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GUDUCHI
Common name Guduchi, Giloy (H)
Sanskrit Guduchi, Amrita, Chakralakshana
Latin Tinospora cordifolia – Caulis (Menispermaceae)
Guduchi is described as ‘the one who protects the body’. ‘Amrita’ means ‘divine nectar’ referring to
the life restoring drops that Lord Indra sprinkled from heaven to bring life back to the devotees of
Lord Rama after they were slain in battle. This is a virile creeper that grows throughout the forests
of India. Those growing up Neem trees are said to be the best as the synergy between these two
bitter plants enhances Guduchi’s efficacy. Its therapeutic strength lies in its rejuvenating and
strengthening properties while also detoxifying and cleansing the whole system, specifically via the
liver.
ENERGETICS
Rasa (taste) Bitter, astringent, pungent
Virya (action) Heating
Vipaka (post-digestive effect) Sweet
Guna (quality) Light, unctuous
Dosha effect VPK=, primarily VP-
Dhatu (tissue) Plasma, blood, muscle, fat, nerve, reproductive
Srota (channel) Circulatory, digestive
CONSTITUENTS
Glucoside – giloin
Bitter principles
Alkaloid – tinosporin, protoberberine alkaloids1
BIO-MEDICAL ACTION
Cholagogue, detoxicant, alterative, immune tonic, anti-inflammatory, diuretic, anthelmintic, nervine
INDICATIONS
Liver Liver damage, viral hepatitis or poisoning from alcohol, chemicals or recreational and
medicinal drugs. Useful in repairing fibrosis and regenerating liver tissue.2 Applied in all conditions of
aggravated ranjakapitta and pitta in the blood.
Joints Gout (vatarakta), arthritis (amavata) and other inflammatory joint conditions.2 It acts by
clearing pitta toxins and uric acid via the urinary system that have accumulated in raktavahasrotas.
It also removes ama toxins from the system without destabilising any of the other dosha.
Immunity All auto-immune diseases causing inflammation. Applicable in degenerative diseases
such as cancer, AIDS and arthritis as it boosts the immune system. Use to offset the ulcerative and
toxic effects of chemo-radiotherapy.3
Skin Supperative and inflammatory skin conditions such as eczema, psoriasis, Systemic Lupus
Erythmatosus. Useful when there is high tejas and pitta that has burnt immune protecting ojas away
resulting in inflammatory skin conditions. Skin problems from excessive alcohol, recreational drug
and pharmaceutical drug use may indicate the use of Guduchi. Specific for burning sensations on the
skin (daha).4
1
Paranjpe
2
Tillotson
3
Thatte 1988 cited in Tillotson
4
Charaka Samhita, Bhavaprakash.
AYURVEDIC ACTION
Deepaniya Increases appetite
Trishnanigrahan Quenches thirst
Rasayana Rejuvenative
Balya Increases strength
Ayushprada Promotes life
Medhya Nerve tonic
Jwarahara Reduces fevers
Dahaprashaman Reduces burning sensations
Amanashaka Destroys toxins
Kushtaghna Alleviates skin disorders
Amavataghna Reliever of gout/arthritis
Raktashodhana Cleans the blood
Sukrashodhana Purifier of sperm
Vajikarana Increases sexual potency
Vayasthapana Increases life span
Tridoshahara Reduces all three dosha
COMBINATIONS
+ Manjishta, Bhumiamalaki, Pippali in hepatitis and liver degeneration.
+ Guggulu, Myrrh, Ginger, Turmeric, Ashwagandha in arthritic amavata conditions.
+ Kutki and Chiretta in immuno-deficiency.
+ Coriander, Neem, Sandalwood in sannipata fevers involving all three dosha.
+ Neem, Gotu kola, Manjishta, Bakuchi in inflammatory skin conditions.
+ Gurmar, Tumeric, Amalaki, Shilajit in Diabetes
+ Amalaki, Licorice in hyperacidity and imbalanced agni in pitta types.
+ Ginger and Aloe vera in gout and arthritis.
+ Gokshura, Shatavari, Kapikacchu, Safed musali in male reproductive problems.
CONTRAINDICATIONS
Caution during pregnancy.
SAFETY
No drug herb interactions are known
DOSAGE
1–15g/day in a decoction or 3–15ml/day of a 1:3@25% tincture.
NOTES
* It has very interesting energetics. It is bitter, astringent, pungent, yet heating and also sweet post
digestively. Its bitter and astringent quality clears pitta and kapha, its heating energy burns ama