Tinospora cordifolia, a
member of the Menispermaceae family, is a glabrous climbing shrub,
typically found growing in deciduous and dry forests. Commonly known as Guduchi, the plant is indigenous to the
tropical areas of India, Sri Lanka and Myanmar. It is a perennial deciduous
twine with succulent stem and papery bark. The herb bears paripinnate leaves and yellow
flowers.
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| Tinospora cordifolia : A Versatile
Rejuvenating Herb! |
The medicinal and
therapeutic properties are owing to its constituents such as giloin, gilenin, cordifol,
heptacosanol, tinosporin, tinosporide, tinosporic acid, tinosporol,
Tinosporidine, and sitosterol found in different parts of the plant.
The root, stems, and leaves of
T. cordifolia are used for medicinal
purpose. Guduchi is mentioned in Ayurvedic literature as a constituent of several
compound formulations used to treat dyspepsia, general debility, fever, and urinary
diseases. It is claimed to be useful in treating leprosy, asthma, anorexia,
jaundice, gonorrhea, gout, skin infections, diabetes, chronic diarrhea, and
dysentery.
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| Tinospora cordifolia |
The plant is used in preparing
Rasayanas for enhancing the immune system and the body’s resistance against
infections. In traditional folk medicines, it is used to treat burning, general
debility, leucorrhea, cough, bone fracture, ear pain, asthma, skin disease, and
snake & insect bite. In compound formulations, Guduchi is clinically used
to treat diabetes, jaundice & rheumatoid arthritis.
