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| Gudmar |
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| Name: Sarpadarushtrika
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Biological Name: Gymnema sylvestre, Asclepias geminata
Asclepiadaceae
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Other Names: Sarpadarushtrika, Gudmar
Bodaparta, Chakkarakolli, Cherukurinja, Chhota-Dudhilata, Gurmar, Kavali, Merasingi, Meshasringi, Parpatrah, Putla-podra, Shiru-kurunja, Wakandi
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| Description: This herb is a climbing plant found in the Himalayas. It is also found in the Central and Southern India. |
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| Parts Used: Roots, leaves |
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| Constituents |
| Sun-dried leaves of gymnema sylvestre was analyzed and found to contain: |
Two resins-one insoluble in alcohol and one soluble in alcohol.)
The resin insoluble in alcohol formed the larger proportion. The resin soluble in alcohol was said to leave a tingling sensation in the throat. |
| A new bitter neutral principle |
| Albuminous and coloring matters |
| Calcium oxalate |
| Pararabin |
| Glucose |
| Carbohydrates |
| Tartaric acid |
| An organic, acid said to be a glucoside and to possess anti-saccharine property, and called X (formula C32H5gO12) |
| Gymnemic acid |
| cellulose |
| ash |
| quercitol |
| No tannin was found. On further study, when the gymnemic acid was purified and analyzed, it was found not to possess any anti-sacaharine properties; it was not a glucoside. |
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| Medicinal Properties and Uses |
| Action: Astringent, stomachic, tonic and refrigerar. In Ayurveda the plant has been described as an antiperiodic, stomachic and diuretic. |
| Uses:
This is one of the main herbs used for healing diabetes mellitus. It removes sugar from pancreas, restores pancreatic function; stimulate the circulatory system, increases urine secretion, and activates the uterus. It is also useful for the treatment of swollen glands, cough, and fever.
Indian scientists have performed extensive studies to determine the action of this herb on the sugar metabolism. In a study reported in 1930, Mhaskar & Caius found that the leaves of the herb cause hypoglycemia in experimental animals which sets in soon after the administration either by mouth or by injection. Based on this observation, they suggested that the drug acts indirectly through stimulation in insulin secretion off the pancreas, as it has no direct action on the carbohydrate metabolism. The leaves are also found to stimulate the heart and circulatory system, increase urine secretion and activate the uterus. |
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