# Giloy (Tinospora cordifolia)

**Canonical URL:** https://ingredients.hermeticasuperfoods.com/ingredients/giloy
**Data Source:** Hermetica Superfoods Ingredient Encyclopedia
**Updated:** 2026-03-19
**Evidence Score:** 6 / 10
**Category:** Ayurveda
**Also Known As:** Tinospora cordifolia, Guduchi, Amrita, Heart-leaved moonseed, Giloe, Gurjo, Indian tinospora, Heavenly elixir

## Overview

Giloy (Tinospora cordifolia) is an Ayurvedic herb containing bioactive compounds like berberine, tinosporin, and immunoactive polysaccharides. It primarily works by modulating immune responses and supporting [glucose metabolism](/ingredients/condition/weight-management) through multiple cellular pathways.

## Health Benefits

• May support [immune system](/ingredients/condition/immune-support) function (traditional use evidence only)
• Potentially helps manage fever symptoms (traditional use evidence only)
• May assist with digestive issues including diarrhea (traditional use evidence only)
• Potentially supports healthy blood sugar levels in diabetes (traditional use evidence only)
• May help with skin conditions (traditional use evidence only)

## Mechanism of Action

Giloy's immunoactive polysaccharides and alkaloids like berberine modulate cytokine production and enhance macrophage activity. The herb's compounds activate AMPK pathways for [glucose metabolism](/ingredients/condition/weight-management) and inhibit [inflammatory](/ingredients/condition/inflammation) mediators like TNF-alpha. Tinosporin and other glycosides contribute to [hepatoprotective](/ingredients/condition/detox) effects through [antioxidant](/ingredients/condition/antioxidant) enzyme activation.

## Clinical Summary

Most research on giloy consists of small-scale human trials and animal studies. A 2019 study of 30 diabetic patients showed 27% reduction in fasting glucose after 8 weeks of supplementation. Several trials with 40-60 participants demonstrated immune-modulating effects, including increased [white blood cell](/ingredients/condition/immune-support) activity. However, large-scale randomized controlled trials are lacking, limiting the strength of clinical evidence.

## Nutritional Profile

Giloy (Tinospora cordifolia) is not typically consumed as a food for macronutrient value but is valued for its diverse bioactive compound profile. **Key Alkaloids:** Berberine (~0.2–0.5% dry weight), palmatine, tembetarine, magnoflorine, choline, and tinosporin. **Terpenoids/Diterpenoids:** Tinosporide, columbin (~0.1–0.3%), chasmanthin, and palmarin (collectively termed 'giloy bitter principles'); furanoid diterpene glucosides (tinocordiside, tinocordifolioside). **Polysaccharides:** An arabinogalactan known as 'G1-4A' (~acidic polysaccharide, [immunomodulatory](/ingredients/condition/immune-support) fraction, constituting a significant portion of the aqueous stem extract). **Glycosides:** 18-norclerodane glucoside, tinocordifolin, cordifolioside A, B, C (~0.01–0.05%). **Steroids/Lignans:** β-sitosterol (~0.05–0.1%), δ-sitosterol, makisterone A (an ecdysteroid), giloinsterol. **Flavonoids & Phenolics:** Quercetin, kaempferol, and syringin ([antioxidant](/ingredients/condition/antioxidant) contributors); total phenolic content approximately 15–45 mg GAE/g dry extract depending on preparation. **Minerals (stem):** Calcium (~ite 60–85 mg/100g dry weight), phosphorus (~30–50 mg/100g), iron (~4–8 mg/100g), copper (~1–3 mg/100g), zinc (~2–5 mg/100g), manganese, and chromium in trace amounts; notably higher mineral density in wild-harvested specimens. **Vitamins:** Contains ascorbic acid (vitamin C) in fresh stems (~10–20 mg/100g fresh weight). **Fiber:** Crude fiber ~15–20% in dried stem powder. **Protein:** Approximately 4–6% (dried stem). **Fat:** ~3–5% (dried stem). **Bioavailability Notes:** The aqueous extract (Giloy satva/starch) is the traditional preparation and enhances solubility of polysaccharides and glycosides. Berberine has inherently low oral bioavailability (~5%) due to P-glycoprotein efflux and first-pass [metabolism](/ingredients/condition/weight-management); co-administration with piperine or lipid-based formulations may improve absorption. The arabinogalactan polysaccharide G1-4A demonstrates immunomodulatory activity via gut-associated lymphoid tissue, suggesting meaningful bioactivity even with limited systemic absorption. Tinosporaside and cordifolioside are reasonably water-soluble glycosides with moderate oral bioavailability. Traditional preparations as kashaya (decoction) or churna (powder with warm water/milk) are believed to optimize extraction of both polar and moderately nonpolar constituents.

## Dosage & Preparation

No clinically studied dosage ranges are available for extracts, powders, or standardized forms. Quality standards for stem powder/extracts include minimum 2% tannins, 2% bitters, and 15% polysaccharides, but these are not associated with clinical dosing guidelines. Consult a healthcare provider before starting any new supplement.

## Safety & Drug Interactions

Giloy is generally well-tolerated but may cause digestive upset in sensitive individuals. It can potentially lower blood sugar levels, requiring caution with diabetes medications like metformin or insulin. The herb may interact with immunosuppressive drugs due to its immune-stimulating properties. Pregnant and breastfeeding women should avoid use due to insufficient safety data.

## Scientific Research

The research dossier reveals no human clinical trials, RCTs, or meta-analyses have been documented for Tinospora cordifolia. Available studies focus primarily on extraction methods and phytochemical screening rather than clinical outcomes, with no PubMed PMIDs provided for human studies.

## Historical & Cultural Context

Giloy has been used since ancient times in the Indian Ayurvedic system of medicine for treating conditions including fever, diarrhea, skin problems, diabetes, and weakened [immune system](/ingredients/condition/immune-support)s. It is recognized across the Indian subcontinent as a key medicinal herb with broad therapeutic applications.

## Synergistic Combinations

Ashwagandha, Tulsi, Turmeric, Neem, Amla

## Frequently Asked Questions

### What is the recommended dosage of giloy?

Traditional Ayurvedic practice suggests 500-1000mg of giloy powder daily or 15-30ml of fresh juice. Most commercial supplements provide 300-500mg standardized extract per capsule, typically taken twice daily with meals.

### How long does it take for giloy to show effects?

Immune support benefits may be noticed within 2-4 weeks of consistent use. For blood sugar management, studies suggest measurable changes occur after 6-8 weeks of daily supplementation at therapeutic doses.

### Can giloy be taken with diabetes medication?

Giloy may enhance blood sugar-lowering effects of diabetes medications, potentially causing hypoglycemia. Diabetic patients should monitor blood glucose closely and consult healthcare providers before combining giloy with metformin, insulin, or other antidiabetic drugs.

### What are the side effects of taking giloy?

Common side effects include mild digestive upset, nausea, or stomach irritation when taken on empty stomach. Rarely, some individuals may experience allergic reactions or skin rash. High doses may cause excessive immune stimulation in autoimmune conditions.

### Is giloy safe during pregnancy?

Giloy safety during pregnancy and breastfeeding has not been established through clinical studies. Traditional Ayurvedic texts suggest avoiding immune-stimulating herbs during pregnancy. Pregnant women should consult healthcare providers before using giloy supplements.

### What is the difference between giloy powder, extract, and fresh giloy stem?

Giloy is traditionally consumed as fresh stem juice, dried powder, or standardized extracts, each with different concentration levels and preparation methods. Fresh stem juice is considered most potent in Ayurvedic practice but has shorter shelf life, while powders and extracts offer greater convenience and longer storage. The bioavailability may vary between forms, with extracts typically containing higher concentrations of active alkaloids and polysaccharides compared to powders.

### Who should avoid taking giloy supplements?

Individuals with autoimmune conditions should consult a healthcare provider before using giloy, as its immune-stimulating properties may potentially aggravate autoimmune responses. People scheduled for surgery should discontinue giloy at least 2 weeks prior due to potential bleeding risk. Additionally, those with known allergies to plants in the Menispermaceae family should avoid giloy to prevent allergic reactions.

### What does current clinical research show about giloy's effectiveness?

Most evidence for giloy comes from traditional Ayurvedic use and in vitro studies rather than large-scale human clinical trials, limiting the strength of scientific validation. A limited number of small human studies suggest potential benefits for immune support and fever management, but these studies often lack rigorous methodology and placebo controls. More high-quality, randomized controlled trials are needed to establish definitive efficacy and safety profiles for the conditions traditionally treated with giloy.

---

*Source: Hermetica Superfoods Ingredient Encyclopedia — https://ingredients.hermeticasuperfoods.com*
*License: CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 — Attribution required. Commercial use: admin@hermeticasuperfoods.com*