The herb is known for its immense therapeutic applications in traditional systems of medicine, said the Ministry of Ayush

The Indian government has slammed a section of the media for “falsely” linking Giloy or Guduchi (Tinospora cordifolia) with liver damage, saying the herb is safe and as per available data, it does not produce any toxic effect.

“In Ayurveda, it is said to be the best rejuvenating herb. Acute toxicity studies of aqueous extract of Guduchi reports that it does not produce any toxic effect. However, the safety of a drug depends on how it is being used. Dosage is one of the important factors that determine the safety of a particular drug,” the Ministry of Ayush said in a statement on Wednesday.

The Ministry further clarified that study has found that “lower concentration of Guduchi powder is found to increase the life span of fruit flies (Drosophila Melanogaster). At the same time, higher concentration progressively reduced the life span of flies. This clearly indicates that an optimum dosage should be maintained in order to get the desired effects.”

Some media reports quoting a study published in Hepatology Communications, the official journal of the American Association for the Study of Liver Disease, suggested that consumption of ‘Giloy’ without prescription and monitoring can cause damage to organs such as the liver.

The Ministry of Ayush too suggests that the medicinal herb has to be used in an appropriate dose as prescribed by a qualified physician to get medicinal effects.

“With the wide range of actions and abundant components, Guduchi is a real treasure among herbal drug sources,” the Ministry emphasized.

Highlighting the beneficial effects of the herb, the Ministry further said medicinal applications of Guduchi in countering various disorders and its use as antioxidant, anti-hyperglycemic, anti-hyperlipidemic, hepatoprotective, cardiovascular protective, neuroprotective, osteoprotective, radioprotective, anti-anxiety, adaptogenic, analgesic, anti-inflammatory, antipyretic, anti-diarrheal, anti-ulcer, anti-microbial, and anti-cancer have been well established.

A special focus has been made on its health benefits in treating various metabolic disorders and its potential as an immune booster. It is used as a major component of therapeutics for ameliorating metabolic, endocrinal, and several other ailments, aiding in the betterment of human life expectancy, the Ministry said.

It is a popularly known herb for its immense therapeutic applications in traditional systems of medicine and has been used in the management of COVID-19. Considering the overall health benefits, the herb cannot be claimed to be toxic, the Ministry added.