Tinospora Cordifolia is a well-known medicinal plant that is used to treat a variety of ailments in traditional medicine.
‘Amrita’ and ‘Guduchi’ are popular names for plants in the Menispermaceae family. It is an important medicinal plant in the Indian system of medicine (ISM) and has been used to treat fever, urinary problems, diarrhoea, skin illnesses, leprosy, diabetes, and a variety of other ailments.
Tinospora Cordifolia has been shown to include chemical compounds such as alkaloids, steroids, terpenoids, lignans, and others, which help to establish the plant’s phytochemistry and pharmacological activity.
Antioxidant activity, antimicrobial activity, antibacterial activity, antifungal activity, anti-diabetic activity, anti-stress activity, hypolipidaemic effect, hepatic disorder, anticancer anti-HIV potential, antiosteoporotic effects, wound healing, antitoxic effects and immunomodulating activity are some of its key characteristics.
COMMON NAMES
Tinospora Cordifolia in Hindi: Giloy, Amrita, Giloe, Giloya, Guduchi
Tinospora Cordifolia in Telugu: Tippa Teega
Tinospora Cordifolia in Marathi: Gudduuchii
Tinospora Cordifolia in Kannada: Amruthaballi
Other names: Gulancha Tonospora, Hear-Leaved Moonseed, Heavenly Elixir, Moonseed, Indian Tinospora, Tinospora Indien, Jetwatika
What is Tinospora Cordifolia?
It’s a huge deciduous climbing shrub with multiple elongated twining branches that spreads widely. Leaves are simple, alternating, and exstipulate, with long, roundish, pulvinate stalks up to 15 cm (6 in) long, both at the base and apex, with the basal one being longer and twisted partially and halfway around.
Leaves Type
The heart-shaped leaves and reddish berries give it the name heart-leaved moonseed. Broadly oblong or ovate cordate lamina, 10–20 cm (4–8 in) long or 8–15 cm (3–6 in) wide, seven nerved and profoundly cordate at base, membranous, pubescent above, whitish tomentose beneath, with a conspicuous reticulum.
Flowers Type
Flowers are unisexual, tiny, on distinct plants, and appear when the plant is leafless. Axillary and terminal racemes are greenish-yellow. Female flowers are normally solitary, while male flowers are grouped. It contains six sepals, divided into two groups of three. The ones on the outside are smaller than the ones on the inside. It has six obovate and membranous petals that are smaller than the sepals.
Fruits Type
Fruits are grouped in groups of one to three. Smooth drupelets on thick stalks with crimson or orange coloured sub terminal style scars are avoided.
Tinospora Cordifolia Uses and Benefits
Here are some well-known benefits of the wonderful plant Tinospora Cordifolia are enumerated below:
1. Antioxidant Properties
Tinospora cordifolia’s ability to scavenge free radicals is due to the presence of flavonoids and polyphenols.
It is a source of nutraceuticals that reduce oxidative stress and aid in the prevention and decrease of chronic degenerative diseases, resulting in improved health.
2. Immunomodulator
Tinospora cordifolia, also known as Giloy, increases the phagocytic activity of macrophages, which are our body’s first line of defence and play an important role in both innate (nonspecific) and adaptive (specific) immunity.
It also significantly increases cytokine production, interleukin-6 (IL-6) upregulation, and antigen-specific recall response.
3. Anti-osteoporotic
Tinospora cordifolia (Giloy) promotes the formation of osteoblasts, boosts cell differentiation into the osteoblastic lineage, and improves bone matrix mineralization.
4. Anti-diabetic medication
Tinospora cordifolia is a hypoglycemic agent that promotes pancreatic insulin release and helps to reduce blood sugar levels.
It also enhances long-term cellular insulin sensitivity, which aids in the management of diabetes.
5. Healthy Heart
It regulates lipid metabolism by blocking glucuronide and cholesterol synthesis and, thanks to its antioxidant capabilities, protects the heart from infarction.
6. Keep respiratory illnesses at bay
Tinospora cordifolia has long been used to treat bronchitis and persistent cough. It pacifies the mucous membrane of the respiratory system due to its significant anti-inflammatory and antioxidant characteristics, making it highly beneficial in respiratory diseases such as asthma, cough, cold, and tonsils.
7. Hepatoprotective properties
Because of its potential to scavenge free ROS and promote liver regeneration, Tinospora cordifolia or Giloy is an effective hepatoprotective agent. Giloy also helps the liver eliminate toxic waste from the body by increasing glutathione (GSH) levels.
8. Anti-aging properties
It is a powerful anti-aging herb. It is high in flavonoids, which help to prevent cell damage and promote new cell growth. It also hydrates the skin and boosts collagen formation, reducing the appearance of wrinkles.
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