Scientific Name Tinospora cordifolia (Willd.) Miers. Family Menispermaceae Used Part Stem Distribution Area A large, glabrous, deciduous climbing shrub found throughout tropical India, ascending to an altitude of 300m. Common Uses . T. cordifolia is mentioned in Ayurvedic literature as a constituent of several compound preparations, used in general debility, dyspepsia, fevers and urinary diseases. An application prepared from the plant is used by the tribals in Bihar for fractures.. A decoction of the leaves is used for the treatmet of gout, and young leaves, bruised in milk, are used as a liniment in erysipelas. The leaves are beaten with honey and applied to ulcers. Dried and powdered fruit, mixed with ghee or honey, is used as a tonic and also in the treatment of jaundice and rheumatism. The root is a powerful emetic and used for visceral obstructions; its watery extract is used in leprosy. The plant is used in Ayurvedic rasayanas to improve immune system and body resistance against infections. The plant extract is used as immunomodulator in immunosuppression of obstructive jaundice, hepatic fibrosis, peritonitis and sepsis. The plant has been found effective in preventing fibrous changes and promotes regeneration of liver against CCl4 induced hepato toxicity. The stem is widely used in many Ayurvedic and Unani formulations like `Dia-Dev' used for diabetes; `Septilin' given for bacterial infection; `Livfit' and `Phalatrikadi Kasaya' used against jaundice and `Mztone' for hypogonadism. It is also an ingredient of a patent drug taken in trigeminal neuralgia. T. cordifolia is an ingredient of a fortified Ayurvedic formula Raktawardak given in chronic fatigue syndrome, anaemia and depression. The plant is also a constituent of Curill, a herbal drug with antipyretic activity . The plant is an ingredient of a herbal preparation BR-16A (Mentat), beneficial in cases of mental retardation, carebral deficiency and behavioural disorders. A kind of starch (Giloe-ka-sat or Guduchi satva; yield, 0.48% on fresh- and 1.2% on dry-stem wt.) prepared from the aqueous extract of the dry stems is used as a tonic, and is indicated in several diseases causing debility. The stem is highly valued in skin infections and is also useful in purification of blood.