What are giloy benefits ? ? Can i take it with other medicines ? These are many question asked by many patients visiting us.
Giloy, also known as guduchi, is an very popular herb mentioned in Ayurvedic medicine. It has gained immence popularity during covid pandemic. This herb was very helpful to people to boost immunity and fight infections. In this article we will see what are the benefits of giloy,how to use it and what are the precaution while using giloy
The herb’s stem and leaves are the primary part used in medicinal formulations, containing a wealth of bioactive compounds such as terpanoids, alkaloids, lignans and steroids.
Latin Name: Tinospora cardifolia
Family : Menispermaceae
Vernacular Names:
- Hindi: Giloy , Giloi
- Bengali: Giloy, Gulancha
- Tamil: Amridavalu, pattgai
- Telugu: dussiramu,tippatige
- Kannada: agnibali, amrutaballi
- Malayalam: Amritavalli,chintamrith
- Marathi: Ambervel, Gudvel
- Gujarati: Gulo, Galo, Gado
- Punjabi: Batindu,Gilogularich
Sanskrit Name:
Amrita : means immortality
Guduchi : One which protects from diseases.
Chakrangi : wheel like appearance
Chhinruha : Regularly grows even if it is cut
Somavalli, Vayastha, Madhuparni Amravalli,Kundali, Guduchika are other sanskrit names.
Giloy Benefits in Ayurveda
Giloy holds a very important place in Ayurveda as a antipyritic (fever), immunomodulator ( boost immunity) and one that balances all three doshas (Vata, Pitta, and Kapha), with a primary focus on calming kapha and pitta . It is especially prized for its effects on the rejuvenation and boosting immunity.
Ras ( Taste)
- Kashay ( Astringent)
- Tikta (Bitter)
Veerya ( Potency)
- Ushna (Hot)
Vipaak ( Post-digestive effect)
- Madhur (Sweet)
Guna ( Qualities)
- Laghu (Lightness)
- Snigdha (Oily)
Benefits of Giloy
Helps to relieve gout
In Ayurveda gout is known as Vata- rakth . Giloy is helpful in pacifying the Vata dosha and cleanzing the blood. It is an excellent anti inflammatory and helps is reducing swelling, redness and hotness associated with inflammation. This property of giloy benefits in relieving pain and swelling in joints due to aggravated Vata dosha and rakth.
Lowers blood sugar levels
Many animal studies have shown that giloy is helpful in reducing the blood sugar level by making cells less insulin resistant.
Berberine is one of the alkoloid found in giloy. The berberine helps to reduce blood sugar levels in same way as metformin.
Moreover the tikht ( bitter) and kashay (astringent) taste of giloy helps to balance kapha dosha which in the causative factor for diabetes as per Ayurveda.
Boost Immune System
Giloy is a hot potency herb and have bitter and astringent taste . Because of this quality of giloy it helps to balance kapha dosha. Moreover the Sweet conversion after digestion helps to balance Vata dosha.
Balancing this Vata-Pitta dosha helps in fighting problems realted with allergies, hay fever and allievate symptoms such as runny and stuffy nose.
Benefits of giloy in fever & dengue
Giloy helps in reducing fever due to its Javarghana (antipyretic) property. As per Ayurveda, there are two factors leading to high fever, first is Ama and second is any foreign particle or organisms. Guduchi helps reduce fever by improving digestion and absorption due to its Deepan (appetizer) and Pachan (digestive) properties which in turn prevents the formation of Ama. It also improves immunity to fight foreign particles or organisms due to its Rasayana property.
Benefits of giloy in cancer
Giloy is helpful in prevention of cancer because of it’s rasayani ( rejuvenative ) qulaity. It helps in digesting the toxins ( Ama) accumulated in the cells and gives new life to cells. Giloy might help reduce the risk of cancer as it helps to balance all the three dosha’s Vata,Pitta and Kapha.
Medicinal Qualities of Giloy
Rasayani : one that rejuvenates the body
Agni deepani: Improves digestive fire
Amahar : Helps to digest indigested food and Ama.
Sangrahi : It is of absorptive nature and useful in malabsorption.
Balya: Improves strength.
Trushnahar : Relieves excessive thirst .
Dahahar : Relives burning sensation in the body.
Mehahar : Useful in management of diabetes and urinary tract infections .
Jwarhara: Helps to relieve fever .
Panduhar : Relieves anemia.
Vata-Rakthahar : Useful in gouty arthritis.
Kamalahar : Help is treatment of Jaundice and other liver disorders
Kusthhar : Useful in skin diseases.
Vyasthapni : It is having anti ageing properties.
How is Giloy Satva prepared
According to Ayurveda, Satva is the process of extracting starch to use it for medicinal purpose.
How to make Giloy Satva:
1. Take Giloy stem and a vessel.
2. Crush roughly and soak in enough water for about 6-8 hours in the vessel.
3. After this, mash the stem properly to enable the release of starch into the water.
4. Place the vessel undisturbed for sometime to allow the starch to settle down at the bottom.
5. Take out the clear water carefully without disturbing the starch sediment.
6. Dry this starch completely under shade to get Giloy Satva.
Giloy satva is tasty,light and carminative. It is
Chakshuya : good for eyes
Dhautvardhak : improves strength and vitality
Medhya : good for boosting memory.
Vyasthapak : have antiageing effect.
It is useful in treatment of anemia ( pandu), fever (jvar), jaundice(kamala), urinary disorders (prameha), asthma ( shwas), piles ( Arsh), burning sensation( daha), menorrhegia( pradar) and white discharge ( somrog).
How to use Giloy
Giloy Juice
a. Take 2-3 teaspoon of Giloy juice.
b. Add the same quantity of water.
c. Drink it preferably before meals once or twice a day to boost your immunity.
2. Giloy Satva
a. Take 1/2 teaspoon of Giloy satva.
b. Mix it with honey and take it twice a day after taking food, for effective relief in liver disorders.
3. Giloy Churna
a. Take ½ teaspoon of Giloy churna.
b. Mix it with honey or drink it with lukewarm water.
c. Take it preferably after meals twice a day.
4. Giloy Kwath
a. Take 1-2 teaspoon of Giloy powder.
b. Add to 2 cups of water and boil it till the volume reduces to 1/2 cup.
c. Drink it twice a day, preferably before or after lunch and dinner.
5. Giloy Ghan Vati (Tablet)
a. Take 1-2 Giloy Ghan vati.
b. Swallow it with water after taking food twice a day.
6. Giloy Capsule
a. Take 1-2 Giloy capsule.
b. Swallow it with water after taking food twice a day.
Home Remedies of Giloy
In Arthritis : Take stem of Giloy and dry ginger. Add 2 cup of water and then boil it till one cup is remaining. Drink this decoction daily two times a day help relieving pain and stiffness in joints.
For Uric acid : Take 4 cup of water then add giloy stem,gokhru and dried amla to it. Then boil it till it become half. Add 5 ml ( 1 teaspoon) castor oil drink this kwath ( decoction) two times daily helps in lowering the uric acid in the body.
Increase Breast Milk : Make decoction of giloy and add this decoction to milk .Drink this milk to increase production of breast milk after delivery.
In Eye disorder : Make a kadha ( decoction) of giloy and triphala. Then add 1 teaspoon of honey to it. Drink this tea will help overcome eye disorders.
Cautions And Contraindications
Giloy may cause the immune system to become more active which could further increase the symptoms of autoimmune diseases. Therefore, it is advisable to avoid Giloy if you are suffering from autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis and lupus (systemic lupus erythematosus).
Avoid medicinal use of Giloy during pregnancy due to the lack of scientific evidence
Frequently asked question
1.Can this herb be used while taking homoepathic medicine ?
Yes. This herb does not react with homeopathic medicine.
2.Can this herb/medicine be continued while taking supplements like multivitamin, omega 3, spirulina.
Yes .Generally this herb goes well with most dietary supplement. However if you are taking more than one product per day please consult your doctor for opinion.
3. With western/modern medicine
Seek your doctors advice if you are taking this product along with other western (allopathic/modern) medicine. Some ayurvedic herbs can interact with modern medicine.
When taking ayurvedic medicine or herb with modern medicine it is best to keep one hour gap in between both the medicine.
4. How long does Giloy take to start showing result ?
It depend on any existing disease, overall health, your prakriti ( genetic make up) all these factors plays a role in how quickly giloy work. However it is observed that results are usually visible in 1-2 weeks or even months.
5.Can it be used in people with diabetes?
Yes. But always keep watch on your sugar levels. This herb can lower your blood sugar levels. Do not stop your diabetes medicine once you start taking this herb/medicine. Keep in touch with your ayurvedic doctor. They will guide you in this respect.
6.Are there any diet restriction( Pathya) while taking this product.
No .There are no such restriction while taking this product. However if you have been adviced with any specific diet based on disease, you should continue to follow it.
7. Does Giloy increases Platelets ?
Yes. Giloy help to increase platelets count because of its Rasayana properties. I have seen so many people improve there platelets count after consuming Giloy.
8. Can i take giloy juice for one year or lifetime ?
Altough Giloy have no side effect however it is not recommended to take it for a long time as it may become satmya ( habitutual). Body will no longer show improvement. So always consult Ayurvedic doctor to decide how long you should take giloy.
Ayurvedic medicine that contains Giloy
Giloy (Tinospera Cardifolia) is main ingriedients in following medicines
Amritarishtam: It is a special ayurvedic preparation with combination of herbs mainly containing Giloy and is useful in chronic fever, malaria fever and dengue. etc .
Siva gutika : used for varieties of diseases such as liver and spleen disorder .
Giloy ghan vati : A herbal extract tablet useful in asthma, allergic rhinitis.
Conclusion
Giloy (Tinospora cardifolia) is a one of Ayurvedic herb, revered for its digestive and respiratory properties. Whether for improving digestion, pain relief, or overall vitality, Guduchi continues to be a trusted herb for promoting health and well-being in a natural and holistic way.
Please consult your doctor before taking this medicine.
This Article is written by Dr. Ashutosh Tiwari B.A.M.S, PGDCR Director of Risha’s Health And Ayurvedaa Solutions.He is having more than 20 years of experience in field of Ayurvedic medicine.
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