G
Dosages (Gumweed) — 4–6 g gumweed or 3–6 g gumweed fluid extract (KOM; PH2); 2–4 g
fluid extract (MAD); 2–3 tsp(1.8–2.1 g) herb/cup tea (MAD).
Contraindications, Interactions, and Side Effects (Gumweed) — Class 1. High doses may irritate
kidney and/or stomach (AHP). “Hazards and/or side effects not recorded for proper therapeutic
dosages” (PH2).
GYMNEMA (Gymnema sylvestre (Retz.) Schult.) +Activities (Gymnema) — Alexeteric (f; KAB); Alterative (f; KAB); Anorectic (2; APA; KEB;
PED); Antiaging (1; KEB); Antidiabetic (2; KEB); Antiobesity (1; KEB); Antipyretic (f; KAB;
MPI); Astringent (f; MPI); Bitter (1; KAB; PED); Cardiotonic (f; MPI; UPW; WBB; WOI); Diuretic
(1; KAP; MPI; WBB; WOI); Emetic (F; HHB); Errhine (f; WOI); Hypocholesterolemic (1; KEB;
SKY); Hypoglycemic (1; APA; KAB; KEB; MPI; SKY); Hypotriglyceridemic (SKY); Insulino-
genic (1; KAB; SYN); Laxative (f; WBB; WOI); Lipogenic (1; KAP); Sialagogue (1; WOI);
Stomachic (f; KAB; MPI; WOI); Tonic (f; KAB; MPI); Uterotonic (f; MPI; UPW; WBB; WOI);
Vermifuge (f; KAB).
Indications (Gymnema) — Adenopathy (f; KAP); Asthma (f; KAB); Biliousness (f; KAB; WOI);
Bite (f; DEP); Boil (f; UPW; WBB); Bronchosis (f; KAB); Cardiopathy (f; KAB); Conjunctivosis
(f; KAB; WOI); Constipation (f; WBB; WOI); Cornea (f; KAB); Cough (f; KAP; WOI); Diabetes
(2; KAB; KEB; SKY; WBB); Dysuria (f; KAB); Epilepsy (f; UPW); Fever (f; KAB; KAP; MPI);
Furunculosis (f; KAB; WOI); Glycosuria (1; KAB; SKJ; WBB); Hemorrhoid (f; KAB); High
Cholesterol (1; KEB; SKY); IDDM (2; KEB); Inflammation (f; KAB); Leukoderma (f; KAB);
NIDDM (2; KEB); Obesity (1; APA; KEB); Opacities (f; KAB); Ophthalmia (f; KAB); Pain (f;
UPW); Paraguesia (f; HHB; WOI); Side Ache (f; UPW); Snakebite (1; DEP; HHB; SKJ; WBB);
Stomachache (1; SKJ); Syndrome X (1; SYN); Water Retention (1; KAP; MPI; WBB; WOI); Worm
(f; KAB).
Dosages (Gymnema) — 1–2 tbsp fresh leaf (PED); 2–3 g dry leaf (PED); 2 g dry leaf:10 ml
alcohol/10 ml water (PED); 2–4 g powdered leaf (KAP); 2–4 g powdered leaf/day (SKY); 14–28
ml leaf decoction (KAP); 5–10 ml/day 1:1 extract (KEB); 1–2 ml/day to decrease cravings for
sweets (KEB); 400 mg water-soluble acidic fraction in India (SKY).
Contraindications, Interactions, and Side Effects (Gymnema) — Not covered (AHP; KOM).
Generally safe and devoid of side effects at indicated levels; safety in lactation and pregnancy
undetermined; should be used for diabetes under the purview of a practitioner; not to be used in
place of insulin (SKY). Gymnema leaves raise insulin levels in healthy volunteers; leaves also
lower serum cholesterol and triglycerides (SKY); water soluble acidic fractions are hypoglycemic
(SKY). Gymnema given orally proved as potent as tolbutamide in lowering blood sugar, and keeping
it low, in a 1-month study (APA).