G. sylvestre is a large, more or less pubescent, woody climber. The leaves are opposite, elliptic or ovate; the flowers are small, yellow and in umbellate cymes; the follicles are terete, lanceolate and up to 3 inches in length.

Alleviates spasms (50% EtOH aerial part extract); antidiabetic. stimulates insulin production and/or secretion and antiviral (leaf); inhibits high blood sugar levels (leaf extract); increases the secretion of gastric juices. laxative. diuretic, acrid, alexipharmic, anodyne, anthelmintic, antipyretic, astringent, bitter, cardiotonic, digestive, emetic,expectorant, laxative, stimulant, stomachic, uterine tonic.

Herbal Monograph
101 Herbs

Gymnemic acid, hentriacontanol, anthraquinone derivates and several O-iso-propylidene derivatives of gymnemagenin (leaf); from 50% EtOH extract of aerial part.

For diabetes and snakebite (powdered root), in cough, biliousness and sore eyes, as a remedy for diabetes (leaves).

Gymnema should not be used during pregnancy or breastfeeding due to lack of reliable safety information.
If you are taking insulin or oral medications to reduce blood sugar levels, gymnema might cause them to work even better, potentially causing hypoglycemia. Therefore, you may need to reduce your dose of medication.

Chandel et al., Biodiversity in Medicinal and Aromatic Plants in India.