Plant Comparison

Pleurisy Root vs Gymnema

A side-by-side comparison of two medicinal plants — every documented constituent, action, use, safety note and cited source, assembled automatically from the Omnia Sana database.

First plant

Second plant

Plant APleurisy RootAsclepias tuberosaApocynaceaeFull monograph →

Plant BGymnemaGymnema sylvestreApocynaceaeFull monograph →

At a glance

Pleurisy Root and Gymnema: both belong to the Apocynaceae family.

Pleurisy RootGymnema

Constituents22

Pharmacological actions32

Indicated uses83

Safety notes21

Cited sources1411

Indicated uses

Only Pleurisy Root

Arthritis / joint painBronchitisCold & fluCoughFeverInflammation (general)Respiratory supportSkin irritation

Shared (0)

none

Only Gymnema

Blood sugar / diabetes supportMetabolic supportHigh cholesterol

Pharmacological actions

Only Pleurisy Root

Anti-inflammatoryDiaphoreticExpectorant

Shared (0)

none

Only Gymnema

Antidiabetic (blood-sugar lowering)Lipid-lowering

Key Constituents

Cardiac glycosides (cardenolides such as asclepin, calactin and calotropin)^{[11, 12]}

Heart-active compounds that make dosing and safety critical.

Glycosides

Flavonoids and amino acids^[12]

Supporting constituents of the root.

Flavonoids

Gymnemic acids (triterpene saponins)^{[6, 7, 8]}

Main bioactives; suppress sweet taste and are linked to reduced intestinal glucose absorption and improved glycaemic control.

Gurmarin^{[7, 8]}

A peptide that transiently blunts sweet-taste perception.

Pharmacological Actions

Anti-inflammatory^[12]

Anti-inflammatory for lung inflammation (traditional)

Diaphoretic^{[9, 10, 11, 12]}

Diaphoretic - promotes sweating to support feverish illness

Expectorant^{[9, 10, 11, 12]}

Traditional expectorant - helps clear phlegm in chest conditions, bronchitis and pleurisy

Antidiabetic (blood-sugar lowering)^{[1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10]}

Leaf extracts lower fasting and post-prandial blood glucose and glycated haemoglobin in type 2 diabetics, partly via reduced intestinal glucose absorption (alpha-glucosidase/amylase inhibition) and support of insulin secretion.

Parts: Leaf

Lipid-lowering^{[3, 8, 9]}

Supplementation has been associated with a favourable shift in the lipid profile alongside glucose lowering.

Parts: Leaf

Traditional & Indicated Uses

Arthritis / joint pain^[12]Traditional · 1/10

inferred from anti-inflammatory action

Evidence: 1

Label: Arthritis / joint pain

Bronchitis^{[10, 11, 12]}Traditional · 1/10

Traditional expectorant - helps clear phlegm in chest conditions, bronchitis and pleurisy

Evidence: 1

Label: Bronchitis

Cold & flu^{[11, 12]}Traditional · 1/10

inferred from diaphoretic action

Evidence: 1

Label: Cold & flu

Cough^{[11, 12]}Traditional · 1/10

inferred from expectorant action

Evidence: 1

Label: Cough

Fever^{[11, 12]}Traditional · 1/10

inferred from diaphoretic action

Evidence: 1

Label: Fever

Inflammation (general)^[12]Traditional · 1/10

Anti-inflammatory for lung inflammation (traditional)

Evidence: 1

Label: Inflammation (general)

Respiratory support^{[9, 10, 11, 12]}Traditional · 1/10

inferred from expectorant action

Evidence: 1

Label: Respiratory support

Skin irritation^{[7, 12]}Traditional · 2/10

inferred from anti-inflammatory action

Evidence: 2

Label: Skin irritation

Blood sugar / diabetes support^{[2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10]}Strong · 10/10

Evidence: 10

Label: Blood sugar / diabetes support

Metabolic support^{[4, 6, 9]}Good · 7/10

inferred from antidiabetic action

Evidence: 7

Label: Metabolic support

High cholesterol^{[3, 8, 9]}Strong · 9/10

inferred from lipid-lowering action

Evidence: 9

Label: High cholesterol

Safety, Cautions & Contraindications

Safety note^{[8, 11, 12]}Caution

Contains cardiac glycosides: do NOT use in pregnancy, breastfeeding or infancy, in anyone with a heart condition, or alongside cardiac glycoside medicines (e.g. digoxin). The plant's cardenolide-rich latex is directly toxic - a documented case caused corneal injury through Na/K-ATPase inhibition.

Safety note^[12]Info

Large doses are emetic and purgative (cause vomiting and diarrhoea). There is very little modern safety or efficacy data, so use only under the guidance of a qualified practitioner.

Safety note^{[6, 9, 11]}Caution

Gymnema lowers blood sugar and can add to the effect of diabetes medicines or insulin, risking hypoglycaemia; people on such treatment should monitor blood glucose closely and may need a dose adjustment supervised by their clinician. Rare drug-induced liver injury has been reported. Avoid in pregnancy and breastfeeding (insufficient safety data).

External Ids

Gbif: 3170305

Wikidata: Q311131

Gbif: 8040540

Powo: urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:60454719-2

Wikidata: Q2725835

Botanical Description

Erect perennial herb with hairy, unbranched stems and narrow, lance-shaped, alternate leaves (unlike most milkweeds, its sap is clear rather than milky). Vivid orange-red flowers are borne in showy, flat-topped umbel-like clusters at the stem tips, making it a prized butterfly and pollinator plant. The stout, fibrous, branching root is the medicinal part.^[11]

Height: 30-90 cm

Habit: Erect, hairy perennial herb

Leaves: Narrow, lance-shaped, alternate

Flowers: Vivid orange-red flowers in showy, flat-topped umbel-like clusters

Stem: Erect, hairy, unbranched, exuding clear (not milky) sap when cut

Root: Stout, fibrous, branching taproot

Fruit: Spindle-shaped seed pod (follicle) releasing silky-tufted seeds

Flowering Period: June-September

Woody climbing vine with velvety, opposite, oval leaves. Small, inconspicuous, yellowish flowers are borne in umbel-like clusters, followed by slender, boat-shaped seed pods. Chewing the leaf temporarily and selectively blocks the perception of sweetness, giving the plant its Hindi name 'gurmar' (sugar destroyer).

Height: Woody climbing vine, several metres over support

Habit: Woody, climbing perennial vine

Leaves: Velvety, opposite, oval; chewing temporarily blocks sweet-taste perception

Flowers: Small, inconspicuous, yellowish, in umbel-like clusters

Stem: Woody, climbing, twining over support

Root: Fibrous root system

Fruit: Slender, boat-shaped seed pod

Flowering Period: Varies with climate

Habitat

Native to dry prairies, open fields, roadsides and sandy or rocky open ground across most of eastern and central North America.^[11]

Native to the tropical forests of India, Sri Lanka and other parts of South and Southeast Asia and tropical Africa, growing as a climber in forest margins and scrub.

Harvesting

The root is dug in autumn after the plant has finished flowering and seeding, then cleaned and dried; given its cardiac glycoside content and near-absence of modern safety data, harvesting and use should only be undertaken with expert guidance.^[11]

Parts: Root

Season: Autumn

Leaves are picked through the growing season and dried for use in decoctions or extracts.

Parts: Leaf

Traditional Uses

Pleurisy root has a Native American and Eclectic-medicine reputation, reflected in its name, as an expectorant and diaphoretic for chest complaints, bronchitis and pleurisy, used to promote sweating during feverish illness and help clear phlegm.^{[11, 12]}

Gymnema leaf (gurmar) has a long Ayurvedic tradition as a remedy for 'madhumeha' (sweet urine, diabetes), chewed or taken as a decoction to reduce sugar cravings and support healthy blood sugar; this traditional antidiabetic reputation is now supported by clinical trials of standardised leaf extracts in type 2 diabetes.^{[6, 7, 8]}

Preparations

Decoction^[11]

Dried root simmered in water as a traditional expectorant and diaphoretic remedy; given its cardiac glycoside content, only under qualified practitioner guidance.

Standardised extract^[6]

Leaf extract standardised to gymnemic acid content, taken as capsules; the form used in most clinical glycaemic-control studies.

Dosage

All preparations^[12]

Because the root contains cardiac glycosides and modern safety/efficacy data are very limited, no general dose is given here; use only under the guidance of a qualified practitioner, and never in pregnancy, breastfeeding, infancy, or with a heart condition or cardiac glycoside medicines. Educational reference only, not a prescription.

Standardised extract^[6]

Clinical trials in type 2 diabetes commonly use around 400-800 mg of standardised leaf extract daily, in divided doses. Educational reference only, not a prescription.

References

REF-0734, REF-0738, REF-0735, REF-1944, REF-1945, REF-1946, REF-1947, REF-0626, REF-1948, REF-1949

REF-2469, REF-2540, REF-2541, REF-2542, REF-2543

Lookalikes Review

Outcome: has-lookalikes

Reviewed By: Omnia Sana (owner-authorized)

Reviewed Date: 2026-07-07

Outcome: none-known

Reviewed By: Omnia Sana (owner-authorized)

Reviewed Date: 2026-07-07

Dangerous Lookalikes

Safety note^{[13, 14]}Dangerous

Dangerous Plant: apocynum-cannabinum

Confused Part: Young shoots (and the root) gathered from the wild; toxic dogbane sends up very similar shoots in the same habitat.

Confusion Context: Butterfly weed / pleurisy root (Asclepias tuberosa) is a milkweed whose young shoots and root have been used. Its main dangerous look-alike is dogbane (Apocynum cannabinum): at the shoot stage the two are easily confused and grow in similar places. Dogbane is a high-severity poison - its milky sap contains cardiac glycosides, all parts are toxic to humans, and poisoning can cause vomiting, weakness and cardiac arrest, while the sap blisters skin. Because the young shoots look alike, the bitterness test below matters.

Distinguishing Features: Taste/bitterness (decisive): dogbane is horribly, intensely bitter - an immediate warning to spit it out; edible milkweed shoots are not. Never swallow a bitter 'milkweed' shoot., Growth habit: dogbane shoots are thinner and firmer and branch early; milkweeds do not branch at the shoot stage. An early-branching, thin, firm shoot is likely dogbane., General: both milkweeds and dogbane have milky sap, so sap alone does not distinguish them - rely on bitterness and branching, and confirm the species before eating.

Key Test: Taste a tiny piece and check the branching (then spit it out). An intensely bitter shoot, or one that is thin, firm and branches early, is dogbane - toxic, do not eat. Milky sap alone does not prove it is safe; if in any doubt, discard it.

Reviewed By: Omnia Sana (owner-authorized)

Reviewed Date: 2026-07-07

Not documented

Synonyms

Not documented

Asclepias geminata, Periploca sylvestris

Drug Class Interactions

Not documented

Safety note^{[6, 9]}Caution

Drug Class: antidiabetics

Mechanism: Gymnema lowers blood glucose and can add to the effect of diabetes medicines (metformin, sulfonylureas, insulin and others), so combined use may cause blood sugar to fall too low; monitor closely and adjust medication doses under medical supervision.

Reviewed By: Omnia Sana (owner-authorized)

Reviewed Date: 2026-07-03

Pairings

Not documented

Gymnema and fenugreek both lower blood sugar; taking them together may add up and push blood glucose too low, especially alongside diabetes medication, so monitor and use caution.^[7]

Partner Id: trigonella-foenum-graecum

Type: caution

Reviewed By: Omnia Sana (owner-authorized)

Reviewed Date: 2026-07-03

Gymnema and bitter melon both lower blood sugar; combined use may add up and risk hypoglycaemia, particularly with diabetes drugs, so monitor blood glucose.^[7]

Partner Id: momordica-charantia

Type: caution

Reviewed By: Omnia Sana (owner-authorized)

Reviewed Date: 2026-07-03

Gymnema and cassia cinnamon are both used to lower blood sugar; together their effects may add up, so watch for low blood sugar when combining them or using them with diabetes medication.^[7]

Partner Id: cinnamomum-cassia

Type: caution

Reviewed By: Omnia Sana (owner-authorized)

Reviewed Date: 2026-07-03

References & Sources

Warashina, T. and Miyase, T (2017) 'New 8,12;8,20-diepoxy-8,14-secopregnane hexa- and hepta-glycosides from the roots of Asclepias tuberosa', Journal of Natural Medicines, 72(1), pp. 347-356. doi:10.1007/s11418-017-1155-9 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1007/s11418-017-1155-9
Abe, F. and Yamauchi, T (2000) 'An androstane bioside and 3'-thiazolidinone derivatives of doubly-linked cardenolide glycosides from the roots of Asclepias tuberosa', Chemical & Pharmaceutical Bulletin, 48(7), pp. 991-993. doi:10.1248/cpb.48.991 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1248/cpb.48.991
Lockwood, T.L (1848) 'Asclepias Tuberosa, Butterfly-Weed, Milk-Weed, Pleurisy Root, White Root', The Medical Examiner (Philadelphia), 4(42), pp. 367-368. Available at: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38120955/ Traditional / reference
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38120955/
Abe, F. and Yamauchi, T (2000) 'Pregnane glycosides from the roots of Asclepias tuberosa', Chemical & Pharmaceutical Bulletin, 48(7), pp. 1017-1022. doi:10.1248/cpb.48.1017 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1248/cpb.48.1017
Warashina, T. and Noro, T (2009) '8,14-Secopregnane glycosides from the aerial parts of Asclepias tuberosa', Phytochemistry, 70(10), pp. 1294-1304. doi:10.1016/j.phytochem.2009.07.033 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.phytochem.2009.07.033
Warashina, T. and Noro, T (2010) '8,12;8,20-Diepoxy-8,14-secopregnane glycosides from the aerial parts of Asclepias tuberosa', Chemical & Pharmaceutical Bulletin, 58(2), pp. 172-179. doi:10.1248/cpb.58.172 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1248/cpb.58.172
Warashina, T., Umehara, K., Miyase, T. and Noro, T (2011) '8,12;8,20-diepoxy-8,14-secopregnane glycosides from roots of Asclepias tuberosa and their effect on proliferation of human skin fibroblasts', Phytochemistry, 72(14-15), pp. 1865-1875. doi:10.1016/j.phytochem.2011.05.012 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.phytochem.2011.05.012
Mikkelsen, L.H., Hamoudi, H., Gul, C.A. and Heegaard, S (2017) 'Corneal Toxicity Following Exposure to Asclepias Tuberosa', The Open Ophthalmology Journal, pp. 1--4. doi:10.2174/1874364101711010001 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.2174/1874364101711010001
Lockwood, T.L (1848) 'Asclepias Tuberosa, Butterfly-Weed, Milk-Weed, Pleurisy Root, White Root', Medical Examiner (Philadelphia), 4(42), pp. 367-368. Traditional / reference
https://scholar.google.com/scholar?q=Asclepias%20Tuberosa%2C%20Butterfly-Weed%2C%20Milk-Weed%2C%20Pleurisy%20Root%2C%20White%20Root
Lockwood, T.T (1848) 'Asclepias Tuberosa, Butter-Fly-Weed, Milk Weed, Pleurisy Root, White Root', Buffalo Medical Journal and Monthly Review, 3(10), pp. 600-602. Traditional / reference
https://scholar.google.com/scholar?q=Asclepias%20Tuberosa%2C%20Butter-Fly-Weed%2C%20Milk%20Weed%2C%20Pleurisy%20Root%2C%20White%20Root
The Naturopathic Herbalist (n.d.) 'Asclepias tuberosa'. Available at: https://thenaturopathicherbalist.com/2015/09/06/asclepius-tuberosa/ Traditional / reference
https://thenaturopathicherbalist.com/2015/09/06/asclepius-tuberosa/
Herbs2000 (n.d.) 'Pleurisy Root (Asclepias tuberosa)'. Available at: https://www.herbs2000.com/herbs/herbs_pleurisy_root.htm Traditional / reference
https://www.herbs2000.com/herbs/herbs_pleurisy_root.htm
Forager Chef 'Foraging and Cooking Milkweed'. Available at: https://foragerchef.com/guide-to-milkweed/ Traditional / reference
https://foragerchef.com/guide-to-milkweed/
North Carolina Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox 'Apocynum cannabinum (Dogbane)'. Available at: https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/apocynum-cannabinum/ Traditional / reference
https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/apocynum-cannabinum/

Khan, V., Najmi, A.K., Akhtar, M., Aqil, M., Mujeeb, M. and Pillai, K.K (2012) 'A pharmacological appraisal of medicinal plants with antidiabetic potential', Journal of Pharmacy and Bioallied Sciences, 4(1), pp. 27-42. doi:10.4103/0975-7406.92727 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.4103/0975-7406.92727
Devangan, S., Varghese, B., Johny, E., Gurram, S. and Adela, R (2021) 'The effect of Gymnema sylvestre supplementation on glycemic control in type 2 diabetes patients: A systematic review and meta-analysis', Phytotherapy Research, 35(12), pp. 6802-6812. doi:10.1002/ptr.7265 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.1002/ptr.7265
Zamani, M., Ashtary-Larky, D., Nosratabadi, S., Bagheri, R., Wong, A., Rafiei, M.M., Asiabar, M.M., Khalili, P., Asbaghi, O. and Davoodi, S.H (2022) 'The effects of Gymnema Sylvestre supplementation on lipid profile, glycemic control, blood pressure, and anthropometric indices in adults: A systematic review and meta-analysis', Phytotherapy Research, 37(3), pp. 949-964. doi:10.1002/ptr.7585 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.1002/ptr.7585
Bandala, C., Carro-Rodriguez, J., Cardenas-Rodriguez, N., Pena-Montero, I., Gomez-Lopez, M., Hernandez-Roldan, A.P., Huerta-Cruz, J.C., Munoz-Gonzalez, F., Ignacio-Mejia, I., Dominguez, B. and Lara-Padilla, E (2024) 'Comparative Effects of Gymnema sylvestre and Berberine on Adipokines, Body Composition, and Metabolic Parameters in Obese Patients: A Randomized Study', Nutrients, 16(14), pp. 2284. doi:10.3390/nu16142284 Randomized trial
https://doi.org/10.3390/nu16142284
Turner, S., Diako, C., Kruger, R., Wong, M., Wood, W., Rutherfurd-Markwick, K., Stice, E. and Ali, A (2022) 'The Effect of a 14-Day Gymnema sylvestre Intervention to Reduce Sugar Cravings in Adults', Nutrients, 14(24), pp. 5287. doi:10.3390/nu14245287 Randomized trial
https://doi.org/10.3390/nu14245287
Baskaran, K., Kizar Ahamath, B., Radha Shanmugasundaram, K. and Shanmugasundaram, E.R (1990) 'Antidiabetic effect of a leaf extract from Gymnema sylvestre in non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus patients', Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 30(3), pp. 295-300. doi:10.1016/0378-8741(90)90108-6 Clinical study
https://doi.org/10.1016/0378-8741(90)90108-6
Alam, F., Shafique, Z., Amjad, S.T. and Bin Asad, M.H.H (2018) 'Enzymes inhibitors from natural sources with antidiabetic activity: A review', Phytotherapy Research, 33(1), pp. 41-54. doi:10.1002/ptr.6211 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.1002/ptr.6211
Tiwari, Pragya and Mishra, B. N. and Sangwan, Neelam S (2014) 'Phytochemical and pharmacological properties of Gymnema sylvestre: an important medicinal plant', BioMed Research International, 2014, pp. 830285. doi:10.1155/2014/830285 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.1155/2014/830285
Kumar, S.N., Mani, U.V. and Mani, I (2010) 'An open label study on the supplementation of Gymnema sylvestre in type 2 diabetics', Journal of Dietary Supplements, 7(3), pp. 273-282. doi:10.3109/19390211.2010.505901 Clinical study
https://doi.org/10.3109/19390211.2010.505901
Leach, Matthew J (2007) 'Gymnema sylvestre for diabetes mellitus: a systematic review', Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, 13(9), pp. 977-983. doi:10.1089/acm.2006.6387 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.1089/acm.2006.6387
Shiyovich, A., Sztarkier, I. and Nesher, L (2010) 'Toxic hepatitis induced by Gymnema sylvestre, a natural remedy for type 2 diabetes mellitus', The American Journal of the Medical Sciences, 340(6), pp. 514-517. doi:10.1097/MAJ.0b013e3181f41168 Clinical study
https://doi.org/10.1097/MAJ.0b013e3181f41168

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Generated automatically from the Omnia Sana plant database and its cited sources. For educational purposes only — not medical advice. Always consult a qualified practitioner before using medicinal plants.