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By Dr. Rajeshwor Aryal
Synonyms:
Sanskrit Names: Mesha-shringi,
Madhunashini, Ajaballi, Avartini
Nepali Name: Gudamaar
Latin Name: Gymnema sylvestra r. br.
Hindi Name: Gurmar
Family: Asclepiadaceae
General introduction:
A large woody, branched, hairy
twinner running over the tops of high tree.
Leaves: 1-2 inch long, ovate, elliptic or ovate-lanceolate,
acute or shortly acuminate, more or less pubescent
on both sides, base rounded or cordate.
Flower: Greenish yellow, pedunculate or nearly sessile
cyme.
Fruit: 2-3 inch long, 0.2 to 0.3 inch thick, rigid,
cylindrical.
Seeds: 1.3 cm long narrowly ovoid-oblong, flat,
brown, glabrous.
Root: 1-1/4 inch thick.
Flowering month: August-September
Fruiting time: January-March.
Distribution: Upto 3000 feet.
Chemical composition:
Leaf: Gymnemic acid, Quercitol,
Calcium oxalate, colouring substances, Anthraguinone
compound, and, a bitter salvator substance too.
Ash: Alkali, phosphoric acid, ferric oxide, manganese
etc.
Properties: Bitter, acrid, cooling, tonic, alterative,
anthelmentic, alexiteric, useful in eye diseases,
cures opacities of the lens, cornea, and vitreous
body; good in diseases of the heart, piles, leucoderma,
infalmmations, cure burning sensation, bronchitis,
asthma, ulcers etc.
b) The leaves cause hypoglycaemia soon after oral
or parenterial administration, lasts for a variable
times. It does not cantain any water soluble or
alcohol soluble substance which destroys glucose
in vitro, nor yields any chemical body resembling
insulin. It has no direct action on carbohydrate
metabolism; but acts indirectly through stimulation
of insulin secretion. It stimulates the heart and
circulating system and increases urine secretion.
c) The presence of anthroguinone derivatives is
responsible for its laxative action.
Uses:
According to Ayurveda, it
is used in various Kapha-Vata disorders.
External use: its leaves paste with Ricinus cuminus
(Adir) oil is applied locally in hepatitis and splenomegaly.
Internal or Systemic Uses:
a) Gastrointestinal System: in indigestion, constipation,
Jaundice as well as in hemorrhoids.
b) Cardiovascular System: as a cardiac stimulant
in cardiac and circulatory weakness.
c) Respiratory system: seed is used in Acute coryza
, cough or asthma. In much problems smoking of root
skin can be done.
d) Urinary System: in renal calculus, and in dysurea.
e) Reproductive system: As uterostimulant in amenorrhoea.
* a part there, it can be used in intermitted types
of fever and root decoction in snake poison.
* Its main use is: in Glycosurea.
Parts used: leaves
root.
Therapeutic dose: leaf
powder: 3-6 gm, root decoction: 50-100ml.
Uses of Gyamnema
sylvestre in different customes.
a) Chewing of fresh leaves
to reduce glycosurea.
b) Leaves used in Furunculosis & Madhumeha (
Glycosurea).
