GYMNEMA

COMMON NAME: Gymnema

LATIN NAME: Gymnema Sylvestre

HINDI NAME: Gudmar, Gurmar

BOTANICAL INFORMATION: Gymnema (lat. Gymnema Sylvestre) is a tropical, evergreen, lignified liana. It is species of the numerous genus Gymnema, which belongs to the family Asclepiadaceae.

Gymnema is a highly branched, perennial, evergreen plant. This is a large tree vine capable of rooting in nodes. The stems of the plant are bare and branched. The young tips of the plant are pubescent. Gymnema leaves are simple, have elliptical or oval form. The calyx is dioecious. Liana flowers are small, and yellowish in color. There are five stamens, they are connected to the column with gynoecium. Gymnema fruits are paired, open, spindle-shaped leaflets. Gymnema Sylvestre has numerous seeds; they have a bunch of hairs, which is a device for propagation by the wind.

CHEMICAL COMPOSITION:

The roots and the aerial part of Gymnema Sylvestre contain monoterpene glycosides (gentiopicrin and amarogencin, gentziin, gentisin, gentiamarin, gentiakaumol, gentianoza), flavonoids, alkaloid (gentianin and iridoid), catechins, as well as polysaccharide acids, pecid oils, as well as essential oil, tannins, and resin.

INTERESTING FACTS:

The historical homeland of Gymnema Sylvestre is India. Gymnema is the oldest tropical liana. 

In Hindi, Gymnema is called “Gurmar”, which means “sugar destroyer”.

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