Guduchi
Common Name:
Tinospora (Eng.)
Sanskrit Name:
Guduchi- Means ‘the one who protects the body’.
Madhuparni- Means 'One who's leaves are full of honey'
Amrita- Means ‘divine nectar’
Chhinnaruha-
Vatsadani-
Tantrika/Kundalini/Chakralakshnika - That climbs a tree going round to it
Lt. Name:
Tinospora cordifolia- Menispermaceae
What mythology says about Guduchi:
During famous war between Lord Rama and Ravana, when the army of monkeys following Rama was dying, Indra (Main deity among all lords) dispensed nectar among them. When they were taking nectar, some drops fell on ground and Guduchi originated from there.
Bio energetics:
Rasa (Taste)- Tikta (Bitter); Kashaya (Astringent)
Guna (Characteristics)- Guru (Heavy); Snigdha (Unctuous)
Veerya (Potency)- Ushna (Warm)
Vipaka (Post digestion effect)- Madhura (Sweet)
Effect on Tridosha (Three bio humors):
Pacifies all the three Doshas and maintain their balance with each other i.e. why it is said to be having Rasayana character; besides it find important place in the herbs useful in management of diseases having Tridoshic origin.
Chemical composition:
The active adaptogenic constituents are diterpene compounds including tinosporone, tinosporic acid, cordifolisides A to E, syringen, the yellow alkaloid, berberine, Giloin, crude Giloininand, a glucosidal bitter principle as well as polysaccharides, including arabinogalactan polysaccharide (TSP).
Actions according to Ayurveda:
Vaya sthapana- Increases longevity
Daha prashamana- Alleviates burning sensation
Trishna nigrahana- Alleviates excessive thirst
Stanya shodhana- Purifies the breast milk
Triptighna- Alleviates anorexia making a person to feel hungry
Rasayani- Rejuvenator
Samgrahini- Means it has the tendency to absorb the liquid content from the Malas (Gastric waste) giving it normal consistency
Balya- Increases strength
Agni deepani- Ignites digestive fire
Valee palita nashini- Delays the signs of aging
Medhya- Enhances grasping power, memory and recollection ability.
Medicinal value:
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Guduchi is considered one of the best herbs to clear the micro-circulatory system and other bodily channels.
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The antistress or anxiolytic activity of Tinospora cordifolia is well documented by researchers and clinically tested. The ethanolic extract of Tinospora cordifolia exhibited significant antistress activity at 100 mg/kg compared with diazepam at 2.5 mg/kg. The aqueous, alcoholic, and chloroform extracts of the leaves of Tinospora cordifolia exerted a significant (P less than 0.5) hypoglycemic effect in normal as well as in alloxan-treated rabbits. From this study, it was concluded that the extracts of the leaves of Tinospora cordifolia have an insulin-like action.
A prospective, randomized, double blind placebo controlled clinical trial was conducted on breast cancer patients. Consenting breast cancer patients, who were receiving adjuvant chemotherapy (CMF regimen), were recruited, and randomized to drug and placebo group. From the results it appeared that the drug Tinospora cordifolia provided some protection against the cancer chemotherapy induced leucopenia. Hence used as an immunomodulator. Extensive pharmacological studies have shown its usefulness in many disorders including antistress, anticancer, immunomodulation, antispasmodic, asthma, hypolipidaemic, antipyretic, antineoplastic, hepatoprotective, anitulcer, antimicrobial and more.
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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.
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Modern research shows it to be a strong immunostimulant with very food anti-cytotoxic (drugs used in treating cancer) effects. The use of Guduchi helps to reduce effects of these toxic cancer-fighting drugs, and with its immune-promoting qualities, could even prevent cancer. Other studies show the ability to lower blood sugar in diabetic animals. Another study shoes it to be effective in reducing rheumatic complications. Guduchi is an excellent herb to take as an immune booster and general tonic.
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The water and ethanol extracts of stems of Tinospora cordifolia inhibit immunosuppression produced by cyclophosphamide. Ethanol extracts of stems of both the plants inhibit cyclophosphamide-induced anemia.
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Besides anti-allergy effects, much very weak evidence hints that Tinospora may have anti-cancer, immune stimulating, nerve cell protecting, anti-diabetic, cholesterol-lowering, and liver-protective actions. Tinospora has also shown some promise for decreasing the tissue damage caused by radiation and the side effects of some forms of chemotherapy, and speeding healing of diabetic foot ulcers. However, all these findings are far too preliminary to be relied upon.
Useful part:
Stem
Doses:
Powder- 3-6 gm; Decoction- 50-100 ml
Some important combinations of Guduchi:
Amritarishta; Guduchi lauha; Guduchyadi churna; Guduchyadi kwatha
Some special notes on Guduchi:
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It is described as one of the Medhya Rasayana (mental rejuvenative) in the Charak Samhita.
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Those growing up Neem (Azadirachta indica) trees are said to be the best as the synergy between these two bitter plants enhances Guduchi’s efficacy.
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Guduchi balances all the three Doshas; when taken with Ghruta (Indian clarified butter) it balances Vata, with Guda (Jaggery) Pitta and with honey the Kapha.
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