Texts of Ayurveda and Ayurveda acharyas have lauded the medicinal properties of guduchi. This medicinal herb is a climber and belongs to menispermaceae family. In ancient times the whole plant was used to treat different health conditions like fever, diabetes, Urinary tract problems, respiratory diseases, liver disorders, etc. Guduchi is mainly used as a rejuvenator or ‘rasayana’. This is also recommended to boost immunity as this herb has immune modulator properties. These days the extract of this herb is encapsulated in capsule form and is being used by ayurvedic practitioners in many health conditions.
Useful For Liver detox- Liver Health – Fatty Liver
Ayurveda Acharyas recommend the use of Giloy for liver health problems like Kamala or jaundice. Its fresh juice is used in the management of liver health.
This herb is highly recommended by Ayurvedic doctors for liver detox. It helps to expel toxins from the liver. It is also very useful in fatty liver.
Every herb has to be taken at a proper dosage. Indiscriminate use of any herb may adversely affect health. There are false rumors which are being spread on giloy as hepatotoxic. But the Department of Ayush has clarified this ( 1 https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1798676 ) .
Giloy is the best ayurvedic medicine for liver detox. When this herb is administered along with other liver-protective herbs like Rohitaka, Punarnava, Chitraka, Giloy (amruta), Brungaraj ( brunga), katurohini and bhumyamalakai, it helps to metabolize fat accumulated in liver and reverse the condition fatty liver. Livobeam Ayurvedic Capsules for Liver detox and fatty liver contain all these herbs.
Helps to boost immunity
When used under medical supervision this herb helps to boost immunity. Various studies show that this improves immunity in people who frequently suffer from cold, cough and fever. Scientists have identified seven active compounds in Tinospora cordifolia with immunomodulatory activities. They work together to stimulate the immune system. The active constituents found in Guduchi stem work by activating macrophages and lymphocytes, thereby providing fast relief from infections. Almost all immunity boosting ayurvedic preparations contain this herb as ingredient. ( https://www.wjpmr.com/download/article/67042020/1588162953.pdf)
This herb also shows anti-bacterial activities. Tinospora cordifolia helps in fighting gastrointestinal and respiratory infections. The antibacterial activity of the herb against E. coli, Salmonella, Staphylococcus aureus, and a number of other pathogenic bacteria species has been demonstrated in experimental studies. (Narayanan AS et al. “Antibacterial activity of selected medicinal plants against multiple antibiotic resistant uropathogens: a study from Kolli Hills, Tamil Nadu, India.” Benef Micorbes. 2011 Sep).
Beneficial in Diabetes
This herb is praised as mehahara, which means it helps to control blood sugar levels. Experimental studies have revealed that alkaloids found in the stem of Tinospora cordifolia mimic insulin and also stimulate insulin secretion. Hence, Tinospora cordifolia helps in decreasing the fasting blood glucose level and inhibits the increase in the blood sugar level after meals. Giloy can be used as a supportive herb in diabetes. Much research has shown that the herb Tinospora has anti-diabetic properties. ( https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23290487/ )
Helps in the Management of Joint Pain
This herb is praised as vata-rakta hara. The gout disease is known as vata rakta in ayurveda. This herb helps to reduce blood uric acid level and help to relieve joint pain caused due to gout. ( https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29805954/ )
This herb also helps to fight osteoporosis. Experimental studies have shown that giloy extract stimulates growth and differentiation of osteoblasts. It also promotes the mineralization of bones. Hence, this herb has anti-osteoporotic properties. (Abiramasundari G et al. “Effects of Tinospora cordifolia (Menispermaceae) on the proliferation, osteogenic differentiation and mineralization of osteoblast model systems in vitro.” J Ethnopharmacol. 2012 May).
Beneficial in the management of obesity
As this herb balances all three doshas and also boost agni or metabolism, it helps in weight loss. Since this effectively controls blood sugar level , this can be used as a weight loss herb. Many studies show that this herb helps in obesity due to high fat diet. ( https://www.researchgate.net/publication/340961797_Tinospora_cordifolia_attenuates_high_fat_diet-induced_obesity_and_associated_hepatic_and_renal_dysfunctions_in_rats )
Helps to Improve Skin Health
Giloy is known for its detoxifying properties. According to principles of Ayurveda, it purifies blood and also liver. This helps in skin detox too. Superficial application of this herb also helps to improve glow and complexion of skin. Hence this herb is praised as kushtaghna in ayurveda. Its anti-oxidant properties helps to improve skin health. Hence this herb is added in many ayurvedic cosmetics. ( https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3644751/ )
Useful in the Management of PCOS or PCOD
Since giloy helps to manage blood sugar levels and obesity, it is very useful in PCOS. It gives very good results when used with herbs like shatavari, amla, haritaki, vibhitaki, etc. Research about this has revealed that a USG scan showed reduce in the polycystic appearance of ovaries and an improvement in follicular maturity. LH/ FSH hormone reports revealed that the ratio came to the normal level. (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3215317/ )
Improves urinary tract health in UTI
Ayurveda acharyas recommend to use this herb in conditions like UTI where there is difficulty in passing urine ( mutrkrichra ). Studies have shown that this herb ameliorates urotoxicity. ( https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20932729/ )
Texts of Ayurveda explain the health benefits of guduchi as follows.
Guduchi or Giloy is pungent and bitter to taste. But attains “madhura rasa” or sweet taste when it gets digested. It is light to digest and improves agni or metabolism.
This herb balances all three doshas
It is a rasayana or rejuvenating herb. Hence helps to strengthen immunity.
Giloy improves body strength and stamina.
Ayurveda acharyas recommend this herb in ‘prameha’ (diabetes), ‘kasa’ (cough), ‘Shwasa’ (bronchitis) and ‘pandu” (anemia).
This also helps in ‘kamala’ (jaundice or hepatitis), skin diseases, ‘vatarakta’ (gout), ‘jwara’ (fever) and ‘krumi’ (parasites)
The bio-chemicals that have been isolated from Tinospora Cordifolia include tinosporide, furanolactone, diterpene, furanolactone clerodane diterpene, etc. These bio active ingredients are reason for aphrodisiac, diuretic, astringent, anti-diabetic anti-oxidant, anti-stress hepatoprotective, immunomodulatory activities of this herb.
