GILOY (GUDUCHI)

Guduchi (Tinospora Cordifolia) is known as Giloy in hindi. Giloy is an evergreen herbaceous perennial climbing shrub. It is found growing throughout in tropical India. Guduchi can be seen growing widely on the big trees sometimes thickly covering the entire canopy and hanging from all over the tree. It has a soft stem and heart shaped leaves. It is called Heartleaf Moon seed in English. It is a multipurpose herb used widely in many Ayurvedic preparations. The stem of Giloy has a nutrient starch which is extracted and used in medicine. The taste of the extract is bitter sweet with no distinct flavour. It is believed to impart youthfulness, vitality and longevity and hence it is also called “Amritam” in Sanskrit. In Ayurvedic medicine, Giloy is used as a tonic and as a remedy for diabetes. It reduces blood glucose levels and has anti spasmodic, anti viral, anti bacterial, anti inflammatory and anti pyretic properties. It is diuretic. It is an adaptogen. It helps to build up the immune system and increases the resistance of the body against infections. It also stops pre-mature ageing. Fresh juice obtained from the herb aids digestion. It is an appetizer. It is carminative and controls the secretion of gastric juices. It is a blood purifying herb and helps in treating skin diseases. Giloy extract is the main ingredient in the formulations for treating cardiac weakness, anemia, chronic fever and jaundice. It also helps in treating chronic diarrhea and dysentery. According to ayurvedic concept, giloy is a rasayana herb- A herb that enhances longevity, promotes intelligence and prevents diseases. Giloy can be easily cultivated in the garden. It propagates through the stem cuttings. It grows well in semi shade. It requires moist soil. At home one can harvest the stems in hot season and extract juice and dry it. Once the liquid dries up, white starch is left behind. This is used as medicine. Fresh juice can also be extracted and taken. Capsules of the extracts of guduchi of many well known brands are available in the market.

                                                                                       

                                                                                                      GILOY