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Giloy (guduchi) Ayurveda

ℹ️ Informational only. Do not stop prescribed treatment; seek emergency care when needed.

SmartAnswer by DigiNepal SI

evidence_summary: No reliable clinical evidence that it prevents or treats fever, dengue or COVID-19. generated by SI from cited sources · general information, not a diagnosis · consult a health professional

Sources: SI summary (own words); NCCIH Herbs at a Glance; FDA and CDC advisories; NLM MedlinePlus (NLM-authored only) · Reference · Reference · Reference · Reference

Evidence level: very low

No reliable clinical evidence that it prevents or treats fever, dengue or COVID-19.

Safety: Cases of liver injury, including autoimmune-like hepatitis, were reported from India after heavy use. It must not replace testing and care for fever or dengue.

Quality concerns: Some Ayurvedic rasa shastra and bhasma products deliberately contain metals; US FDA and CDC have reported lead poisoning cases, and studies found lead, mercury or arsenic in a share of products sold online.

What it is

A climbing plant (Tinospora cordifolia), called gurjo in Nepal.

Traditional use (claimed)

Fever, immunity and diabetes; promoted widely during COVID-19.

Evidence

No reliable clinical evidence that it prevents or treats fever, dengue or COVID-19.

Safety

Cases of liver injury, including autoimmune-like hepatitis, were reported from India after heavy use. It must not replace testing and care for fever or dengue.

Quality concerns

Some Ayurvedic rasa shastra and bhasma products deliberately contain metals; US FDA and CDC have reported lead poisoning cases, and studies found lead, mercury or arsenic in a share of products sold online.

Interactions

Diabetes medicines (low sugar), immunosuppressants.

Avoid if

liver disease, autoimmune disease, pregnancy, before surgery

Regulation in Nepal

Herbal products in Nepal are registered with the Department of Drug Administration (DDA). Nepal: the Department of Ayurveda and Alternative Medicine (DoAA, Ministry of Health and Population) runs government Ayurveda hospitals and clinics; practitioners register with the Nepal Ayurveda Medical Council. Ask to see the council registration.

Regulation in India

India: the Ministry of AYUSH regulates Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, Sowa Rigpa and Homoeopathy; practitioners register with the National Commission for Indian System of Medicine (NCISM) or the National Commission for Homoeopathy (NCH).

Regulation in UAE

UAE: complementary and alternative medicine practitioners and products need licensing by the emirate health authority (DHA in Dubai, DoH in Abu Dhabi, MOHAP elsewhere). Check the licence on the authority's public register.

Related conditions

⚠️ Informational only; not a treatment recommendation.

entry_health_condition_dengue entry_health_condition_t2dm

Sources: SI summary (own words); NCCIH Herbs at a Glance; FDA and CDC advisories; NLM MedlinePlus (NLM-authored only) · Reference · Reference · Reference · Reference

AlifZetta text CC BY 4.0 (own words). NCCIH, FDA and CDC are US government works (public domain), used as references.

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