Guduchi: The Ayurvedic Amrutha

Guduchi is well renowned for its immense health benefits. The name of Guduchi or Amrutha is derived from the heavenly ambrosia: Amrutha, the hidden secret of longevity of the celestial beings that, when consumed, bestows one with eternal youth and vitality.

The sacred Hindu text of Ramayana mentions that when Ravana, the demon king, abducted Sita, the wife of King Rama, an ensuing battle led to the death of Rama’s monkey army or vanara sena. A disconsolate Rama requested Lord Indra, king of Gods, to resurrect his dead army. Upon hearing his wish, Lord Indra sprinkled nectar from heaven to revive the vanara sena. As the drops of nectar touched the monkeys, each one of them came back to life, and the drops which fell on Earth sprouted into the holy Amrutha plant. For the same reason, this herb is considered full of life force and is highly revered and widely used in Ayurveda.

Along with being an adaptogenic herb, Amrutha promotes immunity, improves digestion by eliminating ama, and supports the body’s natural cleansing process, making it an essential ingredient in many Ayurvedic formulations. Let us learn more about this wonder herb and its uses.

Guduchi Properties

Guduchi is a climbing herbaceous vine native to India. It has a fleshy stem with coiled branches. It has heart-shaped leaves and greenish-yellow flowers. It has katu and tikta or bitter and pungent rasa and sweet after digestion. It is laghu or light to digest and balances Tridoshas or all three doshas. It rejuvenates, improves agni, relieves thirst, burning sensation, diabetes, anemia, fever, and vomiting. It also improves vision and relieves difficulty in breathing, joint issues, and liver disorders.

Bhavaprakasha, an ancient ayurvedic treatise, has named it Chiinodbhava - able to grow even if cut, emphasizing that giloy is full of prana or life force, making it highly sattvic.

Benefits of Guduchi

Guduchi or giloy (Tinospora cordifloia) is used in folk and Ayurvedic medicine for various ailments. The name Guduchi itself means ‘that which protects the whole body’ in Sanskrit. Although the stem of giloy is most commonly used, its roots, leaves, and bark are also used. Here are a few giloy benefits-

Boosts Immunity

Giloy helps support the activity of white blood cells (WBCs) and thus boosts immunity. It improves the body’s strength to fight infections. It helps the body to fight stress and improve vitality as it is rich in alkaloids, glycosides, steroids, and other compounds, As it is an immunomodulator, it is also beneficial in auto-immune ailments like arthritis, psoriasis, and lupus. You can make a kadha by boiling two cups of water with 5-6 tulsi leaves, grated ginger, and a one-inch giloy stem.

Also read: Find Relief from Psoriasis with Ayurveda

Fights infections and fevers

One of the well-known benefits of giloy is its ability to fight infections and chronic, recurrent fevers. It is a Jvarahara or antipyretic herb traditionally used in malaria, fever, and dengue as kadha or dried herb mixed with honey. Several ayurvedic fever medicines contain Guduchi as a prominent ingredient because of its anti-inflammatory properties.

Promotes detoxification and liver health

Guduchi helps digestion owing to its deepana - pacahana or metabolism-promoting properties. This helps get rid of ama or accumulated metabolic toxins that are the cause of doshic imbalance and diseases in general. It promotes a healthy gut microbe and appetite. It is a powerful liver tonic that promotes the growth of healthy liver cells and is used in kamala (jaundice). Discuss with your healthcare professional which form suits you best.

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Promotes joint health

Giloy is a powerful anti-inflammatory and anti-arthritic herb. It is immensely useful in joint inflammation and muscle pain in conditions like arthritis. It balances the uric acid levels in the body, making it one of the best herbs for gout. Traditionally, powdered guduchi mixed with ginger is used to alleviate joint pain.

Relieves stress and anxiety

Guduchi is an adaptogenic herb. Adaptogens are a class of herbs that help manage stress, anxiety and restore balance. Giloy, a highly sattvic and nourishing herb, promotes the sattva guna of mind, promoting calmness and peace. It can enhance memory and other cognitive functions. In a 21-day study, the pure aqueous giloy root extract enhanced verbal learning and logical memory.

Prevents Urinary Disorders

Giloy is included in the mutravirechaniya group or herbs that help improve urinary output. As it is also dahaprashamana property or ability to relieve burning sensation, it is used in urinary infections and other disorders.

Balances Blood Sugar

Also known as Madhu nashini, Giloy is extremely useful in type 2 diabetes. It helps reduce oxidative stress and enhance insulin production, improving glucose metabolism. It helps control high blood sugar and its associated complications.

As it is a rasayana or rejuvenating herb, it helps in healthy aging and also helps maintain good skin health.

Kerala Ayurveda Medicines with Giloy (Guduchi)

At Kerala Ayurveda, we use Giloy in various herbal formulations you can buy online and deliver anywhere in India.

Amrutharishta

It is normal to feel fatigued after a fever or any infection. Feeling tired, lack of appetite, and strength are caused by accumulated ama or toxins in the body. Kerala Ayurveda Amrutharishta is an ancient herbal wine formulation containing Amruta and other potent herbs that help regain the strength of the body post-illness. It also boosts your immunity against colds and other seasonal infections.

Imugest

Kerala Ayurveda Imugest is an immunomodulatory herb that strengthens the immune system and helps you fight infections. With adaptogenic herbs like Giloy, ashwagandha, and other such herbs, Imugest enhances the body's natural defense against infections.

RG Plus Capsule

 

Kerala Ayurveda RG Plus Capsule is a proprietary formulation designed for joint pain, myalgia, muscle pain, and joint stiffness. With the power of herbs like Giloy, Guggulu, and Aswagandha improves bone health and joint mobility & flexibility. It strengthens your bones and imparts flexibility.

Glymin Tablet

Kerala Ayurveda Glymin tablet is enriched with prameha hara or anti-diabetic herbs like Giloy, jamun and amla that keep blood sugar levels in control. These blood sugar control tablets work well alongside your dietary precautions and other blood sugar control medicines to normalize blood sugar levels and prevent profound health implications from diabetes.

Manasamithra Vatakam Gulika

Manasamithra Vatakam is a herbal formulation with excellent mind-calming and dosha-balancing qualities, such as guduchi, shankhapushpi, Bala. It supports peace and calmness of mind without causing drowsiness. It helps you unwind and promotes normal, uninterrupted sleep.

Also read: Ayurveda for Sleep: Remedies and Medicines for Restful Sleep

Precautions

If you are taking allopathic medicines, consult your doctor to ensure no interaction between the two medications. If you are diabetic, make sure to consume Giloy within prescribed limits as it may reduce blood glucose levels rapidly. If you are pregnant or lactating, ask your doctor before consuming Giloy. Excessive consumption of Guduchi might cause constipation, a burning sensation, or stomach discomfort.

Key Takeaways

• Guduchi or Giloy is a well-known herb that helps boost immunity, digestion and the body’s natural cleansing.
• Guduchi is an adaptogenic herb that helps fight stress, improve vitality, fight infections and fevers, and promote detoxification and liver health,
• Giloy promotes joint health, relieves stress and anxiety, prevents urinary disorders, and balances blood sugar levels.
• You can consume Giloy as kadhas, powders, arishtams, or any such form after consulting your Doctor.