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Herb library

Guduchi / Amrita (Heart-Leaved Moonseed)

Giloy (Heart-Leaved Moonseed)

Tinospora cordifolia

The 'nectar creeper' — the classical immunity and fever herb of Ayurveda.

Giloy creeper · Climber · Parts: Stem, Leaf, Root

Taste (rasa)
Bitter, Astringent
Energy (virya)
Heating
Balances
Vata, Pitta, Kapha

What it is used for

Benefits

  • Traditional rasayana for recurring infections and slow recovery
  • Used in lingering low fever and post-viral fatigue
  • Bitter tonic that supports liver function and clears ama

How it has been used

Traditional uses & benefits

Called amrita, the nectar of immortality: a bitter rasayana that reduces all three doshas and is the classical answer to fever that will not resolve.

Traditional uses

  • Recurring fevers, colds and slow convalescence
  • Building resistance in people who fall ill easily
  • Bitter cleansing for skin eruptions, gout and a sluggish liver

Practical guidance

  1. 1The fresh stem decoction is the traditional form and is stronger than dried powder.
  2. 2Take it in courses of 4–6 weeks around vulnerable seasons rather than all year.
  3. 3Skip it entirely if you live with an autoimmune condition — it pushes immune activity up.

How much

Dosage

Stem powder 1-3 g twice daily, or 20-30 ml of fresh stem decoction.

How to take it

Preparation & usage

Kadha (decoction)

Boil a crushed finger-length stem in 2 cups water until halved; strain.

Morning, empty stomach

Satva / powder

Mix 1 g starch extract or powder in warm water or honey.

Twice daily after food

Read this first

Precautions

  • Avoid with autoimmune disease — it stimulates immune activity
  • Rare reports of liver injury with prolonged, unsupervised use
  • Stop before surgery and check with a doctor if on diabetes medication

Where this comes from

Sources

Used forImmunity & RecoveryJoints & InflammationEnergy & Focus

Where to buy

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