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Gymnema sylvestre, a vine-like plant, has been used for centuries in India and Pakistan, and is now becoming better known popular in other countries. Scores of studies* have been carried out on Gymnema sylvestre which highlight its ability to help the body to maintain blood sugar balance. One of its common names is Gurmar which translates as sugar-destroyer.

(*For example, see: Srivastava Y, et al. Isr J Med Sci. Jun1985;21(6):540-42.)

Gymnema 'Kills' The Sweet Taste In An Amazing Way!!
When dropped on the tongue, Gymnema Fluid Extract blocks the receptors for the sweet taste for several hours - sweetness can hardly be tasted. The taste of fatty food changes too. The effect is strong and instantaneous. The are similar cell receptors in the intestines which normally allow sugar to be absorbed into the blood stream.

People who use Gymnema include those who are trying to lose weight as well as those keen to keep their blood sugar levels in balance. The key factors in balancing body weight are usually diet and exercise: Gymnema can be an extra help. Some people take a few drops of Gymnema on the tongue just before a meal, which reduces the desire for sweet and fatty foods. Dropping this on the tongue also makes it nearly impossible to taste sweetness for up to 3 hours or even more.

Amounts To Be Used
To dropped onto the tongue to diminish the taste of sweet/fatty foods: 4-6 drops of Gymnema drops (fluid extract) dropped directly onto the tongue when desired, for example before a meal.
For general, whole-body benefits:
1-2 Gymnema capsules, or 12-30 Gymnema drops (fluid extract) in a little water, 3 times a day.

Cautions
Be aware that Gymnema sylvestre might add to the effect of herbs which help balance blood sugar, including aloe vera, devil's claw, eleutherocccus senticosus (siberian ginseng), fenugreek, ginger (in high amounts), jambul, panax ginseng, psyllium husks, stevia and turmeric. Be cautious if using Gymnema sylvestre alongside drugs which reduce blood sugar, including insulin; talk to your doctor before doing so.

Toxicity
There are no published reports of human toxicity with Gymnema sylvestre.

Pregnancy And Breastfeeding
Little information is available on how Gymnema might affect a child in the womb or an infant. We advise caution in using Gymnema sylvestre in these circumstances.

Max Hill has been a practitioner for 20 years, using herbs, acupuncture and naturopathy. He writes extensively about natural healing. For example, see his site detailing vital information about Gymnema and the Metabolic Syndrome. He is also an active contributor to the popular site Alternative HeatlhZine, where you can subscribe to 6 free health reports and see many interesting articles about alternative health.

No two fireplaces are alike when it comes to smoking chimneys. There are many factors as to why a chimney doesn't draft properly and your home gets filled with smoke. Chimney height. Every chimney should abide by the 10ft - 2ft rule. Under normal conditions your chimney should work fine if this rule is met but there are always exceptions. Measure out 10ft horizontally from your chimney to the nearest object (roof line, peak, room addition etc), once you have the 10ft mark go vertically 2ft up and that should be the height of your chimney. See diagram.Your chimney should be at the proper height with the stack high enough to catch the wind. Your chimney doesn't have to rise above the peak unless the peak is within the 10ft clearance. As the wind blows across your homes roof line it should create an updraft bringing the smoke with it. Sometimes a negative pressure situation might occur where the wind causes a downdraft and you may have to look at raising the height of your chimney. Recently some new products have arrived on the market to help ease the cost of raising a chimney. Flue extenders are a chimney cap that is raised up to 3ft with long sheet metal sides.

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This article is continued at The Log Rack

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