Traditional Medicinal Knowledge about useful herb Giloi (Tinospora cordifolia) in Chhattisgarh, India

Research Note - Pankaj Oudhia
© 2001,2002,2003 Pankaj Oudhia - All Rights Reserved

Giloi is common climber in dense forests of Chhattisgarh. Due to over -exploitation, its natural population is decreasing at alarming rates in the state. It is in list of non-wood forest produces having heavy regular demand. The traders at national and international drug markets are well aware of its natural occurrence in Chhattisgarh forests. From two years, with this help of traditional healers, I am keeping close view on its trade from the state. The is very interesting but bitter fact that over exploitation of Giloi is resulting in disappearance of many associated herbs and insects. As informed by the healers, some specific herbs grow in association with this climber and they have specific relationship among them. In order to study this relationship, the help of allelopathic studies was taken. In these studies, I have observed the stimulatory allelopathic effects of different parts of Giloi on associated herb. The leachates were more promising as compared to the extracts. In general, Giloi possess positive (inhibitory) allelopathic effects on other herbs. This is interesting observation. The traditional healers of Chhattisgarh also informed that the Giloi collected from cultivated fields possess less medicinal properties as compared to the Giloi collected from wild, particularly when it is collected from patches having associated herbs in vicinity.

Common and popular names of Giloi (Tinospora cordifolia) around the world.
Languages/Regions/Countries	Names
1) Arabic	Gilo
2) Bengal	Gadanch, Giloe, Gulancha, Gunchi, Nimgilo
3) Myanmar	Singomone, Sinzamanne
4) Kanarese	Amrytaballi,Madhuparne, Uganiballi
5) Chinese	K'uan Chu Hsing
6) Hindi	Giloe, Gulancha, Gulbel, Gulvel
7) Sri Lanka	Chintil
8) Malyalam	Amrytu, Peyamrytam, Sittamrytu
9) Persian	Gulbel
10) Nepal	Garjo
11) Sanskrit	Amrita, Chakrangi, Chandrahasa, Dhira, Guduchi, Guluchi, Jivanthika, Nagakumarika, Somalatika, Vishalya
12) Tamil	Amridavalli, Amudam, Asasi, Kunali, Narsindil, Paganrai, Pattigai, Silam, Sindil,Vayamadu
13) Telugu	Guduchi, Iruluchi, Madhuka, Manapala, Somida, Tellatippatige, Tippatige
14) Uriya	Gulancha, Gulochi

For healers it is general observation and they have told many surveyors and researchers, this fact but no one has never taken interest in this observation. For me, it is valuable information and there is a need for scientific confirmation. In my previous article on Kevatch (Mucuna pruriens), I described specific "Kevatch Ecosystem". Like this unique system, "Giloi Ecosystem" also exists in Chhattisgarh. And non-scientific exploitation is becoming a curse for this unique ecosystem. Although many innovative herb growers of Chhattisgarh, have started the commercial cultivation of this climber but the area and production are still very low. They are unable to fulfil the demand and requirements of traders. But I am sure this cultivation will soon be converted into commercial cultivation and will be helpful in reducing the pressure on natural forests. The herb growers are cultivating this herb with the help of method developed by themselves. The agronomical practices for commercial cultivation are not available for the farmers. Last week, a team of agricultural experts visited, one of the farmer’s field to observe the commercial cultivation. They have collected many data from field and pressurised the farmer to accept that he is cultivating this herb under their supervision. This is common practice in Chhattisgarh as the farmers are more innovative as compared to the agricultural scientists. I am proud to write about the achievements of Chhattisgarh farmer in my articles. For organic growers of Chhattisgarh, Giloi is a boon. The growers use different parts of Giloi to repel away the insects from crop fields. With other herbs like Calotropis, Datura and Blumea the growers also add the extract of Giloi in herbal solution and spray it frequently in crop fields. We have tried it successfully in case of medicinal and aromatic crop Kasturi Bhendi (Abelmoschus moschatus). Insect infestation is one of the serious problems in commercial cultivation of Kasturi Bhendi crop. As the use of agrochemicals result in reduction of natural aroma of seeds, the farmers avoid its use. As preventive, they apply the herbal solution having Giloi as major component on standing crop in a week, interval. We have not observed the harmful effects of this solution on crop and its spray prevents insect attack. As cultivation of Giloi is very simple, the farmers grow it and use it as natural pesticide. In my experiments at farmer’s field, I have found the special extract of Giloi (alone) very effective against insect Aphis craccivora Koch. (Hemiptera : Aphididae) in Kevatch (Mucuna) crop. I personally feel that there is a strong need to conduct a detailed allelopathic research on this potential herb in different corners of world. I am sure that it will become a promising tool for growers engaged in organic farming, specifically in farming of medicinal and aromatic crops.

Botanical differences among Tinospora species.
Characteristics	T. malabarica	T. crispa	T. cordifolia
1) Leaves	Pilose on both sides or at least beneath	Glabrous	Membronous, 7-9 nerved.
2) Endocarp	Distinctly tuberculate	Distinctly tuberculate	Rotund-ovoid, ribbed on the back, otherwise almost smooth.

Before describing its traditional medicinal uses, I am giving the details regarding its botany and reported medicinal uses, I have noted from reference literatures. Giloi is large deciduous climber with lenticellate, corky stem branches sending down slender pendulous, fleshy roots; Leaves deeply cordate with large basal lobes; Inflorescence racemose; Male flowers clustered in the axils of small subulate bracts; Sepals 2 seriate; inner broadly elliptical; Petlas six, equal; Female flowers usually solitary, similar to male; carpels three; Drupelets pisiform deep - red, marked with sub-basal stylar scar. Flowing time August to December and Fruiting time December to February in Chhattisgarh conditions. As medicine, Giloil holds a reputed position in all systems of medicine in India. All parts are used as medicine but stem and root are used most frequently. According to Ayurveda, stem is bitter, stomachic, tonic, appetiser, antipyretic and expectorant. It is used in treatment of vomiting , fever, blood disorders, jaundice (Pelia), enlarged spleen, vaginal and urethral discharges, giddiness, piles, anaemia, diabetes, skin troubles, cough etc.

The natives and traditional healers of Chhattisgarh have rich traditional medicinal knowledge about Giloi. They use it in treatment of over 50 common diseases with the help of about 200 herbal combinations. It is used both internally and externally. With root and stem, in Chhattisgarh leaves are also in use as medicine. Its presence in home gardens clearly indicates its popularity among the natives. I am describing some promising traditional uses of Giloi in Chhattisgarh, I have collected during my ethnobotanical surveys. For Leucoderma (Safed Dag), many traditional healers use this herb with Bemchi (Psoralea corylifolia). The juice is extracted and powder seeds of Bemchi are mixed in this juice. The patients are advised to apply this juice (having Powdered Bemchi seeds) on white spots. In my previous article, I have described traditional medicinal knowledge about Bemchi herb in treatment of Leucoderma, and its seeds are mixed with, water and urine of different animals. In place of water and urine, the use of Giloi juice is not mentioned in reference literatures. It is in practice in Chhattisgarh. The natives add Haldi Powder (Turmeric) in this combination, apply it externally on red spots of Chhapaki (Urticaria). With this external application, the patients are advised to take Haldi with Gud internally. In place of Haldi, many healers recommend the juice of Giloi. On the basis of vitality of patients, dose is selected. According to them it is more effective as compared to Haldi. In place of Gud, pure honey (Madhras) is used with Giloi juice. The healers also prepare a herbal solution using many common herbs including Giloi ( Whole plant). This herbal solution is used for special bath, recommended for patients suffering from skin diseases. According to the traditional healer of Mudpar, Shri Verma, Giloi is a boon for diabetic and heart patients. He prepares powder by crushing the dried Giloi stem and use it for his patients. He uses it in different ways. The use of Giloi powder with Kali mirch powder (Black pipper) is very common. The stem powder is given to diabetic patients for a week. The patients are advised to dip the powder (a tea spoonful) in a cup of water and next morning drink the leachate empty stomach. After one week, he calls the patients and after checking "Nadi", he recommend further use. According to him, diabetes is manageable and even curable but it is wrong tendency among natives that they take many herbs simultaneously for this complicated trouble, without asking or consulting the healers. This self medication, harms the system. Shri Verma believes in single drug therapy for both diabetes and heart troubles. According to him, the faith ( on treatment) and Giloi can manage this trouble successfully. The healers of other parts, use Giloi stem powder in herbal combinations.

The traditional healers of Chhattisgarh plains use Giloi with Mattha (Whey). Giloi with Mattha is considered best for the treatment of many diseases including Bavasir (Piles) and Pelia (Jaundice). The Giloi Juice is extracted and given with Mattha to the patients. The natives of Chhattisgarh use Giloi as antipyretic. Like Kalmegh (Andrographis paniculata) its used is also very common among natives. In treatment of different types of fevers, the juice is used alone or in combination with other herbs. Simple fever can be treated with juice only. In case of old fevers, the natives add Kalimirch, Ajmod and Pippali in Giloi juice and give it to the patients for quick relief. In case of non-availability, as substitute, dried stem powder can also be used. The healers informed me that the Giloi stem powder should not be stored over one year. After one year, its medicinal properties start decreasing and also due to storage many toxins develop in powder. Scientific confirmation and information in this regard are very essential. Many natives use the fruits of Giloi in face care. The fruits are collected and applied on face. Its use is very common and popular in Giloi region. The traditional healers of Ambikapur region use Giloi in treatment of boils. The leaves are collected and mixed in the Bariyara leaves (Sida acuta) with the help of water. This aqueous paste is applied externally on boils. In most of the cases, this application suppresses the boil within few days. It is also used for wound dressing by natives. In this region, the healers use the leaf juice as eye tonic. In case of conjuctivitis, it is applied on eye-lids, as the juice of Satyanashi (Argemone mexicana) leaves. The juice is also applied inside the eyes for the treatment of conjuctivitis and cataract (Motiabind). The natives of Chhattisgarh prepare a special vegetable using the Giloi leaves. According to the traditional healers this vegetable posses valuable medicinal properties. It develops resistance in body and also acts as anti-ageing factor. In vegetable farming zones of Chhattisgarh plains, the healers use the leaves of Parwal (Trichosanthes dioica; family Cucurbitaceae), with Giloi juice in treatment of Sujak (Gonorrhoea). The root bark of Giloi with Mattha is used in treatment of respiratory troubles particularly in asthma. The healers of Bagbahera informed me that the decoction of whole herb possess anti-venom properties and useful in case of snake-bite but the healers of other parts are not convinced with this use. I have yet not seen its practical use. The use of decoction for treatment of diarrhoea is in practice in Chhattisgarh. Many of above mentioned information, are very first information in form of written document. I will write more on different traditional uses of Giloi after completion of my ongoing surveys. Thank you very much for reading the article.