Build your immunity with this red-berried plant

CHENNAI: Seasonal illnesses are common among people, mainly due to the failure of the immune system to fight against microorganisms such as bacteria, viruses and micro-parasites. Innate immunity is a must in order to combat infections by these microorganisms. Acquired immunity can respond only in a specific way to the particular target infection, but natural immunity tries to respond to any microorganism that causes infection.

In Ayurveda, Guduchi is considered a powerful immuno-modulator, and regular intake of Guduchi juice has been proved to help in developing natural immunity in the body, especially against cold, fever, H1N1, hepatitis, dengue and many other diseases. Therefore, it is referred to as Amrta in Ayurveda, meaning ‘divine nectar’. Tinospora Cordifolia is the scientific name of Amrta, which belongs to the Menispermaceae family. Guduchi is a perennial, dioeceous (separated in to male and female plants) climber; branches have scattered lenticels; the bark is corky and flakes with age. The matured stems produce long, thread-like aerial roots. The leaves are simple, arranged in alternate fashion, heart-shaped and smooth, growing up to 15 cm long and 13 cm broad. The inflorescence is axillary, slender, and pseudo-racemes on leafless branches appear from January to March. The flowers are yellowish-green in colour, and emerge in bunches. Fruits are drupes, bright red, globose, and 6 mm wide. This plant is found throughout the drier parts of India, usually growing next to thickets and hedges.

Guduchi is an immune-booster that can enhance the efficacy of white blood cells, which are responsible for the body’s resistance. It supports liver functions by removing the impurities in the blood. It also acts against chronic diarrhea and urinary stones. It is also recommended for mental rejuvenation. Guduchi is useful in cases of gout, skin diseases, leprosy, constipation, intestinal bleeding, asthma, jaundice, cardiac debility, inflammations and in improving sexual activity in males.

Guduchi or Amrta are what it is called in Sanskrit. In Hindi, it is known as Amrita or Giloy. Malayalm refers to this plant as Chitramrtu; Amrutha balli in Kannada; in Tamil, it is called as Seendhil; and Thippa theega in Telugu. The generic name, Tinospora (‘tino’ meaning extended; ‘spora’ meaning seed) has been assigned owing to the extended seed, and the specific name cordifolia (‘cordi’ meaning heart; ‘folia’ meaning leaf) means heart-shaped leaf.