ISSN: 2322 - 0902 (P)

ISSN: 2322 - 0910 (O)

International Journal of Ayurveda
and Pharma Research
Review Article

GUDUCHI AS A RASAYANA IN INFECTIOUS DISEASES: A REVIEW

Lekshmi.R1*, Krishnakumar2, Ratnaprava Mishra3, James Chacko4
*1PG Scholar, 2Associate Professor, 3Professor & HOD, 4Associate Professor, Department of Kayachikitsa, Amrita School of
Ayurveda, Vallikkavu, Kerala, India.
ABSTRACT
Disease is the outcome of combination of vitiated Dosha and Dooshya which happens when
Vyadhikshamatwa (immunity) is decreased. Because of the lifestyle and changing environment, the
immunity of people is decreasing day by day making them prone for getting afflicted with infectious
diseases. The present day infectious diseases like Dengue, H1N1, AIDS, TB etc. are only due to lowered
immunity. Rasayana is believed to promote the process of Dhatuposhana and enrich Ojas leading to
Vyadhikshamatva. The concept of Rasayana therapy is a comprehensive and specialized regimen capable
of producing healthful longevity and improved mental faculties by acting at the level of Rasa, Agni and the
Srotas, thus enabling the organism to procure the best qualities of different Dhatus. Guduchi is considered
one of the best Rasayanas and is unusual in its potent versatility. The significant actions of Guduchi
include promoting Bala (cellular and humoral immunity), Agnideepana, cures fever, eliminates Ama
(metabolic wastes and toxins), skin diseases, Upper respiratory tract infections, gout etc. It can be used as
Swarasa, Kashaya, Satwa for internal use or as paste for external application in skin diseases to get the
desirable effect. Guduchi is known to be a rich source of trace elements which act as antioxidants. It is apt
to get the name ‘Amrita’ because it itself can regenerate and can bring back the diseased cells to
normalcy. So this article aims at making a public awareness of the use of Guduchi as a Rasayana in
maintaining health and in the treatment of infectious diseases.
KEYWORDS: Rasayana, Infectious diseases, Guduchi, Vyadhikshamatwa, Immunity.
INTRODUCTION
The human body is one of the most superior disease is immunity of the body. Concept of Vyadhi-
creations of the nature. It always endeavors to sustain kshamatva described in the classical texts of Ayurveda is
homeostasis in the midst of all labile conditions. However, similar to immunity. Disease is the outcome of
many factors can cause disease: infectious agents, heredity, combination of vitiated Dosha and Dooshya which happens
environmental conditions, malnutrition and stress. when Vyadhikshamatwa is decreased.
Infectious diseases cause death of millions of people each The concepts of immunity and immuno-
year. We have already observed that the adoption of modulation are extensively explored and used in Ayurveda,
appropriate preventive measures has dramatically particularly in Rasayanatanthra[1]. Rasayana is believed to
reduced mortality from infectious diseases in developed promote the process of Dhatuposhana and enrich Ojas
countries. However, they continue to be the leading cause leading to Vyadhikshamatva. The concept of Rasayana
of death in the Third World countries (The World Health therapy is not a single drug treatment but it is a
Report, 1999). One of the greatest triumphs in modern comprehensive and specialized regimen capable of
healthcare has come from vaccination, which has producing healthful longevity and improved mental
eradicated or virtually eliminated several infectious faculties.
diseases. It is the single most successful disease preventive Several medicinal plants have been described as
measure so far, because it takes advantage of the immune Rasayanas in Ayurveda. Guduchi is one of the most highly
system’s natural specificity and is inducible. Nevertheless, valued and common herbs known to possess a number of
there are many important infectious diseases, such as AIDS wonderful therapeutic values through its use. It is
and tuberculosis, for which there is still no effective considered one of the best Rasayanas and is unusual in its
vaccine. potent versatility. In recent years, significant progress has
Ayurveda has given much priority to live a healthy been attained regarding its biological activity and
and joyful long life. Many people are prone to disease due medicinal applications. Guduchi is known to be a rich
to breaking their dietary habit, change in climate, on the source of trace elements (Zinc and Copper) which act as
other hand, some people remain healthy inspite of antioxidants and protects cells from the damaging effects
breaking dietary rules or change in climate and do not get of oxygen radicals generated during immune activation [2].
affected by any disease. Many microorganisms enter the Studies have shown its importance in improving cognitive
human body through air and water, but fail to create function because of its ability to cross the blood brain
disease due to immune response present in the living barrier. Its use in reducing the side effects of
body. The most important thing in relation to health and chemotherapy is a wonder[3].

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 Lekshmi.R et al. Guduchi as A Rasayana in Infectious Diseases: A Review
Infectious diseases properly collected during the rainy season and then stored
Infectious diseases are caused by pathogenic after drying in shade[8]. Guduchi is commonly used in
microorganisms, such as bacteria, viruses, parasites or rheumatism, urinary diseases, dyspepsia, general debility,
fungi; the diseases can be spread, directly or indirectly, fever, bronchitis, syphilis and morbidity of liver[8]. Guduchi
from one person to another[4]. Some infectious diseases is given as Swarasa, Kashaya, Satwa etc. Oil prepared with
can be passed from person to person. Some are Guduchi or its external application as paste is advised in
transmitted by bites from insects or animals. And others skin diseases. It is traditionally dried and made into a
are acquired by ingesting contaminated food or water or starchy extract called Guduchi Sattva which is highly
being exposed to organisms in the environment. These valued for intermittent fevers, chronic diarrhoea, chronic
infectious diseases occur due to lack of immunity of the dysentery, burning sensation etc.[8]
body. Infectious diseases can range from a simple Common The commonly used parts are dried stem, roots and leaves.
cold to diseases like Cholera, TB, Typhoid etc. The general Action of Guduchi in infectious diseases
symptoms of infectious diseases include fever, fatigue, The infectious agent releases Ama (endotoxins)
cough, muscle aches etc. which degrades tissue components (due to Agnimandya)
There is a general chain of events that applies to and result in Vyadhi (disease). Guduchi acts in infectious
infections. The chain of events involves several steps diseases through its Amapachana, Agnideepana, Jwaraghna
which include the infectious agent, reservoir, entering a and Balya properties. Guduchi helps in increasing the
susceptible host, exit and transmission to new hosts. Each killing ability of macrophages. Swarasa promotes platelets
of the links must be present in a chronological order for an cell formation. Satva of Guduchi along with white inner
infection to develop. Change in the dietary pattern, change bark of Neem, Daruharidra protect from infectious
of climate etc. makes a person prone for infectious diseases. Pills are prepared from the paste of stem of
diseases. The infectious agent can contact or enter host the Guduchi and the roots of Bhatkatiaya (Solanum
cells and directly cause cell death[5]. They can release surattense) in fever. Decoction of stem, Juice or decoction
endotoxins or exotoxins that kill cells at a distance[5]. They of leaves and the warm juice of root of the plant are
also release enzymes that degrade tissue components or administered orally in different types of fevers. Decoction
damage blood vessels causing ischemic injury[5]. They can of stem with cold and hot water (about 3-4 g) in morning
induce host cell responses that may cause additional tissue in an empty stomach, as a tonic.[12]
damage, usually by immune mediated mechanisms[5]. Compound preparations like Amritottaram-
Rasayana kashayam[13], Guduchyadikashaya[14], Chyavanaprasa[15],
Rasayana is one of the eight clinical specialties of Amritaprasaghritham[16] are there. Haridrakhanda +
classical Ayurveda which creates a foundation of wellness Sitopaladichurna + Guduchi Satwa in the ratio 3:2:1 is
and stability in the physiology of human body. Rasayana proved to be beneficial in infectious diseases.
means the way for attaining excellence in all body tissues Immunomodulatory action of Guduchi[12]
through some special measures and medicines [6]. Rasayana The alcoholic and aqueous extracts of T.
acts at the level of Rasa, Agni and the Srotas[7], thus cordifolia are reported to have beneficial effects on the
enabling the organism to procure the best qualities of immune system and have been tested successfully for their
different Dhatus. Rasayana plays 2 roles in the control of immunomodulatory activity. The novel (1,4)-alpha-D-
infectious diseases glucan derived from the plant activates the immune
- as a prophylactic medication in diseased people. system through the activation of macrophages via TLR6
- prevention of diseases in healthy individuals. signaling, NFkappaB translocation and cytokine
Guduchi production. The aqueous extract of T. cordifolia was found
Guduchi is a large, glabrous, perennial, deciduous, to enhance phagocytosis in vitro. The aqueous and
climbing shrub of weak and fleshy stem found throughout ethanolic extracts also induced an increase in antibody
India. It is a widely used plant in folk and Ayurvedic production in vivo. T. cordifolia extract (TCE) treatment
systems of medicine. The chemical constituents reported caused significant reduction in eosinophil count and
from this shrub belong to different classes, such as improved hemoglobin in HIV patients.
alkaloids, diterpenoid lactones, glycosides, steroids, The adjuvant immunomodulatory effect of the
sesquiterpenoid, phenolics, aliphatic compounds and plant’s aqueous extract in combination with chloroquine
polysaccharides[8]. The properties of the plant are Tikta, was studied for the treatment of hyper reactive malarious
Kashaya Rasa; Guru, Snigdha Guna; Ushna Veerya and splenomegaly. Addition of extract to chloroquine had
Madhura Vipaka[9]. It pacifies all the three Doshas and regression of spleen by 37-50% after six weeks and 45-
maintain their balance with each other i.e. why it is said to 69% after six months from the start of the treatment.
be having Rasayana character. When taken with Ghruta Likewise decrease in IgM and increase in Hb as well as
(Ghee), it balances Vata, with Guda (Jaggery) Pitta and wellbeing were observed[17]. The efficacy of the extract in
with Honey the Kapha. Guduchi is having Vayasthapana[10], patients of allergic rhinitis was assessed in a randomized
Dahaprashamana[10], Trishnanigrahana[10], Stanya- double blind placebo controlled trial which demonstrated
shodhana, Triptighna, Rasayani, Samgrahini[9], Balya[9], a significant decrease in all the symptoms of allergic
Agni deepani[9], Valeepalitanashini[11] and Medhya rhinitis[18].
actions[10]. DISCUSSION
The plant is preferably said to be used green and Infectious diseases are those diseases caused by
fresh. When storage is desired, the stem should be pathogenic microorganisms, such as bacteria, viruses,

Available online at: http://ijapr.in 92

 Int. J. Ayur. Pharma Research, 2016;4(4):91-93
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body due to the lowered immunity of the body. These 25.01.2016
micro organisms release Ama (endotoxins) which causes 4. Infectious diseases. Available from http://www.who.int/
Agnimandya (loss of digestive fire) resulting in depletion of topics/infectious diseases/en/ dated 20.01.2016
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tested successfully for their immunomodulatory activity.
Chaukambha Bharati Academy; 2006. Page 269
Guduchi acts in infectious diseases through its
Amapachana, Agnideepana, Jwaraghna and Balya 10. Acharya Priyavrat Sharma & Dr. Guruprasad Sharma.
properties. The Ama which is released into circulation by Kaiyyadeva Nighantu Varanasi: Chaukambha Orientalia;
1979, Page 5
the infectious agent and the resultant Agnimandya can be
managed with the Amapachana and Agnideepana 11. Dr. Amritpal Singh. Dhanwantari Nighantu (Sanskrit text
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helps in alleviating the general features of infectious Publishers; 1st edition 2008. Page 24
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property of Guduchi help during the post infectious phase and Hari S. Mishra. Tinospora cordifolia (Willd.) Hook. f.
in regaining the strength of the body. and Thoms. (Guduchi) – validation of the Ayurvedic
pharmacology through experimental and clinical studies.
CONCLUSION International Journal of Ayurveda Research. 2010 Apr-
In the present age, people are more concerned Jun; 1(2): 112–121.
about their health and related problems. The Rasayana 13. Dr.K.Nishteswar & Dr.R. Vidyanath. Sahasrayoga,
effect of Guduchi can be made use of in treatment as well as Chaukambha Sanskrit Series Office: 2nd edition 2008,
prevention of infectious diseases. Rasayana activate those Page 4
pathways that neutralize the stimuli and inhibition of 14. Acharya Vagbhata. Ashtanga Hridaya, Sutrasthana with
pathways that cause the disease without altering other Sarvangasundari & Ayurveda Rasayana Vyakhyana edited
basic parameters of body function. This leads us to by Pt.Hari Sadasiva Sastri Paradakkara Bhishagacharya,
describe the idea of Rasayanas as a “universal vaccine” for Chaukambha Surbharati Prakashan, Varanasi, 2010, Page
any disease. The synonym “Amrita” suits the herb very 135
much as it serves as a nectar in bringing back the diseased 15. Acharya Vagbhata, Ashtanga Hridaya, Uttarasthana with
cells to normalcy and prevents formation of any disease. Sarvangasundari & Ayurveda Rasayana Vyakhyana edited
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT by Pt.Hari Sadasiva Sastri Paradakkara Bhishagacharya,
I would like to express my sincere gratitude to my Chaukambha Surbharati Prakashan, Varanasi, 2010, Page
Professor and HOD, Dr.Ratnaprava Misra, my Guide 925-926
Dr.James Chacko, Associate Professors Dr.Krishnakumar 16. Acharya Vagbhata, Ashtanga Hridaya, Chikitsasthana
and Dr.Mahesh Kundagol for their valuable support they with Sarvangasundari & Ayurveda Rasayana Vyakhyana
have rendered in preparing this article. edited by Pt.Hari Sadasiva Sastri Paradakkara
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*Address for correspondence

Cite this article as: Dr. Lekshmi R
Lekshmi.R, Krishnakumar, Ratnaprava Mishra, James Chacko. Guduchi as A PG Scholar, Department of
Rasayana in Infectious Diseases: A Review. International Journal of Ayurveda and Kayachikitsa,Amrita School of
Pharma Research. 2016;4(4):91-93. Ayurveda,Vallikkavu, Kerala,
Source of support: Nil, Conflict of interest: None Declared Email: [email protected]
Ph: 09895451080

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