Tinospora cordifolia

Giloi or Guduchi (Tinospora cordifolia) occupies an important place in Ayurvedic medicine. This potent herb revered as “Amrit” (nectar) is used as an integral ingredient in numerous Ayurvedic formulations since ancient times.The stem and leaves of this climbing herb are used for medicinal purposes. A starch-like extract called satva, derived from the stem of Giloi is also known to have curative properties.Ayurveda considers Giloi to be a tridoshic herb, implying that it has the potential to harmonize the tridosha. It is known to be astringent (kashaya) and bitter (tikta) in taste (rasa), hot (ushna) in potency (virya) and light (laghu) and oily (snigdha) in quality (guna).Giloi has a long list of medicinal properties- it is anti-inflammatory, anti-diabetic, anti-pyretic, anti-arthritic, diuretic and detoxifying in nature. Its health benefits can be attributed to presence of chemical compounds such as alkaloids, glucosides, volatile oils and fatty acids.