Ingredient
Hawaiian Harmony Gymnema: What the Gymnema Leaf in the Drops Is and Does
Yes, Hawaiian Harmony contains gymnema. Gymnema sylvestre leaf extract is the 8th of 21 ingredients in the 15.47 mg proprietary blend, sourced from a 20:1 concentrate. The label does not print its single amount. Gymnema is one of the blend plants with the most blood sugar research, and it sits next to 7 mcg of chromium in each 1 ml dropperful.
At a glance
Key facts: gymnema in Hawaiian Harmony
- Name on the label: Gymnema Leaf Extract (Gymnema sylvestre), marked as a 20:1 concentrate.
- Position: 8th of 21 in the proprietary blend, which runs from most to least by weight.
- Blend total: 15.47 mg per 1 ml serving, shared by all 21 ingredients.
- Single amount: not printed, which the rules for a proprietary blend allow.
- Partners: chromium at 7 mcg, plus ginseng, green tea and 18 more names in the blend.
The plant
What is gymnema, the leaf in Hawaiian Harmony?
Gymnema sylvestre is a woody climbing plant from the forests of India and parts of Africa and Asia. Its leaves have a long place in traditional Ayurvedic practice, where it is known for its link with sweet foods and blood sugar.
One well-known trait of the leaf is that chewing it can dull the taste of sweet things for a short time. That is part of why the plant earned its old nickname, often given as "sugar destroyer" in Hindi.
In Hawaiian Harmony, gymnema comes as a leaf extract. The label marks it with the ^ sign, which means it is sourced from a concentrate with a 20:1 extract equivalent. In plain words, about 20 parts of leaf went into each part of extract. You can see the full list on our ingredients page.
Want to see the full label before you order? The order page shows the packs and the 180-day guarantee side by side.
See today's price and guaranteeWe earn money when you order through our links. The price is the same for you. Ask your doctor first if you take diabetes medicine.
The amount
How much gymnema is in Hawaiian Harmony?
The label does not give a single amount for gymnema. It is one of 21 ingredients in a 15.47 mg proprietary blend, and a blend only has to show its total weight and list its parts from most to least by weight (FDA, Labeling guide).
Gymnema is 8th in that order. So seven ingredients weigh the same or more: maca root, African mango seed, grape seed, guarana seed, eleuthero root, astragalus root and green tea leaf. Thirteen ingredients come after it, from forskohlii root down to L-carnitine.
| Item | What the label shows |
|---|---|
| Ingredient | Gymnema Leaf Extract (Gymnema sylvestre) |
| Extract type | 20:1 concentrate |
| Blend position | 8th of 21 |
| Blend total | 15.47 mg per 1 ml |
| Next to it | Green tea leaf (7th), forskohlii root (9th) |
Our post on what a proprietary blend hides explains how far label order can take you.
Research
What has research on gymnema found?
Gymnema has been studied for blood sugar more than most plants in this blend. The research tested gymnema on its own, not Hawaiian Harmony, and often at much larger amounts.
| Source | Amount studied | What was found |
|---|---|---|
| LiverTox, Gymnema | 400 mg, three times a day | Mild falls in fasting glucose; effect not proven |
| Devangan et al., 2021 | 10 studies, 419 people | Lower glucose, with very mixed results |
So the research is promising but mixed (LiverTox, Gymnema) (Devangan et al., 2021). It explains why gymnema is often found in blood sugar formulas, and it is a fair reason for its place on this label. It does not tell you what one dropperful of the full blend will do for you.
The formula
Why does Hawaiian Harmony pair gymnema with chromium?
The bottle reads Advanced Blood Sugar Support. Chromium, gymnema and Asian ginseng are the three ingredients on the label with the most blood sugar research behind them. Chromium is the only one with a printed amount: 7 mcg, 20% of the Daily Value (ODS, Chromium).
Putting several plants in a small liquid serving is the idea of the whole formula. Gymnema adds one more studied plant to the mix. You take it all in one 1 ml dropperful a day, after shaking the bottle. Read more in chromium and blood sugar.
Safety
Who should ask before taking Hawaiian Harmony with gymnema?
Gymnema, chromium and ginseng may add to the effect of insulin and other blood sugar medicines (NCCIH, Diabetes and supplements). If you take any of them, talk to your doctor before your first dropperful. Do not change or stop a prescribed medicine on your own, and keep checking your blood sugar as you were told.
LiverTox also lists gymnema as a possible rare cause of liver injury. If you have liver problems, ask first. The label says the drops are not for anyone under 18 or for pregnant or nursing women.
If you feel shaky, sweaty, dizzy or confused, check your blood sugar if you can and call your doctor. Our side effects guide lists what to look for.
Sources
- Gymnema. LiverTox, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, 2024.
- The effect of Gymnema sylvestre supplementation on glycemic control in type 2 diabetes patients: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Devangan S, et al. Phytotherapy Research, 2021.
- Diabetes and Dietary Supplements: What You Need To Know. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health, 2023.
- Dietary Supplement Labeling Guide, Chapter IV: Nutrition Labeling. U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Does Hawaiian Harmony contain gymnema?
Yes. Gymnema sylvestre leaf extract is the 8th of 21 ingredients in the 15.47 mg blend, as a 20:1 concentrate.
How much gymnema is in Hawaiian Harmony?
The label does not print it. Gymnema is part of the 15.47 mg blend, and only the blend total is shown.
Can I take Hawaiian Harmony gymnema with diabetes medicine?
Ask your doctor first. Gymnema, chromium and ginseng may add to the effect of blood sugar medicines.
Our view
Our view
Gymnema is a good fit for a formula labeled Advanced Blood Sugar Support. It is one of the best-studied plants in the blend, and the label names it clearly.
Its single amount is not printed, so think of it as one part of the whole daily dropperful. Use the drops as part of a healthy routine, and keep your doctor in the loop if you take any medicine.
Hawaiian Harmony is a dietary supplement, not a drug. These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. If you take insulin or another blood sugar medicine, ask your doctor before you start and keep taking your medicine as prescribed.
Ready to try the drops with gymnema, chromium and 20 more named ingredients? The order page shows every pack with the 180-day guarantee.
See today's price and guaranteeWe earn money when you order through our links. The price is the same for you. Ask your doctor first if you take diabetes medicine.
Published
Page credentials
Who wrote and reviewed this Hawaiian Harmony page
- Written by
- Hawaiian Harmony Editorial DeskMyhawaiianharmony, the U.S. stocking partner, not the manufacturer
- Medically reviewed by
- Dr. Andres Palacio, MDPhysician
- Last updated
- First published
General information, not medical advice. Hawaiian Harmony is a dietary supplement, not a drug. If you take insulin or another blood sugar medicine, talk to your doctor before you start any supplement.
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