Giloy

Names in Different Languages

English	Giloy
Urdu	گروچ
Hindi	गिलोय
Farsi	گلبل
Unani	Gilo
French	Guduchi

Traditional Uses

In Ayurveda, giloy (Guduchi, Amrita) is a classic rasayana (rejuvenative) herb, praised in the Charaka Samhita for fevers, immunity, digestion and blood-sugar balance, and used in Unani medicine for fevers and general vitality.

Modern Research

The human evidence base is small: a 2026 review found only four PubMed-indexed randomised trials with 30 or more participants. One 2015 trial (n=75) reported improved allergic rhinitis symptoms over 8 weeks, and a 2020 pilot (n=40) reported lower fasting blood glucose, but both were small. A 2022 multi-centre case series documented 43 patients with giloy-associated liver injury, mostly after prolonged high-dose use. Most other evidence is preclinical, so giloy is not a substitute for prescribed treatment.

Uses

• Immune support (traditional, small trials)
• Blood-sugar support (small pilot data)
• Fever support (traditional)
• General vitality (rasayana, traditional)

Benefits of Use

• Immune support: small trials report improved immune markers, including higher macrophage activity and white blood cell counts, and one trial reported fewer common colds at 500 mg/day
• Blood-sugar support: a small pilot study reported lower fasting blood glucose after 8 weeks, and laboratory studies suggest effects on insulin sensitivity and glucose uptake
• Antioxidant support: alkaloids such as berberine and tinosporin show antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity in laboratory and animal studies
• Fever support: traditional use for fevers, with a 2019 study reporting an antipyretic effect over a 3-day regimen

Safe Dose & Overdose (mg/g)

Side Effects

• Mild digestive upset, constipation or loose stools
• Low blood sugar (hypoglycaemia), especially with diabetes medicines
• Skin rash or allergic reaction (rare)
• Headache or nasal discomfort in short trials
• Rare cases of herb-induced liver injury with prolonged high-dose use

Interactions

• Diabetes medicines (metformin, insulin, sulfonylureas): may add to blood-sugar-lowering effects
• Blood-pressure medicines: may add to blood-pressure-lowering effects
• Immunosuppressants: may oppose their action, since giloy stimulates immune activity
• Blood thinners (warfarin, aspirin): may increase bleeding risk in theory; use with medical advice

Sources

• HerbVerdict Giloy Evidence Scorecard
• Ask Ayurveda Giloy Dosage and Safety
• VitaLibrary Guduchi Safety and Dosage
• Legal Service India Giloy Liver Safety Review