Tinospora cordifolia (Botanical name), most commonly known as Guduchi in Sanskrit, Giloy in Hindi and Heart Leaved Moonseed in English finds mention in the very famous Indian epic ‘The Ramayana.’ Impressed with Lord Rama’s victory over Ravana, Lord Indra sprinkled nectar from heaven to restore the lives of the dead monkey army. The drops that fell on earth took the form of the Giloy plant. Yet another lore of the Indian mythology makes a reference to Guduchi. During the great Samudra Manthan (Ocean churning) emerged a container of elixir, a few drops of which fell on the earth leading to the birth of the Guduchi plant.
Due to properties of providing an all-round benefit to the body, Giloy has been called an Amrit in various Ayurvedic texts like Tridoshshamaka, Pandunashaka, Kricch-Hridroganashak etc.
The Giloy Plant
Guduchi is a perennial herbaceous vine belonging to the family Menispermaceae. The climbing shrub is voluminous taking up large space and does not need focused cultivation. Twining around large trees, the herb is said to be most beneficial when it grows with the support of trees like neem as it inherits the properties of the tree around which it grows.
Apart from growing widely around India, the climber plant can be found in tropical areas of Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Myanmar. One can easily identify Giloy through the large heart-shaped leaves.
Almost all parts of this magnificent herb from seed to stem have been found to be useful in curing various ailments. In a diverse country like India, different tribes and clans have emerged with their own traditions involving usage of Guduchi as a medicine.
Nutritional Information And Uses
Giloy plant which is categorized as an Amrit in Ayurveda is a storehouse of such constituents which are the primary reason behind its ability to provide miraculous benefits to the body – from general vitality and youthfulness to its anti-cancer and anti-inflammatory properties.
Guduchi has been documented as a herb that is:
- Anti-pyretic
- Anti-inflammatory
- Immuno-modulatory
- Anti-viral
- Anti-allergic
- Antioxidant
- Anti-cancer
- Anti-depressant
- Anti-ulcer
- Diuretic
- Rejuvenative
- Laxative
- Antileprotic
The following table gives a brief idea about its chemical constituents:
|
Plant Part |
Active Component |
|
Whole plant |
Diterpenoid lactones and aliphatic compounds |
|
Stem |
Glycosides |
|
Aerial parts of the stem |
Steroids |
|
Root |
Alkaloids |
- Diterpenoid lactones work as a vasorelaxant and help in relieving stress by suppressing norepinephrine (stress hormone).
- Aliphatic compounds like octacosanol improve body strength and stamina which is why Giloy is often used as a nutrition supplement.
- The glycosides present in the stem are effective in treating neurological disorders like dementia and Parkinsons.
- Alkaloids like choline, tinosporin, berberine etc., are beneficial in the treatment of viral infections and even work as anti-cancer agents and immuono-modulators (as they normalize the immune system).
Apart from this, the plant has also been found to be rich in potassium, calcium and protein.
Guduchi Powerful Benefits
The all-rounder herb has wide-ranging benefits, a detail of which has been provided in the below-mentioned points:
Giloy As An Immunity Booster
The vitality enhancing herb is well known for its ability to enhance immunity. Packed with antioxidants, Giloy flushes out free radicals. It also acts as an anti-toxin and a blood purifier by balancing the pitta dosha. It works as a health rejuvenator and creates an immune system that is capable to fight diseases like jaundice, tuberculosis and other chronic fevers. Consuming Giloy vati daily can free you from the numerous visits to the doctor by creating a healthier and stronger version of your body.
Suggested Remedy – For relieve from jaundice, prepare Giloy leaves powder by drying them. Consume it with a teaspoon of honey for best results.
Giloy and Nervous System
Ayurveda calls Tinospora cordifolia as a Medha Rasayana as it helps in enhancing memory. Specifically, the extract of the root of the Giloy plant worked as a memory enhancer when given to rats in a controlled setup. Children responded with not only better IQ levels but also a decrease in mental instability.
Being an adaptogen, Giloy reduces mental stress and anxiety and boosts cognitive functions, which is why it is considered as an excellent brain tonic.
Giloy Benefits For Skin
As mentioned previously, Giloy purifies the blood by acting as an anti-toxin. This internal cleansing of the body makes the skin look naturally fresh. Apart from this, Giloy due to its anti-ageing properties clears wrinkles and dark spots and can give you younger-looking and flawless skin.
Not only this, but Giloy also helps in fighting skin problems like eczema and acne breakout too.
Suggested Remedy – For healthier and glowing skin, apply a mix of Guduchi powder, rose water and honey on your face daily.
Diabetes
A hypoglycaemic agent, Giloy is quite beneficial for all those who suffer from diabetes by reducing blood sugar levels and also controlling the lipid levels. It makes the treatment of type 2 diabetes much easier.
Suggested Remedy –Half teaspoon Guduchi powder twice a day can be helpful in not only controlling blood sugar levels but also diabetes-related problems like kidney damage.
Treating Asthma
Giloy has been traditionally used to cure respiratory disorders as it helps in placating the mucous membrane of the respiratory system. This is why it was occasionally used to treat chronic disorders like bronchitis. The juice of the stem if consumed orally with honey can help in fighting the life-threatening Asthma.
Suggested Remedy –A kadha suggested by Swami Ramdev can help fight respiratory infections. Combine Giloy, 15-20 Tusli leaves, mulethi (liquorice root) and 5 laung pieces (cloves) and consume when infected with cough and cold.
Fighting Arthritis
Giloy, when combined with ginger, was found effective in treating rheumatoid arthritis. The anti-inflammatory and anti-arthritic properties help in easing joint pain.
Suggested Remedy – Consume Guduchi powder along with milk to relieve joint pains.
Promotes Better Digestion
Suffering from constipation and indigestion? Giloy is here again to the rescue. It helps not only in building a stronger digestive system but also fighting worm infestations, acidity, appetite loss etc.
Suggested Remedy – Consuming a mix of amla powder and Giloy powder works as a wonder in treating occasional indigestion. Giloy, when consumed with buttermilk, can be beneficial for patients suffering from piles.
Giloy For A Better Vision
Giloy can help you say goodbye to your spectacles and even treat various eye disorders. Applying the concoction of Guduchi powder boiled in water on the eyelids on a daily basis does the job.
Giloy In Treatment Of Dengue
Dengue, a dreadful mosquito-borne viral disease is the cause of death of many people each year. Giloy proves to be beneficial as it significantly improves the blood platelet count. Its antipyretic properties help in cooling the body and reducing fever. It not only revives the patient but rejuvenates by preparing the immune system to fight any infection which might easily affect a frail body.
Suggested Remedy – Swami Ramdev suggests making a kadha of Giloy ras, aloe vera, pomegranate juice and papaya leaves juice for increasing blood platelets.
Giloy Dosage
Giloy gives best results when consumed in an empty stomach. Its dosage can vary according to its form – powdered or juice.
- Giloy Vati – for ages above 12 – 1 tablet (500mg) twice daily; and for ages below 12 – half a tablet twice daily.
- Giloy Satva or Giloy juice – mix 15 to 30 ml juice in water and consume twice a day.
- Giloy stem powder – 3 to 6 gm twice a day in a divided dose.
Note: Giloy works best when consumed for longer periods of about 4-6 months.
Giloy: How To Use?
Acharya Nityanandam Shree refers to Giloy as a tridoshnashak (one that balances all the doshas) and points to the important fact that only specific ways of consuming the wonderous herb will prove to be beneficial. Three major ways of consumption as suggested by him include:
- For Vata Rog – 4 teaspoon Giloy ras (extracted from the stem of the plant) should be consumed in combination with half to one teaspoon cow ghee empty stomach in the morning. It helps in getting rid of Vata issues like joint pain.
- For Pitta Rog – For the treatment of pitta related issues like excessive body heat, skin related problems; Giloy ras must be combined with Gur Shakkar and consumed on a daily basis.
- For Kapha Rog – Giloy is effective in treating Kapha imbalances that result in excessive body fat and respiratory issues. 4 teaspoon Giloy ras should be consumed along with 1 teaspoon honey.
Applying Giloy On Skin
Giloy is equally helpful in healing wounds as it is in maintaining good internal health. Following steps can be followed to make a DIY paste:
- Heat neem oil in a pan until it comes to a boil.
- Add a fine paste of Gududchi leaves and mix together.
- Let the paste cool and it’s ready to be applied on any external injury.
How To Make Giloy Juice At Home?
Though Giloy extracts available in the market do their job well, it is best to consume Giloy products; and they are quite easy to make too. Giloy juice can be used as a substitute to Giloy vati. It can be used to cure dengue, for better skin, weight loss and basically all the benefits of Giloy can be experienced by just drinking this fresh juice daily. The steps include:
- Remove Giloy leaves from the Giloy creeper and peel off the skin of the stem area.
- Cut small pieces of the stem and put in a blender along with the desired amount of water.
- Blend until thoroughly mixed and strain through a strainer.
- Giloy juice is ready!
Giloy juice can be mixed with other ingredients like amla or neem extract for desired results.
Giloy: Side Effects and Precautions
Though Giloy is considered as a tridoshnashak and benefits the body internally as well as externally; it does come with a few side effects which must be kept in mind.
- Giloy causes hypoglycemia by lowering blood sugar levels. People suffering from diabetes and other problems related to blood sugar must consult a doctor regarding its usage. Also, if you are going to be operated upon in the future, low sugar levels can be dangerous. Hence, in case of surgeries, Giloy intake must be stopped at least two weeks before the date of surgery.
- Giloy boosts immunity; however excess use can lead to an overactive immune system. A hyperactive immune system can increase the severity of autoimmune disorders like lupus.
- Sometimes Giloy, be it juice or vati, can also be the reason behind poor digestion and constipation.
- Pregnant women and lactating mothers must refrain from using Giloy; not because it is harmful but because it has not been proven as yet.
- Precaution must be taken when using Giloy in combination with other drugs as it might cause an unwanted reaction.
- When consumed in excess, giloy powder can cause the generation of excessive heat in the body.
You can purchase a good quality guduchi powder from here
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