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Giloy Benefits, Uses, and Side Effects | All You Need To Know

Adrija Chakraborty -
Table of Contents +


Are you looking for a natural herb to strengthen your immune system? What if we told you that it enhanced female sex drive too? Don't wonder too much about what we're hinting at. It is the Ayurvedic herb of Guduchi or Giloy. One of the most popular herbs used in the ancient Indian civilization, its mention is rampant in the present times of COVID. Giloy benefits for women are manifold, so read on to make sure they work to your advantage.


What Is Giloy?

  • Giloy is a popular Ayurvedic herb known to treat more than hundreds of ailments that include chronic fever, flu, colds, hair loss, and arthritis.
  • The English translation of Giloy from the Sanskrit word "Amrita" means "the root of immortality."
  • Another name for this herb in English is Heart Leaved Moonseed, and its botanical name is Tinospora cordifolia.
  • The stem of Giloy is widely known for its antioxidant properties fighting free radicals and repairing cell damage.

Discover the lesser-known Giloy health benefits and their uses below:

Giloy Scientific Name

The Giloy scientific name is Tinospora cordifolia. It is an indigenous herbaceous vine of the family Menispermaceae used in traditional medicine for centuries to treat a variety of disorders. From different parts of the plant, including roots, stems, and whole plants, various active components have been isolated, such as alkaloids, steroids, diterpenoid lactones, aliphatics, and glycosides.

Numerous studies support the assertion that Ayurvedic treatment offers the most effective natural healing methods in India and around the world. However, not many people are aware of this herb's scientific and medicinal nature. So, let’s find out.

Giloy Medicinal Properties

Giloy is known to be one of the best remedies used to treat various kinds of fevers and conditions. It is viewed as a potential medicine for many applications, such as anti-diabetic, anti-periodic, antispasmodic, anti-inflammatory, anti-arthritic, antioxidant, anti-allergic, anti-stress, leprotic-preventive, anti-malarious, hepatoprotective, immunomodulatory, and antineoplastic properties.

Giloy Benefits

Many conditions are believed to be possibly treated with Giloy, including fever, infections, and diabetes. Despite this, the research on humans has been very limited, so it's unclear whether the benefits would apply to people.

Following are some known giloy benefits.

1. Giloy Aids in Chronic Fever

Giloy is known to be effective against chronic, recurrent fevers. A natural anti-inflammatory, antipyretic herb, it helps boost your immunity to fight the infection and can also help to speed up the recovery process. The antipyretic nature of Giloy makes it suitable for reducing the symptoms of dengue, swine flu, and malaria, which are all life-threatening conditions.

2. Giloy Controls Blood Sugar Level

Giloy is known as ‘Madhunashini’ in Ayurvedic medicine, which means a sugar destroyer. It controls the blood sugar levels by enhancing insulin production, which is useful in the treatment of diabetes complications such as ulcers and kidney disease.

3. Giloy Promotes Digestive Health

Giloy gently reduces digestive issues like diarrhoea, colitis, nausea, hyperacidity, etc.

4. Giloy Reduces Stress and Anxiety

Mental stress and anxiety can be reduced with Giloy as it unwinds your body and can enhance memory and cognitive capabilities.

5. Giloy Aids in Arthritis and Gout

The anti-inflammatory and anti-arthritic properties of Giloy help to relieve arthritis and gout. Inhibiting the synthesis of proinflammatory cytokines (proteins that regulate the activity of and growth of other immune cells and blood cells) helps to reduce joint pain and inflammation associated with arthritis.

6. Giloy Improves Respiratory Health

Inflammation of the trachea is a significant cause of breathing problems caused by asthma. The anti-inflammatory properties of Giloy aid in pacifying the mucous membrane in the respiratory system, making it extremely effective for respiratory issues such as asthma, cough, and tonsillitis and for treating bronchitis and chronic cough.

7. Giloy Benefits Eyesight/Vision

The antioxidants in Giloy, such as lutein, are known to help reduce the risk of cataracts and promote healthy vision.

8. Giloy Benefits For Skin

Giloy stems are extremely helpful in managing skin allergies and enhancing skin quality. Giloy is jam-packed with antioxidants that fight free radicals in the body. It also possesses anti-aging properties for women with fine lines, wrinkles, droopy skin.

There is nothing like Giloy or Guduchi to detoxify your body by flushing harmful toxins from your skin. Besides being an immunity booster, it improves skin cell health and regenerates skin cells from time to time.

How to use Giloy for skin?

  • Make sure you boil 6-7 Giloy leaves in water.
  • Let them cool down once they have boiled sufficiently.
  • Strain the Giloy water and apply it evenly onto your face. Leave it on for about 15-20 minutes.
  • Rinse your face with lukewarm water once you are done waiting.

Also Read: How to Take Ashwagandha

9. Giloy Juice For Weight Loss

Giloy Juice assists weight loss just like Honey assists weight loss- by amping up your body's metabolism. This helps burn body fat and regulate weight as well.

Giloy Ras benefits also regulate the female digestive tract making sure your stomach is cleansed. What does this do? It enables you to maintain steady body weight.

High blood pressure and excessive stress are other reasons for sudden weight gain. Good thing Giloy fights stress and high blood pressure.

How to use Giloy for weight loss?

  • Get your hand on half a gram of Giloy Juice
  • Put a spoonful of honey in it
  • Mix the two well and consume every morning, preferably on an empty stomach.

Also read: Shatavari for females

10.Giloy Benefits for Hair

Gulvel (Giloy) benefits also improve hair quality. Antioxidants present in Giloy boost immunity and fight off stress, one of the leading causes of hair loss among women.

Giloy is a  Raktashodhak. This means it poses as a remedy for scurvy. It also eradicates hair conditions like dandruff, split ends, and dry scalp due to its anti-inflammatory properties. Using Ayurvedic herbs for hair growth along with Giloy is also a good idea.

How to use Giloy for hair?

  • Take about 3-6 grams of Giloy powder and mix it with one glass of water.
  • Mix it till it becomes a runny paste.
  • Section your hair and apply the paste on the scalp all the way to the tips of your hair.
  • Leave it on for about 30 minutes, and then rinse your hair with any shampoo of your choice.

Also Read: How to Use Curd & Lemon for Dandruff? Benefits, Recipes & More!


11. Giloy Benefits for Immunity

Giloy is a powerful herb in terms of boosting immunity. Its adaptogen properties pose a stress-reliever. Giloy is also said to gear your body against the Covid infection contracted by many due to compromised immunity. Teas like Kahwa Tea is also beneficial in boosting immunity among women.


How to use Giloy for immunity?

  • Chop the Giloy stem into small pieces. Feel free to add 2-3 Neem and Tulsi leaves to the mix.
  • Mix it with a glass of water and mix well.
  • Put a pan over medium heat and add this paste to 2 water glasses and bring to a boil.
  • Once it reaches its boiling point, this Giloy Kadha will reduce to about half its size.
  • Strain this mixture and enjoy!

Also Read: What are Gokshura (Gokhru) Benefits? How to Use Gokshura?

12. Giloy Usefulness for Covid-19

The Health Ministry, Union of India, stated a sound immune system is vital for preventing the onset of Coronavirus infection. Giloy helps effectively to keep safe from its progression.

For a year now, several nations have faced a global lockdown due to the Coronavirus pandemic. A word that experts keep using in relation to the Covid-19 period is 'immunity.'

The weaker your immunity, the more susceptible you are to this virus. However, Giloy can solve this problem for you. Serving as the ultimate immunity booster and preventing bacterial and viral infections, it has a history of utilization that spans centuries.

13. Giloy for Libido and Female Sex Drive

Giloy's aphrodisiac qualities help boost female libido or sex drive. It enhances your willingness to have sex and also perform better in bed. Safed Musli benefits for women is also an option you should explore to boost sex drive or libido.

Giloy Juice Benefits

What are some Giloy Juice uses?

Giloy juice flushes out harmful toxins, infectious germs, and bacteria accumulated inside the body. In times like these, a freshly prepared cup of Giloy juice is your best bet. Read on to know how to prepare it.

How To Make Giloy Juice?

Here is how you can prepare a glass of Giloy juice from the comfort of your home:

  • Purchase a few Giloy stems easily available in the Indian market.
  • Peel your Giloy stems until you see it's green inside.
  • Cut the stems into finer pieces. You will know when it's done.
  • Add the finely-chopped pieces into a mixer along with 1 cup of water.
  • Blend the liquid until it becomes green.

Now you have to pour this concoction into a glass, and you're good to go!


Giloy Amla Juice Benefits

This juice is made up of Amla fruit and extracts from the Giloy stem. Amla is an excellent source of Vitamin C. Giloy is a famous immunity booster. It manages fever, coughs, diabetes and alleviates stress and anxiety.

How to make Giloy Amla juice?

If you don't have time on your side, Kapiva makes Amla-Giloy juice, and this is how you can reap its benefits-

  • Squeeze out the juice from 2-3 Amlas
  • Peel 2-3 Giloy stems and grind them in a mixer till it becomes a runny paste.
  • Strain the water of the Giloy stem and mix the Amla juice with it
  • Then add a fresh glass of water to this entire concoction.
  • Feel free to add one tablespoon of honey, salt, or sugar, whichever one suits your taste, to the mixture.
  • Drink every morning on an empty stomach

Giloy Tulsi Juice Benefits

One of the main Giloy Tulsi juice advantages is that it considerably improves liver functioning. Giloy flushes out all unwanted toxins, and Tulsi battles bacteria and gets rid of fevers.

How to make Giloy Tulsi juice?

  • Take 2-3 small Giloy stems and grind them in a mixer.
  • Add 5-6 tulsi leaves and grind once again.
  • Go on to add 2-3 cups of water.
  • Through this process, the amount of water absorbed by the stem will increase as the mixture reduces.
  • You can add sugar or salt to this mix according to your taste.
  • Strain this mixture and drink up!

Also Read: Health Benefits of Sugarcane


Giloy Neem Tulsi Juice Benefits

This is the ultimate drink to enhance immunity. Tulsi purifies your blood through a natural process. Giloy repairs your immune system. Neem is packed with antioxidants that work to keep you in the best health. Reap the benefits of Tulsi, Neem & Giloy through this mixture:

  • Peel off the Giloy stem and chop it up into bits.
  • Then add about 4-5 leaves of Neem and Tulsi, each.
  • Add about two glasses of water to this entire mixture.
  • Blend and drink up!

Also read: Kaunch Beej benefits for women


Giloy Leaves Benefits

There are numerous Giloy leaves uses and benefits most women don't know of. Chewing Giloy leaves maintains general health too. They are also used to treat arthritis. Also, the leaves mixed to make a juice can flush out all harmful toxins.

Some Giloy leaves benefits are:

  • Controls blood sugar levels
  • Reduces anxiety
  • Improves digestion

Giloy Side Effects

Taking Giloy in the dose recommended on the package or by a health care provider does not seem to be associated with any side effects in healthy people. There have also been mentions of giloy side effects on liver, which has not been proven. However, it may not be appropriate for certain individuals. For more information read below -

Are There any Giloy Side Effects on Liver?

Yes, Giloy may have side effects on liver. The Journal of Clinical and Experimental Hepatology published a study that stated that people with underlying auto-immune diseases and co-morbidities may develop liver toxicity and damage if they consume giloy. The study analyzed biopsy reports and found that taking giloy-based medicines may cause liver damage. Research suggests that giloy can cause liver damage and become toxic due to an auto-immune response. When the immune system attacks the body's own cells and tissues, instead of attacking the disease-causing virus or bacteria.

Other possible side effects of Giloy are constipation, lower blood sugar levels (if you're already taking a type of diabetes medication), and autoimmunity (a condition in which the immune system overreacts and attacks healthy cells rather than pathogens).

Additionally, Giloy should not be consumed by pregnant or breastfeeding women, as there is a lack of enough information on its effects on human beings.

How to Identify Giloy Plant

Many people are not versed in identifying plants and often get confused. It is important to identify herbs correctly because the consumption of any unknown herb can harm your body severely.

How to identify giloy plants is pretty simple; the growth pattern of Giloy seems climber-like with thin stems that appear white to grey and cover a surface area of 1 to 5 cm. The plant is also known as ‘Heart-leaved Moonseed’ due to its heart-shaped leaves, reddish fruit that appears in winter, and yellowish-green flowers that bloom during summer.

Giloy Plant Benefits

The Giloy Plant is an antipyretic. What does this mean? It has fever-reducing properties and manages life-threatening ones like dengue and malaria.

More Giloy Plant benefits are:

  • That it fights bacteria
  • Increases cognitive abilities
  • Manages type 2 diabetes


How To Use Giloy?

Every part of Giloy can be used to benefit health. It can be consumed in various forms like Giloy tablets, Giloy Juice, extract from Giloy leaves, and Giloy Powder.

How To Use Giloy Leaves?

  • Giloy leaves help boost health by relieving arthritis, indigestion, anorexia, and nausea.
  • The Giloy Kadha treats fever, indigestion, and gout.

How To Use Giloy Stem?

  • Using Giloy stems during the morning eradicates unwanted toxins from the body and enhances skin health.
  • Giloy's uses are essential in steadying heart rate and reducing high blood pressure.

How To Use Giloy Powder?

Giloy powder uses vary. Here's a method to utilize Giloy powder for stronger immunity:

  • Boil some Giloy stem powder in a vessel on medium heat.
  • Keep stirring this mixture till it reduces to half its size.
  • Throw in 2-3 pieces of long pepper and continue to mix it.
  • Feel free to add honey for taste if it is too bitter.
  • Store this mixture in an airtight container for future use.


Giloy Satva

What is Giloy Satva?

Giloy Satva remains once Giloy is put into a grinder, soaked, and stirred in water. The starchy portion left once the mixture dries is known as Giloy Satva.

Benefits of Giloy Satva

  • It poses as an anti-bacterial remedy for infections, fevers and as a natural antacid that gets rid of acidity and gastric issues.
  • It also treats clammy hands and problems of perspiration.


Giloy Kadha : How To Make Giloy Kadha?

There are various ways to make the Giloy Kadha at home. However, you can use Giloy powder to make an effective and healthy kadha. If you are suffering from Covid-19 or any other issue, Giloy Kadha is one of the most beneficial natural remedies.

  • Take a cup of water and set it to a boil.
  • Add 1 tbsp of turmeric powder and black pepper to it. (Both of them have anti-inflammatory properties).
  • Now, simmer it for a few minutes and add the stem or powder to the mix.
  • Then add grated ginger and cinnamon to the same.
  • Finally, add 2-3 mint leaves and honey to it.
  • Stir it and Serve it hot by straining the stem.


Giloy Tablets: How To Take Giloy Tablets?

The best-prescribed amount of Giloy Ghan Vati or Giloy tablet is two 250 mg tablets twice a day after meals. Either that or a 500 mg tablet once, daily.

Guduchi has no such side effects. However, it is best to track blood sugar levels while consuming them.

Also, it may taste a little bitter, but it works as an excellent, natural immunity booster.

Summing Up on Giloy Benefits

The use of giloy has been around for a long time, but few studies show whether it works in humans. In small studies in humans, giloy is being investigated to treat allergy symptoms, and, as long as the product label is followed, it is probably safe for most people.

Giloy can cause an unwanted reaction in pregnant or nursing women and people taking blood sugar-lowering medicine or with autoimmune diseases. Before taking any herbal supplements, it's a good idea to talk with a healthcare professional.

FAQs

Is It Safe to Take Giloy Daily?

Yes, Short-term use of giloy can be considered safe if taken as recommended. It can be consumed as juice, tablets, raw leaves, etc. but only after consulting with a healthcare professional because the dosage varies according to the individual.

Does Giloy Increase Immunity?

Yes, Giloy helps increase immunity. During the phagocytic process (the act of phagocytes ingesting or engulfing foreign materials), giloy boosts the macrophage's capacity to ingest, digest, and metabolize food, which is the first line of defense in the body. Adaptive and innate immunity are both impacted by macrophages. Additionally, it prevents kidney disease and can alleviate the symptoms of cough, cold, and fever.

Is Giloy Hot or Cold?

Giloy has a cold nature and effectively remedies body problems with a hot effect, including fever.

Is Giloy Good for Anxiety?

Yes, Giloy is good for anxiety. It has adaptogenic qualities, which means it can reduce mental and physical stress. Combining it with other herbs can boost memory, calm you down, and eliminate toxins.

References