Abstract

Ayurvedic Rasayana Guduchi (Tinospora cordifolia): A Review

Karam Singh*

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Abstract

Plants derived medicines have played a pivotal role in health care of ancient and modern cultures. Ayurveda, the Indian system of medicine uses plant based as well as rasa-aushadhies/drugs or formulations to treat various ailments. Tinospora cordifolia, Sanskrit name Guduchi, is a plant from the Menispermaceae family. It has a long history of use in Ayurvedic medicine (the traditional medicine of India). Different therapeutic uses (karma) are described as in meha, kasa, pandu, kamala, vatarakta, krimi and jvara disorders etc. in Ayurvedic texts. The herb also has balya, agnidipaka, rasayana, sangrahi properties. The various therapeutic activities (or pharmacological actions) attributed to Tinospora cordifolia in Ayurvedic texts have been validated by modern evidence suggesting that this plant has immense potential in modern pharmacotherapeutics.

Keywords: Tinospora cordifolia, Guduchi, Rasayana etc.