Guduchi ~ Tinospora cordifolia

Guduchi

Latin name: Tinospora cordifolia

Family: Menispermaceae

Part used: root, stem, leaves and starch

Habitat: tropicalIndia

Main constituents: glycoside, alkaloid (berberine), bitter principles

Energetics: cooling

Main herbal actions: immunostimulant, bitter, stomachic, antiperiodic, CNS depressant, hypoglycemic, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, anti-rheumatic, analgesic, hepatoprotective

Minor herbal actions: aphrodisiac, diuretic, antipyretic, increases white blood cell effectiveness

Main medicinal uses: stem: dyspepsia, fever, urinary diseases; chronic diarrhea, renal calculi, hepatitis, chemotherapy, arthritis

Minor medicinal uses: weak immune system

Preparations: powder: 1=10 capsules bid

Contraindications: children under 8 years of age

Toxicity: none

Sources: http://www.himalayahealthcare.com/products/guduchi.htm; http://www.modern-natural.com/Tinospora%20Cordifolia.htm; http://www.ayurhelp.com/guduchi.htm