The plant is known as amrita which means ‘one that never dies’. It is a creeper like thick bush and is found at heights up to 1000 ft above sea level. Its stem is quite thick and looks like rope. Several aerial roots grow from the soft stem and branches. It has yellow and green flowers that grow in bunches. The leaves are soft and similar to those of betel; the fruits are like peas. In India it is found in Giloy to Assam and Burma, and from Bihar and Konkan to Karnataka and Ceylon. It clings to trees and whatever tree it climbs on, it acquires the properties of that tree. That is why Giloy that grows on neem tree is considered to be the best.
Appearance
Giloy is typically found in forests, at raised boundaries of agricultural fields, on rocks where it creeps up like a serpent. It is also found on mango and neem trees. Its stem is thick and grows thicker with the age of the plant. Its identifying feature is that the outer bark is light brown in paper thin layers. When scratched it comes off in layers. On the inside the stem is green and pulpy. The aerial roots grow from the stem and hang down; they reach and enter into the ground creating a new plant. The leaves are alternating and are heart-shaped like betel. They are alternating and smooth; the outer layer is very thin and one can see the meshes inside; the stalk is 1-3 inch long. The flowers grow in summer in small yellow bunches. The fruits also grow in bunches and turn red when ripe. The seeds are white, smooth, and a little bent like those of chili.
Chemical Composition
The stem contains approximately 1.2% starch. In addition, it contains several bitter, biologically active components. It has a Glucoside known as Giloine. It contains a volatile oil and also includes fat, alcohol, an essential oil and several types of fatty acids.
Properties
It cures tridosas. Being unctuous, it controls vata, being bitter and astringent, it controls kapha and pitta. It is anti-dermatoses, relieves pain, quenches thirst, controls vomiting, promotes digestive functions, and enhances digestion. It is pittasarak, purgative and anthelmintic. It regulates the digestive enzyme secretion. It strengthens heart, cures disorders of blood and is beneficial in jaundice. It is an excellent medicine for bronchial asthma, weakness, burning sensation, diabetes, skin problems, and several types of fever. Modern day physicians think that Giloy is effective on tiniest viruses to large parasitic worms. It the growth of tuberculosis causing microorganism like Microbacterium tuberculosis. If these organisms are present in any part of the body, Giloy kills and eradicates them. Microorganisms known as Escherichia coli, which affects intestines and urinary system and consequently the whole body functions, are killed by Giloy and it cures the diseases completely. Its water extract contains large quantities of Phagositic Index which means that like Phagocytic action of WBC (White Blood Cells), its micro ingredients impact the microorganism with ionic speed and destroy the disease-causing microorganisms. Giloy chemical has high glucose tolerance and has immediate effect on adrenaline caused hyperglycemia. It increases the insulin levels in blood and promotes the insulin solubility. It reduces blood sugar levels.
Medicinal usage
Eye problems:
1. Take 11.5 gm juice of Giloy and mix 1 gm each of honey and rock salt in it. Apply this in eyes. It cures cataract, scleral itching and scleral & corneal disorder.
2. Prepare decoction of Giloy juice and triphala. Mix Peepal powder and honey in it and give this to the patient every morning and evening. It improves the eyesight.
Vomiting:
1.In case of vomiting due to travelling in sun or due to pitta, give 10-15 gm Giloy juice with 4-6 gm mixed in it to the patient every morning and sugar evening.
2. Give 125-250 ml of Giloy with 15-30 gm honey mixed in it, thrice a day. It cures even the severe vomiting.
Ear wax: Grind Giloy in water and warm the water. Put 2 drops twice daily in ears. It cleanses the ears.
Sprue and irritable bowel syndrome: Prepare decoction of equal quantities of ginger root, nagarmotha, Atees, and Giloy. Give 20-30 gm of this decoction every morning and evening. It cures dyspepsia, dermatoses and sprue and irritable bowel syndrome.
Vomiting:
1. Take equal quantities of barks of malabar nut, Giloy, and Yellow berried night shade and boil in 1⁄2 kg water till water is reduced to 1/4th. Give this decoction to the patient with honey mixed in it. It cures swelling, bronchitis, bronchial asthma, and vomiting.
2. Take 10-20 gm Giloy decoction or hima and give this to the patient with 2 teaspoonful honey mixed in it. It cures all types of vomiting.
Hiccoughs: Give nasya of powder of Giloy and ginger root. It stops hiccoughs. Or prepare hima of Giloy and ginger root powder and give this to the patient mixed in milk.
Jaundice:
1. Give 20-30 gm of its decoction with 2 teaspoonful honey mixed in it, 3-4 times a day.
2.Grind its 10-20 leaves and mix in a glass of butter milk. Strain the solution and give this to the patient in the morning. It cures jaundice.
3. Prepare garland of its small pieces and let the patient wear it. This is also beneficial in curing jaundice. Piles: Take equal quantities of harad, Giloy, and coriander leaves. Boil 20 gm of this mixture in 1/2 kg water till water is reduced to 1/4th. Mix jaggery in this decoction and give this to the patient every morning and evening. It cures all types of piles.
Anemia:
1.Take equal quantities of spreading hogweed, bark of Neem, patol (pointed gourd) patra, ginger root, katuki, Giloy, Daruharidra and harad. Take 20 gm of this mixture and boil in 320 ml water till water is reduced to 80 ml. Give 20 ml of this decoction to patient every morning and evening. It cures swelling, stomach disorders, pain in the flanks, bronchial asthma and anemia.
2. Take 1 litre Giloy juice, 250 gm paste of stem bark, 4 liter milk, and 1 kg buffalo ghee. Cook the mixture on low heat till only ghee is left. Strain the solution and store. Give 10 gm of this ghee in 40 ml cow’s milk every morning and evening. It cures jaundice, anemia and chronic jaundice.
Urinary disorders:
1.Take equal quantities of Giloy, khas, pathani, lodhra, eyeliner, red sandalwood, Nut-grass, Indian gooseberry, harad, leaves of parval, bark of Neem, Anwla and Padhm kasth. Grind them all and sieve and store. Give 10 gm of this powder with honey 2-3 times a day. It cures pittaj urinary disorders.
2. Giloy juice, satphal, medicated ghee, haritaki or triphala decoction is given in high fever and urinary disorders.
3. Give 20-30 gm decoction of Giloy and Leadwort every morning and evening. It cures urinary disorders. Give 10-20 gm Giloy juice with 2 teaspoonful honey mixed in it, 2-3 times a day.
4.Give 1 gm Giloy extract with 3 gm honey every morning and evening.
Advanced stage of jaundice: Take 5-10 gm buffalo’s ghee medicated with its juice or paste and give this to the patient with 4 times of milk.
Dysuria: Give its 10-20 ml juice with 2 gm powder of Pashan bhed and 1 teaspoonful honey mixed in it. Give this to the patient 3-4 times a day. It is beneficial in curing difficulty in micturition.
Liver disorders and dyspepsia: Take 18 gm fresh Giloy, 2 gm celery seeds, 2 pieces of small pepper, and 2 sticks of Neem branch. Crush them all and soak them in 250 ml water in an earthen pot at night. Next day morning, grind the solution and then strain it and give the solution to the patient. Continue this treatment for 15-20 days. It cures all types of stomach disorders.
Elephantiasis: Mix 50 ml bitter oil in 10-20 gm Giloy juice and give this to the patient every morning on when empty stomach. It cures elephantiasis.
Arthritis: Give 2-5 gm of its powder with milk 2-3 times a day. It cures arthritis and acidity in urine.
Dermatoses: Give its 10-20 gm juice, 2-3 times a day for a few months.
Urticaria: Grind 10-20 gm psoralea seeds in its juice and apply the paste on the affected part.
Chronic fever:
1. In case of high fever or fever which has been continuing for more than 6 days, take 40 gm Giloy and crush it and soak it in 250 ml water in an earthen pot overnight. Next day morning, crush the solution and strain it. Give 20 gm of this solution to the patient, thrice a day.
2. Take 20 ml juice of Giloy and add 1 gm Long pepper and 1 teaspoonful honey in it. Give this to the patient every morning and evening. It cures fever, cough, liver disorders, bronchitis and loss of appetite.
Gout:
1.Give 2-5 gm powder of mundi with 2 teaspoonful honey and 1 teaspoonful ghee, followed by 40-60 gm decoction of Giloy to the patient, every morning and evening. It cures gout.
2. Give 5-10 ml Giloy juice, 3-6 gm powder and 10-20 gm paste or 40-60 gm decoction to the patient every morning and evening for some time.
Fever with bodyaches: Take equal quantities of root bark of bilwa, arani, Gambhari, shyonak and padhal and Giloy, Indian gooseberry and coriander. Give 20-30 gm decoction of these items twice a day.
Various disorders: Jaggery with 10-20 gm Giloy juice cures constipation. When given with sugar candy, it cures pitta disorders. When given with honey, it cures cough. When given with ginger root, it cures gout.
