Giloy: The National Herb Of India

Giloy an Ayurvedic herb advocated in Indian medicine for ages due to its medicinal uses. Our expert, Dr. Rajyalakshmi Madhavam talks about it which is also mentioned as the ‘nectar of immortality’.

Ayurveda, an ancient medicinal practice in India, is now gradually gaining more popularity again. People today are more willing to use natural herbs in their treatment of any kind, rather than chemically prepared drugs. Therefore, we bring to you a very famous herb Tinospora Cordifolia used in many Ayurvedic treatments and popularly known as Guduchi or Giloy.

Our Ayurvedic expert, Dr. Rajyalakshmi Madhavam, MD Ayurveda, Professor at AMD Ayurvedic Medical College, Hyderabad explains, “Guduchi, Giloy or Amrita are all names of one most potential herb described in Ayurvedic classics. The name Amrita is derived from ancient Hindu scriptures where Amrita was used to bring the dead person back to life and keep God free from illness and old age. It is mentioned as the ‘nectar of immortality’”.

Giloy for health

Guduchi has various benefits and serves as a cure for many diseases as defined in ayurveda. Dr. Rajyalakshmi tells us some of those benefits.

1. Anti Diabetic: Giloy is useful in a very common disease these days, i.e. Diabetes and is helpful in bringing down the blood sugar level.
2. Antipyretic: Giloy is helpful in bringing down or reducing body temperature.
3. Antispasmodic: It reduces spasmodic pains in the body.
4. Anti-Inflammatory: it reduces inflammation in tissues
5. Anti Arthritic: Giloy is useful in rheumatoid arthritis and it brings down uric acid levels in Gouty arthritis.
6. Giloy also works as an antioxidant and immunomodulator.
7. It is helpful in reducing stress levels and anxiety, which is very common amongst youth today.
8. It also has some antimalarial properties, a disease which is very common during the monsoons.
9. It works as an anti-allergic. Many people are allergic to several things like dust, sun, or certain foods and thus, Giloy may be helpful to them.
10. It is used in treating certain skin diseases such as Eczema, Leprosy, etc.
11. Giloy is hepatoprotective, which means it has the ability to prevent liver damage and prevents the liver against toxins.
12. It also has anti cancerous properties. It fights against the neoplasms or new growths of tissues in certain body parts that are cancerous.

Guduchi can be consumed in the form of tablets, powder, kashayam tablets or guduchi satva only after consulting an Ayurvedic physician. It can be taken along with water or honey or as prescribed by the doctor.

Dr. Rajyalakshmi says, “So much of Research has been done on Guduchi and proved its versatility in treating many ailments. In Rigveda and Atharvaveda it is mentioned that the Guduchi that grows on Neem trees has better potential and gives better immunomodulatory activity”.

She further informs that the Ministry of Ayush with collaboration with CSIR (Council of scientific and industrial research) has started clinical trials testing the formulation of Guduchi and other ayurvedic herbs in fighting the novel coronavirus. She says that With the high antioxidants, Guduchi boosts immunity and fights free radicals. As it.

is having antipyretic property and resolves respiratory problems, can be helpful in

Fighting some of the symptoms associated with COVID-19. “Recently, considering its virtues of medicinal utility, Govt. of India, “honored Guduchi and declared it as a Rashtriya aushadhi (National herb) of India''. Therefore, loaded with benefits, Giloy is a herb being used since ancient times in our country and we can hope that it will also come as a rescue along with some other herbs in India’s fight against the novel coronavirus disease.