Giloy — known in Sanskrit as guduchi and botanically as Tinospora cordifolia — is a climbing shrub that has been used in Ayurveda for centuries and is one of the tradition’s most treasured herbs. In the UK it is bought mainly as tablets, capsules and juice. This guide explains what giloy is, the forms available, how it is traditionally used in Ayurveda, and how to choose a genuine, lab-tested product.
What is giloy (guduchi)?
Giloy is the stem of the Tinospora cordifolia vine, a plant native to India. In Ayurveda it is classified as a rasayana — a rejuvenating herb — and is one of the classic botanicals of the tradition, historically taken as part of everyday and seasonal wellbeing routines. It is also known by the name amrita, meaning “the imperishable”, reflecting how highly it is regarded in Ayurvedic texts.
Which forms of giloy can you buy in the UK?
Giloy is sold mainly as tablets and capsules (convenient and pre-measured) and as juice or powder (closer to the traditional preparation). Popular options include Himalaya Guduchi tablets, Zandu Giloy tablets and Jiva Giloy capsules. You will find the full selection in our Tulsi & Giloy range and Immunity & Wellness range.
How is giloy traditionally taken?
Always follow the directions on the pack, as strength varies between products. Tablets and capsules are typically taken at the count stated on the label with water. Traditionally, giloy stem was prepared as a decoction or juice; modern tablets and powders make that far more convenient. Directions like these describe how a product is used and are not promises of any particular result.
How to choose a quality giloy in the UK
Look for lab testing (batch-tested for purity and screened for heavy metals), a clear specification (the botanical name Tinospora cordifolia, the amount per serving and the count), authentic sourcing from India, and a UK-registered seller that states clearly where it dispatches from. KantiGlow lab-tests every batch and dispatches from India, with UK delivery in 5–7 working days.
Giloy in the classical texts
Giloy is the Hindi name for Tinospora cordifolia; the Sanskrit texts call it Guduchi (“that which protects the body”), Amrita (“nectar”) and Chinnaruha (“that which grows even when cut”, because a severed stem will root and climb again). It appears in the Charaka Samhita among the rasayana (rejuvenative) herbs and in the Bhavaprakasha Nighantu in the Guduchyadi Varga, the group of herbs named after it. Classical Ayurveda describes guduchi as bitter and astringent in taste (tikta, kashaya), heating in potency (ushna virya) and sweet after digestion (madhura vipaka), and lists it among the few herbs said to balance all three doshas. The part used is the mature stem, harvested from plants that climb neem or mango trees — the texts hold that guduchi grown on neem is the most prized, which is why some labels still say “neem giloy”.
Traditional dosage forms and how giloy is taken
The classical form is guduchi swarasa (fresh stem juice) or kwath (a decoction of the dried stem simmered in water). Two concentrated forms grew out of these: ghana — the decoction dried to a solid and pressed into tablets, sold as giloy ghanvati — and satva, a white starch settled out of the crushed stem in water, which is the mildest form. Modern tablets and capsules of powdered stem or standardised extract are the simplest to take. The Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India lists a traditional daily quantity of 3–6 g of dried stem powder for adults, or 1–2 g of satva; extract tablets are far smaller because the water has been removed. In practice giloy is taken in the morning, before or with breakfast, with warm water. Always follow the directions on the pack you buy, and do not combine several giloy products.
| Form | What it is | Traditional carrier | Who it suits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ghanvati / ghan bati | Dried decoction pressed into a tablet | Warm water, morning | Most people; the standard classical tablet |
| Satva | Starch extract, fine white powder | Warm water or honey | Those who want the gentlest form |
| Churna | Dried stem powder | Warm water, honey or ghee | Traditional households; lowest cost |
| Tablet / capsule | Powdered stem or standardised extract | Water, any time | Fixed dose, travel, no taste |
| Swarasa / juice | Fresh stem juice, bottled | Diluted in water | Those following the classical liquid form |
Comparing the giloy brands sold in the UK
Four classical houses — Dabur, Baidyanath, Patanjali (Divya) and Zandu — make giloy ghanvati to essentially the same recipe: a water extract of the stem, dried and tabletted with a small amount of binder. The differences are pack size, tablet weight and price, so compare cost per tablet. Himalaya’s Guduchi is a standardised extract with a fixed strength on the label; Organic India’s giloy is certified organic and in vegetarian capsules; Jiva’s is a powdered-stem capsule; Baidyanath also makes the satva. All the giloy products below are in stock at KantiGlow and shown side by side with prices on our giloy comparison page.
| Product | Form | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Jiva Giloy Capsules 60 | Capsules | £7.99 |
| Zandu Giloy (Guduchi) Tablets 60 | Tablets | £4.99 |
| Baidyanath Giloy Satva Capsules 50g | Satva | £3.99 |
| Baidyanath Guduchyadi Giloy Ghan Bati Tablets 60 | Ghan Bati | £3.99 |
| Patanjali Giloy Ghanvati Advance Tablets 60 | Ghanvati | £2.99 |
| Organic India Giloy Capsules 60 | Capsules | £14.99 |
| Zandu Giloy 100% Pure Extract Tablets 60 | Tablets | £4.99 |
| Dabur Giloy Tablets 60 | Tablets | £5.99 |
| Dabur Giloy Ki Ghanvati Tablets 100 | Ghanvati | £7.99 |
| Himalaya Guduchi Tablets 60 | Tablets | £7.99 |
Reading a giloy label
A genuine Indian-market giloy pack will show the botanical name Tinospora cordifolia, the part used (stem, kanda), whether the content is powder, ghana (extract) or satva, and — for classical products — the AYUSH manufacturing licence number and a reference text such as the Bhavaprakasha or Sharangadhara Samhita. Ghanvati labels often state the extract ratio (for example “ghana 250 mg equivalent to 1 g of stem”). Check the batch number and expiry date, and expect an MRP printed in Indian rupees. Products sold as “giloy” that list only Tinospora crispa or unnamed “Tinospora species” are a different plant and are not the classical guduchi.
Fitting giloy into a daily routine
Ayurveda pays as much attention to when and how a herb is taken as to the herb itself. Giloy is traditionally taken in the morning, before or with breakfast, with warm water. Most people find it easiest to attach it to an existing habit — the morning cup of tea, or the evening meal — and to keep to a single product rather than several that overlap. Start with the lowest amount on the pack, stay with it for a few weeks before judging, and keep a note of what you took and when. If you are pregnant, breastfeeding, taking prescribed medicines or under medical supervision, ask a pharmacist or GP before adding any supplement, and stop and seek advice if anything disagrees with you. Giloy products are food supplements: they are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease and should not replace a varied, balanced diet.
Storage and shelf life
Giloy tablets and satva keep well in a dry cupboard; fresh stem juice must be refrigerated and used within the period on the bottle. Powders and dried herbs keep for the period printed on the pack — usually 18 to 36 months — if the pack is resealed and kept cool, dry and out of sunlight; capsules and tablets keep to the printed expiry in their blister or bottle. Damp is the main enemy of Indian powders in a UK kitchen, so keep the churna away from the kettle and the hob. A change of colour or a stale smell means the herb is past its best even if the date says otherwise.
Sources and further reading
- Ministry of Ayush — Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India, Vol. I, monograph “Guduchi” (stem).
- Ministry of Ayush, Government of India — The Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India (monographs list botanical identity, parts used and traditional quantities).
- Charaka Samhita and Sushruta Samhita, the two foundational Ayurvedic texts, and the Bhavaprakasha Nighantu, the sixteenth-century materia medica in which most single herbs are classified.
- UK Food Standards Agency — guidance on food supplements and labelling; Advertising Standards Authority — rules on health claims for food supplements.
- MHRA — Traditional Herbal Registration scheme (explains the difference between a registered herbal medicine and a food supplement in the UK).
Frequently asked questions
What is giloy?
Giloy (guduchi, Tinospora cordifolia) is a climbing shrub used in Ayurveda for centuries and classified as a rejuvenating rasayana herb. It is sold as tablets, capsules, juice and powder.
Is giloy the same as guduchi?
Yes. Giloy is the common Hindi name and guduchi is the Sanskrit name for the same plant, Tinospora cordifolia. You may also see it called amrita.
How do you take giloy tablets?
Follow the pack directions — giloy tablets and capsules are usually taken at the stated count with water. If you are pregnant, breastfeeding, taking medication or under medical supervision, check with your doctor or pharmacist first.
Food supplement. Not a substitute for a varied, balanced diet and a healthy lifestyle. Do not exceed the recommended daily dose. Keep out of reach of young children. If you are pregnant, breastfeeding or taking medication, consult a healthcare professional before use.
Related guides
- Kalonji (Black Seed): A UK Guide
- Methi (Fenugreek): A UK Guide
- Bhumi Amla: A UK Guide
- Ashwagandha in the UK: KSM-66, Forms & How to Take
Shop the products in this guide
- Zandu Giloy (Guduchi) Tablets 60 — £4.99
- Jiva Giloy Capsules 60 — £7.99
- Himalaya Guduchi Tablets 60 — £7.99
- KantiGlow Selection Tulsi Amla Giloy Ayurvedic Immunity Wellness Capsules 60 — £18.99
Lab-tested, vegetarian, shipped from India. Food supplements should not replace a varied diet.
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