Benefits of Giloy

Certain plants are considered to be super-herbs by Ayurveda, benefitting a number of health conditions and ailments and boosting the body's general health and well-being. Giloy is one such essential herb in Ayurvedic literature. Here, we talk about the characteristics, benefits, and Ayurvedic profile of this herbal remedy.

What is Giloy?

Giloy is a perennial climbing vine found in tropical Asian countries like India, Sri Lanka, and South East Asian countries. The plant is also cultivated in many other tropical areas of the world.

Relationship between Guduchi and Giloy

Giloy is also known as Guduchi in Sanskrit. In Hindi, it is called Gurach. As per Ayurveda, Guduchi is a powerhouse herb and is a great Vata and Pitta pacifier. It also works well for Kapha dosha.

Characteristics of the Giloy Plant

Scientifically known as Tinospora cordifolia, Giloy is a climbing vine that belongs to the Solanaceae family, which also includes the potato, tomato, and tobacco. It has a thick woody root with heart-shaped leaves and red flowers.

The plant is found in tropical Asian countries like India, Sri Lanka, and South East Asian countries. It is also cultivated in many other tropical areas of the world. The herb is used for its medicinal properties to treat many health conditions.

What are the health benefits of using Giloy?

Anti-diabetic effects

Our body converts the bulk of the food we eat into sugar (glucose), which is subsequently released into our blood. An increase in blood sugar results in diabetes. One or two contemporary causes of diabetes include obesity and inactivity.

Concoctions and remedies containing Giloy have been shown to lower blood glucose levels when taken consistently. It can also improve the general blood glucose tolerance of the body, which may aid with lowering the severity of diabetes and its symptoms.[1]

Helps deal with Obesity

Obesity is a grave global health concern that is spreading quickly in both developed and developing countries. It is linked to a number of co-morbidities, including cognitive impairment, type 2 diabetes, and cardiovascular disease. Other than maintaining a healthy diet, using herbal remedies like Guduchi have shown remarkable results in controlling obesity.

Research has shown that Guduchi can help control body weight by having a positive effect on cellular homeostasis and energy metabolism.[2] Adding it to your diet can help bring your BMI under control and help with weight management.

Anti-HIV potential

HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) is a virus that attacks the body's immune system. If HIV is not treated, it can lead to AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome). There is currently no effective cure yet, unfortunately, but Giloy can help in sustaining oneself through the disease.

It has long been revered for its perceived benefits on the body's immune system. The root extract of T. cordifolia positively affects the immune system of an HIV-positive patient.[3] The stem extract lowers hemoglobin level, B lymphocyte stimulation, macrophage activity, and polymorphonuclear leucocyte activity.

Helps treat Alzheimer’s disease

Alzheimer’s disease is a brain disorder resulting in memory loss, poor judgement, and loss of mental spontaneity. Although there is no known treatment for Alzheimer's, one can lower the risk by staying active, eating a healthy diet, consuming less alcohol, and not smoking.

Alzheimer's disease and other neurological illnesses may be prevented by Tinospora cordifolia. Its phytochemical ingredients impacts oxidative stress, cell death, and inflammation. The extracts improve memory in both healthy and memory-impaired beings, in addition to improving cognitive skills in people with amnesia and sleep deprivation.[4]

Benefits of Giloy for Immunity

There are several factors that affect and improve the immunity of the human body. Giloy, as great a herb as it is, helps enhances many of those factors and elements. A study established remarkable antibacterial, antioxidant, and anticancer potential in T. cordifolia stem extracts.[5]

The alcoholic and/or aqueous extracts of the stem of the plant possess immunomodulatory, endocrine, hypolipidemic, anti-infective, antipyretic, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant activities.[6] With a wide array of benefits for the immune system, it can be a great health supplement that you can add to your daily diet.

Traditional Use of Giloy in Ayurveda

Giloy is considered to be warm and nourishing. It is said to be beneficial in the treatment of Pitta-related diseases, as well as Kapha-related disorders like respiratory infections and cough. 

Through the fat tissue layer known as rakta dhatu and meda dhatu, it simultaneously maintains healthy blood sugar levels. It also serves as a rasayana, or rejuvenative, for shukra dhatu, the reproductive tissues, and strengthens and safeguards majja dhatu, the nerve tissues. Ayurveda provides the following specifications for Giloy:

Rasa (taste): Bitter and Pungent
Vipaka (post-digestion taste): Sweet
Virya (action): Heating

It is quite sattvic and is supposed to give the user a feeling of levity, clarity, and uplift. All three doshas can benefit from guduchi, but vata and pitta in particular find it to be balanced due to their uncommon and singular mix of energetics.

Its heating activity, known as virya, makes it a potent detoxifier that works to eliminate accumulated natural toxins from the blood, liver, kidneys, joints, and joints.

Modern Scientific Research on Giloy

Several of the ayurvedic claims have been reviewed by medical researchers and many of them have testified the benefits of Giloy. A few of the research studies are listed below.

• “Antihyperglycaemic and antioxidant effect of hyponidd, an ayurvedic herbomineral formulation in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats” [7]
• “Tinospora cordifolia ameliorates brain functions impairments associated with high fat diet induced obesity” [8]
• “The chemical constituents and diverse pharmacological importance of Tinospora cordifolia” [9]
• “Scientific Validation of the Medicinal Efficacy of Tinospora cordifolia” [10]
• “Cordifolide A, a Sulfur-containing Clerodane Diterpene Glycoside from Tinospora cordifolia” [11]

How to take Giloy?

Giloy is easily available in the market and can be taken as a daily health supplement as a juice, powder, tablet or capsule.

Using Giloy Powder

It is recommended to take ½ teaspoon of Hesh’s Guduchi Powder once a day after a meal. You can take it directly with a glass of warm water, or mix it with your favourite smoothie.

Using Giloy Capsules

Capsules tend to break down more quickly than other forms and also have higher drug absorption. You can take Hesh’s Guduchi Vegan Capsules twice a day after meals for the best results. Take the capsules with a glass of water or warm milk.

Using Giloy juice

A very good source of vitamin C is giloy juice. Take a finger-log giloy stem, wash it thoroughly, and then boil it in two glasses of water until the water is reduced by half to make the juice. Drink it lukewarm.

Is it safe to take Giloy?

Giloy is a safe herb and is used in Ayurvedic treatments. It can be taken daily in small doses as a health supplement. It is suitable for all age groups. There are no known side effects of taking it. You can also grow it at home and use it to make various Ayurvedic remedies. However, as with any other herb, you should consult a doctor before taking it.