Introduction
Gymnema is a small green plant that grows in South Asia and throughout Africa. It has been used to lower blood glucose and blood pressure. It can be taken as a pill, powder, or extract.
Dosages
300 milligrams 1 to 2 times daily
What Research Shows
Not Enough Data to Assess
Editorial process and description of evidence categories can be found at EBSCO NAT Editorial Process.
Editorial process and description of evidence categories can be found at EBSCO NAT Editorial Process.
Safety Notes
It may be safe to take gymnema for a short time. Not enough studies have been done to say whether it is safe to take for a long period or by women who are pregnant or breastfeeding.
Interactions
Talk to your doctor about any supplements or therapy you would like to use. Some can interfere with treatment or make conditions worse, such as:
- People with diabetes should talk to their doctor before taking gymnema to ensure it will not interact with their medicines. D1
References
REFA Diabetes
REFA1 Nahas R, Moher M, et al. Complementary and alternative medicine for the treatment of type 2 diabetes. Can Fam Physician. 2009;55(6):591-596.
REFB Metabolic Syndrome
REFB1 Zuñiga LY, González-Ortiz M, et al. Effect of gymnema sylvestre administration on metabolic syndrome, insulin sensitivity, and insulin secretion. J Med Food. 2017 Aug;20(8):750-754.
REFC Obesity
REFC1 Astell KJ, Mathai ML, et al. Plant extracts with appetite suppressing properties for body weight control: a systematic review of double blind randomized controlled clinical trials. Complement Ther Med. 2013 Aug;21(4):407-416.
REFD Safety
REFD1 Shiyovich A, Sztarkier I, et al. Toxic hepatitis induced by Gymnema sylvestre, a natural remedy for type 2 diabetes mellitus. Am J Med Sci. 2010 Dec;340(6):514-517.