Tinospora cordifolia : A Versatile Rejuvenating Herb!

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.

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. 

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.