Guduchi is one of the most sacred plants in Ayurveda. This powerful medicinal herb is a real energy boost for body and mind and helps you to recharge your batteries. Here we explain why the plant is also known as divine nectar, how guduchi works and the best way to take it.
Diverse climbing plant: the guduchi plant
In the tropical regions of India, a climbing plant grows that twines vigorously around the tallest trees. Its name is Guduchi (also called Giloy plant or Amrita, botanically Tinospora cordifolia), which means "that which protects the body" in Sanskrit.
The plant can develop aerial roots up to 10 metres long and can be recognized by its pea-sized, bright red fruits and heart-shaped leaves. What is unusual, however, is that even if the creeper has not been in contact with the ground for a long time, it will sprout again as soon as it is back in solid ground.
Thanks to its detoxifying and cleansing properties, guduchi can be used in a variety of ways to heal and promote health and is also considered an elixir of youth. Due to these life-sustaining properties, the plant is said to have an extraordinary effect in Ayurveda:
- Strengthening the body's defenses and immune system
- against infectious diseases (e.g. fever, colds)
- Anti-ageing and rejuvenating effect on a physical and mental level
- Detoxifying effect, e.g. for liver diseases (gout, hepatitis)
- More performance and concentration
- Anti-inflammatory effect (also e.g. for rheumatism, arthritis, skin diseases)
Its tradition goes back a long way, as it even has a special significance in Indian mythology.
Guduchi, Giloy plant or Amrita: divine potion of immortality
In Ayurveda, Guduchi is often referred to as divine nectar, which goes back to an Indian epic. According to this, one day the god Rama prayed to Indra, the king of the gods. He asked him to bring back to life all the monkeys and bears in his army that had fallen in battle against the demon king Ravana.
Indra fulfilled this wish and sprinkled nectar from the sky onto the earth. When the animals were hit by it, they came to life again. The drops that fell to earth formed the sacred Guduchi plant.
So it is not surprising that the plant is often called Amrita, the immortal, because it is a real survivor! Even in extreme heat or drought, it manages to fight successfully against the difficult conditions.
At first it loses its leaves and appears to die, but as soon as the conditions change again, new green leaves begin to sprout and the plant comes back to life. These vital forces were recognized early on in Ayurveda and can also be transferred to us humans.
Guduchi: effect on the psyche and body
Guduchi has been an extremely valuable Ayurvedic medicinal plant for thousands of years. Its heavy and oily properties have an alkalizing and strengthening effect. It balances all three doshas and at the same time provides the necessary bit of energy.
In this way, body and mind regain their balance and you draw new vitality! The areas of action of the medicinal herb are very extensive, but here we take a brief look at the most important ones.
Rejuvenating and invigorating
This plant is not nicknamed "the immortal" for nothing. As it cleanses and strengthens the tissue, it is a particularly popular anti-ageing remedy. It also has positive effects on the cardiovascular system and ensures that you feel good both physically and mentally.
The medicinal plant also strengthens the immune system and the body's defenses and gives you the energy you need to start the day successfully.
Blood cleansing and detoxifying
This medicinal herb is an excellent means of cleansing the body from the ground up. It helps to detoxify the body very well and is particularly suitable in spring to rid the body of all the waste products and toxins that have accumulated during the winter.
Thanks to its detoxifying properties, the liver is also supported in its function, which means that the plant can be effective for conditions such as gout or hepatitis.
Awakens the spirits
In Ayurveda, guduchi is considered a medha rasayana, i.e. a spiritual rejuvenator. If you need new courage and fresh energy in situations that seem hopeless, this plant can provide the necessary boost of inner strength.
The plant also improves your performance and concentration. Your memory improves and it is easier to cope with upcoming tasks.
In the case of stress-related ailments, it brings the body's functions back into a harmonious balance and helps you to devote yourself to new things in a strengthened and relaxed manner. It has a restorative effect, calms the nerves and can reduce stress. This rekindles the fire of life within you!
Various diseases
However, the medicinal plant has many other beneficial properties for the body. For example, it benefits the nerves, which is why it can be used to treat various neurological disorders.
As an anti-inflammatory, it is also beneficial for joint problems and has positive effects on various rheumatic diseases such as arthritis.
But even for infectious diseases, various skin conditions, flatulence or gastritis, the use of this medicinal herb can pay off. It is therefore worth giving this powerful plant a try so that you can draw on its full healing powers!
Does Guduchi have side effects?
If you are now wondering whether there is a catch to all these positive effects, don't worry. Guduchi has no proven side effects in humans (2), so the medicinal herb is generally completely safe to use.
Nevertheless, pregnant and breastfeeding women should avoid the plant, as too little research has been done on this so far. The plant may cause mild constipation in some people, but no other side effects are to be expected.
Take guduchi: How to use the herb
Ayurveda mainly uses the leaves, stem and roots of the plant. These individual parts can be processed into different forms and ultimately ingested, such as...
- ...as Churna
- ...as Guduchi capsules
- ...as Guduchi extract or oil
- ...as a paste.
If you need it very quickly, the plant can simply be taken in capsule form as a dietary supplement. However, the most common and probably most beneficial form of guduchi is as a churna, i.e. in powder form. Although it has a bitter, tart taste, there are various ways to vary it.
Attention:
You should only take dietary supplements after consulting your doctor. The information provided in this article is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical advice! The recommended dietary supplements should be taken at your own discretion.
Guduchi powder: application and combination
Guduchi tea has been drunk in the Himalayas for centuries and a tea cure is an excellent way to breathe new life into yourself. All you have to do is add about 1 teaspoon of guduchi powder to a cup of boiling water twice a day to make yourself a nice tea.
It is best to drink the tea before breakfast and dinner. If you find the taste too bitter, you can add a little lemon or cinnamon.
For extra detoxification, you can also add other plant extracts such as shatavari or ashwagandha to enhance the tea even further. You will soon feel cleansed and experience the revitalizing effects of this tea treatment.
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Stimulating Guduchi oil for more momentum
If the powder is less appealing to you, the medicinal herb is also available as an invigorating essential oil. It is usually refined with other herbs to give it a pleasant fragrance. The oil can be used very well in between meals, as it dispels tiredness and helps you to regain your energy.
The vitalizing Guduchi plant is an Ayurvedic elixir of life that provides you with new energy, both mentally and physically. Whether as a guduchi tea, oil or capsule - bring your doshas into harmony and recharge your batteries with this stimulating plant!
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Cover picture: © frank600 - istockphoto.com (file no.: 954018240)
Sources:
(1) Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (2013): Statement on Guduchi herbal teas.
(2) Sharma A. et al. (2025): Heart-leafed moonseed 'Incredible source of remedies'". Social Evolution and History (14/1), pp. 26-33.
(3) Sharma P. et al. (2024): Medicinal Significance of Giloy (Tinospora Cordifolia). In: S. Morya, et al. (eds.): Harnessing the power of plants: Nutra-pharmaceutical insights into utilized and underutilized species, pp. 76-89. Punjab: Lovely Professional University.
