Rasa (Taste)
Kashaya, Tikta
The primary taste perceived on the tongue.
Meshashringi (Periploca of the woods)
Habit :- Large woody much branch climber running over the tops of high trees Stem:- young stems are pubescent Leaves :- Opposite, simple ,3 to 5 cm long and...
Medicinal Plant
Meshashringi (Periploca of the woods)
Gymnema sylvester · Asclepiadaceae
Habit :- Large woody much branch climber running over the tops of high trees Stem:- young stems are pubescent Leaves :- Opposite, simple ,3 to 5 cm long and...
Scientific Name
Gymnema sylvester
Family
Asclepiadaceae
Hindi Name
Gurmar
Used Part
Patra (leaves), Mula (root)
Botanical Description
About the Meshashringi Plant
Morphology and field-identification notes as documented in our Dravyaguna library.
Habit :- Large woody much branch climber running over the tops of high trees
Stem:- young stems are pubescent
Leaves :- Opposite, simple ,3 to 5 cm long and 1 to 3 cm wide, ovate, elliptical, acute.
Flowers:- seen in sessile cymes, yellow, tube is companulate
Fruits:- Follicles 6 to 7.5 cm, long 1 cm wide, Lanceolate, attenuated into a beak, seats are 1 cm long.
Ayurvedic Properties
Rasa Panchaka — Classical Properties
The five-fold framework Ayurveda uses to describe a drug — Rasa, Guna, Vipaka, Veerya and its effect on the doshas.
Guna (Qualities)
Ruksha, Laghu
Physical and energetic attributes of the dravya.
Vipaka (Post-digestive Effect)
Katu
Taste that emerges after complete digestion.
Dosha Karma (Action on Doshas)
Kaphavata Shamaka
Effect on Vata, Pitta and Kapha doshas.
Veerya (Potency)
Ushna
Heating (ushna) or cooling (sheeta) energy.
Ayurvedic Actions (Karma)
Mehaghna, Swashhar vranahar, Kusthaghna, Deepan, Krimighna.
Modern Phytochemistry
Chemistry & Pharmacology
How modern science maps onto the classical understanding of this dravya.
Pharmacological Action
What the Science Says
Antidiabetic and Sweet-suppressant, Antiobesity and Lipid-Lowering Effects, Antioxidant and Anti-inflammatory Properties
Phytoconstituents
Active Compounds
Gymnamine , Alananine ,Valine , Adinine, Betanine , Hentriacontane and Nonacosane
Therapeutic Usage
Clinical Applications of Meshashringi
Classical Ayurvedic indications drawn directly from the Dravyaguna tradition — paired with the preparations recommended in shastra.
01
Madhumeha ( Diabetes mellitus) - Powder of dried leaves of meshashringi is given to treat diabetes.
02
Sandhishotha ( inflammation of joints) - Leaf paste of meshashringi is applied over joints for arthritis.
03
Leaf powder is given with honey to treat amenorrhea.
04
It is also given to treat obesity.
Always consult a qualified Ayurvedic physician before using any herb therapeutically. Dose, anupana and Prakriti-specific suitability matter.
Yoga / Kalpana
Classical Formulations
Common Ayurvedic preparations where Meshashringi is a key ingredient.
- Madhumehantaka Churna
- Nyagrodhadi churna
- Mahavishagarbha Taila
- Meshashringi taila
Shastra Pramana
Classical Reference
मेषशृङ्गी रसे तिक्ता वातला श्वासकासहृत् । रूक्षा पाके कटुः पित्तव्रणश्लेष्माक्षिशूलनुत् ॥ मेषशृङ्गीफलं तिक्तं कुष्ठमेहकफप्रणुत् । दीपनं स्त्रंसनं कासक्रिमि व्रणाविषापहम् ॥ (भा.प्र. गुडूच्यादिवर्गः 253-255)