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Tinospora Cordifolia – Benefits, Uses, and Side Effects

Tinospora Cordifolia

Tinospora cordifolia, also known as heartleaf moonseed, Guduchi, Giloy, and amrit, is a herbaceous vine native to tropical regions of the Indian subcontinent.

Tinospora Cordifolia grows in India, Burma and Sri Lanka and has long been used in traditional Ayurvedic medicine as a rejuvenating tonic.

Ancient Ayurvedic texts refer to this plant as “amrita” or “amrit,” which roughly translates to “immortality”, as it is believed to treat a wide range of ailments.

T. cordifolia (commonly known as guduchi, giloy or amrit) is used in traditional Ayurvedic medicine to treat jaundice, diabetes and arthritis and stimulate the immune system. Additionally, guduchi may provide various health benefits when taken as dietary supplements, though more research is needed to confirm these guduchi benefits.

Experiments show that guduchi or tinospora cordifolia extracts have many potential health benefits that may help support your immune system and reduce symptoms of certain chronic conditions. Unfortunately, there are few clinical studies on T. cordifolia or amrit supplements, and not much is known about the long-term effects of this supplement, so this article will examine the effects, uses and potential side effects of this herbal supplement.

What is Guduchi?

Guduchi

Tinospora cordifolia (commonly called guduchi) is a deciduous climbing vine with heart-shaped leaves and reddish fruit native to tropical regions of India, Burma and Sri Lanka. Guduchi is often cut, dried and powdered for supplements, and many users claim that giloy benefits many chronic conditions and boosts immune response.

In India, guduchi is widely used as a Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM), as it is believed to have many beneficial effects on immune function, metabolism, and more. However, there are very few clinical studies on guduchi, so many of these purported giloy benefits are unproven.

Health Benefits of Gudulchi

Guduchi is highly regarded in India – it is officially recognized in the Indian Pharmacopoeia and was promoted as an “immunity booster” by the Ministry of Ayush during the COVID-19 pandemic. In contrast, tinospora cordifolia is relatively unheard of in the US, and health authorities (the FDA, CDC, etc.) do not approve it to treat any health conditions.

NOTE: The Ministry of Ayurveda, Yoga, Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, Sowa-Rigpa, and Homoeopathy (AYUSH) is a government organization dedicated to researching and promoting traditional systems of healthcare in India.

Whether you believe that it can cure the common cold or treat symptoms of arthritis, there are many known guduchi benefits, including:

Boosts Immune Health

Guduchi is rich in antioxidants and is said to have immune-boosting properties that can help protect the body against infections and diseases by stimulating the production of white blood cells.

Reduces Inflammation

Amrit has anti-inflammatory properties that can help reduce inflammation and potentially manage symptoms of conditions like arthritis, which are linked to chronic inflammation.

Improves Digestion

According to its supporters, giloy benefits digestion and reduces bloating, constipation, and indigestion by stimulating the production of digestive enzymes.

Reduces Stress

Guduchi is an adaptogenic herb that can help the body cope with stress, and preliminary research shows that guduchi benefits the nervous system and can help reduce anxiety.

How to Use Gudulchi

All parts of the tinospora cordifolia are useful for medicinal uses, and guduchi powder is widely available online and in certain specialist stores. Guduchi has almost as many uses as it does potential health benefits, and you can take it in various ways, from making tea from dried leaves to taking pill-based guduchi supplements.

While there is no official dosage for guduchi, most sources recommend ½ – 2 teaspoons of powdered guduchi per day, or roughly 300-500mg to enjoy the

To help you make the most of these giloy benefits, we’ve provided a short list of the best ways to use giloy below, including tips and recommendations:

Guduchi Drinks

Powdered giloy is water soluble, so you can mix it in warm water, honey, or milk to make a herbal tonic. You could even add it to your morning smoothie for a tasty way to enjoy the guduchi benefits.

Guduchi Supplements

Dietary supplements are a convenient way to enjoy the benefits of guduchi, as they usually contain pure powdered amrit in a pill or capsule form and can be easily ordered online.

Topical Applications

Topical products like massage oil and skin balms with giloy may help improve skin health, thanks to giloy benefits like anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects.

Chyavanprash

This traditional Ayurvedic preparation is basically a medicinal jam packed full of fruit, herbs, and spices believed to promote general health and can be consumed like normal jelly.

Side Effects

Limited clinical studies show that supplementing with tinospora cordifolia (giloy) is generally safe in Ayurvedic therapeutic doses, though it may cause minor stomach issues such as nausea. However, tinospora crispa (medicinally interchangeable and related to T. cordifolia) is associated with liver damage in people with autoimmune disorders.

For these reasons, we strongly recommend using pure T. cordifoloia supplements from trusted suppliers and only taking them in the recommended doses. Fortunately, most serious side effects result from people taking T. crispa or excessive amounts of amrit, so there is little evidence of adverse effects from guduchi supplements.

Conclusion

Tinospora cordifolia has many different names and potentially even more health benefits, as it has noted antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects which may help manage various conditions and improve overall health. So, whether you prefer the Sanskrit or Latin names, there are plenty of guduchi benefits to recommend this herbal supplement.

Guduchi may help boost immunity, reduce inflammation, improve digestion, and reduce stress, making it a highly promising herbal supplement. But as with any herbal supplement, we strongly recommend searching for supplements from trusted suppliers (ideally with third-party certification) and sticking to the recommended dosage.

Many amrit supplements contain T. crispa, which may increase the risk of liver damage in people with autoimmune disorders, so it’s definitely worth doing your homework and double-checking the ingredients list.

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Dr Wasim Khan

Medically Reviewed by

Dr. Wasim Khan’s areas of expertise lie in understanding the role of dietary supplements and vitamins in healthcare. His in-depth knowledge allows him to provide comprehensive advice and help you make informed decisions about your nutritional intake and supplement usage.

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