A Comprehensive Guide to Ayurvedic Specialties
Guduchi (Tinospora cordifolia),
Latin Name Tinospora cordifolia (Willd.)
Family Menispermaceae
Classical Gana/Varga Charaka Samhita: Vayasthapana, Dahaprashamana, Trishnanigrahana, Stanyashodhana, Triptighna<br>Sushruta Samhita: Guduchyadi, Patoladi, Aragvadhadi, Kakolyadi, Valli-Panchamula
Sanskrit Synonyms Amrita, Amritavalli, Madhuparni, Vasadani, Chinnaruha, Kundalini, Chakralaxana, Jvarari, Rasayani, Vayastha, Jvaranashini, Chakrika, Bhishak
Regional Names Hindi: Giloya; Bengali: Guluancha; Marathi: Gulvel; Gujarati: Gilo; Tamil: Shindilkodi; Telugu: Tippatigo; Arabic: Gulanda
Aspect Description
Morphology A large, glabrous climber with a grooved stem that sends down slender, fleshy, aerial roots. Bark is pale and tubercled. Leaves are membranous, cordate (heart-shaped), 5-10 cm long. Flowers are small, yellowish-green, in bunches. Fruits are oval, red when ripe. Flowers in the rainy season and fruits in winter.
Habitat Found throughout India, up to an altitude of 3500 feet.
Part Used Stem, Leaves.
Purification (Śodhana) The text details the preparation of Guduchi Satva (starchy extract), which is a form of purification and potentiation:. Crush the stems into a rough powder. Soak the powder in eight times its weight of water overnight.<br>3. Allow the liquid to settle and discard the supernatant water.. The next morning, churn the mixture and discard the solid waste.Repeatedly wash the solid residue collected at the bottom with water until it brightens in color. Dry this purified residue in the sun. The resulting greyish-white starch is the Satva.
Preservation The stem is collected before the rainy season and dried in the shade. Fresh Guduchi is preferred, and the variety growing in association with the Neem tree (Nimba) is considered more potent. The dried stem or the prepared Satva should be stored in an airtight container in a cool, dry place.
Attribute (Guṇa) Property
Rasa (Taste) Tikta (Bitter), Katu (Pungent), Kashaya (Astringent)
Guṇa (Quality) Snigdha (Unctuous/Oily), Laghu (Light), Mridu (Soft)
Vīrya (Potency) Ushna (Heating)
Vipāka (Post-digestive Effect) Madhura (Sweet)
Category Ayurvedic Mechanism & Indications
Dosha Karma Tridoshaghna (Pacifies all three Doshas). Specifically:<br>• Vataghna: Due to its Snigdha (unctuous) and Ushna (heating) properties.<br>• Pittaghna: Due to its Tikta (bitter) and Kashaya (astringent) tastes.<br>• Kaphaghna: Due to its Tikta, Katu (pungent), Kashaya tastes and Ushna Virya.
Srotas Karma (Actions by Body System) • Rasavaha / Raktavaha (Circulatory/Blood): Purifies Rasa and Rakta Dhatus. Indications: Fever (Jvara), especially chronic low-grade fever (Jeerna Jvara), Jaundice (Kamala), Anemia (Pandu), Skin diseases (Kushtha).<br>• Annavaha (Digestive): Deepana (appetizer), Pachana (digestive), Anulomana (mild laxative), Grahi (absorbent), Krimighna (anthelmintic). Indications: Loss of appetite (Agnimandya), IBS (Grahani), Vomiting (Chhardi), Abdominal pain (Shula), Worms (Krimi).<br>• Asthivaha / Majjavaha (Bones & Nervous): Purifies Asthi (bone) and Majja (marrow) tissues. Indications: Gout (Vatarakta), Rheumatoid Arthritis (Amavata).<br>• Shukravaha (Reproductive): Nourishes Shukra Dhatu (reproductive tissue). Indications: General debility, as a Rasayana (rejuvenative).<br>• Medovaha (Fat/Metabolic): Absorbs Kleda (moisture), stimulates Medagni (fat metabolism). Indications: Diabetes (Prameha), Obesity.
Primary Actions Jvaraghna (Antipyretic), Rasayana (Rejuvenative), Deepana (Appetizer), Pachana (Digestive), Vedanāsthāpana (Analgesic), Balya (Strengthening), Hṛdyota (Cardioprotective), Krimighna (Anthelmintic), Kushthaghna (Antileprotic).
Category Details
Dosage (Mātrā) • Decoction (Kwatha): 40 - 80 ml<br>• Powder (Churna): 1 - 3 grams<br>• Satva (Starch Extract): 0.5 - 1 gram
Anupāna (Vehicle) The vehicle is chosen based on the dominant Dosha:<br>• Vataja Conditions: Administer with Ghee.<br>• Pittaja Conditions: Administer with Sugar or Sugar Candy.<br>• Kaphaja Conditions: Administer with Honey.<br>• Specific Conditions: With Milk (in Pradara), with Jaggery (in Daha), with Ginger (in Amavata).
Important Formulations (Kalpa) Guduchyadi Kwatha, Guduchi Loha, Amritarishta, Guduchighrita.
Category Details
Contraindications (Nivārita) No specific contraindications are mentioned in the source text for the purified herb. It is considered safe and Tridoshahara.
Symptoms of Toxicity (Aśuddha Viṣa Lakṣaṇa) The text does not describe classical toxicity symptoms for Guduchi itself. However, it warns about adulteration of Guduchi Satva with starch from potato or sweet potato, which would render the preparation ineffective.
Antidote & Treatment (Viṣa Chikitsā) Not mentioned for the pure herb. Treatment would involve discontinuing the adulterated product.
Category Details
Chemical Composition Key compounds identified in the root (and stem) include: Berberine, Palmatine, Tinosporin, Cordifol, Tinosporide, and other alkaloids and saponins.
Research Notes Modern studies corroborate its traditional uses:<br>• Antidiabetic: Aqueous and alcoholic extracts demonstrated a significant reduction in fasting blood sugar in animal models (rats, rabbits).<br>• Anti-inflammatory & Antirheumatic: Shows marked anti-inflammatory effects.<br>• Hepatoprotective & Diuretic: Actions supporting its use in liver disorders and as a diuretic have been observed.