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Home > Nutrition > Tinospora Cordifolia (Giloy): Uses, Health Benefits and Safety Concerns

Tinospora Cordifolia (Giloy): Uses, Health Benefits and Safety Concerns

May 4, 2020 - Updated on July 28, 2021
6 min read
By Holly Klamer, RDN | Registered Dietitian Nutritionist

In this article:

  • Therapeutic Value
  • Does the Plant Work?
  • Suggested Health Benefits of T. cordifolia (Giloy)
  • Other Possible Uses of T. cordifolia (Giloy)
  • Dosage and Consumption of T. cordifolia
  • Safety of the Plant
  • Drug Interactions
  • Final Word

Tinospora cordifolia has long been a part of traditional Indian medicine and is considered to be an Ayurvedic herb. It is more commonly known as giloy, Guduchi, or heart-leaved moonseed.

tinospora cordifolia

This herbaceous vine belongs to the Menispermaceae family. It is found in tropical countries, including India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and Myanmar.

This large climber grows in high altitudes, typically having greenish-yellow flowers that bloom through summers and winters. The female flowers are singular, whereas the male flowers appear in clusters. The plant has simple, alternating leaves, which are often used to prepare a tonic tea.

Therapeutic Value

The plant is genetically diverse, containing different active components, including steroids, aliphatics, alkaloids, glycosides, and diterpenoid lactones. These active compounds are distributed over all parts of the plant, such as the root and stem.

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Due to its recently reported medicinal properties, T. cordifolia has gained interest among researchers. (1) Besides its therapeutic properties, the plant also provides multiple essential minerals, such as iron, copper, manganese, calcium, zinc, and phosphorus.

Does the Plant Work?

Studies have reported diverse medicinal properties of the plant, including antispasmodic, antidiabetic, anti-arthritic, antiperiodic, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antistress, anti-allergic, antimalarial, hepatoprotective, antileprotic, antineoplastic, and immunomodulatory activities. (1)

However, most of the research has been conducted in vitro or on animals. There is not much evidence on the effects of T. cordifolia on humans. (2) Thus, more extensive human trials are needed to establish the use, safety, and efficacy of this plant as clinical medicine.

Suggested Health Benefits of T. cordifolia (Giloy)

T. cordifolia, also known as Guduchi or giloy, is believed to have various health benefits.

1. May aid relief from allergic rhinitis (hay fever)

tinospora cordifolia aids relief from hay fever

The plant has been used for treating hay fever and alleviating cold symptoms such as runny nose and congestion. (3)(4)

A couple of review papers and studies supported the use of T. cordifolia in managing hay fever. However, these studies are old, thus leaving space for newer trials and research to establish this claim.

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2. May act as an immune balancer

Giloy is proposed to have significant immunomodulatory properties. A 2012 study isolated and characterized seven active immunomodulatory compounds from the pant. These compounds, which belong to different classes, showed synergistic effects, increasing the immunomodulatory capacity of the plant. (5)

Some animal studies demonstrated the role of T. cordifolia in immune response balancing and enumerated its use in improving neoplasm, chronic infections, and allergic reactions. (6)(7)

Many factors contribute to allergies. T. cordifolia could help strengthen the immune system to aid in allergy relief, but more large-scale clinical trials are needed for conclusive results.

Other Possible Uses of T. cordifolia (Giloy)

Giloy has various other potential uses. However, due to a lack of human studies, these uses are not yet established. Here are some of the possible benefits of T. cordifolia:

1. Diabetes control

Preliminary evidence supports the use of T. cordifolia in managing diabetes by decreasing the absorption of sugar-derived carbohydrates in the body. It may also aid in the reduction of nephropathy and retinopathy. (8)(9)

2. Relief from osteoarthritis

Some studies demonstrated a positive effect of T. cordifolia in reducing the symptoms of osteoarthritis. (10)(11)

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3. Scabies treatment

The topical use of T. cordifolia may help in scabies treatment. (12)

4. Physical performance improvement

The plant may help improve the physical performance of an individual. (13)

5. Anti-toxic effect

Animal studies conducted using the leaves and stem extracts of T. cordifolia showed its anti-toxic effects. The oral administration of the plant extract is also potentially useful in preventing toxicity. (14)(15)

6. Hypolipidemic effect

Certain animal studies found T. cordifolia to be fairly helpful in reducing serum lipid levels and improving HDL levels. Thus, this herb may benefit those who are suffering from diet-induced high cholesterol levels. (16)

Dosage and Consumption of T. cordifolia

Not much research has been conducted to establish the correct dosage of T. cordifolia.

Different experimental dosages of T. cordifolia have been used in various trials, but there is no consensus regarding the best dosage, which will deliver the highest therapeutic value minus the side effects.

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Thus, scientists have to conduct more trials to come up with a standard medicinal dosage of this herb. T. cordifolia can be consumed in multiple forms, including powder, juice, and supplements, but you must consult your doctor before using any of these products.

Safety of the Plant

There aren’t enough studies to confirm the safety of T. cordifolia for pregnant or breastfeeding women, so it’s best to err on the side of caution and avoid its use.

Moreover, this plant is known to stimulate the immune system, which can cause flare-ups of autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis. (17) So, before you take a supplement, consult first your healthcare team.

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Drug Interactions

drug interactions of tinospora cordifolia

T. cordifolia may affect the action of certain medications, including:

1. Anti-diabetic drugs

Because T. cordifolia can lower blood sugar levels, combining both medications might cause a significant dip in sugar levels. Therefore, it is important to take advice from your doctor before consuming T. cordifolia with anti-diabetic drugs.

2. Immunosuppressants

Due to its immune-boosting properties, T. cordifolia can suppress the action of immunosuppressants, which are drugs taken to lower immune system activity.

Final Word

Tinospora cordifolia has several suggested medicinal benefits and has long been used in Ayurvedic medicine. However, there is a need for more studies to establish the efficacy of this plant for treating diseases and improving health.

Results of previously held studies also support the need for further research. Large-scale and in-depth research can help establish the use, dosage, and safety of T. cordifolia and explore its possibilities in clinical treatment.

References
  1. Saha S, Ghosh S. Tinospora cordifolia: One plant, many roles. Ancient science of life. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3644751/. Published April 2012.
  2. Upadhyay AK, Kumar K, Kumar A, Mishra HS. Tinospora cordifolia (Willd.) Hook. f. and Thoms. (Guduchi) – validation of the Ayurvedic pharmacology through experimental and clinical studies. International journal of Ayurveda research. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2924974/. Published April 2010.
  3. Badar VA, Thawani VR, Wakode PT, et al. Efficacy of Tinospora cordifolia in allergic rhinitis. Journal of ethnopharmacology. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15619563. Published January 15, 2005.
  4. Guo R, Pittler MH, Ernst E. Herbal medicines for the treatment of allergic rhinitis: a systematic review. Annals of allergy, asthma & immunology: official publication of the American College of Allergy, Asthma, & Immunology. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18219828. Published December 2007.
  5. Sharma U, Bala M, Kumar N, Singh B, Munshi RK, Bhalerao S. Immunomodulatory active compounds from Tinospora cordifolia. Journal of ethnopharmacology. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22472109. Published June 14, 2012.
  6. Alsuhaibani S, Khan MA. Immune-Stimulatory and Therapeutic Activity of Tinospora cordifolia: Double-Edged Sword against Salmonellosis. Journal of immunology research. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5727750/. Published 2017.
  7. Narkhede AN, Jagtap SD, Kasote DM, Kulkarni OP, Harsulkar AM. Comparative immunomodulation potential of Tinospora cordifolia (Willd.) Miers ex Hook. F., Tinospora sinensis (Lour.) Merrill and Tinospora cordifolia growing on Azadirachta indica A. Juss. Indian journal of experimental biology. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25141544. Published August 2014.
  8. Nadig PD, Revankar RR, Dethe SM, Narayanswamy SB, Aliyar MA. Effect of Tinospora cordifolia on experimental diabetic neuropathy. Indian journal of pharmacology. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3480788/. Published 2012.
  9. Sangeetha MK, Priya CDM, Vasanthi HR. Anti-diabetic property of Tinospora cordifolia and its active compound is mediated through the expression of Glut-4 in L6 myotubes. Phytomedicine: international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23290487. Published February 15, 2013.
  10. Chopra A, Saluja M, Tillu G, et al. Ayurvedic medicine offers a good alternative to glucosamine and celecoxib in the treatment of symptomatic knee osteoarthritis: a randomized, double-blind, controlled equivalence drug trial. Rheumatology (Oxford, England). https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23365148. Published August 2013.
  11. Sannegowda KM, Venkatesha SH, Moudgil KD. Tinospora cordifolia inhibits autoimmune arthritis by regulating key immune mediators of inflammation and bone damage. International journal of immunopathology and pharmacology. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26467057. Published December 2015.
  12. Castillo AL, Osi MO, Ramos JDA, De Francia JL, Dujunco MU, Quilala PF. Efficacy and safety of Tinospora cordifolia lotion in Sarcoptes scabiei var hominis-infected pediatric patients: A single blind, randomized controlled trial. Journal of pharmacology & pharmacotherapeutics. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23662023. Published January 2013.
  13. Salve BA, Tripathi RK, Petare AU, Raut AA, Rege NN. Effect of Tinospora cordifolia on physical and cardiovascular performance induced by physical stress in healthy human volunteers. Ayu. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4895752/. Published 2015.
  14. Sharma V, Pandey D. Beneficial Effects of Tinospora cordifolia on Blood Profiles in Male Mice Exposed to Lead. Toxicology international. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21042466/. Published January 2010.
  15. Sharma V, Pandey D. Protective Role of Tinospora cordifolia against Lead-induced Hepatotoxicity. Toxicology international. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21042467/. Published January 2010
  16. Sparshadeep Eregod Manjunath. Evaluation of hypolipidemic effect of Tinospora cordifolia in cholesterol diet induced hyperlipidemia in rats. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/305036024. Published 2016.
  17. Nair PK; Melnick SJ; Ramachandran R; Escalon E; Ramachandran C; Mechanism of macrophage activation by (1,4)-alpha-D-glucan isolated from Tinospora cordifolia. International immunopharmacology. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17052672/. Published 2006.
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