Latest news with #Giloy
Time of India
16 hours ago
- Health
- Time of India
Ayurveda's possible cure for Parkinson's disease-- Here's what it is
Parkinson's disease is a progressive neurological disorder that affects a person's movement, coordination, and balance over time. It occurs when nerve cells in the brain that produce dopamine— a chemical messenger— are damaged or die. Common symptoms include tremors, stiffness, slowed movement, and difficulty with balance or speech. While there is no cure for Parkinson's disease, certain treatments can help manage symptoms. These include medications, physical therapy, occupational therapy, and lifestyle changes-- they can also improve quality of life. And now, in a significant breakthrough, Patanjali's latest research has shown promising results for people suffering from Parkinson's disease. Their Ayurvedic formulation, Neurogrit Gold, has been found to not only support memory recovery but also increase lifespan—without affecting growth or reproduction—in C. elegans, a widely used model organism in scientific research. This groundbreaking study has been published in the international journal titled CNS Neuroscience & Therapeutics, which is a part of the Wiley group. The research bridges the gap between ancient Ayurvedic knowledge and modern medical science. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Switch to UnionBank Rewards Card UnionBank Credit Card Apply Now Undo Acharya Balkrishna, Co-founder of Patanjali, expressed hope for millions battling Parkinson's disease. 'This condition doesn't just affect the brain—it also isolates individuals from their daily lives and relationships,' he said. 'But with the right approach, recovery and independent living are absolutely possible.' He emphasised that Neurogrit Gold is a blend of time-tested Ayurvedic ingredients and modern scientific validation that works as a powerful medication against Parkinson's. The formulation includes medicinal herbs such as Jyotishmati and Giloy. They are combined with classical Ayurvedic bhasmas like Ekangveer Ras, Moti Pishti, Rajat Bhasma, Vasant Kusumakar Ras, and Rasraj Ras— all known for their beneficial effects on neurological health. Here are some benefits of consuming these Ayurvedic medicines: 1. Jyotishmati is known to enhance memory, sharpen focus, and support nervous system health. 2. Giloy boosts immunity, reduces inflammation, and helps manage stress and oxidative damage, supporting overall cognitive and physical well-being. 3. Ekangveer Ras supports nerve health, reduces pain, and improves neuromuscular coordination. 4. Moti Pishti cools the body, boosts heart health, and calms the mind. 5. Rajat Bhasma enhances memory, improves immunity, supports neurological and cardiovascular health. 6. Vasant Kusumakar Ras boosts vitality, manages diabetes, supports nerves, heart, and reproductive health. 7. Rasraj Ras strengthens nerves, improves brain function, boosts energy, relieves neurological disorders. Dr. Anurag Varshney, Vice-President and Chief Scientist at Patanjali Research Foundation, explained that this is the first time an Ayurvedic product has been tested on C. elegans in such a novel study. The results are a milestone for both Ayurveda and neuroscience. He further explained the mechanism behind the findings. Dopamine, a vital neurotransmitter in the brain, is responsible for controlling movement and coordination. In Parkinson's disease, dopamine production declines, leading to tremors and memory issues. This new Ayurvedic medicine helped by reducing oxidative stress and enhancing the activity of critical genes like pink-1 and pdr-1, which are involved in mitochondrial health, and cat-2, which is essential for dopamine synthesis. This study demonstrates how natural remedies, when evaluated through scientific methods, can lead to revolutionary health solutions. For those struggling with neurodegenerative disorders like Parkinson's, this research offers renewed hope and a potential new line of treatment rooted in both tradition and innovation. Researchers discover new method to map cholesterol metabolism in brain One step to a healthier you—join Times Health+ Yoga and feel the change
India Today
20-05-2025
- Health
- India Today
Is it safe to take Ayurvedic and Allopathic medicines together?
As more people turn to natural and holistic healing, many are exploring the combination of Ayurvedic and allopathic medicines to manage health conditions. The idea is to benefit from the strengths of both systems—Ayurveda, with its focus on natural herbs and lifestyle balance, and allopathy, based on modern pharmaceuticals and clinical while the idea of combining these two systems may seem promising, doing so without expert guidance can lead to serious health risks. Potential issues include drug interactions and concerns about product safety. This article examines the potential dangers, benefits, and precautions associated with mixing Ayurvedic and allopathic treatments, featuring insights from Jeevan Kasara, Director and CEO of Steris Healthcare BOTH SYSTEMSAyurveda is a 5,000-year-old Indian system of medicine that focuses on balancing the body, mind, and spirit using herbs, diet, yoga, and detox or modern medicine,e uses scientifically tested drugs and surgical methods to treat specific diseases or both systems aim to restore health, they differ greatly in their approach and composition, which makes combining them a complex COMBINING MEDICINES CAN BE RISKY1. Potential Drug-Herb InteractionsOne of the biggest concerns is how the substances interact inside the a popular Ayurvedic herb, can increase the sedative effects of sleeping pills or while a natural anti-inflammatory, may interfere with blood thinners like warfarin, increasing the risk of antibiotics may disrupt gut bacteria, which affects the absorption of certain herbal medicines that rely on microbes to become interactions may either reduce the effectiveness of treatment or increase toxicity, making careful supervision AND STANDARDIATION ISSUESUnlike allopathic medicines, most Ayurvedic products are not standardised or tested for safety in the same way.A 2022 study by JAMA Network Open revealed that 21% of Ayurvedic products sold in the US contained heavy metals like lead or common herbs like Giloy (Tinospora cordifolia), known to boost immunity, can worsen autoimmune conditions when taken with are advised to buy Ayurvedic products from certified and trustworthy sources and always inform their doctor about what they are APPROACH: WHEN IT CAN WORKIn some cases, integrative medicine clinics offer treatment plans that combine both Ayurvedic and allopathic approaches under medical example, a person with high blood pressure may continue taking prescribed allopathic medicines while also following Ayurvedic advice for stress relief, diet, or yoga. Similarly, certain herbs like ginger are sometimes used to help reduce side effects from treatments like combined approaches can be helpful, but only when used carefully and under the guidance of trained professionals from both ROLE OF REGULATIONAnother problem is the lack of uniform global regulations for Ayurvedic medicines. In many countries, these products are sold as dietary supplements, which do not require safety tests before hitting the can result in misleading labels, unclear dosage instructions, and inconsistent product undergoing long-term or critical treatment, such as chemotherapy or HIV medication, are usually advised to avoid Ayurvedic supplements unless cleared by a healthcare OF OPEN COMMUNICATIONOne of the biggest issues is that many patients don't tell their doctors they're using Ayurvedic or alternative remedies.A 2023 survey by the National Centre for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH) found that 60% of patients who mix alternative and modern medicine do not inform their silence can lead to serious health risks and poor treatment urge patients to be fully transparent about all the medications and supplements they are QUESTIONS TO ASK BEFORE COMBINING SYSTEMSBefore using both Ayurvedic and allopathic treatments, consider:What is the goal? Is it to manage side effects, boost immunity, or treat a specific disease?Are you being monitored? Regular check-ups and lab tests are your products safe? Only use verified, high-quality Ayurvedic your doctors aware? Make sure both your Ayurvedic and allopathic practitioners are in WITH A PURPOSECombining Ayurveda and allopathy can offer benefits, but only when done with informed caution, medical oversight, and clear goals. Not all herbal and modern medicines work well together, and in some cases, the combination can cause more harm than more scientific studies confirm safe combinations, patients should avoid self-medicating and seek advice from qualified experts in both fields. Responsible integration may hold great promise for the future, but for now, your safety depends on awareness, education, and professional guidance.
Time of India
30-04-2025
- Health
- Time of India
Can Giloy actually damage the liver? What evidence-based research says
Giloy, also known as Tinospora cordifolia, is a herb that is used in Ayurveda and herbal medicines. It has been used for centuries in traditional Indian medicine for boosting immunity, treating fevers, managing diabetes, and improving digestion, and people consume it as juice, powder, or in tablet form, often mixed with other herbs. In recent years, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, giloy became a popular herbal supplement, and many started taking it daily, hoping to strengthen their immune systems. But this sudden rise in popularity also brought questions and concerns - Can giloy cause harm to the liver? Common uses of Giloy Giloy is believed to have several health benefits, especially in Ayurvedic and home remedies. It is used to support the immune system, especially during seasonal changes or infections, some also use it to reduce symptoms of chronic fever, dengue, and malaria, and many practitioners also recommend Giloy for managing Type 2 diabetes. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Trending in in 2025: Local network access control [Click Here] Esseps Learn More Undo All these benefits have made Giloy a go-to herbal supplement in many Indian households, but like any other remedy, its safety depends on how it's used. For example, during the Covid-19 wave, Indians relied on Patanjali's Giloy juice and Giloy Ghan Vati to help their cough, cold, and other viral symptoms. And many also claimed that it helped them immensely, improving their health. Giloy damaging liver? Back in 2022-2021, numerous reports and studies were published both in support and against the use of Giloy. Some studies and case reports claim that taking Giloy, especially in large amounts or for long periods, can trigger autoimmune liver disease or cause liver inflammation in some cases. According to a study titled 'Tinospora Cordifolia (Giloy)–Induced Liver Injury During the COVID‐19 Pandemic—Multicenter Nationwide Study From India' in the National Library of Medicine , 'small reports have recently shown an association between Giloy use and the development of herb‐induced liver injury (HILI) with autoimmune features in some patients.' The research also noted 'We report 43 patients, of whom more than half were female, with a median time from initial Giloy consumption to symptom onset of 46 days. Patients presented with acute hepatitis, acute worsening of chronic liver disease (CLD, the most common clinical presentation), or acute liver failure. Causality assessment revealed probable liver injury in 67.4%. The most common autoantibody detected was anti‐nuclear antibody. Liver biopsy in a subset revealed HILI associated with autoimmune features and hepatocyte and canalicular cholestasis and neutrophilic and eosinophilic infiltration. Conclusion: Giloy is associated with acute hepatitis with autoimmune features and can unmask autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) in people with silent AIH‐related CLD.' What Ayurved experts say A thing to note about the above study, that people quote frequently when talking about Giloy, is that it also wrote 'Further studies on the safety (and efficacy) of untested but heavily promoted herbals in alternative systems of medicine are an unmet need in the interests of public health and are especially important during this global health emergency.' And so many Ayurveda practitioners and herbal experts have strongly defended giloy. They believe that the herb is safe when used correctly, according to them, giloy is not harmful in itself, but like any medicinal plant, it must be taken in the correct dose, for the right duration, and with proper consultation from an expert. Ayurveda practitioners do not recommend self-medicating with giloy or consuming it daily without need as just like any other medicine, herbal remedies too need to be tailored to the individual. Masterclass for Students. Upskill Young Ones Today!– Join Now
