Ayurveda Medicinal Properties of Guduchi
The herb Guduchi is a climber. It belongs to Minispermaceae family and has a botanical name Tinospora Cardifolia. This herb usually grows in tropical regions and is available in abundance in India, Myanmar and Srilanaka. The climber bears heart shaped leaves and yellow colored flowers. The fruits are round and turn to bright red color when ripe. It is also known as Giloy in Hindi.
Herbalists all over the world laud the adoptogenic properties of Tinospora Cardifolia. (Adoptogenic herbs boost body resistance; reduce stress, anxiety and fatigue). Diterpene, tinosporone, cardifoliside, berberine, giloin are the important constituents of this herb.
Guduchi is being used in ayurveda system of medicines since ages. According to texts of ayurveda Guduchi has both bitter and astringent tastes. It increases moistness of body tissues, has hot potency and is heavy to digest. Due to these properties this herb normalizes all the three doshas, kapha, vata and pitta when used with honey, ghee and sugar respectively.
Medicinal properties of Guduchi:
External uses: Guduchi is very effective in skin disorders. It helps to boost resistance of skin to microbes and is found effective in leprosy and ulcers formed due to gout. This herb heals the herpes lesions and also accelerates the healing process of wounds in venereal diseases.
Digestive system: Usage of Guduchi is indicated in conditions like indigestion, excess thirst, acidity, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), dysentery and vomiting. It is a good anti spasmodic and reduces stomach pain which arises due to intestinal spasms. Giloy is a very good hepatotonic.Preparations of this herb is very effective in jaundice, hepatic fibrosis and other diseases related to liver. This herb expels toxins accumulated in liver.
Circulatory system: Texts of Ayurveda eulogize this herb as a cardiac tonic as it strengthens the heart. Guduchi helps to purify blood and expel the toxins which are circulating in it. Because of this property it is useful in gout to control blood uric acid level.
Respiratory system: It strengthens the lungs and reduces chronic cough.
Reproductive system: Few herbal aphrodisiac preparations contain guduchi as their ingredient. Due to aphrodisiac properties it increases sperm count and sperm motility. Its adaptogen properties revitalize the male reproductive system and help in conditions like erectile dysfunction and premature ejaculation.
Excretory System: Guduchi strengthens the urinary system and increases the resistance of inner layers of bladder and urethra to fight repeated urinary tract infections.
Giloy is very effective in diabetes and reduces fever. It boosts immunity and increases body energy level. Due to its anti microbial property the growth of micro organisms is inhibited in body. This boosts body resistance to diseases. Herbal preparations of this wonder herb help immensely in diseases of joints like arthritis and gout.