Guduchi Does Not Damage Liver

Reacting to the report in certain sections of the media that Giloy/Guduchi causes liver- damage, the Ministry of Ayush has reiterated that Giloy/Gudduchi (Tinospora cordifolia) is safe and as per available data, it does not produce any toxic effect.

In Ayurveda, Guduchi is said to be the best rejuvenating herb. Acute toxicity studies of aqueous extract of Guduchi reports that it does not produce any toxic effect. However, the safety of a drug depends on how it is being used. Dosage is one of the important factors that determine the safety of a particular drug.

In a study, lower concentration of Guduchi powder is found to increase the life span of fruit flies (Drosophila Melanogaster). At the same time, higher concentration progressively reduced the life span of flies. This clearly indicates that an optimum dosage should be maintained in order to get the desired effects. This infers that the medicinal herb has to be used in an appropriate dose as prescribed by a qualified physician to get medicinal effects.

With the wide range of actions and abundant components, Guduchi is a real treasure among herbal drug sources, the Ayush Ministry says. Medicinal applications of Guduchi in countering various disorders and its use as antioxidant, anti-hyperglycemic, anti-hyperlipidemic, hepatoprotective, cardiovascular protective, neuroprotective, osteoprotective, radioprotective, anti-anxiety, adaptogenic, analgesic, anti-inflammatory, antipyretic, anti-diarrheal, anti-ulcer, anti-microbial, and anti-cancer have been well established.

A special focus has been made on its health benefits in treating various metabolic disorders and its potential as an immune booster. It is used as a major component of therapeutics for ameliorating metabolic, endocrinal, and several other ailments, aiding in the betterment of human life expectancy. It is a popularly known herb for its immense therapeutic applications in traditional systems of medicine and has been used in the management of COVID-19. Considering the overall health benefits, the herb cannot be claimed to be toxic.

The latest research findings talk of the importance of a healthy gut microbiome as a source of balanced immunity and good health. Some plant based prebiotics are hugely preferred as they contain a group of polysaccharides including arabinose and arabinogalactans from the stem of the Giloy / Guduchi plant that acts as food/nutrient for good bacteria in the gut, thereby promoting a healthy microbiome in the gut, and which repopulate and restore healthy gut ecosystem.

Giloy has been hailed for its medicinal properties and a host of health benefits. The scientific name of this age-old miraculous herb is Tinospora Cordifolia and it is also known as ‘Amrita’ in Sanskrit, which literally translates to ‘nectar of life’.

Here are 10 well documented benefits of wonderful plant Guduchi/Giloy are enumerated below:

1. Immunomodulator

Giloy boosts the phagocytic activity of macrophages which are the first line of defense in our body and play a crucial role in innate (nonspecific) and adaptive (specific) immunity. Also it remarkably augments the production of cytokines, up-regulates interleukin-6 (IL-6) and enhances antigen specific recall response.

2. Antioxidant

The presence of flavonoids and polyphenols in Tinospora cordifolia is attributed to its free radical scavenging activity. Giloy serves as a source of nutraceuticals that alleviate the oxidative stress and helps in prevention and reduction of the chronic degenerative diseases with consequent health benefits.

3. Anti-arthritic

Giloy helps to reduce joint pain and inflammation associated with arthritis by decreasing the synthesis of proinflammatory cytokines like IL-1β, IL-17 and tumor necrosis factorα.

4. Anti-osteoporotic

Giloy stimulates the growth of osteoblasts, increases the differentiation of cells into osteoblastic lineage and also improves the mineralization of bone matrix.

5. Hepatoprotective

Giloy is an efficient hepatoprotective agent because of its ability to scavenge free ROS, which promotes hepatic regeneration. Giloy also increases the glutathione (GSH) level and supports the liver to detoxify toxic waste from the body.

6. Cardioprotective

Giloy modulates lipid metabolism via inhibiting glucuronide and cholesterol and also protects hearts against infarction with its antioxidant properties.

7. Neuroprotective

Giloy possesses significant neuroprotective activity, it modulates the antioxidant enzyme system of brain tissue and preserves dopaminergic neurons. Giloy also enhances cognition (learning and memory) by increasing the synthesis of acetylcholine neurotransmitters.

8. Anti-diabetic

Giloy works like a hypoglycemic agent; it stimulates the production of insulin secretion from the pancreas and helps to lower blood sugar levels. Giloy also improves the long term cellular insulin sensitivity that helps manage diabetes well.

9. Prevent respiratory illness

Giloy has been preferred traditionally to treat ailments such as bronchitis and chronic cough. Due to its powerful anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties it pacifies the mucous membrane of the respiratory system thereby making it very effective in respiratory issues like asthma, cough, cold and tonsils.

10. Anti-ageing

Giloy is an effective anti-ageing herb. Rich in flavonoids, it fights against cell damage and initiates new cell growth. It also nourishes the skin and enhances collagen production to reduce the visible signs of aging. The world will never be the same and we have to adopt the fact that we have to learn to live with the virus, as preventive aspect we have to keep our immune strong to protect ourselves and fight COVID-19 infection.

In sum, Giloy, the Ayurvedic plant, is a ray of hope for all of us that can help us to keep our immune strong and our body disease free with its incredible benefits.