Gymnema sylvestre is a woody vine that grows in the tropical forests of central and southern India. This perennial has a long history of use in Ayurvedic medicine where it is also referred to as gurmar, translating to “destroyer of sugar”. Considered energetically heating and pungent, gymnema leaf is typically prepared as an extract and can also be steeped as tea.
Gymnema is a member of the Asclepiadaceae family.