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Giloy is gaining quite a popularity these days for its immunity properties. But, how many of you know about its origin and importance as a medicinal herb in Ayurveda? Let’s tell you in detail.

 

Origin and Description

Giloy is a shrub plant with heart-shaped leaves. In the botanical terminology, it is referred to as Tinospora Cordifolia. But is also commonly known by other names such as Guduchi, Amrita, Ambervel, and heart-leaved moonseed. It is considered a versatile resource for all forms of life.

 

Giloy is mainly native to tropical areas of India, Sri Lanka, and Myanmar. Its roots, stems, and leaves are used in the form of Ayurvedic medicines. It has unique medicinal properties:

 

    - Pungent and bitter in taste.
    - Conversion to sweet taste after digestion.
    - Hot in potency.

 

Giloy plant’s extracts contain biologically active compounds such as alkaloids, glycosides, lactones, bitters, steroids, and many more. All these active compounds have excellent immune modulators. They also have several physiological benefits which make the plant very versatile and valuable for various Ayurvedic treatments. Hence, Ayurveda also uses it in various generic formulations.

 

Benefits

 

1. Aqueous Tinospora extracts influence stimulation, and activation of immune effectors cells. Basically, it decreases toxicity from your body and acts as a blood purifier, thereby increasing your immunity.

 

2. Giloy mitigates and balances all three Doshas – Vatta, Kapha, and Pitta.

 

3. It also has anti-inflammation properties.

 

4. It removes toxic waste from the stomach, aids in digestion, and rekindles the digestive fire.

 

5. It stimulates the growth of osteoblasts (bone cells), increasing the differentiation of cells into the osteoblastic lineage and also increasing the mineralization of bone-like matrix. This further induces a significant increase in the thickness of joint cartilage and thereby prevents osteoporosis and osteoarthritis.

 

6. It has anti-diabetic potential through its action of mitigating Oxidative Stress (OS), promoting insulin secretion, and also by inhibiting gluconeogenesis and glycogenolysis, thereby regulating blood glucose. The presence of bitterness aids in low blood sugar levels.

 

7. The Guduchi extract helps to exhibit a reduction in eosinophil count, stimulation of B lymphocytes, macrophages, white blood cells, and average hemoglobin percentage. Hence Guduchi extract may be used in various ailments as adjuvant therapy.

 

8. It also helps to treat skin diseases, piles, jaundice, fever of unknown origin, and many other ailments.

 

Consumption of Giloy

It is recommended to consume Giloy as a natural herbal supplement.

 

You can consume half to one tsp Giloy Powder with half a glass of Amla juice two times a day after food or with two tsp Chywanprash. You can even add the one tsp powder in smoothies or healthy beverages.

 

Alternatively, you can take Giloy Extract Veg Capsules twice a day – one in the morning and one in the evening.

 

Both Guduchi powder and capsules are 100% natural, vegan, and gluten-free, which make them completely safe for consumption for both men and women.

 

Source: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3644751/

 

 

Also Read: Moringa Powder: The Superfood Of Our Body