Tinospora/Giloy
Also known as
Latin : Tinospora cordifolia
English : Tinospora
Sanskrit : Amrta, Guduci
Hindi : Giloy
Marathi : Gulavela
Tamil : Amrutavalli
Telugu : Tippa tiga
Malyalama : Cittamrtu
Kannada : Amrtaballi
How it looks�It is a large, extensively spreading twiner with a woody succulent stem and papery bark. The leaves are typically heart- shaped and the flowers are yellow arising from
the nodes.. The fruits are drupes and turn red when ripe. The surface of the stems appears warty and is fissured longitudinally.
What we use�Stem
What it does�It has a wide range of properties such as bitter, astringent, sweet, thermogenic, anodyne, anthelmentic, alterant antispasmodic, anti�inflammatory, antipyretic,
anti-emetic, digestive, carminative, appetiser, haematinic, expectorant, aphrodisiac, galacto purifier and tonic.
How we use it�
In
fevers�It is commonly used in fevers of any origin. The fresh stem is more effective than the dry one. The decoction of the fresh stem should be taken in doses of an ounce thrice
a day in fevers. You could also squeeze the juice of the stem and drink it diluted twice a day.
It is also useful in debility caused by repeated attacks of fever.
In
rheumatism�A decoction made of a tsp each of tinospora and dry ginger is very useful in rheumatic pain. Drink an ounce before meals twice a day.
In
all skin disorders�Being alterative, tinospora is highly useful in all skin disorders including early stages of leprosy. Again the fresh juice expressed from the stem, or its
decoction is used.
In
liver disorders�As a liver tonic, a vegetable curry made of the leaves and stems of tinospora are included in diet in conditions such as jaundice.
In
piles�The same vegetable curry mentioned above serves as a digestive and promotes bowel movement and is therefore highly recommended in piles.
As
an aphrodisiac�The juice of tinospora is also useful as a general tonic and aphrodisiac.
In
systemic disorders�Being nutritive and alterative, it can be used with great benefits in consumption, hormonal imbalance, diabetes and other wasting diseases.
Modern Study
Improvement in neutrophil function was noticed after administering tinospora to mice in experimental studies in Cancer Research institute, Bombay.
