The History of Giloy

Giloy, also known as Giloe, Guduchi and Amrita is a climbing shrub and an essential herb in Ayurvedic medicine. Ayurveda is an alternative medicine system with historical roots in the Indian subcontinent. Giloe is a Hindu mythological term. It refers to a mythical heavenly elixir that keeps celestial creatures young. Guduchi means the protector of the whole body in Sanskrit and Amrita means immortality. Giloy is native to India but also can be found in China and tropical areas of Australia and Africa. Giloy is a climbing shrub that grows on other trees, a deciduous shrubby creeper with yellow flowers and heart-shaped leaves, from the botanical family, Menispermaceae. Menispermaceae is a latin word for moonseed family which is a family of flowering plants.

Giloy's benefits and properties

Due to much importance of the Giloy plant, it is selected by National Medicinal Plants Board. People use this plant as a treatment for a wide range of health conditions. This wide range of uses and potential health benefits come from numerous beneficial plant compounds found throughout the plant. All parts of this plant has therapeutic properties but its stem has most of the properties and benefits.

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Giloy is used to treat the following:

Fever, Gout, Diarrhea, Skin Infections, Diabetes, Dysentery, Asthma, Hansen’s Disease (Formerly called Leprosy), Anorexia, Eye Conditions, Urinary Problems, Jaundice

Giloy's major compound classes

1. Terpenoids. 2. Alkaloid. 3. Lignans. 4. Steroids

Terpenoids

Terpenoids are one of the largest classes of active compounds found in plants. This class often contribute to plant’s fragrance, taste, color. Lab tests on terpenoid compounds show that they have antiviral, antimicrobial, anticancer and antidiabetic properties.

Alkaloids

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Alkaloids are mostly in plants cause some plants bitter taste. They are used in pharmacy and medical terms and they also have physiological effects. The alkaloids of plants are used as a model to make many types of prescription medicines. They’re known to have therapeutic benefits for: "Blood pressure Malaria Intestinal Spasm Pain relief Cancer (Especially prostate cancer, breast cancer, ovarian cancer)" With right doses, alkaloids can be powerful chemicals. Since ancient times, people have used alkaloids in plants as remedies for illnesses and as poisons.

Lignans

Lignans are found mostly in fibrous plants. They’re known to prevent the growth of viruses, fungi, and other microbes It acts as a binder for cells and binds cellular fibers containing the matrix to strengthen the wood structure Research also have suggested that lignans have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, which means they may protect cells from oxidative damage. Lignans are especially interesting because research has found they can slow the growth of or even kill some types of cancer cells in lab tests.

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Steroids

Steroids are found in the bodies of animals and plants. The most important type of steroid in the human body is called cholesterol. Steroid in plants may also have benefits for: (Skin health, Healing wounds, Cardiovascular health) They can also lower blood cholesterol.

Giloy's Downside

It seems there is no risks with giloy for healthy people, as long as it is taken at the recommended dose written on the product’s label or suggested by a health professional. However, it may not be a good choice for certain people. Because of its potential to lower blood sugar, you should be cautious with using this herb if you take medications to lower your glucose. You might end up having a low blood sugar reaction ( Giloy could also potentially cause problems if you have an autoimmune disease, such as rheumatoid arthritis, lupus or Crohn’s disease which is because of its stimulating effects on the immune system. With autoimmunity, your immune system is already overstimulated so it will cause attacks to some certain healthy cells instead of harmful pathogens. Also giloy is not recommended for pregnant or lactating people. At last, if you were to use this plant or as a matter of fact any herbal remedies make sure it wouldn’t cause you any harm or problem and ask for professional help.