Bhav-Prakash Nighantu provides a mythological description of the origin of Giloy from the drops of divine nectar which were sprinkled on the dead bodies of the Vanars to make them alive who were died during the battle of Rama and Ravan.
As per Ayurveda, Amrita is referred to a creeping plant that endows life by destroying diseasesGuduci, Madhuparni, Amrita, Amritavallari, Chhinna, Chhinnaruha, Chinnodbhava, Vatasadani, Tantrika, Kundalini, Chakralakshanika, Somavalli, Dhira, Vishalya, Rasayani, Chandrahasa, Vayastha, Mandala, Devanirmita
There are around 40 species that are distributed in tropical Africa, South-East Asia, Indo Malaya region and Australia. Out of these 40 species only 3 species have been reported from India. According to the Indian medicinal plant, the species of Tinospora which can be used medicinally are as following:
The Indian species of Tinospora are: Tinospora cordifolia, Tinospora sinesis and Tinospora crispa. Generally, found in tropical and subtropical regions of India.
Stem and leaves of Giloy are used for the medicinal purposes. The stem is available in pieces of varying thickness ranging from 0.6 to 5 cm in diameter, young stem is green with a smooth surface and swelling at the nodes. Stem becomes light brown with aging. It has a bitter taste.
Specific characters of different parts:
*Flowers grow during the summer and fruits during the winter, fruits are fleshy.
Giloy is rich in flavonoids, terpenoids and glycosides. The active chemical constituents of the plant include tinosporine, tinosporic acid, tinosporol, giloin, berbarine, syringin, cordifolioside A, tinosporidine, tinosporoside, tinosporaside etc. The bitter principles of the plant have been identified as chasmanthin, palmarin and columbin. The stem is also rich in proteins, starch, calcium and phosphorus.