Guduchi – Tinospora cordifolia for Biostimulation of the Defenses

Guduchi is a dietary supplement containing guduchi (Tinospora cordifolia) standardized to 5% bitters and 20% polysaccharides. This climbing plant from India appears to be a real 'panacea' of Ayurvedic medicine because of its ability to support both immunity and liver function as well as resistance to stress through its adaptogen properties.

This supplement is part of our Immunity category.

Guduchi: Appearance and Ayurvedic Uses

Guduchi is a vine native to the sub-Indian continent, especially dry forests in tropical regions. Recognizable by its heart-shaped leaves, its branches twine around the small neem or mango trees that cross its path.

Though little-known in the West, guduchi is widely-revered in India where it is considered a star of the Ayurvedic pharmacopoeia. Its Sanskrit name, 'amrit', means 'that which protects' or 'immortal' (1).

In Ayurveda, it is normal to use the whole dried plant – stem, leaves and roots – for preparing decoctions or extracting oil. It is considered a rasayana (rejuvenating) remedy, conducive to revitalization of the mind and body. Indian herbalists traditionally recommend it for biostimulation of the immune defenses and physical and mental regeneration.

What are Guduchi’s Benefits for Health?

Guduchi has an abundance of bioactive compounds which account for its broad spectrum of action. Amongst others, it contains alkaloids (berberine, choline...), diterpenoid lactones, glycosides, steroids, sesquiterpenoids, phenolic compounds, and polysaccharides (2).

• Guduchi and immunity. A number of studies have reported on the ability of guduchi, especially its valuable polysaccharides, to modulate the immune response through various mechanisms: activation of macrophages, regulation of interleukin secretion, and stimulation of lymphocytes (3-8).
• Guduchi and oxidation. Guduchi has strong antioxidant potency. Studies have reported its ability to trap free radicals such as superoxide anion (O₂^-), hydroxyl radical (OH), NO radical and peroxynitrite anion (ONOO^-), excess numbers of which can threaten cellular integrity (9).
• Guduchi and blood sugar control. Together, the plant’s various active ingredients (alkaloids, flavonoids, saponins, steroids...) are thought to have a positive effect in regulating carbohydrate metabolism by reducing oxidative stress, harmonizing the release of the pancreatic hormone and preventing the formation of new sugars (gluconeogenesis) (10-11).
• Guduchi and the liver. While the species Tinospora crispa has been described as hepatotoxic, Tinospora cordifolia is believed to be able to support liver detoxification processes. One study explored its liver-protective nature in rats contaminated with cadmium (a heavy metal) (12-13).
• Guduchi and stress. Like Indian ginseng (ashwagandha), guduchi is part of the large group of adaptogen plants, ie, those able to improve the body’s resistance to various physical, chemical, or biological stressors (14). Interestingly, this botanical species displays extraordinary resilience, being able to withstand a lack of water, soil, etc.

Why Choose our Guduchi Supplement?

SuperSmart’s Guduchi supplement contains Tinofend®, a guduchi extract marked out by the standardization of its active principles (5% bitters and 20% polysaccharides), which is not the case with most guduchi powders or extracts.

In addition to the above-mentioned benefits, Tinofend® was positively noted in a study on the relief of allergic symptoms (15).

What is the Correct Dose for this Guduchi Supplement, Extracted from Tinospora Cordifolia?

Our Guduchi supplement contains 450 mg of guduchi extract per capsule. To benefit from its many effects, the recommended dose is 2 capsules a day with a glass of water (a daily dose of 900 mg).

3 Synergistic Supplements that can be Combined with Guduchi

Alongside your guduchi supplement, you can take a Japanese mushroom extract that is also rich in polysaccharides (specifically proteoglycans) and has been widely studied in the field of immunology: Maitake (17).

In terms of plant extracts, you can benefit from a synergy between guduchi and Ginseng. This key plant of traditional Chinese medicine is known for supporting the immune system and vitality (18).

If you are taking Guduchi more for allergy relief, you can combine it with Liposomal Quercetin, which many studies have suggested has potential anti-allergy (anti-inflammatory and antihistamine) effects (19-20).

Guduchi Supplementation: Any Side-Effects?

According to current studies, there are no major side-effects associated with taking guduchi. When taken for extended periods, constipation may occur in those with naturally slow transit (16).

Since guduchi can affect blood glucose levels, diabetics and anyone suffering from blood sugar disorders should consult their doctor before supplementing. Guduchi supplements are not recommended for children, or for women who are pregnant or breastfeeding without medical advice.

Adults: Take 2 capsules a day.

Each capsule contains 450 mg of Tinofend®.

Precautions: do not exceed the recommended daily dose. This product is a nutritional supplement and should not be used as a substitute for a varied, balanced diet or a healthy lifestyle. Keep out of children’s reach. Store away from light, heat, and humidity. As with any nutritional supplement, consult a health care practitioner before use if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or have a medical condition.

1. Dhama K, Sachan S, Khandia R, Munjal A, Iqbal HMN, Latheef SK, Karthik K, Samad HA, Tiwari R, Dadar M. Medicinal and Beneficial Health Applications of Tinospora cordifolia (Guduchi): A Miraculous Herb Countering Various Diseases/Disorders and its Immunomodulatory Effects. Recent Pat Endocr Metab Immune Drug Discov. 2017;10(2):96-111. doi: 10.2174/1872214811666170301105101. PMID: 28260522.
2. Saha S, Ghosh S. Tinospora cordifolia: One plant, many roles. Anc Sci Life. 2012 Apr;31(4):151-9. doi: 10.4103/0257-7941.107344. PMID: 23661861; PMCID: PMC3644751.
3. Raghu R, Sharma D, Ramakrishnan R, Khanam S, Chintalwar GJ, Sainis KB. Molecular events in the activation of B cells and macrophages by a non-microbial TLR4 agonist, G1-4A from Tinospora cordifolia. Immunol Lett. 2009 Mar 24;123(1):60-71. doi: 10.1016/j.imlet.2009.02.005. Epub 2009 Feb 20. PMID: 19428553.
4. Koppada R, Norozian FM, Torbati D, Kalomiris S, Ramachandran C, Totapally BR. Physiological effects of a novel immune stimulator drug, (1,4)-α-D-glucan, in rats. Basic Clin Pharmacol Toxicol. 2009 Oct;105(4):217-21. doi: 10.1111/j.1742-7843.2009.00383.x. Epub 2009 Mar 11. PMID: 19389049.
5. Castillo AL, Osi MO, Ramos JD, De Francia JL, Dujunco MU, Quilala PF. Efficacy and safety of Tinospora cordifolia lotion in Sarcoptes scabiei var hominis-infected pediatric patients: A single blind, randomized controlled trial. J Pharmacol Pharmacother. 2013 Jan;4(1):39-46. doi: 10.4103/0976-500X.107668. PMID: 23662023; PMCID: PMC3643341.
6. Charles R. Yates, Eugene J. Bruno & Mary E. D. Yates (2022) Tinospora Cordifolia: A review of its immunomodulatory properties, Journal of Dietary Supplements, 19:2, 271-285, DOI: 10.1080/19390211.2021.1873214
7. Singh D, Chaudhuri PK. Chemistry and Pharmacology of Tinospora cordifolia. Nat Prod Commun. 2017 Feb;12(2):299-308. PMID: 30428235.
8. Amita Mishra, Shashank Kumar, Abhay K. Pandey, "Scientific Validation of the Medicinal Efficacy of Tinospora cordifolia", The Scientific World Journal, vol. 2013, Article ID 292934, 8 pages, 2013. https://doi.org/10.1155/2013/292934
9. Rawal A, Muddeshwar M, Biswas S. Effect of Rubia cordifolia, Fagonia cretica linn, and Tinospora cordifolia on free radical generation and lipid peroxidation during oxygen-glucose deprivation in rat hippocampal slices. Biochem Biophys Res Commun. 2004 Nov 12;324(2):588-96. doi: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2004.09.094. PMID: 15474468.
10. Sangeetha MK, Balaji Raghavendran HR, Gayathri V, Vasanthi HR. Tinospora cordifolia attenuates oxidative stress and distorted carbohydrate metabolism in experimentally induced type 2 diabetes in rats. J Nat Med. 2011 Jul;65(3-4):544-50. doi: 10.1007/s11418-011-0538-6. Epub 2011 May 3. PMID: 21538233.
11. P S, Zinjarde SS, Bhargava SY, Kumar AR. Potent α-amylase inhibitory activity of Indian Ayurvedic medicinal plants. BMC Complement Altern Med. 2011 Jan 20;11:5. doi: 10.1186/1472-6882-11-5. PMID: 21251279; PMCID: PMC3037352.
12. Ruknuddin G, Narayanam S, Nesari TM. Do Tinospora cordifolia Cause Hepatic Damage? J Clin Exp Hepatol. 2022 Jan-Feb;12(1):244. doi: 10.1016/j.jceh.2021.09.006. Epub 2022 Jan 12. PMID: 35068810; PMCID: PMC8766692.
13. Baskaran R, Priya LB, Sathish Kumar V, Padma VV. Tinospora cordifolia extract prevents cadmium-induced oxidative stress and hepatotoxicity in experimental rats. J Ayurveda Integr Med. 2018 Oct-Dec;9(4):252-257. doi: 10.1016/j.jaim.2017.07.005. Epub 2018 Oct 11. PMID: 30316725; PMCID: PMC6314239.
14. Salve BA, Tripathi RK, Petare AU, Raut AA, Rege NN. Effect of Tinospora cordifolia on physical and cardiovascular performance induced by physical stress in healthy human volunteers. Ayu. 2015 Jul-Sep;36(3):265-70. doi: 10.4103/0974-8520.182751. PMID: 27313412; PMCID: PMC4895752.
15. Badar VA, Thawani VR, Wakode PT, Shrivastava MP, Gharpure KJ, Hingorani LL, Khiyani RM. Efficacy of Tinospora cordifolia in allergic rhinitis. J Ethnopharmacol. 2005 Jan 15;96(3):445-9. doi: 10.1016/j.jep.2004.09.034. Epub 2004 Nov 23. PMID: 15619563.
16. Rege NN, Thatte UM, Dahanukar SA. Adaptogenic properties of six rasayana herbs used in Ayurvedic medicine. Phytother Res. 1999 Jun;13(4):275-91. doi: 10.1002/(SICI)1099-1573(199906)13:4<275::AID-PTR510>3.0.CO;2-S. PMID: 10404532.
17. Kodama N, Komuta K, Nanba H. Effect of Maitake (Grifola frondosa) D-Fraction on the activation of NK cells in cancer patients. J Med Food. 2003 Winter;6(4):371-7. doi: 10.1089/109662003772519949. PMID: 14977447.
18. Kang S, Min H. Ginseng, the 'Immunity Boost': The Effects of Panax ginseng on Immune System. J Ginseng Res. 2012 Oct;36(4):354-68. doi: 10.5142/jgr.2012.36.4.354. PMID: 23717137; PMCID: PMC3659612.
19. Mlcek J, Jurikova T, Skrovankova S, Sochor J. Quercetin and Its Anti-Allergic Immune Response. Molecules. 2016 May 12;21(5):623. doi: 10.3390/molecules21050623. PMID: 27187333; PMCID: PMC6273625.
20. Jafarinia M, Sadat Hosseini M, Kasiri N, Fazel N, Fathi F, Ganjalikhani Hakemi M, Eskandari N. Quercetin with the potential effect on allergic diseases. Allergy Asthma Clin Immunol. 2020 May 14;16:36. doi: 10.1186/s13223-020-00434-0. PMID: 32467711; PMCID: PMC7227109.