Meshashringi is another name for Gurmar. For those dealing with diabetes, it is a very powerful plant. According to Ayurveda, this herb is known as Madhunashini because it controls the body's blood sugar levels. Gymnema Sylvestre is the botanical name for this plant. The herb gurmar is useful in treating both Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes as well as its complications.
Synonyms
Meshashringi – The plant's leaves resemble a goat's horn.
Madhunashini – The person who ruins sweet flavors.
Vishani – The one who neutralizes poison.
Other Names
Hindi Name: Gurmar, Gudmar
English Name: Cowplant, Australian Cowplant, Gymnema
Bengali Name: Medasinghi
Kannada Name: Madhunashini
Konkani Name: Kawli
Gujarathi Name: Gudamar, Kavali
Marathi Name: Bedakicha phala, Kavali
Malayalam Name: Chakkarakolli, Madhunashini
Oriya Name: Mrygosingo
Telugu Name: Vodaparthi, Podapatri
Tamil Name: Shirukurinjan
Urdu Name: Sasinga
Classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Subkingdom: Tracheobionta
Superdivision: Spermatophyta
Division: Magnoliophyta
Order: Gentianales
Class: Magnoliopsida
Family: Asclepiadaceae
Genus: Gymnema
Species: Sylvestre
Description of Gurmar Plant
Gurmar is a perennial climbing herb that has a weak stem and sparse hair covering it. The leaves are oblong and elliptical in shape and range in length from 3 to 5 cm. For at least 15 to 20 minutes after chewing the leaves, it is difficult to detect the sweetness. This herb produces its fruits from January to March. This herb's roots are about 3 cm thick, and its tiny, pale yellowish-green blossoms bloom in the months of August and September.
Habitat
This climbing herb is indigenous to Asia, Africa, and Australia, and it grows in tropical climates. However, this plant can be found all over India, particularly in states like Uttar Pradesh and Goa.
Chemical Composition
Gurmar herb contains a variety of chemically active components, including triterpenoids, gymnemic acids A, B, C, and D, as well as sugar residues like glucuronic, galacturonic, angelic, and ferulic acids. It also contains a number of isopropylene derivatives of gymnemagenin, gymnemic acid, hexahydropterpene, choline, inositol, and quercitol.
Ayurvedic Properties
|
|
Hindi / Sanskrit |
English |
|
Rasa (Taste) |
Kashaya, Tikta |
Astringent, Bitter |
|
Guna (Physical Property) |
Laghu, Rooksha |
Light, Dry |
|
Virya (Potency) |
Ushna |
Hot |
|
Vipaka (Post-Digestive Taste) |
Katu |
Pungent |
Effect On Doshas
It aids in our body's reduction of the Kapha and Pitta doshas.
Gurmar's Impact on Various Systems
- Digestive System – By stimulating the pancreas, which is necessary for the metabolism of glucose, this herb aids in accelerating the function of the liver and also improves the generation of insulin.
- Cardiovascular system – It controls blood sugar levels and aids in heart health maintenance.
- Respiratory system – It is extremely helpful in cases of respiratory illnesses since it aids in clearing accumulated mucus from the respiratory tract.
- Urinary System – Due to its diuretic properties, it is helpful for kidney and urinary tract infections.
Uses and Benefits
- Burning sensation: It aids in reducing burning sensations that are either widespread across the body or localized, such as burning sensations in the eyes, stomach, etc.
- Inflammation: It aids in reducing the swelling of both internal and exterior organs such the skin, spleen, liver, and pancreas.
- Eyesight: It provides clear eyesight and treats eye diseases..
- Thirst: beneficial for reducing dryness and thirst.
- Asthma: An effective herb to cure asthma and deal with respiratory system issues.
- Bleeding problems: It demonstrates outstanding benefits in stopping the bleeding, making it helpful to treat all bleeding diseases like menorrhagia, epistaxis, piles, etc.
- Wounds & Ulcers: This herb encourages wounds and ulcers to heal quickly.
- Heart problems: It lowers the level of cholesterol because of its Kapha Vata Shamak characteristics.
- Skin Problems: This plant is useful for treating keloids and papules as well as chronic dermatitis and psoriasis, two skin conditions.
- Diabetes: This medication is a godsend for diabetic patients, as has already been mentioned.
- Snake Bite: When a snake bite occurs, gurmar plant root can be eaten orally.
Part Used
Leaves
Roots
Dosage
Leaves powder: 3 to 6 gms with plain water.
Root decoction: 40–80 ml, given once or twice a day.
Simple ways to use Gurmar
- Daily chewing of the leaves or 1 to 2 gms of the powder mixed with cow's milk or honey is useful for diabetes; it is best taken on an empty stomach.
- You can drink the water-boiled bark root decoction if your cough is particularly bad. It aids in clearing the respiratory system of built-up mucus.
- You can apply gurmar leaf paste on swollen areas.
- You can provide the decoction of Gurmar roots to someone who has been poisoned by a snake to make them vomit. This herb's root paste can even be administered directly to snakebite wounds.
- Take 20-30 cc of fresh Gurmar herb juice once or twice a day to maintain healthy liver function, increase appetite, and help prevent obesity.
Caution
Gurmar plant has a hypoglycemic effect on the body, hence diabetic people using this medication should do so under the supervision of a doctor because an overdose of this herb may cause hypoglycemia.