Guduchi

Guduchi, Giloy (H):

Guduchi is described as 'the one who protects the body'. 'Amr• ta' means 'divine nectar' referring to the life restoring drops that Lord Indra sprinkled from heaven to bring life back to the devotees of Lord Ra¯ma after they were slain in battle. This is a virile creeper that grows throughout the forests of India. Those growing up neem trees are said to be the best as the synergy between these two bitter plants enhances guduchi's efficacy. Its therapeutic strength lies in its rejuvenating and strengthening properties while also detoxifying and cleansing the whole system, specifically via the liver.

Liver Liver damage, viral hepatitis or poisoning from alcohol, chemicals or recreational and medicinal drugs. Useful in repairing fibrosis and regenerating liver tissue. Applied in all conditions of aggravated ran-jaka pitta and pitta in the blood. Joints Gout (vata rakta), arthritis (ama vata) and other inflammatory joint conditions. It acts by clearing pitta toxins and uric acid via the urinary system that have accumulated in raktavahasrotas. It also removes ama toxins from the system without destabilising any of the other dosa. Immunity All autoimmune diseases causing inflammation. Applicable in degenerative diseases such as cancer, AIDS and arthritis as it boosts the immune system. Use to offset the ulcerative and toxic effects of chemoradiotherapy (Thatte et al 1988). Skin Suppurative and inflammatory skin conditions such as eczema, psoriasis, systemic lupus erythematosus. Useful when there is high tejas and pitta that has burnt immune-protecting ojas away, resulting in inflammatory skin conditions. Skin problems from excessive alcohol, recreational drug and pharmaceutical drug use may indicate the use of guduchi. Specific for burning sensations on the skin (daha) (Caraka Samhita, Bhavaprakas´a). Digestion Guduchi heals a bowel affected by constipation, intestinal bleeding, haemorrhoids or dysentery. Useful at redressing intestinal floral imbalance with candida-like symptoms (krmi, grahani) such as bloating, flatulence and malabsorption. Its bitter yet heating qualities are used to stimulate raktadhatvagni and strengthen digestion in pitta types. Metabolic It regulates blood sugar levels via its direct effect on rakta and medas-dhatu thus benefiting diabetes and hypoglycaemia. Guduchi is very calming to vata and the nervous system via its unctuous nature, soothing nervous irritation. Reproductive Its ability to clear heat is applied when sexual dysfunction is caused by a hyperheat condition. It is often used in formulas for male sexual dysfunction caused by pitta imbalance as its sweet post-digestive effect nourishes s´ukra dhatu.