Pankaj Oudhia on Guduchi or Giloy (Tinospora cordifolia): Manuscripts from Medicinal Plant Database

Abstract

Since year 1990 Pankaj Oudhia is writing on various aspects of Biodiversity and Traditional Healing. The regular writing of more than two decades resulted in documents worth millions of pages. Very small part of these documents is online so far. The present series is an effort to represent excerpts of these documents available in Pankaj Oudhia’s Medicinal Plant Database at pankajoudhia.com

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The regular demand of medicinal herb [[Giloi]e17230] from {{Chhattisgarh}e} always surprise me. The traders ask for dry stems, leaves and fruits of Giloi in bulk. The herb collectors collect it in fresh form and after drying, the traders sell it to the national and international markets. In reference literatures related to different systems of medicine in {{India}e} especially in {{Ayurveda}g} it is clearly mentioned that Giloi gives real effects when used fresh. The Traditional Healers of Chhattisgarh also support it. Dry Giloi is less in effect but when drying is must then it must be shade drying not under open sky as most of the traders do. Giloi plant parts with such poor quality are supplied to all major companies in bulk and in form of Ayurveda products it reaches to us. The important question is that if the basic material is not up to the mark and how we can expect its promising effects as medicine. The Healers of Chhattisgarh aware of medicinal properties were given commercial Giloi products many times by me as trial but they refused to use it. They want to use it as fresh as possible. Like Giloi, basic rules are ignored in most of the herbs collected from wild and used to prepare Ayurveda drugs. It seems that there is need for nationwide discussion on this aspect so that the Genuine Ayurveda can serve the common people in original form not in form the Commercial Ayurveda is serving.

Although Giloi is present in Chhattisgarh since time immemorial but from five to six years its demand has increased many folds. It is really surprising that when you ask the traders about its availability in Chhattisgarh, most of them will say that it is not available in the state but they can arrange it from the neighboring states like {{Andhra Pradesh}e}. Our forests are rich in its presence and also it is under collection especially in Southern Chhattisgarh. Possibly in order to get higher prices and reduce competition, the traders spread such wrong information. Giloi is well known among the common natives of the state specially the senior natives. They are using it as remedy for all types of fever. Many of them have planted it in their home garden so that it can be used round the year. Today when in urban areas, slight change in weather results in common cough and cold and finally fever, I feel that there is need to introduce and popularize this medicinal herb in home gardens of these regions.

The reference literatures write much about the medicinal properties of leaves. Its use in any form gives rid from fever and also it is considered as boon for the patients having {{Jaundice}g}. Dry leaves are supplied in bulk from Chhattisgarh by the traders but like other parts, green leaves and its juice gives real effects. In many parts of Chhattisgarh the natives prepare and consume curry prepared from its green leaves. They make it tasty by adding spices. Many times it is added in curries prepared from different [[weeds]g24116]. It is considered useful for the natives of all age group. The Healers suggest their patients to take leaf juice in place of curry for more promising effects.

The Healers engaged in treatment of modern diseases like {{AIDS}g} and {{cancer}g} always try to use the herbs having ability to increase the natural resistance of body. They have started using green Giloi stems for this purpose. Stem pieces are given to the patients during morning time. They are in favor of its long-term use. In general it is used as supplement treatment along with main treatment of these diseases. The natives prone to get AIDS are also advised to use it under the supervision of the Healers. Earlier they were using Giloi in this form as tonic for the patients recovering from old diseases. It is a matter of appreciation that the Healers of present generation have developed new uses of ancient formulation.

The traders and representatives of drug manufacturing companies informed that the successful use of Giloi in treatment of {{Diabetes}g} has increased its demand in national and international markets. Now more and more companies are launching Giloi based products in market. The Healers are aware of its anti-diabetic properties but they clearly say that one must take Giloi as single remedy in order to get real effects. In general the patients take self-medication and use Giloi along with other medicines. The companies also mix all the herbs mentioned useful in reference literatures as single formulation and expect miraculous results. This is the reason as the number of anti-diabetic formulations is increasing, the number of patients are also increasing. It is not wrong to say that if correct selection of herbs activates the Pancreas then wrong herbs can damage it also.

I see bright future of Giloi as tool of organic farming of Indian medicinal and aromatic crops. Different crops react in different ways in response to Giloi extract and leachate. During experiments at farmer's fields I have tried these extract and leachate on these crops both at laboratory and field levels. Giloi extract promotes the growth of [[Kasturi Bhindi]e291] crop whereas in case of [[Chandrashoor]e7227] its spray acts as repellent to Aphid. In case of Aphid infestation in [[Kevatch]e7832] Giloi gives good results when used in combination with other herbs. In case of soil borne diseases, the application of Giloi stems with Farmyard manure gives good results but it is very costly treatment. I have tried the use of leachate for seed treatment of [[Sarpgandha]e9185] and found surprising results. Seed germination is problematic in this crop. [[Safed Musli]e363542] growers are using it commonly whereas I see much scope in its use in [[Stevia]e10084]. In all these formulations Giloi was used in combination with [[cow]e243652] dung and urine solution. Whenever I visit to meet farmers I never miss chance to inform them about the benefits of Giloi for all i.e. themselves, cattle and crops.

In previous research articles I have written a lot on different aspects of this medicinal herb. This article is supplement to previous articles. Increasing demand of Giloi is good news for the herb collectors and traders but I am worried about its natural population. If traders show interest and get ready for buy back then farmers can be encouraged to grow it as medicinal crop. It will reduce pressure on natural population of Giloi and will give benefit to larger part of the society.

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