Gymnema Sylvestre – Illustration Gymnema sylvestre is also called gurmar, which is a Hindi name meaning “destroyer of sugar.” It has been used for thousands of years as an herbal treatment for diabetes. It has the ability to block the absorption of glucose from the intestines and helps to reduce cravings for sugar. The reduction of sugar cravings also leads to the use of gymnema for herbal weight loss applications. Chewing the leaves, or even taking capsule form, can alter the taste of sugar when ingested and reduce the sweetness. Gymnema sylvestre helps reduce the number of carbohydrates stored in fat