Certain media outlets have falsely linked Giloy/Guduchi to liver damage. The Ministry of Ayush reiterates that Giloy/Gudduchi (Tinospora cordifolia) is safe, and that according to available data, Guduchi has no toxic effect.
It is said to be the best rejuvenating herb in Ayurveda. Acute toxicity studies of Guduchi aqueous extract show that it has no toxic effect. The safety of a drug, on the other hand, is dependent on how it is used.
Dosage is one of the most important factors in determining a drug's safety. According to one study, a lower concentration of Guduchi powder increases the life span of fruit flies (Drosophila Melanogaster). Simultaneously, higher concentrations gradually reduced the life span of flies.
This clearly shows that an optimal dosage should be maintained in order to achieve the desired effects. This implies that the medicinal herb must be used in the appropriate dose as prescribed by a qualified physician in order to have therapeutic effects.
Guduchi is a true treasure among herbal drug sources due to its wide range of actions and abundance of components. Its medicinal applications include anti-oxidant, anti-hyperglycemic, anti-hyperlipidemic, hepatoprotective, cardiovascular protective, neuroprotective, osteoprotective, radioprotective, anti-anxiety, adaptogenic, analgesic, anti-inflammatory, anti-pyretic, anti-diarrheal, anti-ulcer, anti-microbial, and anti-cancer properties.
Its health benefits in treating various metabolic disorders and its potential as an immunity booster have received special attention.
It is used as a major component of therapeutics to treat metabolic, endocrine, and other ailments, thereby increasing human life expectancy.
It is a well-known herb for its numerous therapeutic applications in traditional systems of medicine, and it has been used to treat COVID-19. Given the herb's overall health benefits, it cannot be said to be toxic.
(Source: PIB)
