Prevent illness, build immunity with Guduchi

With the change of weather, travel, or work overload, our health deteriorates, and our body crashes. Immunity plays a key role here, and those who have better immunity avoid illnesses better than others.

An immune system indicates the vitality of an individual. The best thing about Ayurveda is that it does not believe in suppressing symptoms but addresses the root cause of our imbalances. Of course, each body is different. However, several universal strategies support immunity for all.

Ayurvedic Approach to Immunity

Immunity is stronger when you have good digestion, strong metabolism, proper liver functioning, and a balanced endocrine system. Immunity is connected to “ojas”. 

Ojas are the key to perfect health and balanced and blissful emotions. The main hurdle in the flow of ojas is ama or toxins. Ama is generated due to weak digestion and metabolism; of course, stress and fatigue have a role to play.  

Importance of Immunity 

While there are numerous reasons for low immunity, like stress, pollution, poor diet and others, the symptoms are hard to miss: 

• Feel tired and exhausted all-day 
• Catch infections faster and repetitively 
• Dark circles start to show up 
• Signs of depression and insomnia 

A good immune system is like an ‘anti-virus’ defense against illness. Immunity cannot be pumped into anyone, but it can be built by living an Ayurvedic lifestyle.  

What is Guduchi (Giloy)? 

Giloy, also called Guduchi in Hindi, is a plant known scientifically as Tinospora Cordifolia. Its stem is very nutritious and has helpful compounds. The roots and leaves can also be used for health benefits. In traditional medicine, like Charak Samhita, Giloy is recognized for its bitter taste and is used for different health issues, including balancing Vata and Kapha dosha. The plant is named "Heart-leaved moonseed" due to its heart-shaped leaves and reddish fruit.  

Guduchi Benefits 

In Ayurveda, it's mentioned that Guduchi is helpful for problems like leprosy, fever, jaundice, asthma, and gout. Among Indian tribes, Guduchi is highly valued and has been used for a long time to treat various health issues, such as ear pain, cough, bone fractures, skin problems, and women's health. 

Guduchi (Giloy) or Guduchi Ghana Vati is packed with antioxidants that protect your cells from harm and prevent diseases. It helps clear out toxins, purifies your blood, fights harmful bacteria, and fights liver issues and urinary tract infections. It is one of the best Ayurvedic health boosters for your body!  

Here is a list of Guduchi Ghanavati benefits: 

• Improves digestion 

• Aids in managing chronic fever 
• Enhances overall immunity 
• Assists in resisting coronavirus infection 
• Exhibits anti-diabetic properties 
• Promotes a healthy liver 
• Controls high cholesterol levels 
• Reduces stress and anxiety 
• Enhances eyesight 
• Improves respiratory health 
• Alleviates diarrhea conditions 

Moreover, using Guduchi powder is helpful when someone has fever caused by malaria, dengue, or swine flu. When given in these conditions, it increases platelet levels in the blood.   

Guduchi Benefits for Skin  

Guduchi is believed to offer several potential benefits for the skin, including: 

• Anti-inflammatory properties 
• Antioxidant action 
• Wound healing 
• Anti-ageing properties 
• Skin infections 
• Detoxification  

Natural Ways to Boost Your Immunity

Any food that transforms quickly into ojas is an immunity booster food. On the other hand, if the food creates ama, it's bad for immunity. 

Ojas is the end product of complete digestion, offering good health, unwavering emotions, and strong immunity. Ama is the digestive impurities that occur by eating unhealthy, difficult-to-digest foods at the wrong times. 

To boost the immune system, you should 

• Choose healthy and easily digestible foods 

Include fresh fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes and dairy products in your diet while avoiding processed food so that it quickly converts to ojas. 

Canned, packaged and foods with preservatives create ama and block healing from food to reach the required cells. Prefer organic foods. 

    Eat immune-boosting foods such as 

a. Apples - support the immune system, are rich in antioxidants, have both insoluble and soluble fiber, and keep the bowel healthy. 

b. Sweet, juicy fruits - Tree-ripened pears, pineapple, plums, oranges and    mangoes quickly transform into ojas. 

c. Pomegranate - an excellent immunity booster, assists digestion and   elimination. 

d. Papaya – eating after lunch is good for digestion. 

e. Leafy greens – provide iron and calcium, help enhance immunity when cooked with spices, and help cleanse the bowel.

f. Broccoli, cabbage and cauliflower - contain antioxidants, flavonoids and other immune-enhancing nutrients. 

g. Whole grains – Rich in essential nutrients, quinoa, amaranth and barley greatly support immunity building. 

h. Ghee and milk – Ojas enhance essential fatty acids and is a big immunity  booster. 

    Add immune-boosting spices to food 

Adding mild spices to cooking, will help convert food quickly to ojas. Spices are nutritive, add good flavor and support digestion. Some wonder spices are –

a. Turmeric - It detoxifies and reduces the chances of viral infections

b. Cumin - It helps to burn ama

c. Black pepper - It clears the channels, so that ojas reaches the cells.

d. Ginger - It is beneficial for absorbing nutrients in body and reducing              inflammation.

    Use herbs that heal

There are some amazing Ayurvedic herbs to boost immunity:

a. Neem: Useful in curing skin problems, improving indigestion, treating constipation and reducing acidity.

b. Amla: Useful to lower cholesterol, control blood sugar, improve blood circulation, assist digestion and relieves constipation.

c. Aswagandha: Useful in improving immunity, revitalizing energy levels, and slowing down the aging process.

d. Mulethi (Liquorice): Useful to rejuvenate, and helps in curing cough.

e. Tulsi (Holy Basil): Helps treat cold, cough, sore throats, mouth infection, skin problems, headaches and boosting immunity.   

• Use Guduchi as a Natural Supplement 

Guduchi is a strong immune stimulant with excellent anti-cytotoxic effects. It is a holistic immunity-boosting nutritional supplement from Vedi Herbals. If you start taking it 45 days in advance, before winter begins, it helps build natural immunity. Guduchi fights against fever and infections, boosts immunity and adds glow to the skin. 

Guduchi, also known as Giloy, is referred to as “Amrit” in Sanskrit, meaning “divine nectar.” 

• Therapeutic Benefits 

Giloy is useful in promoting and restoring health and preparing you for holistic well-being. 

a. Is used to cure all type of fevers, particularly the chronic fever.

b. It acts as aphrodisiacs and delays the time of ejaculation.

c. Is used TO rejuvenate.

d. Protect the liver, kidney and heart.

e. Stimulates the immunity and increases the antibody-producing cells and  circulating antibody throughout the body.

f. Is used to treat urinary infections.

g. Fights all kinds of viral infections (such as dengue and chikungunya), fevers and jaundice.

Conclusion

It is better to prevent disease rather than cure it. Just as we change the oil in the car so that it never blows the engine, we vaccinate children so they don’t fall ill. Similarly, we should work on building immunity because prevention is always better than cure. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is Guduchi good for?

A: Guduchi or Giloy, is beneficial due to its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. It is often used in Ayurveda to support immune health and detoxification and may have applications in managing skin conditions.  

Q: What are the spiritual benefits of Guduchi? 

A: Guduchi benefits in Ayurveda are believed to have a calming effect on the mind, promoting mindfulness. It also helps balance doshas and supports overall well-being, contributing to a sense of spiritual harmony.   

Q: Which part of Guduchi is best?

A: Each part of Guduchi or Giloy, whether its stem, root, leaves, fruits, or bark, has different medicinal properties. Although, the stem of the Guduchi plant is considered the most beneficial part.  

Q: Which dosha is Guduchi for? 

A: The Tridoshic Rasayana properties of Guduchi make it a powerful herb that effectively balances all three doshas, which are Vata, Pitta, and Kapha doshas. Consuming Giloy for immunity can be a beneficial way to strengthen your body's defense mechanisms.  

Q: What is Giloy useful for?

A: Giloy is an antipyretic herb. It improves platelet count in dengue fever and reduces the chances of complications. Regular intake of Giloy juice benefits in improving immunity during dengue. For better results, boil Giloy juice with a few Tulsi leaves and drink to increase platelet count. 

Q: Can Giloy be taken daily?  

A: Including Giloy juice in your daily diet twice a day can enhance your immune system. Packed with antioxidants, it aids in eliminating toxins from the body. Also, the Giloy plant benefits liver diseases and urinary tract infections.  

Q: Is Giloy hot or cold in nature?

A: Giloy leaves have a cooling nature and are effective in addressing issues that contribute to a heat build-up in the body, such as fever. 

Q: Is Giloy good for the heart? 

A: Giloy, with its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, supports the maintenance of healthy lipid levels and contributes to overall well-being, particularly benefiting heart health. The herb's antioxidant characteristics make it a positive addition to heart health. 

Q: How does Guduchi benefit from weight loss? 

A: Giloy reduces cholesterol and triglyceride levels, which helps in burning fats and lipids in the body.