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What is Tinospora Cordifolia?
Tinospora cordifolia, also called Guduchi or Tippatiga, is a plant that grows in India. It’s a shrub, and people use its stems, roots, and leaves to make medicines in Ayurveda, a traditional Indian healing system.
How Does It Work?
This plant has many chemicals that can help the body in different ways. Some of these chemicals act like antioxidants, which protect the body from damage. Others may help make the immune system stronger, which helps fight off sickness. Some studies in labs or on animals suggest it might even fight cancer cells, but we don’t know yet if it works the same way in people because more research is needed.
Health Benefits
Here are some ways people believe Tinospora cordifolia can help:
Boosts Immunity: Crushed leaves can help your body fight off germs.
Fights Seasonal Illnesses: It may protect against fevers, colds, or infections because it has antibiotic, antiviral, and antifungal properties.
Helps Digestion: Mixing its powder with jaggery (a type of sugar) can reduce stomach problems like indigestion and bloating.
Controls Blood Sugar: People with diabetes might lower their blood sugar by taking its powder regularly.
Reduces Stress: Taking the powder daily may help calm your mind and reduce anxiety. It might also improve memory.
Helps Breathing Problems: It can help with colds, coughs, or tonsils.
Eases Joint Pain: Mix the powder with turmeric, ginger juice, and warm milk, and drink it twice a day to help with joint pain.
Prevents Obesity: It speeds up your body’s metabolism, which helps use fat for energy instead of storing it.
Side Effects
Taking Tinospora cordifolia by mouth for up to 8 weeks is usually safe, but it might cause headaches or nose pain for some people.
We don’t know if it’s safe to use for longer than 8 weeks.
There’s not enough information to know if it’s safe to put on your skin.
Special Warnings
Pregnancy and Breastfeeding: We don’t know if it’s safe to use during pregnancy or breastfeeding, so it’s better to avoid it.
Diabetes: It can lower blood sugar, so if you have diabetes, check your blood sugar often. Your doctor might need to change your medicine dose.
Autoimmune Diseases: If you have diseases like multiple sclerosis, lupus, or rheumatoid arthritis, this plant might make your immune system too active, which could worsen symptoms. Avoid it if you have these conditions.
Surgery: Stop using it at least two weeks before surgery because it might affect blood sugar levels.
How Much to Take?
For hay fever, studies used 300 mg of a Tinospora cordifolia stem extract (called Tinofend) three times a day for 8 weeks. Always ask a doctor before trying it.
Interactions with Medicines
Diabetes Medicines: Since Tinospora cordifolia lowers blood sugar, using it with diabetes medicines (like insulin or glipizide) might make your blood sugar too low. Check your blood sugar regularly.
Immune System Medicines: It can make your immune system stronger, which might make medicines that weaken the immune system (like prednisone or cyclosporine) less effective.
Conclusion
Tinospora cordifolia is used in Ayurveda for many health problems like hay fever, diabetes, and stomach issues. However, there’s not enough scientific proof to show it works for all these uses. Always talk to a doctor before using it, especially if you have health conditions or take medicines.