre stimulate β-cells regeneration and anti-diabetic activity in Wistar rats. Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology, 17(13), 1033–1039. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.phymed.2010.03.019