Gymnema sylvestre

Gymnema is a herbal extract with properties that can improve and sometimes make the use of medication unnecessary and/ or reduces the amount of medication. This article will explain a lot.

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Let’s begin by exploring some of the characteristics of Gymnema sylvestre. One very interesting property, but by far not the most, that Gymnema demonstrated was the ability to temporary suppress the taste sense of sweetness when chewed. Some studies suggest that Gymnema's presence would block the absorption of sugar thus preventing it from raising blood sugar, but there are other studies contradicting this absorption theory. But the most extraordinary characteristic of Gymnema sylvestre is its ability to lower blood sugar by increasing insulin output by apparently regenerating beta cells.[iv] This has been demonstrated in a considerable number of both animal and human studies. In the animal studies a toxic agent was used to chemically destroy the insulin producing beta cells in their pancreas causing diabetes. Compared to the control groups, which didn't receive any treatment, those receiving Gymnema leaves in any form, whole or extracted, had a very significant rate of remission.4, [v], [vi], [vii], [viii] Almost all of the other animals that didn't receive any type of treatment did not survive. One animal study illustrated that the more potent the extract, the quicker the recovery took place.4 Now, what works well in test animals may not work similarly or at all in human subjects, but this is not the case with Gymnema sylvestre. There have been numerous human clinical trials that have all had positive results, but none more comprehensive than the two Gymnema studies published in 1990. One study investigated Type I diabetics, while the other Type II. In the first study 27 Type I diabetics with ages from 10 to 50 years and varying disease duration were given a total of 400mg a day in two divided doses of an extract of Gymnema sylvestre for up to 30 months.[ix] All were using daily insulin injections and were free from any complications. Almost all participants within the first monitoring period between 6 to 8 months had both declining blood glucose values and a very significant reduction in hemoglobin A1c. This was also accompanied by a decrease in dosage and uses of insulin. In fact, one patient with a disease duration of 10 years and another one with a duration two who were both using a total of twenty units of insulin a day each were able to discontinue insulin uses completely at this point in the study. This trend of these types of improvements continued through out the trial till its completion. Also, there were no reports of any type of adverse side effects or reactions.

The conclusions were that the uses of the Gymnema extract dramatically reduced fasting blood glucose, hemoglobin A1c and insulin requirements. The average fasting glucose dropped from 232mg/dl to 152mg/dl. Hemoglobin A1c mean of 12.8% at the beginning of the study fell to 8.2% at the end. Total insulin usage was cut in half as compared to the original doses. There were also significant decreases in glycosylated plasma proteins, total cholesterol and triglycerides. These results are in considerable contrast to those compared to the matched diabetic group receiving insulin alone for a year. Their insulin requirements either remained the same or increased and their average insulin usage was almost double to that of the Gymnema group. Their fasting blood glucose dropped only from 233mg/dl to 224mg/dl which is statistically insignificant. Also, hemoglobin A1c was only reduced from 12.7% to 11.8% at the end of the monitoring period. Now, on to the most remarkable part of this study. While there are herbs that will lower blood sugar effectively, Gymnema sylvestre demonstrates in this trial strong evidence that it accomplishes this through increased insulin production through beta cell repair or regeneration. It has always been assumed that after beta cells have been destroyed due to an autoimmune attack, characteristic of Type I diabetes, that only transplantation could restore insulin secretion. But through the monitoring of C-peptides, which are released in an equal ratio with insulin, the actual cause of blood sugar reduction can be concluded. The C-peptide levels in the Gymnema supplemented group were nearly twice as high as that compared to those on insulin treatment alone. There is no other explanation for the broad spectrum improvements in glucose control and the increased C-peptide production other than more insulin production from the beta cells. Nevertheless, all 27 Type I diabetic patients, which all suffer from insulin deficiency due to beta cell destruction, benefited from Gymnema treatment. This is another incredible aspect of this study. That disease duration didn't have any bearing whatsoever on glucose improvement. Patients with diabetes for 25 years responded equally as well as those who have been diagnosed for only one year. So, there appears to be no time limitation on Gymnema uses to still receive benefits.

In the second trial the same extract of Gymnema sylvestre is given to 22 Type II diabetics.[x] These participates received a total of 400mg a day in a divided dose for 18 to 20 months. They also continued their normal uses of sulfonylurea oral hypoglycemics. Ages ranged from 40 to 62 years and disease duration from 1 to 12 years. The results were a significant decrease in both fasting blood glucose and hemoglobin A1c, but not as dramatic as with the study using Type I diabetics. Average fasting glucose dropped from 174mg/dl to 124mg/dl and mean hemoglobin A1c fell from 11.91% to 8.48%. Oral hypoglycemic amounts were decreased in 21 of the 22 patients and 5 were able to discontinue uses completely. Also there was notable declines in several of the other blood testing parameters. This again is in sharp contrast to matched diabetics on drugs alone. Both fasting glucose and hemoglobin A1c had elevated slightly in a one year period. Drug doses either stayed the same or rose in that time. All other tested values had deteriorated. Also, the Gymnema supplemented group showed increased serum insulin levels as compared to those on drugs alone.

To order Olive leaf extract: www.pieternel.com

Olive leaf tincture will have a beneficial effect on diabetes mellitus. It lowers the blood sugar and increases the immune system.

Dosages: Olive tincture: Take 1-3 drops three times a day and increase as needed.

 References: Herbal Health report: Olive leaf extract regains Interest as a superb anti microbial agent.

Departamento de Farmacologia, Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad de Granada, Spain.

The hypoglycemic activity of olive leaf was studied. Maximum hypoglycemic activity was obtained from samples collected in the winter months, especially in February. One of the compounds responsible for this activity was oleuropeoside, which showed activity at a dose of 16 mg/kg. This compound also demonstrated antidiabetic activity in animals with alloxan-induced diabetes. The hypoglycemic activity of this compound may result from two mechanisms: (a) potentiation of glucose-induced insulin release, and (b) increased peripheral uptake of glucose.

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