Tinospora cordifolia as a dietary supplement
Tinospora cordifolia, an herbal supplement with roots in Ayurvedic medicine, is recognized for its potential health benefits, particularly in managing allergic rhinitis, commonly known as hay fever. Traditionally, this plant has been used to support recovery from illnesses, liver health, and various conditions such as diabetes, arthritis, and inflammation. Both the stem and root of Tinospora cordifolia are utilized for medicinal purposes.
While there are claims of its adaptogenic properties—helping the body cope with stress—these assertions lack comprehensive scientific validation. Some studies suggest that Tinospora may offer anti-allergic benefits, with one small trial indicating significant symptom relief for individuals suffering from allergic rhinitis compared to a placebo. Additional research points to potential effects on cancer prevention, immune support, and liver protection, but the findings are still considered preliminary and require further investigation.
Safety profiles indicate that Tinospora cordifolia is generally well-tolerated, though potential risks, particularly related to male fertility and use during pregnancy, have not been thoroughly studied. Overall, while interest in Tinospora cordifolia as a dietary supplement is growing, individuals should approach its use with careful consideration and consult healthcare professionals for personalized advice.
Tinospora cordifolia as a dietary supplement
DEFINITION: Natural plant product used as a dietary supplement for specific health benefits.
PRINCIPAL PROPOSED USE: Allergic rhinitis
OTHER PROPOSED USES: Adaptogen, cancer prevention, cancer treatment support, diabetes, high cholesterol, liver protection, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, immune system support, various other health claims
Overview
The herb Tinospora cordifolia has a long history of use in Ayurvedic medicine (the traditional medicine of India). It has been used to treat convalescence from severe illness, liver disease, arthritis, urinary problems, eye diseases, cancer, anemia, diabetes, and diarrhea. It is said to help remove toxins from the body, and on this basis, it is often added to herbal formulas claimed to improve general health. Both the stem and the root are used medicinally. Tinospora cordifolia may also alleviate conditions related to hay fever.
Therapeutic Uses
According to some herbalists, tinospora has adaptogenic effects, which help the body adapt to stress. However, there is no meaningful evidence to support this claim. Only double-blind, placebo-controlled studies can prove a treatment effective, and such studies are limited on tinospora and tested other effects. Tinospora has been reputed to have a whole range of potential benefits, which may prompt increased research in the future. These benefits are reported to be effective as anti-diabetic, inflammatory, anti-arthritic, anti-stress, and many more conditions, including fever, liver disorders, skin diseases, repository problems, and digestive issues.
Scientific Evidence
In one study, seventy-five people with allergic rhinitis (hay fever) were given either tinospora or placebo for eight weeks. According to the investigators, the use of tinospora significantly decreased every measured symptom of allergic rhinitis in the majority of participants. In comparison, the use of placebo provided almost no benefit.
These results may sound promising, but they are excessively dramatic as to raise doubts about the study’s overall validity. It is unusual for so few benefits to be seen in the placebo group of a study on treating allergic rhinitis and for almost universal benefits to be reported in the treatment group.
In addition to having anti-allergy effects, weak evidence hints that tinospora may be effective against cancer, diabetes, and high cholesterol, and that it may stimulate the immune system, protect nerve cells, and protect the liver. Tinospora also has shown some promise for decreasing the tissue damage caused by radiation, the side effects of some forms of chemotherapy, and for speeding the healing of diabetic foot ulcers. However, all these findings are far too preliminary to be relied upon.
Other double-blind, placebo-controlled studies of note have been performed on tinospora. One tested its safety and found it to be very safe. One additional double-blind, placebo-controlled study looked at supplementing with tinospora to improve learning and memory. This study showed promise in using tinospora for this purpose. A 2022 study appeared to confirm tinospora exhibited immune system supporting properties.
Safety Issues
The use of tinospora has not been associated with significant side effects. However, comprehensive safety testing has not been conducted. One animal study found evidence that the use of tinospora might decrease male fertility. Safety for pregnant or nursing women, young children, and persons with severe liver or kidney disease has not been established.
Bibliography
Badar, V. A., et al. "Efficacy of Tinospora cordifolia in Allergic Rhinitis." Journal of Ethnopharmacology, vol. 96, 2004, pp. 445-449.
Bairy, Kurady Laxminarayana, et al. "Efficacy of Tinospora cordifolia on Learning and Memory in Healthy Volunteers: A Double-Blind, Randomized, Placebo Controlled Study." Iranian Journal of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, vol. 3, 2004, pp. 57-60.
"Hay Fever." Mayo Clinic, 13 Aug. 2024, www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/hay-fever/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20373045. Accessed 12 Sept. 2024.
Nair, P. K., et al. "Immune Stimulating Properties of a Novel Polysaccharide from the Medicinal Plant Tinospora cordifolia." International Immunopharmacology, vol. 4, 2004, pp. 1645-1659.
Nardan, Amrita, et al. "Deciphering the Mechanism of Tinospora cordifolia Extract on Th17 Cells Through In-depth Transcriptomic Profiling and in Silico Analysis." Frontiers, 8 Jan. 2023, www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fphar.2022.1056677/full. Accessed 12 Sept. 2024.
Purandare, H., and A. Supe. "Immunomodulatory Role of Tinospora cordifolia as an Adjuvant in Surgical Treatment of Diabetic Foot Ulcers." Indian Journal of Medical Sciences, vol. 61, 2007, pp. 347-355.
Singh, N., et al. "Effect of Tinospora cordifolia on the Antitumor Activity of Tumor-Associated Macrophages-Derived Dendritic Cells." Immunopharmacology and Immunotoxicology, vol. 27, 2005, pp. 1-14.
Soham, Saha and Shyamasree Ghosh. "Tinospora Cordifolia: One Plant, Many Roles." Ancient Science of Life, Apr.-June 2012, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3644751/#. Accessed 12 Sept. 2024.
Yates, Charles R., et al. "Tinospora Cordifolia: A Review of Its Immunomodulatory Properties." Journal of Dietary Supplements, vol. 19, no. 2, 2022, pp. 271-285. Taylor & Francis Online, doi:10.1080/19390211.2021.1873214. Accessed 12 Sept. 2024.