Traditional use
Called amrita, the nectar of immortality, and one of the most highly regarded rasayana herbs in the classical texts. The stem is the part used. Traditionally given for seasonal illness, convalescence and as a general immune tonic.
Why brands use it
Search interest rose dramatically in 2020 and has settled well above its old baseline. Every major brand launched a giloy product in that period and many are now thin or abandoned, which leaves room for a well-made one. Demand peaks through the monsoon and again in winter.
Quality and specification
Stem material, not leaf, the classical preparations use the stem and that is where the recognised constituents concentrate. Leaf is cheaper and should be treated as a substitution rather than an equivalent.
Safety and cautions
Long traditional record of use. Case reports have raised liver-safety questions in specific circumstances, so a defined course rather than indefinite daily use is the prudent label instruction, and anyone with a liver condition should consult a doctor.
