What is Tinospora cordifolia (Giloy)

Tinospora cordifolia, which is known by the common names heart-leaved moonseed, guduchi and giloy, is an herbaceous vine of the family Menispermaceae indigenous to the tropical areas of India, Myanmar and Sri Lanka

Giloy overview

Giloy (Tinospora cordifolia) is known as queen of all herbs. It is supposed to be the nectar of god Indra, that’s why, it is considered Amrita (pious liquid or nectar). It is used in the treatment and curing of many diseases and known as panacea for all the diseases and disorders. Giloy is useful in the promotion and restoration of health and make you ready for holistic well-being. It is helpful in de-stress and anxiety and having immunomodulatry effects. Besides, it has many unknown health benefits and uses. It is also very very useful in Dengue because it helps to increase the count of platelets

Botanical description

It is a large, deciduous extensively spreading climbing shrub with several elongated twining branches. Leaves simple, alternate, exstipulate, long petioles up to 15 cm long, roundish, pulvinate, both at the base and apex with the basal one longer and twisted partially and half way around. Lamina broadly ovate or ovate cordate, 10–20 cm long or 8– 15 cm broad, 7 nerved and deeply cordate at base, membranous, pubescent above, whitish tomentose with a prominent reticulum beneath.

Flowers unisexual, small on separate plants and appearing when plant is leafless, greenish yellow on axillary and terminal racemes. Male flowers clustered, female usually solitary. Sepals 6, free in two series of three each, the outer ones are smaller than the inner. Petals 6 free smaller than sepals, obovate and membranous

Medicinal benefits of giloy

Giloy is used in multiple drug formulations. It has many health benefits such as anti-inflammatory, anti-arthritic, anti-allergic, anti-malarial, anti-diabetic and anti-impotency. In the modern medical science, it is known as antioxidant. It is proven anti-endotoxic potential, bolsters host defence and decreases incidence of sepsis, stimulates phagocytosis, and proven efficacy inimmuno-compromised condition