Gymnema is an herb native to the tropical forests of southern and central India and Sri Lanka. Gymnema is a woody climbing shrub. The leaves are used to make medicine. Gymnema has a long history of use in India’s Ayurvedic medicine. The Hindi name, gurmar, means "destroyer of sugar."  The herb finds significant application in various food preparations for control of obesity and blood cholesterol levels besides regulation of sugar homeostasis. The herbal preparations of G. sylvestre are presently used in tea bags, health tablets and supplements, beverages, and confectioneries.