It’s possible that you might have heard about Giloy during the COVID scare, but it’s returning once again, and this time, it’s all set to stay rather than fade out again. For those who don’t know, it is not just a plant. Many consider it one of the best options or alternatives to medicine in the Ayurvedic multiverse.
In fact, people used it to treat several ailments like fevers and other inflammatory conditions. They also consider it effective for the digestive system, as it helps improve digestion. This blog will cover the details of the Amrit plant, giloy benefits, usage, and such. Read on to find out information on how it is consumed and why it’s so popular.
What is Giloy?
People know Giloy, an Ayurvedic plant, by other names like Guduchi, Somvalli, Rasyani, Amritavallari, and several more. The herbal plant belongs to the Menispermaceae family and commonly grows in the tropical and sub-tropical areas in and around India. It’s stem is quite effective because of its nutritional properties, and it contains some content of alkaloids.
The stem of the plant is quite effective in terms of health benefits and its rich nutritional content. The plant is characterized by beautiful and striking heart-shaped leaves. It helps boost the immune system, thus helping fight off infections. The Charak Samhita, a sacred and ancient Sanskrit text that focuses on such theories, reportedly mentions that the plant reduces vata and kapha dosha.
What does Giloy taste like?
Interestingly, the leaf in a solution tastes distinctly bitter and works best and is most potent when you drink it hot or lukewarm. However, if you add some sugar or jaggery (gur), then it tastes a lot sweeter and more nectarine to consume.
Giloy Benefits
If you didn’t already know, the giloy has some interesting properties which is manifold for those who consume it. Known for its benefits in aiding with digestion, thirst, pain, and several more, It has become quite popular in Indian medicine. Interestingly, it has been used in Ayurvedic medicine for several eons thanks to its medicinal and herbal properties.
- It has anti-inflammatory properties that help heal any swelling or infections
- It is an antioxidant that is helpful in weight loss, also
- It has antipyretic properties, meaning it is used to help reduce a high fever
- Giloy helps in the management of blood sugar levels, thus allowing a normal level to prevail
- It has anticoagulant agent properties, meaning it helps reduce blood clots
- People know Giloy for its anti-stress activity, meaning that consuming it might help you manage stress.
- It has anti-viral and anti-microbial activities, which are quite helpful in reducing the ill-effects of infections
- Giloy has blood glucose-lowering properties, which is excellent for those who have diabetes
- It is known to improve and induce immunity in the immune system
- It also has the ability to fast-track the healing time for any wound or cut
Ayurvedic Uses of Giloy
The ayurvedic use of Giloy is manifold. As we already know, people can use it as an oral syrup or medicine to help manage blood glucose levels in those with diabetes. It also helps with weight management, thereby improving overall metabolism. This can be attained by drinking the giloy juice, which is quite bitter to taste. However, by drinking fresh juice, you are basically ensuring that your immune system will be safe and enhanced.
In addition to this, the giloy juice is used to manage fevers because it boasts antipyretic properties, and it also helps increase platelet count, which is quite helpful for those who are currently suffering from dengue fever.
Interestingly, it can also be used as its own leaf paste, which can be applied on the skin to improve or help with the wound healing process in case you have been wounded with an injury.
Benefits of Giloy
Staying healthy is difficult in a world full of chemicals and unnatural products, but thankfully, India’s Ayurvedic texts confirm core theories that give us the advantage of using plants for their medicinal and herbal properties.
1. Antipyretic Properties
People use Giloy for its antipyretic properties, meaning that consuming it can reduce the symptoms of common fever and even lower a high fever. In addition to this, it also helps reduce symptoms like nasal discharge, sneezing, and allergic itching.
How to use Giloy for fever?
Take 2 to 3 tablespoons of the ayurvedic juice and mix it in a 1:1 proportion of water, and then drink this solution for 7 days before meals.
2. Anti-Diabetic Properties
You might know that giloy has a very bitter taste, which means that those who have blood sugar issues can drink this juice because it has the properties to bring down the blood glucose levels. This additionally helps manage diabetes related complications like wound healing, kidney damage, ulcers, and more.
How to use Giloy for diabetes?
Take 1 and a half teaspoons of giloy powder or juice after either lunch or dinner.
3. Used for Dengue
It can be considered an elixir for those suffering from dengue. This means that by drinking giloy juice, you could help increase the platelet counts, and it also helps reduce fever, thus significantly boosting your immune system.
How to use Giloy for dengue?
Take 2 to 3 tablespoons of giloy juice daily before meals
4. Used for Control High Cholesterol
Another interesting benefit of drinking and consuming giloy juice is the fact that it can help manage high cholesterol as well. This is done by improving metabolism and mitigating toxins from the body, which are actually responsible for high cholesterol.
How to use Giloy for cholesterol?
Take 2 to 3 tablespoons of giloy before meals.
Side Effects of Giloy
Those who are taking the juice should know that the giloy plant does not come without some minor side effects
1. Digestive Issues
It is highly possible that if you take giloy juice on an empty stomach, then it might cause some digestive issues like stomach irritation, gas, constipation and even diarrhea in some extreme cases. Thus, you should consult a doctor before adding this to your daily lifestyle.
2. Blood Sugar Fluctuations
It might so happen that giloy is good for diabetes and maintaining blood sugar levels, but if you keep taking it beyond the required time, it might have bad effects instead of positive ones. So you might want to consult your doctor before doing so.
3. Allergic Reactions
It is possible that some medicines might cause an allergic reaction in some people, so it’s best to consult your doctor before consuming giloy juice.
Conclusion
Giloy has been used for medicinal purposes since time immemorial and is still very popular – sure, it got fame and recognition during the COVID times, but it has been making headlines once again, and people have started to take this ayurvedic drink quite seriously, thanks to all its health benefits.
FAQs:
Ans. Yes, it is safe, but you should still consult a doctor before consuming
Ans. Yes, they are available in most stores.
Ans. It is normally considered safe for pregnant and lactating women.
Disclaimer
We hereby disclaim that the provided information is just to inform you about the topic. The information provided is based on the sources on the internet. We are not responsible for any mishaps or hurt that you may get from reading the content. We are here to provide you the authentic and fact-checked information.
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