Read also: AYUSH Ministry clarifies on safety of Giloy, warns against similar localized products
Now, the ministry has also released an Advisory in this regard
Ministry of Ayush in the advisory has notified that Guduchi (Tinospora cordifolia) popularly known as GILOY is safe to use but some similar-looking plants like Tinospora crispa may be harmful.
Guduchi is a popularly known herb, familiarly known as Giloy and is being used in therapeutics since long in AYUSH systems.
As per the advisory, "There are good number of studies published in peer reviewed indexed Journals to substantiate safety and efficacy of Guduchi (Tinospora cordifolia). Its hepato-protective properties are also well established. Guduchi is known for its immense therapeutic applications and the practices are regulated in accordance with various applicable provisions"
"It is observed that different species of Tinospora are available and only Tinospora cordifolia should be used in therapeutics, whereas similar looking species like Tinospora crispa may manifest adverse effects," the Ministry further added.
The ministry also highlighted the difference between the two products. Below is the information about these plant species
| Plant part | Tinospora cordifolia | Tinospora crispa |
| Stem | - Green in colour
- Not having small rounded projections
· No milky secretion | - Greenish grey in colour
- Having small rounded projections
- milky secretion
|
| Leaves | groovy notch at the base | groovy notch at the base |
| Petals | - Six in number
- Three in number
| |
| Drupes (Bunch of fruit) | - Spherical or ball shaped
- red in colour
- Ellipsoid or rugby ball like shaped
- Orange in colour
| |
| Photograph of the plant | | |
"Guduchi is a safe and effective Ayurveda medicine, however it is advisable to use it in consultation with a qualified, registered Ayush physician," The ministry said
Ministry of Ayush has a well-established system of Pharmacovigilance (for reporting of suspected adverse drug reactions from Ayush medication), with its network spreading across all over India.
If any suspected adverse event occurs after intake of Ayush medicine it may be reported to the nearby Pharmacovigilance centre through an Ayush physician.
Further, it is advised to take Ayush medicine and treatment under supervision and consultation of a registered Ayush physician only.
Below is the advisory issued by the Ministry of AYUSH:
https://medicaldialogues.in/pdf_upload/ayush-161593.pdf
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