Tinospora Cordifolia Giloy Plant

Guduchi

Family

Menispermaceae

Origin

India

Description

Tinospora cordifolia or Giloy is an evergreen herbaceous perennial , extensively-spreading, climbing shrub. Giloy can be seen growing widely on the big trees sometimes thickly covering the entire canopy and hanging from all over the tree. It has a soft stem and heart shaped leaves. It is also called Heartleaf Moon. It is a multipurpose herb used widely in many Ayurvedic preparations. 

Flowers are greenish yellow, unisexual, minute, and less than 2 mm in size. Male flowers are grouped in axillary racemes, while female flowers are solitary. Flowering occurs in May–June, while fruiting is witnessed in September–October. Fruit is an ovoid and succulent drupe, lustrous, red in colour, and of the size of a large pea, having a single seed. 

Recently, the plant is of great interest to researchers across the globe because of its reported medicinal properties like anti-diabetic, anti-periodic, anti-spasmodic, anti-inflammatory, anti-arthritic, anti-oxidant, anti-allergic, anti-stress, anti-leprotic, anti-malarial, hepatoprotective, immunomodulatory and anti-neoplastic activities.

Environment

The plant is very hardy and it can be grown in subtropical and tropical climate. grows in subtropical and tropical climate. Light medium sandy loam soil rich in organic matter, and with adequate drainage, is suitable for its cultivation. It does not tolerate high rainfall or waterlogged conditions.

The plant requires support to grow, which can be provided by raising wooden stakes or trellis . Being a large twiner, it needs a host to twine and covers the host in a very short period. If the stem cuttings with aerial roots are thrown over trees, they start growing and strike roots in the ground. Neem and Mango trees are most suitable host . Such plants are supposed to possess better medicinal values. 

Landscape Uses

Ideal & a very useful herb to be grown in the garden.