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Giloy leaves are heart-shaped, resembling a betel leaf
Photo: Ravi Kumar

This is a desi Indian climber with heart-shaped leaves like a betel leaf. Traditionally it has been used as a home remedy for gout and boosting immunity. In Ayurveda, it is used for treating so many diseases that it is called "Amrita". This Sanskrit name has many reasons:-
1. In Sanskrit "Amrit" means elixir which gives immortality. Though literally, it does not give immortality its use gives a healthy and long life. So it is regarded as "Amrit".
2. It is also said that during the transportation of "Amrit" after "Samudra-Manthan" (churning of the sea) drops of it fell at some places. It resulted in different manifestations. At one of the places, this vine with magnificent medicinal properties grew up. So it was given a name as "Amrita".
3. It can be easily grown by planting a finger thick cutting in the moist soil. This is a hardy climber and does not easily die. If some of the parts of a well-grown vine above the ground are cut, the remaining part on the tree drops new roots to the ground just like a banyan tree.

This thickness of the
Giloy-stems is suitable
for use. Pic: Ravi Kumar

It is said that this climber acquires some of the properties of the tree on which it climbs. That "Giloy" has the best medicinal property which climbs on a "Neem" tree because the "Neem" is itself a medicinal tree.
Giloy has the scientific name Tinospora Cordifolia. It is also known by the name of Gureech, Guduchi and Amrita. There are other different names in different regions. It is indigenous to the Indian subcontinent. It can be easily recognized by the heart-shaped leaves. Not only the trees it may climb the electric poles and grow on the wires. Due to its medicinal properties, some people use it as "Datun" or "Datwan" to clean the mouth in the morning just like neem or sal sticks.

Giloy/Gudich vine on the wall. Photo: Ravi Kumar

The best method to use the Giloy is by making a hard tea (Kaadha/Kwath) from a crushed finger thick stick. But some people crush the stick and put it in a glass of water for the whole night and drink it in the morning with an empty stomach.
Though modern medicinal science does not recognize its curative properties Ayurveda and Siddha recommend its use for the following,

Closer view of Giloy stem
and leaves
Photo: Ravi Kumar

1. To boost immunity.
2. To manage blood glucose levels.
3. To improve metabolism and weight control.
4. To remove skin problems.
5. The leaf paste heals the wound.
6. To normalize the fever as it is thought to act as antipyretic.
7. To cure arthritis and gout due to uric acid.
8. To increase blood platelets which helps fight dengue/chikungunya.
9. To cure liver injury due to excessive alcohol uses.
10. To manage breast cancer.
11. To control cholesterol levels.
12. To reduce indigestion and hyperacidity.

Giloy climbing upon all branches of a tree
Photo: Ravi Kumar

Baba Ramdev claims that it can cure more than a hundred diseases. In fact, you can find it as a constituent of many Ayurvedic "Vati". People are getting aware of the beneficial uses of Giloy. It is truly called "Amrita".

Harvesting Giloy Sticks
Photo: Ravi Kumar

Giloy is so popular now that people want to have its juice from hotels and juice shops. On popular demand, some hotels have started selling fresh Giloy juice. This was seen by people in Ramgarh, Jharkhand while ordering food online and scrolling down the menu of a hotel. It was priced Rs 114/- a glass after all discounts.