Gymnema (Gurmar)

Gymnema is a woody climbing vine of the Apocynaceae family found across Asia, Africa and Australia, including the forests of central and southern India and the Western Ghats. Its leaves contain gymnemic acids, which briefly dull the ability to taste sweetness when chewed, the origin of its Hindi name gurmar, meaning sugar destroyer.

Known as Meshashringi in Sanskrit, it has long been used in Ayurveda, where its leaves are included in traditional preparations that support healthy metabolism and general wellbeing. The leaf is the part used.