INTRODUCTION
Plants have been known for their medicinal qualities long before prehistoric times. Among ancient civilizations in the world, India is widely known to be the richest repository of medicinal plants. Medicinal plants and traditional herbs are considered homemade remedies for many diseases in India since ancient times. Some plants are considered as an important source of nutrition and as a result, they are recommended for their therapeutic values as well. Giloy is considered as one such crucial medicine in the ayurvedic system of medicine.
In the Charak Samhita, a shloka referring to Guduchi or Amrita which is a Sanskrit name for Giloy is one of the main herbs that possesses a bitter taste but very much helps in digestion as well as to alleviate Vata and kapha dosha including helping cure constipation. It is native to India, Myanmar and Sri Lanka. It is majorly found in Bihar, West Bengal, Kerala and Karnataka in India. The botanical name for this herb is Tinospora cordifolia and it is also commonly referred to as Indian Tinospora or Heart-leaved moonseed in English. In Hindi it is named as Giloy or Gurachi. In different parts of our country, it is named differently.
It belongs to the family Menispermaceae, which is a genetically diverse, large, deciduous climbing shrub with greenish yellow typical flowers found at higher altitudes. Recently, the plant is of great interest to researchers across the globe, owing to its reported medicinal properties like antidiabetic, antiperiodic, antispasmodic, anti-inflammatory, anti-arthritic, antioxidant, anti-allergic, antistress, antileprotic, antimalarial, hepatoprotective, immunomodulatory and antineoplastic activities.
VARIOUS PARTS OF GILOY
Amrita is the Sanskrit name for Giloy (Guduchi), which means one that protects the entire body. The term Amrita is attributed to its ability to impart youthfulness, vitality and longevity. The stems of Tinospora cordifolia are rather succulent with long filiform fleshy aerial roots from the branches. The stem appears in varying thicknesses, ranging from 0.6 to 5 cm in diameter. Young stems are green with smooth surfaces and swelling at nodes, while the older ones show a light brown surface marked with warty protuberances. Due to circular lenticels, transversely smoothened surface shows a radial structure with conspicuous medullary rays traversing porous tissues; tastes bitter. The leaves (Heart-leaved moonseed) are membranous and cordate at base. Leaves alternate on long flexose petioles spreading 2-4 inches long, roundish, oval, entire, acute at the apex, quite smooth and thin. The leaves are quite bitter in taste with a distinct odour. When the leaves are seen in bulk, they look intensely green. Mature leaves contain a mix of both yellow and green.
The flowers are small and yellow or greenish yellow in colour. In axillary and terminal raceme or racemose panicles, the male flowers (androecium) are clustered and female flowers (Gynoecium) are usually solitary. The drupes are ovoid, glossy, succulent, red and pea sized. The seeds are curved. Fruits are fleshy and single seeded. Flowers grow during summer while the fruits, during winter. The bark is creamy white to gray, deeply left spirally, the space in between being spotted with large rosette-like lenticels.
HEALTH BENEFITS
Anti-diabetic potential of Giloy:
Various phytoconstituents isolated from different parts of Giloy are responsible for cure of diabetes mellitus. These phytochemicals include alkaloids, tannins, cardiac glycosides, flavonoids, saponins and steroids. It is a natural way to control blood sugar levels and can be helpful for those with diabetes. It also helps to manage diabetes-related complications such as ulcer, kidney disease and wound healing. Take ½ teaspoon of Giloy powder two times in a day with lukewarm water after finishing your lunch and dinner.
Anti-HIV potential of Giloy:
Root extracts of Giloy have shown an important effect in modulating the immune system positively in HIV positive patients. This immunomodulatory response of extracts of Giloy stem is owing to its ability to reduce eosinophil count, stimulation of B lymphocytes, macrophages, level of haemoglobin and polymorphonuclear leukocytes.
Anti-Cancer potential of Giloy:
It is useful for treating breast cancer, owing to its anti-proliferative properties. Rutin and quercetin present in Giloy inhibit cell proliferation and growth of breast cancer properties. Take 2-3 teaspoons of Giloy juice and add the same quantity of water and drink on an empty stomach every morning. Continue for at least 2-3 months for better results.
Benefits of Giloy for high Cholesterol:
It helps to control high cholesterol levels in the body by improving the metabolism, apart from also removing toxins from the body. Take 2-3 teaspoons of fresh Giloy juice, add a glass of water and drink it.
Benefits of Giloy for Diarrhoea:
It helps to reduce digestion-related problems such as indigestion, hyperacidity and flatulence. Take ¼ – ½ teaspoon of Giloy powder, add one glass of lukewarm water and mix well. Have it after lunch and dinner.
Other Benefits of Giloy:
PRECAUTIONS WHILE USING GILOY
1. Blood sugar level can drop
Cause – Giloy is a natural way to control blood sugar level and can be helpful for those with diabetes. It works efficiently by bringing down the glucose level in a diabetic patient. However, if people consume it along with diabetes medicine, it may cause blood sugar levels to drop.
2. It might be harmful for pregnant women
Cause – Pregnant and breastfeeding women should avoid intake of Giloy. The impact of Giloy on this demography has not yet been medically authorized.
3. Certain autoimmune diseases could get generated
Cause – Giloy has immunity booster properties. However, if too much of the same is consumed, it can over stimulate your immune system which can lead to complications. Hence, it is best for patients who are diagnosed with auto-immune disease such as lupus to avoid the consumption of the same.
References:
1. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3644751/
2. Cultivation and Medicinal Properties of Giloy [ cordifolia (Thunb.) Miers] June 2019
3. Medicinal Plant: Giloy September 2020 – DOI:10.24941/ijcr.39316.08.2020
4. https://www.planetayurveda.com/library/guduchi-giloy-tinospora-cordifolia/
5. https://www.ias.ac.in/article/fulltext/jgen/091/01/0099-0103 Edition – 2019 Research and methodologies and medical statistics
