Guduchi has the powers of promoting health. In Ayurveda it is termed as ‘’Amrita’’ meaning Divine nectar. Guduchi is a very powerful nutritive tonic which helps purifying the blood, liver and kidneys.
Giloy is beneficial in fever, chronic fever, infections, low immunity, cancer, asthma, gout, rheumatoid arthritis, recurrent infections, recurrent common cold, chronic catarrh, chronic fever, chronic fatigue, etc. In this article, we will discuss all about them.
Giloy has studied for its immuno-modulatory, anti-inflammatory, anticholinesterase and analgesic effects. It also has gastrointestinal protective effects.
Botanical Name – Tinospora cordifolia
Family – Menispermaceae
Common Names —
- English — Heart-leaved moonseed; Gulancha tinospora;
- Hindi – Giloy
- Gujarati – Galo
- Telugu – Teppatige
- Marathi – Amritavalli
- Tamil – Amrida valli;
The Medicinal Parts —
- Stem
- Leaves
Stem is a main medicinal part of Giloy (Tinospora Cordifolia). Leaves are also beneficial in liver diseases.
The Therapeutic conditions —
It is helpful in following health conditions.
General
- Fever
- Common cold
Heart & Blood
- High cholesterol levels
- Atherosclerosis
- Heart weakness
Digestive Health
- Acidity
- Chronic Gastritis
- Constipation
- Duodenal ulcer
- Heartburn
- Peptic ulcer
- Mouth ulcer
- Ulcerative colitis
- Hepatitis
- Inflammation of gallbladder
- Loss of appetite
- Indigestion
- Gas or flatulence
- Bloating
- Abdominal distension
Muscle, Bones & Joints
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Gout
Kidney & Bladder
- Interstitial cystitis
- Burning sensation in urine
- Oily or sticky discharge in urine (with Patha)
- Dysuria
Best Ayurvedic Antipyretic Formula
- Giloy Satva — 500 mg
- Praval pishti — 500 mg
- Godanti bhasma — 500 mg
- Tulsi powder — 1000mg
Debility after Typhoid Fever or Chronic Diseases
Giloy is also beneficial for debility that occurs after typhoid fever. The following formulation helps in reducing chronic debility.
- Giloy Sat or Powder or extract — 500 mg
- Long pepper powder — 125 mg
- Sitopaladi churna — 1500 mg
- Honey — 1 tsp
The results with this formulation start appearing within 7 days. If the patient has 99º F temperatures or has complaint of fatigue, tiredness, restlessness, weakness, pain in legs and body aches, then he may also require Yashad bhasma or Vasant Malti Ras Gold to combating with all these symptoms.
Pilonidal Sinus (PNS)
Pilonidal Sinus (PNS) is also called sacrococcygeal fistula and Pilonidal abscess or cyst. It occurs on or near natal cleft of the buttocks. In this condition, oil processed with Giloy Juice and Turmeric Paste is beneficial for removing skin debris, pus and dirt particles. Additionally, it boosts the healing process of wound and treats Pilonidal sinus.
- Sesame Oil (Purified) — 100 ml
- Giloy Juice — 100 ml
- Turmeric Paste — 100 grams
Heat and simmer the mixture of these three ingredients until the only oil remains and all water content get evaporated. Strain the oil and discard all herbal residues. Keep this oil in glass container and use when required.
Gout & Increase Uric Acid Levels
Giloy is a drug of choice for uric acid and gout in ayurveda. Moreover, Guduchi reduces uric acid formation acting on AMA toxins and improving metabolic activities in the body. It also increases the elimination of uric acid through kidneys by improving renal functions. In ayurveda, associated Ama plays an important role in development of gout, which is preventable and treatable with following herbal combination.
- Giloy Powder — 1 gram
- Punarnava Powder — 1 gram
- Sariva (Hemidesmus Indicus) — 1 gram
- Trikatu Powder — 300 mg
Rheumatoid Arthritis
Giloy Powder coupled with dried ginger power is the most effective natural remedy described in ancient texts of ayurveda. It is also proved effective in this modern era. Punarnava can also be added in this formulation to potentiate its effect. In absence of punarnava powder, one can also use Punarnavarishta.
- Giloy Powder — 1 gram
- Punarnava Powder — 1 gram
- Dried Ginger powder — 1 gram
In some people, this combination can cause acidity due to excess amount of ginger. Furthermore, If patient has history of acidity or heartburn, the dosage of ginger should be reduced.
How to Use Giloy in Interstitial Cystitis
Not to mention, Giloy reduces damage and protect the epithelium of the bladder. Generally, it is not used alone. It is used along with Chandrprabha vati , Gokshuradi Guggulu, Punarnava and Mustak (Cyperus Rotundus). The perfect medicine for Interstitial Cystitis is Chandraprabha Vati.
- Guduchi Churna — 5 grams
- Punarnava Churna — 5 grams
- Mustak (Cyperus Rotundus) — 1 gram
Take powders of these herbs in described ratio and 240 ml water. Boil the herbs in water and simmer the mixture until water remains one fourth (i.e. 60 ml). The Giloy decoction is ready for use in Interstitial Cystitis. Additionally, take Chandraprabha Vati and Gokshuradi Guggul with this decoction for a week. It helps clearing the bladder and removing the toxins.
Skin Diseases
Furthermore guduchi acts on following symptoms in skin diseases.
- Burning sensation
- Itching
- Redness
- Swelling
- Tenderness
Tinospora is a good remedy for following skin diseases if above symptoms are more prominent.
- Urticaria
- Acne vulgaris
- Pimples with pain and tenderness
In some skin diseases, Giloy may not work alone. The local application of Neem oil or oil processed with following herbs is beneficial.
- Neem leaves
- Giloy leaves and stem
- Chirayata (Swertia Chirayita)
- turmeric (Curcuma Longa) powder
Pancreatitis
It has potent anti-inflammatory and antioxidant action. Likewise it also has analgesic properties, which help relieving pain.
In chronic pancreatitis, Giloy reduces inflammation and upper abdominal pain. It is also AMAPACHAKA (Detoxifier) according to ayurveda. In Chronic pancreatitis, steatorrhea (oily and smelly stools) occurs, which indicates AMA in the body. Giloy reduces these toxins and clears oiliness and bad smell in the stools. Secondly, Tinospora Cordifolia inhibits the pancreatic enzyme (pancreatic amylase) activities.
It is also likely to inhibit the activation of pancreatic enzymes within the pancreas, which is the main cause of pancreatitis. Therefore, it prevents and reduces irritation due to enzyme within the pancreas and reduces the inflammation. Furthermore, it prevents repeated bouts of pancreatitis and prevents damage to the pancreas.
The Medicinal Uses —
- In fever – Giloy Sat is useful
- To detox – The powder + Aloe vera juice/ Wheat grass juice
- For wounds – A paste can be applied.
- For improving memory – its Tea is to be taken
- In Urinary tract infections – the tea is to be taken.
- In hepatitis Patients — the fresh juice and rock candy
- In Leucorrhea — the juice is taken with cow’s milk
- Burning sensation caused due to pitta — Guduchi juice is mixed with cumin seeds
- Increase the sperm count — Guduchi Powder regularly
- In Arthritis – Guduchi powder + Ghee
- In Constipation – Guduchi + Jaggery
- In Gout – Guduchi powder + castor oil
Dosage —
- Stem powder – 3-6 grams per day
- Decoction – 15-60 ml per day
- Leaves Powder – 1 -3 grams
- Leaves Juice – 2.5 ml to 10ml
Side effects –
- It might make the immune system more active, and this could lead to increase the autoimmune diseases symptoms.
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I’m Dr. Malini Bhat MD (Ayu); an Ayurvedic Doctor and a health blogger. Follow me on social media to get daily health tips which you can easily adapt to a healthy lifestyle.