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Jamun is the fruit of the tree Syzygium cumini. It is a small purple fruit, eaten fresh in season across India, and its leaves, seeds and bark have a long record of traditional use.

Most of what is written about jamun concerns blood sugar. The research behind those claims is uneven, and it matters which part of the plant a given study used.

What are the traditional uses of jamun? 

Different parts of the plant have different traditional uses. A 2015 review in Frontiers in Pharmacology[1] records the leaves being used for skin complaints, digestive complaints, constipation and diabetes.

The same review records the fruits being used for pharyngitis and disorders of the spleen, and the bark being used as an astringent, an anthelmintic and a carminative. It notes that the seeds are used as an astringent and a diuretic, and especially in the treatment of diabetes.

A review of the genus Syzygium[2] records S. cumini being used for diarrhoea, dysentery, menorrhagia, asthma and ulcers. That review draws mainly on animal models rather than studies in people.

What does jamun fruit contain? 

The pulp and the seed are not the same thing. A 2020 laboratory study of jamun pulp and seed[3] separated the two and measured each.

• Pulp: Reported at 83.51% moisture, with lower protein, lipid and carbohydrate content than the seed
• Seed: Reported at 62.25% moisture, with 19.96% protein, 2.47% lipids and 14.95% carbohydrates
• Phenolic compounds: Measured at 22.59 mg GAE per g in the seed against 1.56 mg GAE per g in the pulp
• Anthocyanins: A study of anthocyanin-enriched jamun extracts[4] found malvidin, petunidin, delphinidin, cyanidin and peonidin in the pulp, and no anthocyanins in the seed

The same anthocyanin study broke the pulp pigments down by proportion. It found malvidin at 44.4%, petunidin at 24.2%, delphinidin at 20.3%, cyanidin at 6.6% and peonidin at 2.2%. It also reported ellagic acid and ellagitannins at 0.5% in the seed against 0.17% in the pulp.

A separate study on extracting anthocyanin from jamun pulp[5] reported a total monomeric anthocyanin content of 10.58 mg per 100 g under its optimised extraction conditions. That is an extraction result rather than a food label figure.

Those numbers come from individual research papers, not from a national food composition table. Standard nutrient values for jamun would need an Indian food composition source.

What does the evidence say about jamun and blood sugar? 

The picture depends on which part was tested, and on whether the study was in people. The table below sets out what the retrieved sources report.

The strongest human signal is for the seed, not for the fruit as it is eaten.

What the research does not show 

The clinical evidence is thin. The 2015 review states that very limited data has come from clinical trials, despite the accumulated knowledge on the pharmacological properties of the plant.

Most of the remaining work is preclinical or laboratory based. The pulp and seed study tested extracts in vitro, and the review of the genus draws mainly on animal models.

No source retrieved for this article sets an amount of jamun to take, a time of day to take it, or a length of time to continue. Those figures would need a pharmacopoeial or regulatory source.

Also Read: What Is Shatavari? A Complete Guide to Its Uses and Health Benefits

What side effects can jamun cause? 

The retrieved sources report little about side effects in people. The 2015 review states that S. cumini did not produce acute or chronic toxicity when given by mouth in the studies it surveyed.

It describes rodent work in which a hydroalcoholic leaf extract at doses as high as 2 g per kg produced no toxic effects. In the same work, chronic treatment for up to 180 days at 50, 100 and 250 mg per kg caused no haematological, biochemical or histological changes in target organs.

Those are animal findings. A record of side effects in people was not found in the sources retrieved for this article. Absence of a record is not the same as evidence of safety.

Who should be careful with jamun? 

Blood sugar is where the caution sits. The concern is not the fruit at a meal, but concentrated preparations taken alongside treatment.

If you take regular medicines, ask a pharmacist before adding a jamun preparation to them.

Can jamun affect diabetes medicines? 

It may. The 2015 review reports that capsuled seed powder reduced blood glucose in patients with severe diabetes, which is the same direction of effect as a glucose-lowering medicine.

Where two things push blood glucose the same way, the combination is a question for a prescriber. It is not something to test at home by adding one to the other.

The retrieved sources do not describe formal interaction studies between jamun and named medicines. That is a gap in the evidence rather than a reassurance.

Where can you buy jamun products online? 

Medkart does not sell jamun as a fresh fruit. It lists Ayurvedic preparations, and jamun appears among the ingredients of some of them.

Ashtamrut SF Diabetes Juice lists jamun, given as Syzygium cumini, among its key ingredients alongside karela, methi and amla. The Ayurvedic products category and the Ayurvedic composition listing show what is stocked. Medkart states that the medicines it sells are sourced from WHO-GMP certified manufacturers.

Medkart’s medicine comparison tool places products side by side, and the medicines index lists what is in stock. The details a reader can compare include:

• Active ingredient
• Strength
• Dosage form
• Manufacturer
• Pack size
• Current price

An Ayurvedic preparation taken alongside prescribed treatment should be discussed with a doctor or pharmacist first.

Key takeaways 

• Jamun is the fruit of Syzygium cumini, known in English as the Indian blackberry.
• Traditional use covers the leaves, seeds, fruit and bark, with the seed most associated with diabetes.
• Laboratory work reports anthocyanins in the pulp and a much higher phenolic content in the seed.
• Human evidence on blood sugar comes mainly from seed powder and leaves, not from the fruit as it is eaten.
• A review of guava and jamun leaves rates the level of evidence as low.
• A 2015 review states that very limited data has come from clinical trials.
• No source retrieved for this article sets an amount of jamun to take or how long to take it.
• Anyone taking diabetes medicine should speak to a doctor before adding jamun preparations.

FAQs: Common Questions About Jamun 

Q. What else is jamun called? 

It has several names. The 2015 review gives jamun as the Indian name, black plum as the European one, jambolan in Spanish-speaking countries and jambolão in Brazil. The botanical name is Syzygium cumini, and older papers sometimes use Eugenia jambolana for the same plant.

Q. Does eating the fruit do the same as the seed powder used in studies? 

There is no evidence retrieved here that equates the two. The human results in the 2015 review come from capsuled seed powder, which is a concentrated preparation of a different part of the plant. Eating the fruit in season is not the same intervention, and no source retrieved for this article measured it that way.

Q. Is the seed more active than the pulp? 

By the laboratory measures used, yes. The study of anthocyanin-enriched extracts reported antioxidant capacity of 3,379 trolox equivalents per gram for the seed against 1,445 for the pulp. The 2020 study found total phenolic compounds far higher in the seed than in the pulp, though both figures come from laboratory assays rather than from people.

Q. Can jamun replace a diabetes medicine? 

No. Nothing in the sources retrieved for this article supports using jamun in place of prescribed treatment, and the reviews describe the clinical evidence as limited. A prescribed medicine should only be stopped or changed on the advice of the prescriber.

Q. Why do laboratory results not always apply to people? 

Because a compound that acts in a dish or in a rat may behave differently in the body. The reviews retrieved here make that point about jamun directly, describing the human data as very limited and rating the level of evidence as low. That is why the study type matters as much as the finding.

Q. Is jamun safe to eat as an ordinary fruit? 

It is eaten as a seasonal fruit across India, and the toxicity work described in the 2015 review found no acute or chronic toxicity by mouth in animals. The retrieved sources do not raise a concern about the fruit as food. Concentrated preparations are a separate question, and one for a pharmacist.

References 

• https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4630574/
• https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9179155/
• https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7266875/
• https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3351850/
• https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4444889/
• https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12213247/

Medical disclaimer: This article gives general information only. It does not replace advice from a doctor or pharmacist. No medicine or supplement should be started, stopped or changed without advice from the prescriber or a qualified pharmacist.

Gond katira is a dried gum that seeps from the stems of certain trees and shrubs, hardens into pale lumps, and swells a great deal when it meets water. It is sold loose in Indian shops and used to thicken food.

The name causes more trouble than the gum does. Indian food standards recognise two different exuded gums with overlapping common names, different botanical sources and different identity numbers. Which one sits in a given packet is a question only the label can answer.

What is gond katira? 

A dried gum exuded from a tree or shrub. Which one depends on the pack, because Indian food standards[1] specify each of the two separately.

• Tragacanth gum, INS 413: the dried gummy exudation of Astragalus strobiliferus or other species of Astragalus, family Leguminosae. The standard describes translucent, horny pieces 0.5 to 2.5 mm thick, white to pale yellow, odourless, with an insipid mucilaginous taste.
• Gum karaya, INS 416: the dried gummy exudation from the stems and branches of Sterculia urens and Sterculia villosa, family Sterculiaceae. The standard lists its common names as karaya, gum karaya, sterculia, gum sterculia, kadaya, katilo, kullo and kuterra.

The two come from different places. The EFSA panel that re-evaluated tragacanth[2] records its collection in Iran, Syria, Turkey and southwest Asia. The panel that re-evaluated karaya gum[3] records that Sterculia urens grows widely throughout the Indian subcontinent.

Among the requirements tragacanth gum must meet is a karaya gum test.

No source retrieved for this article establishes which of the two a packet labelled gond katira holds. The botanical name on the pack settles it.

What are the benefits and uses of gond katira? 

Both gums do two jobs: they thicken food and add bulk to stool.

What is the nutritional value of gond katira? 

Very little, and that is rather the point. Both gums are large carbohydrate molecules that mostly pass through.

EFSA states that karaya gum is practically undigested, is not fermented by gut bacteria, and is most probably not absorbed unchanged in humans. It describes tragacanth as unlikely to be absorbed intact.

On composition, the tragacanth opinion puts protein at about 2 per cent, within a range of 0.5 to 3.4 per cent. Its sugar units vary widely between species, with arabinose from 1 to 51 per cent and galacturonic acid from 9 to 37 per cent.

A full nutrient profile is missing. No Indian food composition source and no United States FoodData Central entry could be retrieved for gond katira, so figures for energy, fat or vitamins are not given here.

How do you use gond katira? 

With plenty of liquid, and never dry. The licensed sterculia product’s leaflet is the clearest retrieved instruction.

It says the dry granules are placed on the tongue from the sachet, a spoon or the hand, or sprinkled onto soft food such as yoghurt. They are swallowed with plenty of water or a cool drink, and never chewed or crushed. They are taken after meals, and not just before bed or while lying down.

The reason sits in the swelling. EFSA records that karaya gum absorbs water and swells to more than 60 times its original volume, increasing about tenfold within the first hour. The NHS[5] advises drinking plenty of fluids with any bulk-forming laxative.

No retrieved source describes soaking loose gum overnight and drinking it, which is the preparation gond katira is best known for in India.

Also Read: Top 10 High Fiber Rich Foods for Better Digestion, Weight Loss & Overall Health

What is the recommended dosage of gond katira? 

There is no published dose for loose gum. What exists is a dose for a licensed product built on the same gum.

The leaflet gives adults and the elderly 1 to 2 sachets, or 1 to 2 heaped 5 ml spoonfuls, once or twice a day after meals. That product is 62 per cent sterculia by weight, so the figure describes the granules rather than pure gum.

Tolerance studies give a sense of scale rather than a dose. EFSA reports 9,900 mg of tragacanth daily for 21 days without adverse effects in five volunteers. For karaya gum it reports 7,000 to 10,500 mg daily tolerated by most people. Abdominal discomfort appeared in seven of 89 volunteers taking 7,000 mg a day for four weeks.

A weight printed on a bag of gum is product information, not an instruction about how much to take.

How long can you take gond katira? 

Not long without checking. The sterculia leaflet says that if the product has not worked after four days, it should be stopped and a doctor or pharmacist seen.

Anyone who does not feel better, or who feels worse, after four days is told to talk to a doctor.

No retrieved source sets a duration for loose gum eaten as a food.

What side effects can gond katira cause? 

Wind, bloating and stomach pain are the ordinary ones. The sterculia leaflet lists a swollen stomach, flatulence, diarrhoea, nausea and abdominal pain.

Two entries on the same list are more serious. Blocked intestine and blocked oesophagus both appear on it.

Allergic reactions are listed as well. Skin rash, itching and nettle rash appear, along with swollen hands, feet or ankles. The most serious is difficulty breathing or swelling of the face, lips, tongue or throat, which calls for stopping at once and telling a doctor.

EFSA notes case reports of hypersensitivity to tragacanth, possibly linked to its protein content, and very few reports of allergy to karaya gum.

Who should be careful with gond katira? 

Anything that already narrows or slows the gut is the main concern. Six situations call for care.

On pregnancy the leaflet is reassuring but not blanket. The product can be taken while pregnant or breastfeeding, it says, and a doctor or pharmacist should be asked first.

Where can you buy gond katira or isabgol online? 

Gond katira is sold as a food gum rather than as a pharmacy medicine, and Medkart does not list it under that name. The bulk-forming fibre it does list is isabgol.

Husky Isabgol Powder from Karnataka Antibiotics and Pharmaceuticals and Laxmi Isabgol Powder from Giriraj Enterprise are plain husk powders. Naturolax A from Piramal and Softovac SF from Lupin are combination powders built on isabgol husk.

These are different substances from gond katira, with their own labels and cautions. Sharing a bulk-forming action does not make two products interchangeable.

The ispaghula husk composition listing, the Ayurvedic products category and the Ayurvedic composition page show what is stocked. Availability, pack size and price differ between products and can change.

Medkart states that the medicines it sells are sourced from WHO-GMP certified manufacturers. Medkart’s medicine comparison tool sets products side by side, and the medicines index and search page show current stock. Points worth comparing on a fibre pack:

• Botanical name of the source plant
• Whether it is a single gum or a combination
• Amount per dose
• Manufacturer
• Pack size

Anyone taking regular medicines should speak to a doctor or pharmacist before adding a fibre supplement.

Key takeaways 

• Indian food standards recognise two distinct gums with overlapping names, tragacanth as INS 413 and gum karaya as INS 416.
• Tragacanth comes from Astragalus species in west Asia, while gum karaya comes from Sterculia urens, which grows across the Indian subcontinent.
• The Indian standard for tragacanth gum includes a karaya gum test among its requirements.
• Both gums are largely undigested and unabsorbed, so they add bulk rather than nutrients.
• The clearest retrieved instructions come from a licensed sterculia medicine, not from loose gum.
• That leaflet gives adults 1 to 2 sachets or 1 to 2 heaped 5 ml spoonfuls, once or twice daily after meals.
• The gum is taken with plenty of fluid, never dry and never lying down, because the gullet can block.
• No retrieved source tests the summer cooling use, which is the most common reason the gum is bought in India.

FAQs: Common Questions About Gond Katira 

Q. Is gond katira the same as gum ghatti or the other Indian gums? 

No. The Indian standards set out several exuded gums side by side, each with its own botanical source and identity number. Gum ghatti from Anogeissus latifolia is listed separately, and the shared word gond simply means gum. Two gums that both soften into a jelly can still come from unrelated plants.

Q. What happens if the gum is swallowed without enough water? 

The gullet can block. The gum draws in water and expands, and if that happens before it has reached the stomach, it expands in the wrong place. The sterculia leaflet names this outcome twice: once for taking too much, once for taking too little fluid with it.

Q. How long does a bulk-forming fibre take to work? 

Longer than most people expect. The NHS says bulk-forming laxatives take up to three days, which is why raising the amount after one disappointing day tends to cause trouble rather than relief. Anything still not working after a few days is a reason to ask a pharmacist.

Q. Do the two gums behave the same way in the gut? 

Not quite. EFSA describes karaya gum as practically undigested and not fermented by gut bacteria, so it passes through largely untouched. Tragacanth is partially fermented by gut bacteria, which produces short-chain fatty acids along the way. Both add bulk rather than nourishment.

Q. Why do stools sometimes look paler after taking a sterculia product? 

This one is expected. The leaflet notes that it is not unusual for stools to look paler than normal. It puts this down to local contact with the sterculia itself, and says it does not indicate anything untoward. Pale stools that persist after the product is stopped are a different matter and should be mentioned to a doctor.

Q. Is tragacanth allowed in food outside India? 

Yes. United States federal regulations[6] affirm gum tragacanth as generally recognised as safe in food, taken from species of Astragalus, with maximum levels set by food category. Those run from 1.3 per cent in fats and oils down to 0.1 per cent in all other foods. That is a United States standard, and an Indian source is needed to make the same claim here.

References 

• https://fssai.gov.in/upload/uploadfiles/files/Chapter%203_Substances%20added%20to%20food.pdf
• https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7009969/
• https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC13088887/
• https://assets.hpra.ie/products/Human/26374/0798c15d-543a-4043-b82e-8ef4be7c7f74.pdf
• https://www.nhs.uk/medicines/laxatives/
• https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/CFR-2024-title21-vol3/xml/CFR-2024-title21-vol3-sec184-1351.xml

Medical disclaimer: This article gives general information only. It does not replace advice from a doctor or pharmacist. No medicine or supplement should be started, stopped or changed without advice from the prescriber or a qualified pharmacist.

Glycerine is a clear, thick liquid used in moisturisers, lotions, soaps and some medicines. It is also called glycerol, and the two names describe the same substance. On skin it acts as a humectant, a type of ingredient that draws in and holds water.

It is sold in India both as a plain liquid in a bottle and as one ingredient among several in creams and lotions. The strength printed on a pack matters, because what a product does to skin depends on how much glycerine it contains.

Is glycerine good for skin, and what are its benefits? 

Yes, mainly for holding water in the outer layer and protecting skin that is dry, chapped or cracked.

The U.S. FDA’s final order for skin protectant drug products[1] recognises glycerin as a skin protectant active ingredient. Products in that category may state that they temporarily protect minor cuts, scrapes and burns. They may also state that they help prevent and temporarily protect chapped or cracked skin.

A 2020 review of nonprescription moisturisers[2] describes humectants such as glycerin as hydrating skin by attracting and binding water.

The 2020 review excluded studies of single ingredients such as glycerol. Most of the evidence above therefore describes tested formulations rather than plain glycerine.

How much glycerine is used on the skin? 

There is no single amount that applies to every use of glycerine on skin.

The FDA order sets a concentration range rather than a dose. It lists glycerin at 20% to 45% for products sold as skin protectants.

A figure such as glycerin 20% describes how much glycerine is in that product. It is product information, not an instruction about how much to apply.

Individual labels sit at different points in that range. DailyMed lists a glycerin 20% gel[8] alongside the glycerin 40% ointment.

Neither label gives a measured quantity. The gel label says to apply liberally as often as necessary. The ointment label says to apply as needed.

How do you apply glycerine on the face and body? 

Moisturising products are generally applied to skin that has just been washed and dried.

The NHS[9] advises applying an emollient as soon as the skin has been patted dry, so that it is absorbed properly. It also advises smoothing the product on rather than rubbing it in, following the direction of hair growth. That helps stop hair follicles becoming blocked.

The NHS also says it is especially important to apply an emollient to the hands and face, because they are more exposed than the rest of the body.

The NHS says emollients can be applied as often as a person likes. It suggests at least three or four times a day.

That page describes emollients as a group and does not name glycerol.

How long can glycerine be used? 

That depends on whether the product is a cosmetic moisturiser or a skin protectant.

The FDA order carries a warning that a doctor should be seen if the condition lasts more than seven days. The glycerin 40% ointment label repeats that boundary. It tells users to stop and ask a doctor if the condition worsens, or if symptoms clear up and return within a few days.

The glycerin 20% gel label sets a longer boundary. It advises discontinuing use if the condition worsens or does not improve within 10 to 14 days.

The two labels set different limits. The limit printed on the pack in hand is the one that applies to it.

Also Read: Best Skincare Products & Routine for Sensitive Skin

What side effects can glycerine cause? 

Glycerine is generally well tolerated on skin, and the side effects reported in trials were local ones.

The phase 3 trial of the glycerol and paraffin cream recorded irritation or erythema in 2.1% of patients. Worsened itching affected 1.3%, and blisters at the site of application 0.9%. The crossover trial in fabric workers reported no adverse effects among its 32 participants.

Both glycerin labels on DailyMed are marked for external use only.

Why glycerine is kept away from the eyes 

Both DailyMed glycerin labels carry an eye warning. The glycerin 40% ointment label states that the product should not get into the eyes. The gel label advises avoiding contact with them.

Both labels also direct anyone who swallows the product to get medical help or contact a poison control centre.

Who should be careful with glycerine? 

Very young children, deep wounds and serious burns are the situations these labels single out.

If you are using glycerine on skin that is broken or not healing, ask a doctor or pharmacist which product is appropriate.

Does glycerine appear in medicines as well as cosmetics? 

Yes. Glycerol is also used as an excipient in medicines.

The EMA’s annex on excipients in labelling[10] lists glycerol, also written as E422, by route of administration. For an oral medicine the threshold is 10 g per dose. Above that, the leaflet states that glycerol may cause headache, stomach upset and diarrhoea.

For a rectal medicine the threshold is 1 g, with a note that glycerol may have a mild laxative effect.

That annex covers glycerol swallowed or given rectally. It carries no cutaneous entry, so it says nothing about glycerine applied to skin.

Glycerine in Indian cosmetic and drug rules 

Most glycerine products sold for skin in India are regulated as cosmetics rather than as medicines.

CDSCO[11] gives the definition of a cosmetic under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940. It covers anything applied to the human body for cleansing, beautifying, promoting attractiveness or altering the appearance.

Manufacture is licensed by State Licensing Authorities, and imports are registered by the Central Licensing Authority under the Cosmetics Rules, 2020.

The 20% to 45% range quoted earlier describes a U.S. standard. No Indian regulatory source setting a permitted glycerine concentration for skin was retrieved, so it should not be read as an Indian requirement.

Where can you buy glycerine online? 

Medkart lists glycerine as a plain liquid and inside moisturising creams and lotions.

Plain glycerine appears in small packs such as Glycerin 50 GM, in larger bottles such as Glycerin 400 ML, and under the glycerol name as Glycerol Liq 200 ML.

Cream and lotion products include Glicerina Cream from Atopic Laboratories, Aquasoft Cream from Ajanta Pharma and Secalia Lotion from Micro Labs. Availability and pack size differ between products and can change.

Products sharing the Glycerin 15% w/w composition are grouped on one page. Medkart’s medicine comparison tools line up alternatives on:

• Active ingredient
• Strength
• Dosage form
• Manufacturer
• Pack size
• Current price

The wider personal care range and the full medicines catalogue carry other moisturising products, and Medkart branches can be found through the store locator. Medkart highlights WHO-GMP certified manufacturers for the medicines it lists.

If you are not sure which product suits your skin, ask a pharmacist before buying.

Key takeaways 

• Glycerine and glycerol are two names for the same substance, used on skin as a humectant.
• The U.S. FDA recognises glycerin as a skin protectant active ingredient at 20% to 45%.
• A percentage on a pack describes what the product contains and is not an instruction about how much to apply.
• Trials of creams containing 15% to 20% glycerol reported better skin hydration and less water loss through the skin.
• The NHS advises applying an emollient to skin that has just been patted dry, and smoothing it on rather than rubbing it in.
• Side effects reported in trials were local, and included irritation, redness and worsened itching in a small share of patients.
• Skin protectant labels containing glycerin tell users to ask a doctor before use in children under six months.
• Most glycerine skin products sold in India are regulated as cosmetics under the Cosmetics Rules, 2020.

FAQs 

Q. Does glycerine remove tan? 

No retrieved source supports that. The permitted claims for a glycerin skin protectant cover protecting chapped or cracked skin rather than skin tone. The trials described above measured hydration and water loss rather than pigmentation. Anyone concerned about a change in skin colour should raise it with a doctor.

Q. How soon does glycerine make a difference to dry skin? 

The trials measured change over weeks rather than days. The fabric workers applied their cream twice daily for two weeks before hydration and water loss were reassessed. The atopic dermatitis cream ran twice daily for four weeks, and the dialysis trial measured its main result after 28 days. None of these trials reported the effect of a single application.

Q. Does a higher percentage of glycerine work better? 

The retrieved trials do not answer that. They tested glycerol at 15% and at 20%, while the FDA range for skin protectants runs up to 45%. No retrieved study compared two concentrations against each other in the same participants. A higher figure on a pack cannot be read as a better result.

Q. Is glycerine better than urea for dry skin? 

It depends on the measure. The 2025 review reports one trial in 109 people with atopic dermatitis where urea cream produced lower water loss through the skin than the glycerine cream. In a second trial in 197 people, improvement in dryness was similar between the two, and glycerine caused less smarting.

Q. How long has glycerine been tested for continuous use? 

Two of the retrieved trials ran for about four months, one in dialysis patients and one on facial skin. Both are far longer than the review points printed on skin protectant labels, which are set for a specific complaint rather than for daily moisturising.

Q. Does glycerine need to be diluted before use on skin? 

No retrieved source describes a dilution for use at home. The products covered by the FDA standard and by the trials above contained glycerine within a finished cream, gel or ointment. None of them used the neat liquid. A pharmacist can say how a particular pack of plain glycerine is meant to be used.

References 

• https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/omuf/Order/Final%20Administrative%20Order%20OTC000005_M016-Skin%20Protectant%20Drug%20Products%20for%20OTC%20Human%20Use.pdf
• https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7473959/
• https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12124105/
• https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11557774/
• https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11377436/
• https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=345fdde5-700b-7103-e063-6394a90a0e3e
• https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10155799/
• https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=02e8e5d0-7844-39fe-e063-6394a90a57e1
• https://www.nhs.uk/tests-and-treatments/emollients/
• https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/documents/scientific-guideline/annex-european-commission-guideline-excipients-labelling-package-leaflet-medicinal-products-human-use-sante-2017-11668-revision-2_en.pdf
• https://www.cdsco.gov.in/opencms/opencms/en/Cosmetics/cosmetics/

Medical disclaimer: This article gives general information only. It does not replace advice from a doctor or pharmacist. No medicine or supplement should be started, stopped or changed without advice from the prescriber or a qualified pharmacist.

Giloy is the common name for Tinospora cordifolia, a climbing shrub used in Ayurveda under the name Guduchi.

Its use rose sharply during the COVID-19 pandemic. So did a set of published reports linking it to liver injury.

What is giloy? 

Giloy is Tinospora cordifolia, a plant of the Menispermaceae family. A 2023 review in the Chinese Journal of Integrative Medicine[1] describes it as a herbaceous vine, or climbing deciduous shrub.

LiverTox[2], the United States National Institutes of Health database on drug-induced liver injury, records that extracts of the leaves, roots and bark are used.

LiverTox names more than 60 compounds in Tinospora species, including lactones, steroids, flavonoids, lignans, alkaloids and the characteristic clerodane-type furanoditerpenoids. It identifies the clerodane diterpenoids as the probable cause of the liver injury set out below.

What is the nutritional value of giloy? 

Giloy is taken as a herb rather than eaten as a food, so nutrient figures describe the dried plant rather than a dose.

A 2024 review of giloy leaves[3] gives about 5.2 g of protein and about 52 g of fibre per 100 g of dehydrated leaves. It lists calcium and iron among the minerals present. A 2023 review of the stem in food[4] reports protein and dietary fibre, with vitamin C, calcium and iron in small concentrations.

Both sets of figures are per 100 g, and a typical daily dose is a small fraction of that weight. No Indian food composition entry for giloy could be retrieved for this article.

What are the benefits and uses of giloy? 

Giloy has a long list of traditional uses and a much shorter list of tested ones. The 2023 review lists fevers, jaundice, diabetes, dysentery, urinary infections and skin diseases among its traditional applications.

The same review names anti-diabetic, immune-modulatory, antiviral, antioxidant and hepatoprotective effects among the pharmacological properties studied. The stem, the leaf and the root are all used.

LiverTox records a similar list. It names diabetes, rheumatism, jaundice, malaria, asthma, depression, pain and urinary tract infections, with recent use aimed at COVID-19.

What does the clinical evidence show? 

Less than the traditional list suggests. The 2023 review states that large-scale clinical studies are still needed.

The trial authors add two caveats of their own. Six months may not have been long enough to judge, and not all the objective measures backed up what patients reported.

How do you use giloy, and how much? 

Giloy is used as tablets, capsules, powders and juices, and no one dose applies to everyone. LiverTox records a typical dose of 400 to 1,000 mg daily across the forms sold over the counter, which include solutions, powders, capsules and tablets.

The HIV trial used 900 mg a day, under supervision and with monitoring.

A strength printed on a pack describes the amount of extract in that product. It is product information, not an instruction about how much to take. What suits a particular person is a question for a doctor or a qualified Ayurvedic practitioner.

When should you take giloy, and for how long? 

No source retrieved for this article gives a time of day. The Ministry of AYUSH publishes a technical dossier on Guduchi, and neither that document nor the Ministry’s press statements could be opened while researching this article.

On duration there is more to go on. The HIV trial ran for six months under medical supervision. LiverTox reports that liver injury appeared between a few weeks and six months after starting.

Long unsupervised use is the pattern the reports describe most often. Anyone planning to take giloy for more than a few weeks should agree that with a doctor first.

Also Read: What Is Shatavari? A Complete Guide to Its Uses and Health Benefits

What side effects can giloy cause? 

The side effect that matters most is liver injury. LiverTox describes the pattern as hepatocellular, with ALT and AST between 10 and 50 times the upper limit of normal.

It records more than 50 reported cases since 2017, most of them during the COVID-19 period. Autoantibodies were frequent, sometimes with features of autoimmune hepatitis on liver biopsy.

Severity ranges widely. LiverTox describes cases from minimally symptomatic enzyme rises, through mild hepatitis that settled on stopping, to severe hepatitis, acute liver failure and deaths.

What do the liver injury reports say? 

An Indian case series described six people who developed hepatotoxicity after self-medicating with giloy. The Ayurveda community responded that the patients had probably taken Tinospora crispa, a look-alike species known to harm the liver. The authors then confirmed by DNA analysis[6] that the plant taken was Tinospora cordifolia. They concluded it had caused an autoimmune-like hepatitis, or unmasked a latent autoimmune liver disease.

A rebuttal in the same journal[7] argued the other way. It cites animal work finding the aqueous extract non-toxic up to 2,000 mg per kg by mouth. It also cites a trial in healthy volunteers taking 500 mg for 21 days, with normal results. It adds that diabetes and hypothyroidism, and the medicines used for them, are confounders, and that baseline liver function was not reported.

A 2023 case report in Cureus[8] sits with the first group. A woman taking a supplement containing 900 mg of Tinospora cordifolia extract developed symptoms after four to five weeks, with ALT at 1,336. Stopping it, with a short course of prednisone, returned her liver tests to baseline within three months.

LiverTox has since given Tinospora its highest likelihood score, listing it as a well established cause of clinically apparent liver injury. Where sources disagree this way, the useful response is not to pick a side but to know the warning signs.

Who should be careful with giloy? 

Can giloy interact with other medicines? 

No formal interaction studies were retrieved for this article.

The nearest thing the sources offer is indirect. People taking medicines for diabetes and hypothyroidism were among those in the liver injury cases, which the rebuttal treats as a confounder rather than an interaction.

That is a reason to tell a prescriber what you are taking rather than to assume the two are unrelated.

Where can you buy giloy online? 

Medkart lists giloy products in its Ayurvedic range. Guduchi capsules from Himalaya Wellness carry Tinospora cordifolia extract, and Shanshamani Vati from Zandu is built on the same herb.

Giloy also appears inside combination formulations. Kofol Immunity tablets and Ojus syrup both list Guduchi among their herbs, and Immumor syrup lists Giloy alongside tulsi and ashwagandha.

The Ayurvedic products category and the Ayurvedic composition listing show what is stocked, and Medkart’s medicine comparison tool places products side by side. Medkart states that the medicines it sells are sourced from WHO-GMP certified manufacturers.

Giloy products appear in the medicines index and are sold without a prescription, so a doctor or pharmacist should be told before one is added to regular medicines.

Key takeaways 

• Giloy is Tinospora cordifolia, known in Ayurveda as Guduchi.
• Its traditional uses are wide, and the evidence tested in people is much narrower.
• A 2023 review states that large-scale clinical studies are still needed to prove efficacy.
• LiverTox records a typical dose of 400 to 1,000 mg daily for products sold over the counter.
• No source retrieved for this article gives a best time of day to take it.
• LiverTox lists Tinospora as a well established cause of clinically apparent liver injury.
• A published case series and a published rebuttal disagree about how strong that link is.
• Fresh tiredness, nausea, dark urine or yellow eyes while taking giloy calls for stopping and seeing a doctor.

FAQs: Common Questions About Giloy 

Q. Is giloy the same thing as Guduchi? 

Yes. LiverTox records giloy as the Hindi name and Guduchi as the Sanskrit name for the same plant. Guduchi is the form used on most Indian product labels, and seeing both on one pack does not mean two ingredients.

Q. Is giloy juice as effective as giloy tablets? 

No retrieved source compares the forms against each other. LiverTox gives a single dose range of 400 to 1,000 mg daily across solutions, powders, capsules and tablets together, rather than a separate figure for each form. The choice between a juice and a tablet is therefore not one the published evidence settles.

Q. How soon after starting giloy could liver trouble appear? 

Not immediately, which is part of why it gets missed. The Cureus patient developed symptoms after four to five weeks. Someone who has taken it for a fortnight without trouble has not cleared the window.

Q. Does stopping giloy reverse the liver injury? 

Usually, though not always. LiverTox describes the injury as typically self-limited, with chronic damage not clearly described. The same source also records severe hepatitis, acute liver failure and deaths, so this is not a reason to wait and see.

Q. Is a labelled tablet safer than raw giloy stem? 

On identification, yes. A labelled product from a known manufacturer names the species it contains, and a bundle of stem bought loose does not. Since a look-alike species is known to harm the liver, knowing which plant is in the pack is the practical difference.

Q. Can giloy be taken to prevent colds and flu? 

No source retrieved for this article supports that. The published human trial was in HIV-positive patients and measured symptoms and blood counts. Immune-modulatory activity in a laboratory is a different claim from preventing an illness in a person.

Q. Should someone already taking giloy stop? 

That is a decision for their doctor, not for an article. What the sources support is knowing the warning signs, avoiding long unsupervised courses, and being more cautious where there is existing liver disease or an autoimmune condition. Anyone with symptoms should stop and seek advice rather than finish the pack.

References 

• https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10073789/
• https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK608429/
• https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11699423/
• https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10609069/
• https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC2792597/
• https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10025683/
• https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8766691/
• https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10238282/

Medical disclaimer: This article gives general information only. It does not replace advice from a doctor or pharmacist. No medicine or supplement should be started, stopped or changed without advice from the prescriber or a qualified pharmacist.

PCOD is the name Indian readers search for when periods turn irregular, unwanted hair appears, or pregnancy is not happening. It names a hormone condition rather than a test result.

The name needs sorting out first, because it has changed.

What does PCOD stand for, and what is it called now? 

Nothing the sources use. None of them uses PCOD, and the condition’s clinical name has recently changed. The NHS[1] now calls it polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome, or PMOS, and states that PMOS used to be called polycystic ovary syndrome, or PCOS.

Not every source has moved. The World Health Organization[2] fact sheet still uses polycystic ovary syndrome. MedlinePlus[3] gives the alternative names as PCOS and Stein-Leventhal syndrome.

No source retrieved for this article treats PCOD as a clinical term, so this article uses the names the sources use.

MedlinePlus describes a set of symptoms caused by a hormone imbalance, and the NHS states there is no cure but treatments can help.

What are the symptoms of PCOD? 

They cluster around periods, hair, skin and fertility, and vary widely.

These are features the sources associate with the condition, not a test anyone can apply to themselves.

What causes PCOD? 

Nobody knows. Both the NHS and the WHO state plainly that the cause is unknown.

What they describe instead are things that travel with it. The NHS says it may involve hormones such as insulin and testosterone not working properly, and notes a link with family history. MedlinePlus names genetics, raised androgen levels and insulin resistance, and the WHO adds that a family history of type 2 diabetes also raises risk.

How is PCOD diagnosed? 

By meeting two of three criteria, after tests a doctor arranges. The WHO gives the three as signs of high androgens, irregular or absent periods, and polycystic ovaries on ultrasound.

The 2023 international guideline[4] keeps that structure and adds one option: in adults, a blood test for anti-Müllerian hormone may replace the ultrasound. It says that test should not be used alone, and that both it and the scan should not be done, to limit over-diagnosis.

The guideline advises against the scan in adolescents.

The NHS describes the practical route: blood tests for hormone levels and insulin resistance, and an ultrasound scan of the ovaries for patients over 18.

How common is PCOD in India? 

Common, and Indian estimates differ sharply depending on the criteria applied. An Indian Council of Medical Research task force study[5] assessed 8,993 women aged 18 to 40 across eight states, published in JAMA Network Open in 2024.

It found a weighted national prevalence of 7.2 per cent by the older NIH 1990 criteria, and 19.6 per cent by the Rotterdam 2003 criteria. Among the women who met the criteria, 91.9 per cent had dyslipidaemia.

A 2022 systematic review in Cureus[6] pooled eleven Indian studies and gave lower figures: 11.33 per cent by Rotterdam and 5.8 per cent by NIH criteria. The WHO estimates 10 to 13 per cent of reproductive-aged women worldwide are affected.

Also Read: Maximum Delay in Periods if not Pregnant: How Long is Normal?

How is PCOD treated? 

There is no cure, and treatment targets whichever features are causing trouble. The WHO states that treatments can improve quality of life, assist with fertility, and reduce endometrial cancer risk.

For irregular cycles and excess hair growth, the guideline names combined oral contraceptive pills as first-line drug treatment in adults. The NHS also lists the progestogen-only pill and the intrauterine system.

Metformin has a narrower place: the guideline says it should be considered in adults with a body mass index of 25 kg/m² or above. It adds that metformin and active lifestyle intervention have similar efficacy.

Where the difficulty is getting pregnant, the guideline names letrozole as the first-line drug for ovulation induction. The NHS lists clomifene and laparoscopic ovarian drilling.

Every one of these is a prescription decision.

How is PCOD managed with diet and exercise? 

With both, and the guideline is unusually clear that the benefit does not depend on losing weight.

It recommends lifestyle intervention for everyone with the condition, whether exercise alone or diet and exercise with behavioural strategies.

On amount, the guideline points to general population targets: 150 to 300 minutes a week of moderate activity, or 75 to 150 of vigorous, plus muscle-strengthening twice weekly.

The two sources differ on intensity. The guideline finds no evidence that one type or intensity beats another, while the NHS advises avoiding high-intensity exercise because it can make symptoms worse.

The guideline also records that many women with the condition meet weight stigma in healthcare, and says the harm that does should be recognised.

Is there a recommended diet for PCOD, and foods to avoid? 

No single diet, and no list of foods to avoid. The guideline finds no evidence that one diet composition beats another for metabolic, hormonal, reproductive or psychological outcomes.

It recommends any composition consistent with healthy-eating guidelines, tailored to the person’s own food preferences. The NHS advice is a balanced diet, with weight loss suggested where someone is overweight.

When should you see a doctor? 

See a doctor if you think you might have the condition, or if symptoms are affecting your everyday life, work and relationships. That is the NHS threshold, and it does not require every feature above.

Do not wait until the list is complete. The WHO estimates around 70 per cent of affected women worldwide are undiagnosed.

What this article cannot tell you 

Whether you have it. The diagnosis needs two of three criteria, and two of those three need a blood test or a scan.

It also cannot say which treatment suits any individual, because everything named above is addressed to clinicians. The choice depends on age, test results, whether pregnancy is wanted, and other conditions.

The 2023 guideline was published before the renaming, so it uses PCOS throughout, as does the WHO fact sheet.

Where can you buy prescribed medicines on Medkart? 

Every medicine named above is prescription-only, so this is about filling a prescription rather than choosing a treatment.

Medkart lists products whose labels name PCOS, and each is marked as needing a prescription. Four are built on inositol: Mychiro tablets from USV, Myocyst M from Akums, which pairs it with sustained-release metformin, Met PCO Care from Akumentis, and Ovagrace sachets from Mankind.

Metformin is listed on its own too, as Glycomet tablets from USV. Nothing here says any of these treats the condition. Availability, pack size and price differ between products and can change.

Medkart states that the medicines it sells are sourced from WHO-GMP certified manufacturers. Medkart’s medicine comparison tool sets products side by side once something has been prescribed, and the medicines index and search page show current stock. Points worth comparing on a prescription:

• Active ingredient
• Strength
• Dosage form
• Manufacturer
• Pack size

Nothing listed here should be started, stopped or changed without the prescriber’s advice.

Key takeaways 

• The NHS now calls the condition polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome, and says it used to be called polycystic ovary syndrome.
• The WHO fact sheet and the 2023 international guideline still use the name PCOS.
• No source retrieved for this article uses PCOD as a clinical term.
• Diagnosis needs two of three criteria, and a doctor arranges the tests that settle them.
• An Indian task force study found a national prevalence of 7.2 per cent by NIH criteria and 19.6 per cent by Rotterdam criteria.
• There is no cure, and treatment targets whichever features are causing trouble.
• The guideline names lifestyle change for everyone with the condition, and says the benefit does not depend on weight loss.
• Irregular periods, difficulty conceiving, or symptoms affecting daily life are all reasons to see a doctor.

FAQs: Common Questions About PCOD 

Q. Do you need cysts on your ovaries to have it? 

No, and that is part of what the new name is getting at. The scan finding is one of three criteria, and only two are needed, so the diagnosis can be made without it.

Q. Is yoga recommended for PCOD? 

Not by any source retrieved for this article. The 2023 guideline does not mention yoga, meditation or other mind-body practices, and neither the NHS nor the WHO fact sheet names them. That is silence rather than a finding against yoga, so this article cannot say what it does for the condition.

Q. Can teenagers be diagnosed with it? 

With more caution than adults. The 2023 guideline states there are no definitive criteria for polycystic ovary morphology on ultrasound in adolescents. Where features are present but the full criteria are not met, it advises reassessment at or before eight years after the first period.

Q. Does it always cause weight gain? 

No. Weight gain and difficulty losing weight sit on the NHS symptom list, but they are not universal. In the Indian task force study, 43.2 per cent of the women who met the criteria had obesity, so most did not. The guideline records raised diabetes risk regardless of body mass index.

Q. What other health checks might a doctor suggest? 

Metabolic and cardiovascular ones. The guideline considers women with the condition at increased cardiovascular risk, and notes more obstructive sleep apnoea independent of body mass index. The NHS adds high blood pressure and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.

Q. Why do Indian prevalence figures differ so much? 

Because the criteria count different things. The NIH 1990 definition is narrower than the Rotterdam 2003 definition, so the same population yields a smaller number. Hence one study reporting both 7.2 and 19.6 per cent for the same women.

Q. Does it affect only the ovaries? 

No, which is the reason behind the new name. MedlinePlus describes hormone imbalance affecting the ovaries and many other body systems. The NHS names hair growth, periods, fertility and mood among the things it touches.

References 

• https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/polycystic-ovary-syndrome-pcos/
• https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/polycystic-ovary-syndrome
• https://medlineplus.gov/polycysticovarysyndrome.html
• https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10505534/
• https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11581580/
• https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9826643/

Medical disclaimer: This article gives general information about polycystic ovary syndrome, now also called polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome, and is not a diagnosis. It cannot tell any individual whether they have the condition, how severe it is, or which treatment suits them, because those decisions need a doctor and the right tests. Anyone with the symptoms described here should see a doctor rather than self-treat, and no medicine or supplement should be started, stopped or changed without advice from the prescriber or a qualified pharmacist.

Ciprofloxacin is the generic name of an antibiotic used for certain bacterial infections. It is a prescription medicine in India, sold under several brand names as tablets and as a liquid.

Those tablets are made by many different companies. The active ingredient is the same across them, but the strength, pack size and price are not.

What is ciprofloxacin? 

Ciprofloxacin is an antibiotic. MedlinePlus[1] places it in a class of antibiotics called fluoroquinolones and explains that it works by killing bacteria that cause infections.

The NHS[2] describes it as a broad-spectrum antibiotic available only on prescription. The same page says the tablets and liquid are used only when no other antibiotic is suitable, because of a risk of serious and long-term side effects.

Its status in India is set by the Drugs Rules, 1945[3]. Ciprofloxacin hydrochloride appears at entry 113 in Schedule H, the schedule of prescription drugs. Rule 97 requires the pack to carry the symbol Rx and a warning against retail sale without a doctor’s prescription.

What are the main ciprofloxacin uses? 

Ciprofloxacin is used for certain bacterial infections. MedlinePlus says it treats or prevents them, and names plague and inhalation anthrax among the infections covered.

DailyMed’s label[4] lists a long set of approved adult uses. They include urinary tract infections, lower respiratory tract infections, acute sinusitis, skin infections, bone and joint infections, infectious diarrhoea and typhoid fever.

The NHS names urinary tract infections, chest infections including pneumonia, skin and bone infections, sexually transmitted infections, and eye and ear infections.

Popular brands containing ciprofloxacin 

Several ciprofloxacin brands are sold in India. The company names below are those shown on the Medkart listing for each pack.

Examples of listed strengths and forms, not a complete catalogue. Product ranges can change.

Availability and pack size differ between products. The range sold under any one brand can change.

How is ciprofloxacin dosage decided? 

There is no one dose that applies to every ciprofloxacin prescription. The infection, its severity and kidney function all come into it.

NHS guidance on how and when to take ciprofloxacin[5] describes tablets of 100 mg, 250 mg, 500 mg and 750 mg. There is also a liquid containing 250 mg in 5 ml. It gives a usual range of 250 mg to 750 mg twice a day. Children and people with kidney problems take lower amounts.

A strength such as ciprofloxacin 500 mg describes the amount of active ingredient in that product. It is product information, not a dosing instruction.

DailyMed sets different amounts and durations for each infection. For an acute uncomplicated urinary tract infection it gives 250 mg every 12 hours for three days. What applies to one person is a decision for the prescriber.

Why does antibiotic resistance matter? 

Resistance grows when antibiotics are used where they are not needed. DailyMed states that using ciprofloxacin only for infections that are proven or strongly suspected to be bacterial reduces the development of drug-resistant bacteria.

MedlinePlus states that antibiotics such as ciprofloxacin will not work for colds, flu or other viral infections. It advises taking the medicine until the prescription is finished, even when the person feels better.

NHS guidance on common questions about ciprofloxacin[6] says it is very important to keep taking it until the course is finished. It also says a doctor should be told if there is no improvement after two to three days, or if things get worse at any point.

Also Read: Doctors must mention Reason while Prescribing Antibiotics

What are the common ciprofloxacin side effects? 

Feeling sick and diarrhoea are the most commonly reported effects. NHS guidance on ciprofloxacin side effects[7] reports them in more than 1 in 100 people, along with a bad taste in the mouth.

MedlinePlus lists nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, stomach pain, heartburn, pale skin and unusual tiredness among its common effects.

The NHS lists serious effects that happen in less than 1 in 100 people, and says to stop the medicine and contact a doctor about any of them, including:

• Pain or swelling in joints or tendons, often starting in the ankle or calf
• Pins and needles, tingling, numbness or burning pain, especially in the legs or arms
• Mood or behaviour changes, confusion, or problems with memory
• Diarrhoea with blood or mucus
• An irregular or fast heartbeat, or sudden breathlessness

DailyMed adds that diarrhoea caused by Clostridioides difficile can appear months after treatment ends, and that skin can react strongly to sun or ultraviolet light during treatment.

Why the fluoroquinolone warnings matter 

Ciprofloxacin carries a boxed warning covering four risks. DailyMed names tendinitis and tendon rupture, peripheral neuropathy, central nervous system effects, and worsening of muscle weakness in myasthenia gravis.

MedlinePlus states that the tendon risk runs during treatment and for up to several months afterwards. It adds that nerve damage may not go away after the medicine is stopped. DailyMed advises avoiding ciprofloxacin in anyone with a known history of myasthenia gravis.

The European Medicines Agency[8] restricted this class of antibiotics after reviewing disabling and potentially long-lasting side effects. It advises stopping a fluoroquinolone and contacting a doctor at once at the first sign of tendon pain, joint swelling or nerve symptoms. The NHS states that ciprofloxacin is not prescribed for more than three months at a time.

Who should be careful with ciprofloxacin? 

Most people can take it, but several situations need raising first. NHS guidance on who can and cannot take ciprofloxacin[9] says most adults and children aged 1 year and over can take or use it.

The NHS also says to mention pregnancy, plans to become pregnant, or breastfeeding. DailyMed contraindicates ciprofloxacin alongside tizanidine.

Generic ciprofloxacin vs brand-name ciprofloxacin 

Generic and branded ciprofloxacin contain the same active ingredient. The US FDA[10] states that a generic medicine matches the brand-name medicine on active ingredient, strength, dosage form and route of administration, and is bioequivalent to it.

The FDA adds that approved generics provide the same clinical benefit and risks as their brand-name counterparts. That is the U.S. FDA standard, and an India-specific regulatory source is needed before making the same claim about an Indian product.

Products can still differ in manufacturer, inactive ingredients, appearance and price. The same active ingredient and strength alone do not prove that two products are interchangeable. A doctor or pharmacist should confirm any switch between brands.

Buy or compare ciprofloxacin tablets on Medkart 

Medkart sells ciprofloxacin products online from several manufacturers and lists them as prescription items. Its composition listings for ciprofloxacin 500 mg and ciprofloxacin 250 mg show what is stocked at each strength. Medkart states that the medicines it sells are sourced from WHO-GMP certified manufacturers.

Medkart’s medicine comparison tool places products side by side, and the medicines index lists what is in stock. The details a reader can compare include:

• Active ingredient
• Strength
• Dosage form
• Manufacturer
• Pack size
• Current price

Any suggested alternative should be discussed with a doctor or pharmacist before changing a prescribed antibiotic.

Key takeaways 

• Ciprofloxacin is an antibiotic in the fluoroquinolone group and works by killing bacteria.
• Ciprofloxacin hydrochloride is listed at entry 113 in Schedule H of India’s Drugs Rules, 1945, which makes it a prescription drug.
• The NHS states that ciprofloxacin tablets and liquid are used only when no other antibiotic is suitable.
• A strength such as ciprofloxacin 500 mg is product information, not an instruction about how much to take.
• Feeling sick and diarrhoea are among the most commonly reported side effects.
• The boxed warning covers tendinitis and tendon rupture, nerve damage, central nervous system effects and worsening of myasthenia gravis.
• Tendon pain, joint swelling or nerve symptoms are a reason to stop the medicine and contact a doctor at once.
• Antibiotics do not work for colds, flu or other viral infections, and a prescribed course is meant to be finished.

FAQs: Common Questions About Ciprofloxacin 

Q. How quickly does ciprofloxacin start working? 

Most people feel better within a few days. NHS guidance on common questions says how quickly it works depends on the infection. A bone infection can take a week or longer before there is any improvement. A doctor is the right person to tell if progress is slower than expected.

Q. What happens if a dose of ciprofloxacin is missed? 

It depends on how close the next dose is. NHS guidance on how and when to take ciprofloxacin says a missed dose should be taken as soon as it is remembered, unless the next one is nearly due. In that case the missed dose is skipped and the normal schedule resumes. The same guidance says never to take a double dose to catch up.

Q. Why should dairy products be avoided around a dose? 

Because they can stop the medicine working properly. NHS guidance on how and when to take ciprofloxacin says to avoid dairy products such as milk, cheese and yoghurt, because they affect how the medicine works. The same guidance says the tablets should be swallowed whole with plenty of water rather than chewed.

Q. Is it safe to drink alcohol while taking ciprofloxacin? 

Yes. NHS guidance on common questions about ciprofloxacin states that alcohol can be drunk while taking it. Anyone unsure how that sits with their other medicines should ask a pharmacist.

Q. Can ciprofloxacin be given to a child? 

Sometimes, and only on a prescription. The NHS says most adults and children aged 1 year and over can take or use ciprofloxacin. DailyMed approves it for children aged 1 to 17 years for complicated urinary tract infections and kidney infections. It notes a higher rate of joint and tissue problems in children. A doctor decides whether it is the right choice.

Q. What happens if too much ciprofloxacin is taken? 

It can cause harm. The NHS says taking too much ciprofloxacin can cause feeling sick, being sick, diarrhoea, an irregular heartbeat, or seizures in people with epilepsy. Anyone who has taken more than the prescribed amount should contact a doctor, a pharmacist or a hospital straight away.

References 

• https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a688016.html
• https://www.nhs.uk/medicines/ciprofloxacin/about-ciprofloxacin/
• https://cdsco.gov.in/opencms/resources/UploadCDSCOWeb/2022/drug_rules/Drugs%20Rules,%201945%20(1).pdf
• https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=6fecbc15-915c-4434-b9e3-cfc1aa33a1ba
• https://www.nhs.uk/medicines/ciprofloxacin/how-and-when-to-take-or-use-ciprofloxacin/
• https://www.nhs.uk/medicines/ciprofloxacin/common-questions-about-ciprofloxacin/
• https://www.nhs.uk/medicines/ciprofloxacin/side-effects-of-ciprofloxacin/
• https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/news/disabling-potentially-permanent-side-effects-lead-suspension-or-restrictions-quinolone-fluoroquinolone-antibiotics
• https://www.nhs.uk/medicines/ciprofloxacin/who-can-and-cannot-take-or-use-ciprofloxacin/
• https://www.fda.gov/drugs/generic-drugs/generic-drug-facts

Medical disclaimer: This article provides general information and does not replace advice from a doctor or pharmacist. Ciprofloxacin is an antibiotic listed in Schedule H of India’s Drugs Rules, 1945, so ciprofloxacin products in India are prescription medicines. Brands with the same composition should only be substituted under the guidance of a healthcare professional or pharmacist because product details and approved indications can differ.

Chamomile tea is an infusion made by pouring boiling water over the dried flower heads of the chamomile plant. In India the plant is a permitted nutraceutical ingredient, and in Europe the flower is a registered traditional herbal medicine.

The plant behind almost all of it is Matricaria recutita, also written Matricaria chamomilla and known as German chamomile. Most human trials on chamomile tested a concentrated extract in a capsule rather than the drink.

What is chamomile tea? 

Chamomile tea is an infusion of dried chamomile flower heads in hot water. The European Medicines Agency[1] defines the herbal substance as Matricaria recutita L., flos, meaning the flower and no other part of the plant.

What people use it for is broader than what it is registered for. The National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health[2] lists the common cold, indigestion, anxiety and insomnia among the things chamomile is promoted for.

What are the benefits and uses of chamomile tea? 

The EMA recognises chamomile flower for a small set of minor complaints, and only as a traditional herbal medicine.

Only one of the five registered uses involves drinking the infusion. The others are a mouth rinse, a skin wash, a local irrigation and a steam inhalation.

Does chamomile tea help with weight loss? 

No. Weight is not among the uses the EMA registers. A 2021 review of chamomile in obesity and metabolic syndrome[4] states that no clinical trials of chamomile in the management of obesity were available to its authors.

The review describes laboratory and animal work on carbohydrate digestion and energy metabolism instead. Its authors treat chamomile as a promising candidate, while noting that any effect is likely to be moderate because plant polyphenols are poorly absorbed when swallowed.

How do you make chamomile tea? 

As an infusion. The EMA’s patient leaflet template for herbal teas[5] sets out the method in standard terms.

Boiling water is poured over the flowers, and the tea is left to steep for a set period, usually 5 to 15 minutes where nothing else is specified. The vessel is kept covered with a lid and stirred at intervals. The liquid is then strained through a tea strainer.

The same document notes that infusion suits leaves, flowers and delicate plant parts, while roots and barks are simmered or soaked instead.

What is the recommended dosage of chamomile tea? 

There is no one amount that applies to everyone. For the flower brewed as a tea, the monograph gives adolescents, adults and the elderly a single dose of 1.5 to 4 g in 150 ml of boiling water. It puts the frequency at 3 to 4 times a day.

Smaller single doses are set out for children, taken 2 to 4 times a day:

• 6 months to 2 years: 0.5 to 1.0 g
• 2 to 6 years: 1.0 to 1.5 g
• 6 to 12 years: 1.5 to 3.0 g

A weight printed on a pack of tea bags describes how much flower each bag holds. It is product information, not an instruction about how much to drink.

India regulates the ingredient rather than the brew. The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India[6] lists Matricaria chamomilla as a permitted nutraceutical ingredient in Schedule VI, Part B. The entry covers an aerial parts extract, sets no daily range, and describes a manufactured product rather than flowers brewed at home.

When should you drink chamomile tea? 

No source retrieved for this article gives a best time of day. The monograph sets a frequency of 3 to 4 times daily and says nothing about morning or evening.

Does chamomile tea help with sleep? 

Sleep is why people ask, and the sources disagree.

The NCCIH reports that a 2019 review found only one insomnia study, and that it showed no benefit. A pilot trial in BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine[7] gave 34 adults with chronic primary insomnia 270 mg of chamomile extract twice daily for 28 days. Total sleep time and sleep efficiency did not differ significantly from placebo, though time to fall asleep shortened by about 16 minutes.

A trial in the Journal of Education and Health Promotion[8] found the opposite. Seventy-seven nursing home residents aged over 60 took 400 mg capsules twice daily, after lunch and after dinner, for four weeks. Sleep quality scores improved against the control group, and the authors name the absence of blinding and of a placebo group among the study’s limits.

All three used capsules of extract, so their schedules are not schedules for a cup of tea.

Also Read: Ashwagandha for Men: Benefits for Energy, Strength & Hormones

How long can you drink chamomile tea? 

The EMA sets a checkpoint rather than a maximum. If symptoms last more than one week, the monograph says a doctor or a qualified health care practitioner should be consulted. The same applies if symptoms get worse.

No source retrieved for this article sets a limit on chamomile drunk as an ordinary beverage.

What side effects can chamomile tea cause? 

Allergic reactions are the effect the sources single out. The EMA records hypersensitivity reactions, including severe ones, and puts their frequency at not known.

Among the severe reactions it names breathlessness, Quincke’s disease, vascular collapse and anaphylactic shock. These were reported after mucosal contact with liquid chamomile preparations.

The NCCIH describes chamomile as likely safe by mouth in the amounts commonly found in teas and other foods. It lists nausea, dizziness and allergic reactions as uncommon effects. The EMA adds that no case of overdose has been reported.

Who should be careful with chamomile tea? 

The clearest case is an allergy to plants in the daisy family. Four other situations call for care.

Can chamomile tea interact with medicines? 

Possibly, and what has been reported involves concentrated preparations rather than a cup. The EMA reports interactions based on effects on CYP450 in patients after kidney transplantation who took high doses for about two months. For skin, mouth, inhalation and bath use it reports none.

The NCCIH reports interactions between chamomile and warfarin, a blood thinner, and with some medicines that the liver breaks down.

Neither source describes an interaction study on chamomile tea at ordinary drinking strength.

Where can you buy chamomile tea online? 

Medkart is a pharmacy, so chamomile appears there mostly as an ingredient inside a formulated product.

Periods Care tea bags from Taparia Tea Company name chamomile among their herbs. On the skin side, Dermsilk cream from Cure N Cure Pharmaceutical and Urtiplex lotion from Charak Pharmaceuticals both list chamomile extract. So does Gentle Baby Shampoo from Himalaya Wellness.

The Ayurvedic products category and the Ayurvedic composition listing show the wider herbal range. Availability, pack size and price differ between products and can change.

Medkart states that the medicines it sells are sourced from WHO-GMP certified manufacturers. Medkart’s medicine comparison tool places products side by side, while the medicines index and the search page show what is in stock. Points worth comparing on a herbal pack include:

• Botanical name of the plant
• Whether the pack is pure chamomile or a blend
• Weight of flower per bag
• Manufacturer
• Pack size

Chamomile products are sold without a prescription, so a doctor or pharmacist should be told before one joins a set of regular medicines.

Key takeaways 

• Chamomile tea is an infusion of the dried flowers of Matricaria recutita, known as German chamomile.
• The EMA registers it as a traditional herbal medicine, which means the use rests on long-standing use rather than trials.
• Only one of its five registered uses is a drink, for minor digestive complaints such as bloating and spasms.
• The monograph gives adults a single dose of 1.5 to 4 g in 150 ml of boiling water, 3 to 4 times a day.
• An infusion is steeped for 5 to 15 minutes under a lid, then strained.
• No source retrieved for this article gives a best time of day to drink it.
• The sleep and anxiety trials used capsules of concentrated extract, not the tea.
• Allergy is the main reported risk, and it is more likely in people who react to daisies, marigolds or ragweed.

FAQs: Common Questions About Chamomile Tea 

Q. Is the chamomile in a tea bag the same as the chamomile in a capsule? 

No, and the difference matters more than it looks. A tea bag holds the dried flower, while a capsule holds an extract concentrated many times over. The EMA treats them as separate preparations with separate amounts, and reaches different conclusions about them in pregnancy.

Q. Why does the water need to be boiling? 

For hygiene as much as for flavour. The EMA’s leaflet template notes that boiling water lowers the microbial load carried by dried plant material, which is not sterile. Water that has gone off the boil does less to that load.

Q. Can brewed chamomile tea be kept and drunk later? 

For a short while, and cold. The same EMA template says a herbal infusion should be drunk soon after it is made, and otherwise kept covered in the fridge for no more than 24 hours. A pot left standing at room temperature all day falls outside that advice.

Q. Is German chamomile the same as Roman chamomile? 

They are different plants sold under a shared name. The EMA monograph and the FSSAI listing both name Matricaria recutita, and the NCCIH says chamomile refers primarily to German chamomile. No source retrieved for this article covers Roman chamomile, so nothing here should be assumed to apply to it.

Q. Can chamomile tea replace a prescribed medicine for anxiety or sleep? 

No. The anxiety trial tested a standardised extract in people with mild to moderate symptoms, and its authors said the findings do not extend to severe cases. The registered use for the drink covers minor digestive complaints and nothing more. Any change to prescribed treatment is a decision for the prescriber.

Q. Do loose flowers and tea bags need different handling? 

Slightly. The EMA notes that herbal teas come both loose and in sachets, and gives each a different final step. Loose flowers are stirred and strained, with the residue pressed to yield more liquid. A sachet is gently squeezed instead.

References 

• https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/documents/herbal-monograph/final-european-union-herbal-monograph-matricaria-recutita-l-flos-first-version_en.pdf
• https://www.nccih.nih.gov/health/chamomile
• https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3600416/
• https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8481792/
• https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/documents/regulatory-procedural-guideline/patient-leaflet-template-concerning-advice-preparation-herbal-teas-traditional-herbal-medicinal-products-end-users_en.pdf
• https://fssai.gov.in/upload/uploadfiles/files/Compendium_Nutra_29_09_2021.pdf
• https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3198755/
• https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5470311/

Medical disclaimer: This article gives general information only. It does not replace advice from a doctor or pharmacist. No medicine or supplement should be started, stopped or changed without advice from the prescriber or a qualified pharmacist.