Guduchi
Reduces Stress and anxiety
Guduchi is an excellent adaptogenic herb. It increases the body's resistance to physical, chemical, and biological stress and builds energy and general vitality. Guduchi helps in managing stress and anxiety by normalising your physiological functions. It has a calming effect on the body. Guduchi also has cardio-tonic and hematopoietic activity and is effective in cardiac weakness. Due to its ability to cross the blood-brain barrier, Guduchi has the power to enhance memory and cognitive functions. In many preclinical and clinical studies, Guduchi has shown following properties, such as anti-stress, immunostimulatory, anti-inflammatory, anti-diabetic, antihyperlipidemic, antioxidant, hepatoprotective, and antineoplastic.
Immune Boosting
Another of the many names attributed to this powerful herb is the Nectar of Immunity. Studies have found that Guduchi supplementation can enhance the ability of macrophages – immune cells that engulf and digest cellular debris, foreign substances, microbes, dangerous bacteria, and anything else that does not have the type of proteins specific to a healthy body. Guduchi and its constituent α-D-glucan stimulate NK (natural killer) cells, B cells, and T cells with simultaneous production of various immune-stimulatory cytokines. Guduchi possesses immune stimulatory, antimicrobial, hepatoprotective, and antioxidant properties.
Allergies and Respiratory Infections
Guduchi has also been particularly effective against allergy symptoms such as allergic rhinitis, significantly reducing symptoms including stuffiness, sneezing and itching. Guduchi acts as a histamine stabiliser by decreasing histamine-induced bronchospasms (tightening of airways and difficulty breathing) and stabilising mast cells. Guduchi works intelligently by calming histamine reactions when needed or catalysing more histamine when needed. Guduchi has been preferred traditionally to treat ailments such as bronchitis and chronic cough. It pacifies the mucous membrane of the respiratory system, thereby making it very effective against asthma.
Improves Digestion
Guduchi is very beneficial in improving digestion and treating bowel related issues. Guduchi works towards building a stronger digestive system and immunes body against hyperacidity, colitis, worm infestations, loss of appetite, abdominal pain, excessive thirst, and vomiting.
Helps with Weight Loss
Guduchi aids in weight loss by boosting the immunity and increasing your body's metabolism, which implies it burns the body fat, helping in weight loss and weight regulation. High blood pressure and stress can be significant reasons for weight gain. The adaptogenic nature of Guduchi helps fight stress and high blood pressure.
Improves Liver Health
Many studies have been done on Guduchi's ability to heal the liver and reverse the damage, especially that which is related to alcoholism. One study found that a 14-day treatment with Guduchi extract reversed various biomarkers related to liver damage. Another study published in "Alternative Therapies In Health and Medicine" in 2017 revealed that Guduchi helps in alcohol-induced liver toxicity by regulating antioxidant enzymes, improving liver function, regulating cholesterol metabolism and regulating liver enzyme activity. Guduchi has been found to boost antioxidant defences, regulate cholesterol metabolism and improve liver function to fight alcohol toxicity.
Detoxification Effect
The ability of Guduchi to assist in detoxification is primarily attributed to its potent antioxidant properties. It increases the activity of antioxidant enzymes, scavenges harmful free radicals and controls their production. Alkaloids such as choline and palmatine present in the herb contribute to its antioxidant power. The liver is a primary detoxification organ in the body. Guduchi cleans the whole system principally through its purifying and building actions upon liver tissue.
Type 2 Diabetes Remedy
Guduchi has long been used as an anti-diabetic herb in Ayurveda and has been proven to significantly lower blood sugar. Much research has been conducted on this powerful herb concerning diabetes. It's thought that the powerful plant compound berberine is partly responsible for its effect on blood sugar. A study published in the "Journal of Ethnopharmacology", showed the efficacy of Guduchi in treating diabetes mellitus by lowering blood glucose levels and brain lipids, concluding that Guduchi extract has hypoglycaemic (sugar lowering) and hypolipidaemic (fat metabolising) effects. Another study found that blood glucose levels decreased significantly in patients with moderate and severe diabetes who took Guduchi extract for a minimum of 3 weeks.
Anti-Inflammatory Properties
Guduchi is known for its anti-inflammatory properties, which provides relief while dealing with inflammatory conditions such as gout and arthritis. Clinical evaluations have shown to significantly reduce pain in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Guduchi also fights hair conditions like dandruff, scalp and split ends because of its anti-inflammatory position.
Breast Cancer Remedy
Guduchi might be useful in managing breast cancer because of its anti-proliferative property. Rutin and quercetin present in Guduchi inhibit cell proliferation and growth of breast cancer cells due to its anti-cancer property. It also changes apoptotic genes' expression and induces apoptosis (cell death) in breast cancer cells.
Promotes Sexual Health
Guduchi is well known in Ayurveda for its aphrodisiac benefits. It can effectively tackle various sexual health issues such as impotence and involuntary ejaculation. Guduchi helps in boosting the libido in men and increase sexual hormones production. Studies have disclosed that this wonder herb has the power to increase sperm count, the volume of ejaculation, sperm motility and overall male health.
BOTANICAL NAME: Tinospora Cordifolia
OTHER NAME(S): Ambervel, Amrita, Amritha, Gilo, Giloe, Giloy, Glunchanb, Guduchi, Gulancha Tinospora, Gulvel, Gurcha, Heart-Leaved Moonseed, Heavenly Elixir, Indian Tinospora, Jetwatika, Mehahara, Mehaghna, Moonseed, Pramehahara, Pramehaghna, Sindal, Sittamrytu, Somida, Tinospora, Tinospora Indien, Tinosporia Cordifolus.