Ayurvedic Herbs: Guduchi

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Five-Prana_Ayurvedic-Herbs-Guduchi

Ayurvedic Herbs

Ayurvedic herbs are one of the many chikitsas or treatments used in Ayurvedic medicine. These herbs are used as part of an herbal protocol recommended by an Ayurvedic professional. Thusly, all the Ayurvedic herbs should not be self-administered and Ayurvedic herbs should only be taken under-advisement of your Ayurvedic Counselor/Practitioner/Doctor and approved by your Primary Care Physician. The information on the Ayurvedic herb of Guduchi is only meant to educate you on the ways in which it is traditionally used in Ayurveda and is presented for educational purposes only. It is not intended as a substitute for the diagnosis, treatment, or advice of a qualified, licensed medical professional. The facts presented are offered as information only, not medical advice, and in no way should anyone infer that we are practicing medicine. Seek the advice of a medical professional for proper application of this material to any specific situation. Do not use the information found within this post to self-diagnose any medical conditions or treat any health problems or diseases. The information provided is not intended to prescribe or be taken as medical advice. If you have or suspect that you have a medical condition please contact your health care provider immediately.

“The essence of all beings is Earth. The essence of Earth is Water. The essence of Water is plants. The essence of plants is the human being.

Esam bhutanam prthivi rasha, prthivya apo raso-pam osadhayo rasa, osadhinam puruso rasah.”
— Chandogya Upanishad I.1.2
Five-Prana_Ayurvedic-Herbs-Guduchi

Guduchi

  • Latin Name: Tinospora cordifolia

  • Plant Family: Menispermaceae

  • English Name: Guduchi

  • Sanskrit Name: Guduchi means “the one who protects the body” and Amirta means “ambrosia” or “divine nectar”

  • Part Used: leaves

  • Botanical Description: stem is covered by a transparent layer; it has tentacles hanging down; leaves are heart shaped; small yellow flowers; fruits are bean shaped

  • Taste (Rasa): bitter, astringent, pungent, sweet

  • Energetics (Virya): heating

  • Post-Digestive Effect (Vipaka): sweet

  • Quality (Guna): light, unctuous

  • Dosha: VPK=, primarily VP-

  • Tissues (Dhatu): plasma (rasa), blood (rakta), muscle (mamsa), fat/adipose (meda), nerve/bone marrow (majja), reproductive tissue (shukra [male]/artava [female])

  • Systems (Srotamsi): circulatory (rakta vaha srotas), digestive (anna vaha srotas). reproductive (shukra [male]/artava [female] vaha srotas)

  • Constituents: glucoside (giloin); bitter principles; alkaloid (tinosporin, protoberberine alkaloids)

  • Actions: bitter tonic, febrifuge, alterative, diuretic, aphrodisiac, rejuvenative, antirheumatic

  • Ayurvedic Actions: increases appetite (dipaniya); quenches thirst (trsnanigraha); rejuvenative (rasayana), increases strength (balya); promotes life (ayusaprada); nerve tonic (medhya); reduces fever (jvarahara); reduces burning sensations (dahaprasamana); destroys toxins (amanasaka); alleviates skin disorders (kusthaghna); cleans the blood (raktasodhana); purifier of sperm (sukrasodhana); increases sexual potency (vayahjikarana); increases life span (vayahsthapana); reduces all three dosha (tridosahara)

  • Biomedical Actions: cholagogue, detoxicant, alterative, immune tonic, anti-inflammatory, diuretic, anthelmintic, nervine

  • Indications: liver, immunity, skin, digestion, metabolic, reproductive

  • Precautions: caution during pregnancy

  • Preparations: decoction, milk decoction, powder, medicated oil

  • Formulations: guduchyadi churna, guduchyadi kwath, guduchi loha, amrutarishta, guduchi taila

Guduchi has a special affinity for the liver and is cleansing and detoxifying. It is especially beneficial for Pitta prakruti (constitution) and vikruti (imbalances). Guduchi is an immune tonic and rejuvenative to the body, mind and spirit.

References

Frawley D. Yoga & Ayurveda: Self-Healing and Self-Realization. Twin Lakes, Wisconsin: Lotus Press; 1999.

Frawley D, Lad V. The Yoga of Herbs: An Ayurvedic Guide to Herbal Medicine. Twin Lakes, Wisconsin: Lotus Press; 2001.

Gogte VM. Ayurvedic Pharmacology & Therapeutic Uses of Medicinal Plants: Dravyagunavignyam. New Delhi, India: Chaukhambha Publications; 2016.

Pole S. Ayurvedic Medicine: The Principles of Traditional Practice. Philadelphia, PA: Singing Dragon; 2013.