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Botanical illustration of Giloy (Guduchi)
MedicinalSourced entry

Giloy (Guduchi)

Tinospora cordifolia

An Ayurvedic climbing vine promoted in India as an immunity booster, including during COVID-19. Cases of liver injury have been reported, though some may involve a look-alike plant.

What is Giloy (Guduchi)?

Plant family
Menispermaceae, the moonseed family
Parts used
The stem and leaves
Genus
Tinospora
Species
cordifolia

Traditional names

Giloy, Guduchi

Traditionally used for

  • Immune support
  • Fever
  • Liver (traditional)

Traditionally described as

  • Immune support (traditional)

Health topics

Where Giloy (Guduchi) appears in symptom search, and why. Being listed doesn't mean it's a proven treatment.

Traditions that use it

  • Ayurveda

    Described in Ayurvedic texts as one of the most important medicinal plants; used for jaundice, fever and immunity.

Safety

Toxicity testing

  • Liver injury has been reported with giloy, mostly from India. A 2021 case series described 6 patients who developed autoimmune-like hepatitis (the immune system attacking the liver) after taking giloy or giloy-containing products during the COVID-19 pandemic.[1]

  • A 50-year-old woman developed severe liver inflammation two weeks after starting a supplement containing giloy. She recovered after stopping it and a short course of steroids.[2]

Contamination

  • Several other plants are sold as, or mixed up with, giloy, which may explain some liver-injury reports.[1]

What does the research say?

Traditional use

These are traditional uses, not proven treatments.

  • Ayurvedic texts describe giloy as one of the most potent and important medicinal plants, and its leaves have been used for centuries for many ailments.[3]

  • Giloy has traditionally been used for jaundice.[4]

  • In India, the government's Ministry of AYUSH recommended giloy for COVID-19 care because of its reputation for easing inflammation and supporting the immune system.[1]

Laboratory & animal research

Lab and animal results show what might be worth studying in people. They don't show that the herb has these effects in humans.

  • In lab and animal studies, giloy showed antioxidant activity and protected the liver from chemical damage. Among its compounds is berberine.[4]

  • Lab research suggests compounds in giloy leaves affect immune signaling, but more research is needed to know whether it works in people.[3]

In short

Liver injury, including autoimmune-like hepatitis, has been reported; stop and see a doctor if you notice yellow skin or dark urine.

Sources

  1. [1] Can Guduchi (Tinospora cordifolia), a well-known ayurvedic hepato-protectant cause liver damage? — Journal of Ayurveda and Integrative Medicine · DOI: 10.1016/j.jaim.2022.100658Peer-reviewed study
  2. [2] Tinospora cordifolia (Guduchi/Giloy)-Induced Liver Injury: A Case Review — Cureus · DOI: 10.7759/cureus.39793Peer-reviewed study
  3. [3] Immunomodulatory properties of Giloy (Tinospora cordifolia) leaves and its applications in value-added products — Heliyon · DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e40948Peer-reviewed study
  4. [4] Traditional uses, hepatoprotective potential, and phytopharmacology of Tinospora cordifolia: a narrative review — Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmacology · DOI: 10.1093/jpp/rgae013Peer-reviewed study

This information is educational and traditional in nature, and is not a substitute for professional medical advice.