Herb of the Month
Giloy
Botanical Name:
Tinospora Cordifolia
Family: Menispermaceae
Description :
A
large, glabrous deciduous climbing shrub. The stems are rather
succulent with long filiform fleshy aerial roots form the branches.
The bark is gray brown and watery. The leaves are membranous and
cordate. The flowers small and greenish yellow. This herb is found
throughout tropical asia ascending to a height of 300 mts.
Stems - Fleshy
Roots - long thread like, aerial,arise from branches.
Bark - Thin, greyish or creamy white in colour, when
peeled fleshy stem is exposed.
Leaves - Cordate (heart shaped), membranous, juicy.
Flowers - Bloom during summer
Male flower - Small, yellow or green coloured occur in
clusters.
Female flower - Occur singly.
Fruits - Pea shaped, fleshy, shiny turn red when boiled.
Occur in winter
Seeds - curved, pea sized.
Part
Used: Stems, Roots
Healing
power and curative properties:
Immunity Disorders
:
Giloy or Amrita carries anti-inflammatory and antipyretic
properties. This herb has been used in Ayurvedic rasayanas since
centuries which is very helpful in building up the immune system
and the body's confrontation against definite infecting
organisms. In a scientific study conducted using human WBC
(white blood corpuscles), the Ayurvedic herb helps in increasing
the killing ability of macrophages, the resistant cells those
are accountable for fighting foreign materials as well as
microorganisms
Stomach Ulcer:
Giloy use for soothing inflamed
and injured mucous membranes in the digestive tract. This herb
protect the stomach and duodenum by increasing production of mucin,
a substance that protects the lining of these organs against stomach
acid and other harmful substances.
Urinary disorder :
This herb is used in
urinary affections. The juice of the roots is very much effective in
Urinary problems.
Mental Disorder :
The whole plant and the juice
of the leaves is traditionally used in various mental disorders.
This is regarded as one of the best psychotropic drugs in India.
Other uses :
There are many uses of Tinospora cordifolia. The stem is used in
conditions like generalized weakness , dyspepsia, pyrexias of
unknown origin (fevers), swine flu and many urinary tract
infections. The bitter properties present in the drug show
antiperiodic and antispasmodic properties which is again helpful in
preventing swine flu.
It is also used as an immune-modulator in immune-suppression
of certain ailments like as obstructive jaundice, hepatic
fibrosis, peritonitis and sepsis. The Tinospora or Giloy or
amrita has been exposed very effective in preventing fibrous
changes and promoting regeneration of the liver against CCl4
induced hepatic toxicity.
The herb
is also used in stomach ulcer, urinary affections, vitalizer and remedy for diabetes and metabolic
disorders.
Studies on induced oedema
and arthritis and on human arthritis proved anti-inflammatory
potency of the water extract of plant. It also has antipyretic
action. This drug relaxes the intestinal and uterine smooth muscles.
It is proved effective in prevention of fibrosis and in stimulating
regeneration in hepatic tissue.
Ayurvedic supplements that contains Giloy :
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