Tea has been used over centuries as a healing agent that could relieve common cold and cough. But can drinking tea help manage diabetes? Is tea good for diabetics? Let’s find out.
Ayurveda is all about a balance between body, mind and spirit. Treating lifestyle diseases using a holistic approach can be a slow process, but it reaps benefits over time. Herbs like Gurmar have been proven to cure many allergies and metabolic disorders. Its properties make Gymnema sylvestre suitable for regulating diabetes as well.
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What is Gurmar/Gudmar And Why Is It Special?
Gurmar/Gudmar (Gymnema sylvestre) is a perennial woody climber, native to the Asian subcontinent. Since time immemorial, its leaves, roots, flowers and fruits have been used as important ingredients in Ayurvedic medicine to cure metabolic disorders, obesity, snakebites, arthritis and digestive issues. Its herbal extracts are used to prepare dietary supplements. The Gurmar leaves’ extract contains gymnemic acid, which suppresses sweet taste receptors on our taste buds, decreasing our sugar cravings.
What Makes Gurmar Leaves The Best Herbs For Diabetes Management?
Interestingly, Gurmar or Gymnema sylvestre is effective against both Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes, making it one of the best herbs for diabetes control.
Firstly, Gurmar (aptly called ‘Madhunashini’) inhibits sugar receptors in the tongue, making one less attracted towards sugary foods.
Secondly, consumption of Gymnema sylvestre increases the production of beta-cells in the pancreas, which are responsible for secreting insulin (the sugar-regulating hormone).
Thirdly, Gurmar reduces sugar absorption by the intestine, resulting in lower levels of blood glucose post meals.
Lastly, its anti-inflammatory property (linked with decreased triglyceride levels) helps maintain a healthy weight and avoid obesity. The antioxidants present in Gurmar leaves additionally make them the best herbs for diabetes as their consumption lowers blood glucose levels and reduces the risk of heart disease.
All these properties render the consumption of Gurmar/Gymnema leaves for diabetes control effective.
How To Eat Gurmar Leaves For Diabetes?
consumed in powdered form (around 1 tsp) mixed with plain water, 30 mins after lunch or dinner.
Another way is consuming 2 g of powdered Gurmar leaves with cow milk or honey on an empty stomach.
However, it is advisable to read label instructions and cautionary guidelines before consumption, as different brands have different dosage advisories.
Best Time To Consume Gurmar Leaves For Diabetes
The best time to consume Gymnema sylvestre leaves for diabetes is half an hour post-lunch and post-dinner, since the main action and regulation of sugar absorption in the bloodstream takes place then.
However, as a precautionary measure, Gurmar can even be consumed 5 mins before taking a sugar-rich meal so that the sweet sensory taste bud receptors are subdued, and the desire for excessive intake of sugar is curtailed.
Side Effects Of Gurmar Consumption
Optimal doses of Gurmar/Gymnema sylvestre have widespread benefits, but this should be strictly avoided by children, pregnant and breastfeeding women or women trying to conceive, persons suffering from hyperacidity or before and after surgery.
Side effects associated with Gurmar leaves for diabetes (in high doses) include hypoglycemia, nausea, dizziness, headache and liver toxicity.
Other Health Benefits Of Gurmar Leaves
Apart from being the best herbs for diabetes control, Gurmar leaves are also used in weight loss, cough, as an antidote for snake bites, as appetite suppressants, diuretics, laxatives, boosting heart health and improving lipid levels.
Don’t Have Time To Read?
- Gurmar leaves are the best herbs for diabetes management. Their consumption reduces sugar cravings and regulates blood sugar levels effectively.
- Taking into account the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of Gymnema sylvestre, diabetes control using these herbs has been fruitful.
- Depending on one’s convenience, Gurmar leaves for diabetes are best consumed in the powdered form by mixing it with a solvent like water/milk/honey.
- One should follow proper dosage and timing to avoid side effects associated with this wonder herb.
- Gurmar is best avoided by children, in pregnancy and just before/after major surgery.
- Apart from using Gymnema sylvestre leaves for diabetes, they can be used to manage obesity, high cholesterol and metabolic disorders.
- Use Phablecare App to consult India’s leading diabetologists, order medicines, book lab tests, integrate Accu-Chek instant and other devices to get real-time remote care from the comfort of your home. Let’s treat diabetes together.
Friendly Asked Questions
Yes. Using Gurmar/Gymnema sylvestre leaves for diabetes is known to be a great option for managing the disease.This is mainly because Gymnema sylvestre is rich in gymnemic acids that act as sugar suppressants on taste buds, causes minimum absorption of sugar by intestines and boosts the formation of beta-cells in pancreas (responsible for producing insulin hormone).
Studies show that consuming 200-400 mg of Gurmar leaves per day is the ideal dosage for diabetes management. This quantity can be distributed over 3 to 4 times in a day, not exceeding the total of 400 mg.
Using Gymnema sylvestre, diabetes control can be optimized by regulating blood sugar level. But in high doses (not recommended), it may cause the body to go into hypoglycemic (due to low sugar levels) shock, resulting in dizziness and neurological issues. Hence, one should stick to the prescribed dosage.
No. In fact, using Gymnema leaves for diabetes is known to lower blood pressure. Its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties enable it to lower triglyceride and cholesterol levels, which reduces blood pressure, thus making it one of the best herbs for diabetes management.
Metformin is a prescription-based, allopathic medicine used to treat Type 2 diabetes. Although no significant interactions were found between Metformin and Gymnema, it is always advisable to consult your doctor before combining both medicines. Taking both together may result in your blood sugar levels dropping too low.