Giloy (Tinospora cordifolia) : Benefits, Therapeutic Uses & Side Effects
Scientific name : Tinospora cordifolia
Hindi name : Giloy
Giloy is known as by various names such as Guduchi, Gulvel, Heart-leaved moonseed, Geloy, Guruc, Gurcha, Galac, Garo, Amrta, Shindilakodi, Amruthu, Chittamruthu, Amrutha balli, Rasakinda, Galocī, Cinnodbhava, Gulancha, Guluchi, Gurjo etc.
Medicinal Parts
- Stem (main medicinal part of Giloy)
- Leaves
- Roots
- Fruit
Health benefits
Giloy has amazingly huge health benefits. Let’s take a look at the possible health benefits of Guduchi :
1. Immunomodulator (Boosts Immunity) : Giloy is a universal herb (amrita) that helps boost immunity because it is a powerhouse of antioxidants. Guduchi helps remove toxins, purifies blood, fights bacteria, viruses that causes diseases and also combats liver diseases and urinary tract infections.
2. Rejuvenative : Guduchi acts as a rejuvenating agent too.
3. Adaptogen : Adaptogenic effect of Guduchi enhance mental health & helps to relieve stress, anxiety etc. (Anti-stress). It will boost memory and help you pay attention at work . It can clear all brain toxins too.
4. Anti-inflammatory : Guduchi acts as anti-inflammatory agent & combats various diseases like Gout, Rheumatoid arthritis. (Anti-gout & anti-arthritic)
5. Analgesic (Mild) & Febrifuge agent : Giloy, however, not a potent antipyretic, but it is good for its immuno-modulatory action. It reduces span of fever and duration of infection.
6. Antacid : Guduchi helps in combating various digestive disorders like acidity, piles & flatulence.
7. Anti-mutagenic : Guduchi prevents mutation which occurs due to various chemical, physical agents etc.
8. Anticancer : Guduchi has proven benefits in prevention of cancer & management of cancer.
9. Antipruritics : Guduchi helps in various skin diseases like Itching, Redness, Swelling.
10. Hematogenic & Blood Detoxifier : Guduchi helps in formation of red blood cells & also act as natural body detox by cleansing body of toxins.
11. Hypoglycemic agent : Giloy lower the levels of blood pressure & lipids and helps to treat diabetes (particularly Type 2 diabetes).
12. Diuretic : Guduchi act as diuretic agent on heavy dosage only.
13. Anti-aging agent : Guduchi contains anti-aging properties that reduce dark spots, pimples, fine lines and wrinkles. It keeps your skin bright, young and beautiful.
14. Eye protective agent : Guduchi boosts clarity and helps you see better without spectacles. Just boil some of it in water, let it cool down and apply all over the eye lid.
15. Aphrodisiac agent : Guduchi contains properties of an aphrodisiac that will boost libido.
Therapeutic uses
Giloy has huge medicinal uses. Let’s take a look at the possible therapeutic uses of Guduchi :
1. Fever & Infections
- Chronic Fever of Unknown origin
- Dengue, Chikungunya, Malaria, Typhoid fever
- Swine flu
2. Respiratory Problems
- Common cold
- Cough
- Tonsillitis
- Asthma
3. Heart & Blood disorders
- High cholesterol levels
- Atherosclerosis
4. Digestive disorders
- Acidity (Hyperacidity)
- Peptic ulcers (Gastric & Duodenal)
- Chronic Gastritis
- Heartburn
- Mouth ulcer
- Ulcerative colitis
- Hepatitis & Pancreatitis
- Inflammation of gallbladder
- Loss of appetite
- Indigestion
- Bloating
- Gas or flatulence
5. Muscle, Bones & Joints related disorders
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Gout
6. Renal & Urinary disorders
- Urinary tract infections such as Interstitial cystitis
- Burning sensation in urine
- Dysuria
7. Skin Diseases
- Urticaria
- Acne vulgaris
- Pimples with pain and tenderness
- Burning sensation
- Itching
- Redness
- Swelling
8. Pilonidal Sinus (PNS)
9. Menorrhagia
10. Diabetes
Side effects
Giloy is a natural & safe herb. There are no serious side-effects of consuming Giloy. However, prolonged use of giloy can cause following side effects in few patients :
- Constipation
- Lowering of blood sugar levels (So if you are diabetic and have been consuming Geloy on a long-term basis, monitor your blood sugar levels regularly.)
It is better to avoid use of giloy during pregnancy or breastfeeding.
Giloy is safe for children who are aged five years and above. However, doses shouldn’t be given for more than one to two weeks.
Note : You are advised to consult with medical practitioner before use of giloy.
Chemical composition
- Columbin, tinosporaside, jatrorhizine, palmatine, berberine, tembeterine, tinocordifolioside, phenylpropene disaccharides, choline, tinosporic acid, tinosporal, and tinosporon have been isolated from Tinospora cordifolia.
