Health Benefits of Giloy

Giloy plant, also known as amrita or guduchi, is a herbal plant from the Menispermaceae family, commonly found in tropical and subtropical regions around India.

It has heart-shaped leaves that have a slightly bitter taste. For dietary consumption and skin or hair care routine application, the stems and leaves of giloy are extremely beneficial and are a standard medicinal ingredient for ages, especially in Chinese medicines.

Some of the key components in giloy include steroids, alkaloids, lignans, and terpenoids. Additionally, giloy is also packed with many other necessary nutrients to give your body the required nutrition.

Improves Digestion

Indigestion is uncomfortable for everyone. To help with the same, giloy works as an agent that helps with better food breakdown and nutrition absorption, reducing the risk of acid reflux and gas.

You can consume half a teaspoon of giloy in powder form with lukewarm water twice a day to increase the effectiveness of giloy powder benefits. Additionally, you can also add giloy powder to a glass of buttermilk to calm stomach ulcers.

Increases Immunity

The antioxidants present in giloy help increase the body’s immunity to protect itself against free radicals and effectively flush out any harmful toxins in the kidney and liver.

In addition, giloy helps fight dangerous bacteria that can otherwise lead to many urinary tract infections, skin disorders, etc. For best results, mix 2 to 3 tablespoons of giloy juice with 1 glass of water and drink it first thing in the morning.

Fights Fever

The herb giloy has anti-inflammatory properties that help fight fever. Fever is caused mainly due to an infection, and this plant’s ability to increase immunity helps fight this infection to treat fever effectively.

Moreover, giloy also has an antipyretic property called javarghana that further helps reduce the impact of fever and promotes faster healing. For best results, mix 2 to 3 tablespoons of giloy juice with 1 glass of water and drink it in the morning on an empty stomach.

Controls Blood Sugar Levels

Giloy increases the production of insulin in the body, the hormone responsible for managing blood sugar levels. Additionally, as it improves the digestive system, it helps with the efficient absorption of nutrients and sugar. You can consume half a teaspoon of giloy powder with water after lunch and dinner meals.

Manages Weight

With regular consumption of giloy juice or powder, your metabolic rate increases, allowing better absorption of nutrients and increased ability to burn fats. This helps in effective weight reduction and keeping a check on cholesterol levels.

Improves Vision

Giloy has calming effects on the eyes, reducing the strain due to excessive screen time. This helps relax the eye muscles and improve vision. To use giloy for eyesight, boil giloy leaves or powder in water for 5 minutes, let it cool down, and then dip a cotton ball in it to apply to your eyes for 5-10 minutes.

Helps with Joint Pain

Giloy can help reduce joint pain as it is packed with antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties that soothe the affected area and reduce the pain caused by issues like gout and arthritis. To add it to your daily routine, take 1 teaspoon of giloy powder with a glass of warm milk.

Enhances Respiratory Health

The anti-inflammatory properties of giloy help reduce any inflammation and irritation caused by health conditions like asthma, bronchitis, etc. This improves respiratory health and reduces the risk of similar issues in the future. To obtain this benefit, drink giloy juice regularly.

Helps with Mental Well-Being

A lesser-known benefit of giloy is its ability to increase memory and clear out brain toxins to allow better focus and concentration. With this increased attention, the overall mind efficiency increases, reducing mental stress.

Improved Hair Health

There are some anti-dandruff properties present in giloy that help reduce dandruff significantly. Moreover, giloy is packed with antioxidants that reduce inflammation on the scalp and repair any follicle damage present. This stimulates better hair growth, improving overall hair health and quality.

To get these benefits, mix giloy powder with rose water and spray it all over your scalp and hair. Massage for 5 minutes and leave it on for the next 20 minutes before rinsing with a gentle shampoo.

Reduces Signs of Ageing

Giloy improves blood circulation while also promoting blood purification, which brings a natural glow to the skin. Additionally, it is also responsible for the prevention of oxidative stress build-up under the skin, which can otherwise cause acne and redness.

For giloy skin benefits, boil a cup of milk with one giloy stick. Let the drink cool down, and then drink it.

Helps with Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS)

Many women in the country face the issue of PCOS. Under this condition, the production of androgens in the ovaries increases significantly. Women can consume giloy powder, honey and water concoction to reduce the risk of PCOS.

Manages Menstruation

Women with issues like excessive flow during menstruation can benefit from giloy water. Drinking this mixture helps calm the painful cramps and reduce the flow to reduce discomfort.

Giloy Powder - You can use dried giloy leaves and grind them in a blender to form a coarse powder to add to different beverages like water, juices, milk, smoothies, etc.

Giloy Leaves - Giloy tea is a great way to provide your body with all the nutrients available in this plant. To prepare, boil a few giloy leaves in water for 5 minutes and then strain it before drinking.

Giloy Juice - The most common way of consuming giloy is by making giloy juice. To do so, you can add a few sticks of giloy plant to a pan with water and bring it to a boil. Let it cool, and then add it to the blender to make a juice. Strain the juice before consuming. Giloy juice's benefits are known to combat fever, cold and diarrhoea.

Giloy Stems - You can soak giloy stems in water overnight and then boil them the next day to consume with honey on an empty stomach to improve digestion.

For pregnant and breastfeeding mothers, there is no scientific evidence to prove giloy powder benefits. Thus, if you wish to consume it, consult your doctor before starting to avoid any unnecessary discomfort.

• Whenever experimenting with new ayurvedic plants, start by taking small amounts of giloy and gradually increase it to test the possibility of any adverse effects.

• If you are planning on including store-bought sources of giloy, cross-check all the ingredients and speak to a doctor before adding it to your daily diet.

• People with autoimmune disorders should skip experimenting with giloy as it activates the immune system and can cause adverse effects.

• Skip consuming giloy a minimum of 2 weeks before any surgery.

• If you take any medication for diabetes or sugar-related issues, always consult a doctor before adding giloy to your routine.

• While applying giloy water on the scalp, be very careful and add small amounts to avoid any unnecessary reaction.

Some people can get an allergic reaction from giloy, so be careful and start slow.

Giloy, even though highly beneficial for all age groups, can cause stomach pain, nausea, and constipation for some people, especially young adults, due to dietary habits.

Overconsumption of giloy can also cause other stomach discomforts, so start with 1 teaspoon and gradually increase if needed.

Regular consumption of giloy, in any form, can help boost the immune system and reduce the risk of many diseases and health conditions.

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Giloy is a safe Ayurvedic plant to add to your diet to provide your body with ample nutritional value. Additionally, it increases the body’s immunity to help fight against the common cold and fever, along with other diseases.

To obtain giloy leaves benefits, knowing the right ways to explore the different giloy uses is necessary to ensure the healthy incorporation of this plant in your life. The need of the hour is to prioritise your health and include natural and organic foods in your diet for a better tomorrow.

However, remember to consult a doctor in case of any discomfort or underlying health issues to avoid inconvenience.

How to make giloy juice for consumption?

To obtain giloy juice benefits, you need to take the giloy plant, wash it thoroughly, chop it into small pieces and combine it with a cup of water in a blender. Make a thick paste and then strain the paste through a sieve. Mix the extracted juice with a pinch of turmeric and bring it to a boil. Let it cool down, and drink it.

What are some of the everyday diseases that are cured by giloy?

Some of the everyday diseases cured or restricted due to regular consumption of giloy include diabetes, fever and colds, diarrhoea, and other weather-related infections.

Is it okay to drink giloy juice every day?

Drinking giloy juice every day is a healthy habit as it is packed with antioxidants that help fight diseases and increase the immunity of the body. Furthermore, it can enhance the performance of the digestive system. Make sure you consult a doctor before making significant diet changes, especially if you are on any medication.

Is it okay to drink giloy juice at night?

To obtain giloy benefits, it is recommended to drink giloy juice or in any other form only in the morning, preferably empty stomach. You can, however, consume giloy supplement tablets and capsules any time throughout the day, but avoid taking it at night time.

Disclaimer: This is a general guide on the health benefits of giloy. It is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice and should not be relied on as health or personal advice. It is advisable to consult a qualified health professional for treatment in severe cases.