GUDUCHI/GILOY (Tinospora Cordifolia)

Properties, Benefits, and Side Effects

Giloy in my balcony

We are surrounded by one of the most severe conditions in the history of mankind. During this pandemic, where there’s no trace of a single vaccine has been found yet, we have to ensure ourselves by immunizing ourselves against the coronavirus. We say, precautions are better than cure, it is only applicable when we have a cure. we don’t even have it yet, it’s the body that fights on its own. So taking suitable precautions and preparing our metabolism to defend ourselves is the only option left. But how to do that?

The question is quite important with the obvious answer that we have to make a healthy routine by doing yoga, exercise, and other relaxing practices, along with a certain change in our diet. I believe in Ayurveda, as there is no reason why not to. Everyone is talking about a certain herb, Giloy these days. So I did a small research on the outputs this herb brings and how does it help as a medicine better than Allopathic medicine, hoping this would help somewhere in understanding the outcomes while using this.

While walking across we never realize what sort of plants we pass through. We always see them as weeds, which are not useful to us. But as we say Good of a diamond, similarly the true benefits or side effects of a plant can only be understood by someone who knows Ayurveda.

I am quite sure that many of us have seen this herb a lot of times but no one would have gone deeply into it. Among many other herbs, Giloy is one of the most prominent herbs which can be used to diagnose many diseases.

Guduchi: Guduchi is a herbaceous vine found mainly in the regions of India, Bangladesh, Myanmar, and Srilanka. In Ayurveda and Siddha medicine, it has been used for ages to treat various diseases. It is also known by common names such as Giloya and Heart-leaved moonseed. Its botanical name is Tinospora Cordelia. In Sanskrit, it is known as ‘Amrita’, which translates to the ‘root of immortality’, because of it’s highly efficient and abundant medicinal properties.

A plant has various parts like leaves, stems, and roots. Each part of Giloy plays it’s a significant role in a particular treatment. The consumption of its stem treats the disease in a much better way but the root can also be used.

Botanical description: It is a climbing shrub which can be seen in figure 1. It spreads very easily once the root is established in the soil. Once cut, it again grows naturally only if the root is left undisturbed. It spreads extensively mainly in the summer and rainy seasons. It has several elongated twining branches which can be consumed directly if one wants to.

Guduchi benefits

From the top nutritionist Anshul Jaibharat to the most greeted Baba Ramdev, everybody suggests using herbs to treat body malfunctioning among which Giloy is the most considered herb. The benefits and uses of Giloy have been approved by the FDA(Future and Drug Administration).

• Boost immunity: Giloy is a herb which is has a universal utilization as it helps boost immunity. It is a powerhouse of antioxidants that fight free radicals, keep the body cells healthy, and get rid of diseases. Giloy helps in toxin removal, purifying the blood, fighting various bacterias and viruses that cause the body to malfunction. It also combats various liver diseases and urinary tract infections. It is extensively used in treating heart-related conditions and is also found useful in treating infertility.
• Improves digestion: An improper digestion can create a lot of problems physically and mentally. It causes lethargy which affects our daily activities and problems like headaches, stomach aches, or pain in other body parts due to the gas. “Giloy is very much used to improve the digestion and bowel-related issues,” says Delhi based Nutritionist Anshul Jaibharat.
• Treats Chronic Fever: Dr. Ashutosh Gautam, Baidyanath says, “Giloy helps us in getting rid of fever which occurs again and again(Chronic fever) like caused by Typhoid, malaria, dengue, etc. Since it is anti-pyretic, it can reduce the signs and symptoms of several life-threatening conditions.
• Treats Diabetes: According to Dr. Manoj K. Ahuja, Fortis hospital, “Giloy acts as a hypoglycaemic agent which means it helps in controlling the amount of glucose present in the bloodstream and helps treat diabetes(particularly type 2 diabetes)”. Giloy juice helps in reducing high levels of sugar present in blood and works wonders.
• Reduces stress and Anxiety: Giloy can be used as an adaptogenic herb as well. By adaptogenic herb, we mean a natural substance that can help the body to adapt to stress. Thus it minimizes mental stress as well as anxiety. It helps in the removal of various toxic substances from the body, boosts memory, it calms the body down. Due to all these properties, it can be made an excellent tonic if combined with other herbs as well.
• Fights Respiratory problems: Dr. Ashutosh says, “Giloy is popularly known for its anti-inflammatory property. By anti-inflammatory, he means it helps in reducing the inflammation caused due to various reasons like arthritis. It also helps in reducing respiratory problems like frequent cough, cold, tonsils”.
• Treats Arthritis: “Giloy is known to contain anti-inflammatory and anti-arthritic properties that help in treating arthritis and it’s several symptoms like joint pain and body ache”. For joint pain, the Giloy stem can be cut and dried and is converted into powder form. This powder can then be boiled with milk and then consumed, says Dr. Ashutosh. It can also be taken along with ginger to treat rheumatoid arthritis(the body’s immune system attack its tissues, including joints.
• Reduces Asthmatic Symptoms: Though asthma has become very common nowadays it still can be dangerous if not treated properly. In this, the air-passage becomes inflamed, narrow, and swell-up causing tightening of the chest, breath shortage, coughing, wheezing, etc. which makes it difficult to treat such a condition. One can be relieved from its system by just chewing the roots of Giloy or drinking its juice. It is often recommended by various doctors in different hospitals.
• Improves Vision: Vision impairment is a common problem among people of all generations. In several parts of the country, the Giloy plant is applied to the eyes as it helps boost vision clarity. For this, just boil the Giloy powder in normal water, cool it down, and then apply it on your eyelids and the magic will happen. I have tried this and it has helped me for good.
• Reduces Obesity: It reduces body fat as well.
• Reduces Signs of Aging: There are a lot of herbs that contain anti-aging properties and Giloy is one of those. It helps in reducing the dark spots, pimples, fine lines, and wrinkles which no longer just get away naturally. It makes the skin more flawless and glowing which one always wants to have.
• Giloy treats all kind of infections or other problems occur in the body due to the deficiency of various vitamins A, B, C, D, etc.
• Effect on Skin: Bad skin nowadays can lead to lagging confidence thus improvising skin is also very important to live in this high paced world. We have mentioned how the use of Giloy reduces skin aging. Since aging is the main reason for skin fading away like no glow or no shining on face. Giloy’s consumption can result in better skin. If one chews the fresh leaves of Giloy every day or drinks its juice every day then the various skin problems can be said goodbye forever.

Since I have already mentioned above some of the uses of Giloy’s parts like stems, roots, and leaves. It is also provided in its powder form as well in pellets form in the market by Patanjali called Patanjali Divya Giloy Kwath and Giloy-Ghanvati respectively. People who can not access the natural Giloy plant can have this Vati and take them in, will surely get a benefit. Patanjali also provides Giloy juice which is also equally beneficial. Giloy can be stored anywhere, there is no need for any kind of servants for this. It doesn’t get contaminated.

The proper dosage can be found on the internet or Patanjali products as well.

Recommended: Since the above picture is from my own balcony. Along with the various health benefits it also adds up to the beauty of your terrace, like mine. LOL ☺

Giloy leaves

8–9 leaves at a time and anytime.

Chew these leave fresh leaves for improving body functioning.

Since it’s a natural herb. the side effects obtained are very less.

Side effects and Allergies caused by Giloy: We have heard that herbs don’t have any severe side effects, which can be true many times but one can not neglect the fact that some minor effects can also cause severe damage sometimes.

Similarly, Giloy also has not very severe side-effects since it is a natural herbal remedy. However, it may cause problems sometimes.

Despite its many glorious benefits, Giloy also affects adversely. Thus we should deal with these side effects thoroughly.

Giloy helps in digestion but its consumption in excess can cause constipation and stomach irritation. The form of Giloy which is being consumed doesn’t matter, whether you take it in as juice or a supplement capsule.

Sometimes Giloy can also lower the glucose level than what is needed which can also cause problems to diabetic patients or non-diabetic patients. So if you are a Diabetic patient, be in touch with your doctor and keep yourself checked up and monitored regularly. Anyone consuming Giloy should be very careful of the quantity they are taking into their body.

Giloy may also intrigue the immune system to a greater level and make it sometimes hyperactive. When this happens symptoms of diseases like Multiple sclerosis, arthritis, and lupus may increase. If you already suffer from any of the mentioned diseases then it’s better advised to not consume Giloy or take it in even a very small quantity.

Giloy’s consumption must be avoided if the patient is pregnant or breastfeeding because this may simulate the blood sugar levels in the child as well. Thus for his/her entire future, it can be dangerous sometimes to use Giloy.

If on having Giloy, you have to go to the bathroom, then for sure minimize its use.

References are taken