Gymnema Sylvestre - Meshashringi (Gurmar) - Himalaya

Botanical Source : Gymnema sylvestre

Family : Asclepiadaceae
Common Names :
Hindi- Gurmar;
Marathi- Kavali, Vakundai;
Bengali Merasingi
Tamil- Cheru, Sirukurinjan
Sanskrit Synonyms :
Vishaani, Mashunaashini, Ajashringi, Vartika, Chakshushya, Putrashreni, Meshavalli,
Sarpadanshtra.
Botanical Description:
G. sylvestre is a large, woody and mush branched climber distributed in the dry forests
throughout India up to an altitude of 600m. It is mostly found in Deccan peninsula and
occasionally cultivated as medicinal plant.
Leaves are simple, opposite, elliptic or ovate and more or less pubescent on both sides.
Flowers are small yellow, umbellate cymes; actinomorphic.
Fruits- paired, terete, rigid;
Seeds- numersous, narrowly ovoid- oblong.
Chemica Constituents
Leaves contains no. of pentacyclic triterpenic acid glycosides, the major components being
gymnemic acid which yield glucoronic acid on hydrolysis. Leaves also contain tartaric acid,
resin, carbohydrates and albumin.
Quercitol, calcium oxalate and pigments.
Also anthraquinones.
Ayurvedic Properties
Rasa : Kashaya, Tikta
Guna : Laghu, Ruksha
Veerya : Ushna
Vipaaka : Katu
Doshakarma : Kaphavaatashaamaka
Actions : Appetiser, hepatic stimulant.
Used as astringent, tonic, stomachic and refrigerant.
External Applications : Leaves mixed with castor oil useful in glandular swelling, hepatitis
and splenic disorders (enlargement); roots are used for application in snake bite.
Internal Applications :
Gymnema leaves and gymnemic acid is used as an antidiabetic agent. Its vernacular name
Gulmar meaning Sugar destroying accounts for its property of obolishing the taste of
sugar. Gymnema anaesthetises the sweet taste buds- the effect last for several hours.
It is useful in skin disorders related to diabetes and other similar disorders.
Root has emetic properties used in cardiac failure.
Seeds or roots in the form of smoking are used to relieve common cold and breathlessness.
It is very useful in diabetes and calculi.
A dose of 1-2 gm leaf powder with honey or cows milk is given twice a day, it is useful in
amnorrhoea, typhoid fever and general debility.
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Latin name : Coleus Forskohlii
English name :
Sanskrit / Ayurveda name : Makandi
Hindi Name : Karpuravali
Ayurveda Properties
- Rasa: Pungent
- Virya: Heating
- Vipaka: Pungent
- Guna: Light Dry
- Dosha: Balance or Decrease Kapha Pitta and Vata
- Dhatu: Rakta
- Srota: Respiratory and Circulatory
Traditional Ayurveda Uses
Treat heart and lung diseases, intestinal spasms, insomnia, and convulsions
Modern Uses
- Apply topically to treat skin conditions such as eczema and psoriasis
- Apply topically to lower eye pressure and possibly prevent Glaucoma
- Use as a part of weigh-loss program. It helps metabolize fat, and increase thyroid hormone
production
- Increases digestive enzymes (Saliva, Hydrochloric acid, Pancreatic enzymes), help
increase nutrient absorption in the small intestines
- May help with intestinal colic, uterine cramps, and painful urination
- Help reduce cardiovascular diseases, congestive heart failure, and angina
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