All About Giloy

Giloy is an ayurvedic herb that has been used and advocated in Indian medicine for ages. Giloy is also known as ‘Amrit’ which literally translates into ‘the roots of immortality’ because of it’s abundant medicinal properties. Giloy is also known as Guduchi. Giloy since ages have been used in ayurvedic medicine, naturopathy and even in modern medicine. It is the stem of giloy that has the most benefits and is ideally suited and used for medicinal purpose. Giloy is also the most important ingredient used in chawanprash. Giloy infact is one such herb who’s health benefits are even endorsed by the FDA (Food and Drug Administration). Giloy stem is used to make homemade juice, kadha and tea and is also sold in form of juice, powder or capsules

Ayurvedic Properties

• Giloy tastes bitter and the taste conversion after digestion is sweet
• It is light to digest
• The potency is hot
• It helps to balance all three dosha

Nutrition

• Giloy contains carbs, protein, lignans, vitamin A, vitamin C, iron and calcium
• It also contains diverse phyto chemicals, a number of bio chemicals and numerous antioxidants

Health Benefits

• It boosts immunity
• Is loaded with antioxidants
• Removes free radicals from the body along with other toxins
• It helps cleanse the liver
• Purifies the blood and helps fight microorganisms
• Giloy also help with curing UTI and a number of other allergies
• Giloy is even used to treat chronic fever including dengue
• Giloy helps treat diabetes and improves digestion
• It reduces stress and anxiety
• It helps fight respiratory problems
• Giloy is also used to treat arthiritis and bone pain
• Giloy has hypolipidemic action on the body which is very good for weight loss
• Apart from this, giloy helps improve vision, improves strength and stamina and even mental health

How to grow giloy ?

• If possible, grow giloy close to desi neem tree (if you have it in your vicinity)

How to use giloy for different purpose ?

• Don’t use the fresh stem that’s flexible and can be easily broken
• Use slightly old stem and remove it’s skin
• Crush the stem with a stone and then boil it in water to make tea, kadha or any other concoction
• Crush, soak and keep it overnight in water
• For weight loss or water retention, use giloy as a juice or kadha with little honey
• For bone problem, gas or bloating, use it as kadha or tea with ghee
• To boost immunity, use giloy and amla juice
• For skin disorders, use it plain with water
• To treat arthiritis, use it boiled in milk
• To help improve vision, giloy water is applied on eyelids

Some important pointers

• Don’t have giloy kadha more than once or twice a week
• Use for 4-5 weeks, take a break and start again after a gap of 10-15 days
• Giloy can be given to kids aged 7 or more in small quantities

Side Effects

• If you’re pregnant or a breast feeding mother, avoid using it
• Avoid having it if you have auto immune disease
• If you’re on medication for lower sugar levels, avoid it
• If you’re using any other medication, consult your doctor before using it
• Use of giloy might cause constipation
• Avoid consuming it for extended periods of time