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Sabja seeds are the seeds of sweet basil, sold in India for drinks and desserts. Most claims about sabja seeds benefits rest on their fibre and on the gel they form in water.

They are sold as a food rather than a medicine, so packs carry no dose. What published studies have tested, and in whom, is narrower than what is often said about them.

What Are Sabja Seeds? 

Sabja seeds are the seeds of Ocimum basilicum, the sweet basil plant. A 2021 review in Foods[1] places it in the Lamiaceae, or mint, family.

The review describes the sabja seeds plant as an erect, strongly aromatic, branched herb that grows 30 to 90 cm high. It records that the plant comes from warm and tropical regions including India, where it has been cultivated for around 5,000 years.

The seeds carry a mucilage that forms a gel in water. The review puts the mucilage content at about 17 to 20%. A 2021 review of plant mucilage in Nutrients[2] describes basil seed mucilage as a natural source of polysaccharides and soluble fibre.

What Does Sabja Seeds Nutrition Include? 

It includes protein, fibre, fat and carbohydrate in widely varying amounts. The Foods review gives these ranges per 100 g of seed:

• Protein: 11.4 to 22.5 g
• Dietary fibre: 7.11 to 26.2 g, soluble and insoluble
• Carbohydrate: 43.9 to 63.8 g
• Fat: 9.7 to 33.0% of the seed

The review names calcium and potassium among the minerals found in high amounts. Alpha-linolenic acid, a plant omega-3 fat, ranges from 0.3 to 66.0% of the seed oil across the samples it reviewed.

Sabja seeds nutrition figures describe 100 g of raw seed.

No Indian Food Composition Tables entry for sabja could be retrieved. The 2017 tables from the National Institute of Nutrition are published as one large file that could not be opened for this article.

What Are the Main Sabja Seeds Uses? 

Food is the main use. The Foods review reports that in Iran and India the seeds are taken in sharbat drinks and in falooda-style frozen desserts.

The same review records traditional use for indigestion, ulcers, diarrhoea, sore throats and kidney disorders. Sabja seeds uses in the food industry go further, with the mucilage tested as a thickener and stabiliser in yoghurt, ice cream and puddings.

The tested sabja seeds benefits are a much shorter list.

Use	What the evidence says
Inflammation and fever	The Foods review reports less paw swelling and lower fever in rats given basil seed oil. These were animal studies, not trials in people.
Blood sugar	The review reports inhibition of an enzyme linked to diabetes in laboratory tests. No human trial on blood sugar was retrieved for this article.
Weight and body fat	A randomised trial in people with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease[3] gave basil seeds for 12 weeks. Weight, BMI and body fat did not differ significantly from the control group.
Bacterial growth	The review reports activity of basil seed oil against Pseudomonas aeruginosa in the laboratory, at 100 mg of oil per ml.

What Does the Clinical Evidence on Sabja Seeds Benefits Show? 

It shows little effect in the one human trial retrieved for this article. Most sabja seeds benefits described in the Foods review come from animal and laboratory work.

The fatty liver trial enrolled 120 adults aged 27 to 74. They were split into four groups: basil seeds, psyllium, a mix of the two, and no supplement.

Seventy people were analysed at the end. Weight and BMI fell within most seed groups, but the differences between groups were not significant.

What Dosage of Sabja Seeds Has Been Studied? 

The fatty liver trial used 10 g a day, taken as two 5 g portions. Each portion went into a glass of water 20 to 30 minutes before lunch and dinner. That was a research protocol for one group of patients, not a recommended intake.

The traditional answer to how to eat sabja seeds is soaked in water, as the Foods review describes.

No Indian or international authority retrieved for this article sets an amount for sabja seeds. A quantity on a pack or in a recipe is product information, not a dosing instruction.

When and for How Long Can Sabja Seeds Be Taken?

No source retrieved for this article names a best time of day. The Hong Kong Centre for Food Safety[4] notes that basil seeds are taken before meals for weight control, and the trial also gave them before meals.

The trial ran for 12 weeks. The Centre for Food Safety states that the health risk of eating basil seeds daily is not yet clear, and advises the public to restrict intake.

What Are the Sabja Seeds Side Effects? 

Stomach complaints are the ones reported in people. In the fatty liver trial, eight participants withdrew because of constipation, nausea or stomach-ache.

The trial authors explain that basil seed and psyllium mucilage absorb water and turn sticky and viscous, which some participants found unpleasant.

The Centre for Food Safety also identifies estragole, a compound occurring naturally in basil, as having caused liver tumours in animals. It describes estragole as a potential genotoxic carcinogen.

Why Soaking and Liquid Matter 

Sabja seeds swell considerably. A 2025 study in the International Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences[5] reports that the seed coat swells in water into a thick gel. It measured a swelling capacity of 31.51 ml per g over six hours.

No case of choking or blockage from basil seeds was retrieved for this article. A 2022 case report in the World Journal of Clinical Cases[6] describes a blockage caused by psyllium husk, a related seed fibre. It formed at the lower end of the oesophagus in a 76-year-old man with Parkinson’s disease.

He had taken about 5 g mixed with water, and the mass was removed by endoscopy.

Who Should Be Careful with Sabja Seeds? 

People with swallowing problems, people planning long daily use and people on medicines that affect clotting have the clearest reasons for care.

Situation	What to do
Difficulty swallowing or Parkinson’s disease	The psyllium case report authors warn that bulk-forming fibre may raise the risk of oesophageal blockage where the oesophagus moves poorly. Anyone in this group should ask a doctor before taking swelling seeds.
Daily use over months	The Centre for Food Safety advises restricting intake because the risk of daily consumption is unclear. A long course should be discussed with a doctor.
Medicines that affect clotting	The Foods review reports that basil seed fixed oil increased blood-clotting time to a degree comparable with aspirin. A pharmacist should be told before sabja is added alongside such medicines.
Pregnancy, breastfeeding and young children	No source retrieved for this article covers these groups. A doctor’s advice should come first.
Stomach upset after starting	Constipation, nausea and stomach-ache led to withdrawals in the fatty liver trial. Symptoms that persist are a reason to stop and seek advice.

What Is Known About Sabja Seeds and Medicines? 

Very little is known, because no interaction study for basil seeds was retrieved for this article.

The clotting finding in the Foods review is the nearest signal, and it is not from a human study.

If you take regular medicines, ask a pharmacist before adding sabja seeds, especially anything that affects blood clotting.

Fibre and Wellness Products on Medkart 

No sabja seed product was found in Medkart’s catalogue while this article was being researched. Medkart lists related ranges in its nutritional supplements and Ayurvedic products categories, and the Ayurvedic composition listing shows what is stocked.

For a different seed fibre, Medkart lists Husky isabgol powder from Karnataka Antibiotics & Pharmaceuticals. Isabgol is psyllium husk, not sabja, and the two should not be treated as substitutes. Availability and pack sizes change.

Products from the diabetes care or heart care ranges appear in the medicines index and the A to Z list of all medicines. Medkart’s medicine comparison tool places products side by side.

Medkart highlights WHO-GMP certified medicines, and its store locator lists its pharmacies.

A doctor or pharmacist should be told before any seed or supplement is added to regular medicines.

Key takeaways 

• Sabja seeds are the seeds of sweet basil, Ocimum basilicum, a plant of the mint family.
• Published ranges per 100 g put protein at 11.4 to 22.5 g and fibre at 7.11 to 26.2 g.
• Most reported sabja seeds benefits come from animal and laboratory studies rather than trials in people.
• A 12-week trial of 10 g a day found no significant effect on weight or body fat compared with control.
• The seeds are eaten soaked, and their coat swells into a thick gel in water.
• Reported sabja seeds side effects include constipation, nausea and stomach-ache.
• Hong Kong’s Centre for Food Safety advises restricting intake because the risk of daily use is unclear.
• People with swallowing problems or on medicines that affect clotting should check with a doctor or pharmacist first.

FAQs: Common Questions About Sabja Seeds 

Q. Is the sabja seeds plant the same as tulsi? 

No. The short answer to what are sabja seeds is that they come from sweet basil, Ocimum basilicum. Tulsi is a separate species, Ocimum sanctum, which an Indian trial in overweight young adults[7] gave as a leaf extract capsule. Results from tulsi leaves say nothing direct about sabja seeds.

Q. Is soaking part of how to eat sabja seeds, or can they be eaten dry? 

Yes, soaking is part of it. No source retrieved for this article describes eating them dry. The traditional practice and the trial protocol both involve water, because the gel forms when the seed coat meets liquid. Anyone unsure how to prepare them should ask a pharmacist rather than experiment.

Q. Why did the trial find no effect on weight? 

The authors offer two possible reasons. They note that the fibre dose was low, and that participants started at a normal or overweight body weight rather than an obese one. The result is therefore not a final verdict, though it is the human evidence available here.

Q. Do sabja seeds provide omega-3? 

Yes, as alpha-linolenic acid, a plant omega-3 fat. The Foods review calls basil seeds a promising omega-3 source for vegetarians and vegans. Its share of the oil varies a great deal between samples, so the amount in any one pack is not known.

Q. Is estragole found only in basil? 

No. The Centre for Food Safety lists bay leaf, fennel and star anise among the common food plants that also contain it. It adds that overseas authorities consider estragole from flavourings and herbal products at recommended doses not to pose a significant cancer risk. The open question is regular intake of the seeds themselves.

Q. Can sabja seeds replace medicine for diabetes or cholesterol? 

No. Claimed sabja seeds benefits for blood sugar rest on laboratory tests in the Foods review. Its cholesterol findings come from animal work using seed oil from a related species, Ocimum sanctum. Neither shows the seeds can stand in for a prescribed medicine, and any change to treatment needs the prescriber’s agreement.

Q. Is a sabja drink suitable for children? 

It depends on the child and on a doctor’s view, because the sources retrieved for this article do not address children. The swelling measured in the 2025 study, and the oesophageal case linked to a similar fibre, are reasons for care with anyone who may swallow quickly or with difficulty. A parent unsure about a child should ask a doctor.

References 

• https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8303141/
• https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8539170/
• https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5070040
• https://www.cfs.gov.hk/english/multimedia/multimedia_pub/multimedia_pub_fsf_08_04.html
• https://journals.innovareacademics.in/index.php/ijpps/article/view/55574
• https://www.wjgnet.com/2307-8960/full/v10/i7/2336.html
• https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5539010

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.

Clots in menstrual blood are common, and most of them are not a sign of anything wrong. They appear as dark red or almost black jelly-like lumps, usually on the heaviest days of a period.

What matters is size, volume and change. Official sources do not treat clots as a problem in themselves, but they do set markers for when bleeding needs assessment. This article sets out those markers, the causes and the symptoms that mean a doctor should be seen.

What Are Period Blood Clots, and What Do They Look Like? 

They are thickened collections of menstrual blood and tissue from the womb lining. The lumps are described in the retrieved sources by size rather than by appearance, and they are generally darker than the surrounding flow.

The sources retrieved for this article do not explain the mechanism by which clots form. None of the pages opened here describes why blood clots on some days and not others.

Is It Normal to Have Blood Clots During Your Period? 

Small clots are described as normal. The Office on Women’s Health[1] states that it is normal to pass clots the size of quarters or smaller, and that clots larger than that are a reason to see a doctor.

The NHS[2] uses a different yardstick for the same idea. It lists passing blood clots larger than about 2.5 cm, the size of a 10p coin, among the signs of heavy periods.

Clot size is one marker among several. The table below sets out what the sources associate with heavy menstrual bleeding, and it is not a test anyone can apply to themselves.

Feature	What the sources say
Clot size	The Office on Women’s Health treats clots larger than a quarter as a reason to seek advice, and the NHS uses about 2.5 cm.
How often protection is changed	Both sources describe bleeding through a pad or tampon every one to two hours as a marker of heavy bleeding.
Length of the period	The NHS lists periods lasting more than 7 days, and the Office on Women’s Health lists periods longer than 8 days.
Bleeding overnight	MedlinePlus[3] lists needing to change protection during the night among the signs of heavy menstrual bleeding.
Effect on daily life	The NHS advises seeing a GP where heavy periods are affecting a person’s life, which makes impact a marker in its own right.
Tiredness and breathlessness	The Office on Women’s Health lists dizziness, light-headedness, weakness and tiredness as possible symptoms of anaemia.

What Causes Blood Clots During Periods? 

Clots follow heavy flow, so the causes are the causes of heavy menstrual bleeding. The NHS groups them into conditions affecting the womb or ovaries, bleeding disorders, and certain medicines.

Named conditions include fibroids, endometriosis, adenomyosis, polycystic ovary syndrome and pelvic inflammatory disease. MedlinePlus adds polyps, thickening of the womb lining and hormone imbalance where the ovaries do not release an egg.

The Office on Women’s Health also names an underactive thyroid, obesity and pregnancy complications. Both the NHS and MedlinePlus name medicines including anticoagulants, and the NHS notes that womb cancer is a rare cause.

What Does Period Blood Colour Mean? 

No source retrieved for this article assigns meanings to the colour of menstrual blood. The NHS, MedlinePlus and the Office on Women’s Health pages opened here describe volume, duration and clot size, and none of them interprets shade.

That gap is worth stating plainly, because colour charts circulate widely. Nothing retrieved here supports reading a diagnosis from whether blood looks bright red, dark brown or almost black.

What the sources treat as meaningful is volume, duration and change.

What About Tissue-Like Clots During a Period? 

Menstrual clots contain womb lining, so some texture is expected. A different possibility applies where pregnancy is known or possible.

The NHS[4] describes the symptoms of miscarriage as including pink, grey or white lumps coming out of the vagina, which may look or feel stringy. Bleeding and cramping in the lower abdomen are listed alongside them. That description is distinct from an ordinary menstrual clot.

Anyone who might be pregnant and passes tissue of that kind should contact a doctor without waiting, on NHS advice.

Also Read: What to Eat and Avoid During Periods

How Common Is Heavy Bleeding and Anaemia in India? 

Heavy periods are common. The Office on Women’s Health reports that heavy menstrual bleeding affects about one in five women each year, on United States figures.

The Indian picture is clearest through anaemia, which is what sustained blood loss causes. The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare’s Anaemia Mukt Bharat operational guidelines[5] report that anaemia affects 53% of women of reproductive age. That figure covers women aged 15 to 49, on National Family Health Survey-4 data.

A 2024 analysis in BMC Public Health[6] puts the figure higher in the following survey round. It reports national prevalence among women of reproductive age rising from 53.2% in NFHS-4 to 57% in NFHS-5, covering 2019 to 2021.

Those figures describe anaemia from all causes, not heavy periods alone. No retrieved Indian source gives a prevalence figure for heavy menstrual bleeding itself.

How Is Heavy Menstrual Bleeding Assessed and Treated? 

Assessment starts with blood tests. The NHS states that a series of blood tests may be done to check for underlying conditions such as iron deficiency anaemia. MedlinePlus adds pelvic examination, clotting studies, hormone and pregnancy tests, ultrasound and hysteroscopy.

Treatment is chosen by a clinician rather than picked from a list. The NHS names an intrauterine system, the combined contraceptive pill, tranexamic acid and anti-inflammatory painkillers among the options a GP may offer.

MedlinePlus names tranexamic acid as a prescription medicine for heavy menstrual bleeding. Where medicines are not enough, the NHS names endometrial ablation, fibroid removal and hysterectomy as specialist procedures.

This article gives no amounts for any of those medicines. Which one suits a person is decided by the prescriber, after the cause has been established.

When Should You See a Doctor? 

See a doctor if your periods are heavy enough to affect your life, or if anything below applies to you. Do not wait for several cycles to pass before raising it.

Situation	What to do
You pass clots larger than a 10p coin or a quarter	Book an appointment. Both the NHS and the Office on Women’s Health treat clots above that size as a reason to seek advice.
You soak a pad or tampon every one to two hours	Raise it with a doctor. Both sources list this among the markers of heavy bleeding.
You bleed between periods or after sex	See a GP, which the NHS lists as a specific reason to seek help.
You have severe pain during your periods	The NHS names this among the reasons to make an appointment.
You feel dizzy, weak or unusually tired	Ask for a blood test. The Office on Women’s Health lists these as possible symptoms of anaemia.
You might be pregnant and pass stringy pink or grey tissue	Contact a doctor or maternity service the same day, on NHS miscarriage guidance.

What This Article Cannot Tell You 

It cannot say whether any individual’s clots are normal. Size thresholds are markers that help a clinician decide whether to investigate, not a verdict that can be reached from a page.

It cannot identify a cause. Fibroids, adenomyosis, polyps, thyroid disease and bleeding disorders can produce similar bleeding. The tests listed above exist precisely because the cause is not obvious from symptoms.

It cannot say which treatment suits anyone, or how much of it is appropriate. That decision needs a diagnosis, a blood count and a prescriber.

It also cannot say why menstrual blood clots form, because no source retrieved for this article explains the mechanism.

Where Can You Buy Prescribed Medicines on Medkart?

Medicines for heavy menstrual bleeding are prescription medicines, so a valid prescription is needed first. Medkart sells medicines online from several manufacturers and highlights quality credentials for its generic medicine range.

Where a doctor prescribes one, Medkart lists products containing tranexamic acid, including Pause XT from Emcure. It also lists mefenamic acid products such as Meftal, and iron preparations such as Ferrotem XT and Haemaday Plus. Availability, pack size and price differ between products and can change.

Nothing here says any of these treats the condition, which is a judgement for the prescriber. Medkart’s medicine comparison tools can be used to compare listed options on:

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

Any change to a prescribed medicine should be discussed with a doctor or pharmacist first.

Key Takeaways 

• Clots in menstrual blood are common and small ones are described as normal.
• The Office on Women’s Health treats clots larger than a quarter as a reason to seek advice.
• The NHS uses clots larger than about 2.5 cm as one sign of heavy periods.
• Clot size is one marker, alongside pad changes, period length and effect on daily life.
• Causes named include fibroids, adenomyosis, polyps, thyroid disease, bleeding disorders and some medicines.
• No retrieved source assigns any meaning to the colour of menstrual blood.
• Anaemia affects more than half of Indian women of reproductive age on national survey data.
• Stringy pink or grey tissue during a possible pregnancy needs same-day medical contact.

FAQs 

Q. Can a medicine or a contraceptive be the reason for clots? 

It can be part of the picture. The NHS names certain medicines, including anticoagulants and chemotherapy, among the causes of heavy periods. MedlinePlus lists hormonal birth control among the causes of abnormal uterine bleeding. Neither source suggests stopping a prescribed medicine, and that decision belongs to the prescriber.

Q. Does passing clots always mean the bleeding is heavy? 

No. The retrieved sources treat small clots as an ordinary part of a period, and reserve concern for larger ones. Heavy bleeding is judged on several things together, including how often protection is changed and how many days the bleeding lasts. A single clot on the heaviest day is a different matter from clots across a week.

Q. Can a bleeding disorder be behind heavy periods with clots? 

Yes, and it is a recognised cause rather than a rare curiosity. The NHS names Von Willebrand disease among the conditions that cause heavy periods, and the Office on Women’s Health names inherited bleeding disorders including haemophilia. Clotting studies are among the tests MedlinePlus lists for abnormal uterine bleeding.

Q. Can heavy periods with clots be a sign of cancer? 

It is possible but uncommon. The NHS lists womb cancer among the causes of heavy periods and describes it as rare. The same page lists bleeding between periods and bleeding after sex as reasons to see a GP, which is why those symptoms are asked about rather than ignored.

Q. Why does heavy bleeding leave someone feeling tired? 

Because of what repeated blood loss does to iron. The Office on Women’s Health describes anaemia as a condition in which blood cannot carry enough oxygen because of a lack of iron, and lists dizziness, light-headedness, weakness and tiredness among its symptoms. The NHS checks for iron deficiency anaemia with blood tests.

Q. What tests might follow if heavy bleeding is reported? 

Several, depending on what the history suggests. MedlinePlus lists a pelvic examination, a complete blood count, clotting studies, hormone tests, a pregnancy test and ultrasound. It also describes hysteroscopy, performed in a provider’s office to look into the uterus through the vagina.

References

• https://womenshealth.gov/menstrual-cycle/period-problems
• https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/heavy-periods/
• https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/000903.htm
• https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/miscarriage/
• https://nhm.gov.in/images/pdf/Nutrition/AMB-guidelines/Anemia-Mukt-Bharat-Operational-Guidelines-FINAL.pdf
• https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10860231/

Medical disclaimer: This article gives general information about heavy menstrual bleeding and is not a diagnosis. It cannot tell any individual whether their bleeding is normal, what is causing it, 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.

Most home remedies for glowing skin are things already sitting in your kitchen. The trouble is that the advice around them is usually vague: apply turmeric, wash it off later, wait for results.

This article gives you the actual steps: how much, what to mix it with, how long to leave it on, and how it comes off. It also says which popular remedies to leave alone.

What this article covers

• Aloe vera
• Turmeric
• Besan
• Multani mitti
• Coconut oil
• Honey
• Tea tree oil
• Green tea
• Oats
• Curd
• Shea butter
• Sunflower seed oil
• Olive oil
• Argan oil
• Jojoba oil
• Almond oil
• Sesame oil
• Rose water
• Papaya
• Sandalwood

These natural remedies for glowing skin are grouped by how they are used. The first ten are pastes, packs and rinses, the next eight are oils and waters, and the last two are seasonal.

Why does skin look dull?

Dull skin is usually a surface problem. Dead cells sit on top, the barrier dries out, and light scatters instead of reflecting evenly.

So most of what follows either lifts the surface gently or puts water and oil back into it. Nothing here changes your skin type, and nothing works overnight.

Before you start 

Try anything new on a small patch of inner forearm first and leave it for a day. If the skin reacts, do not put it on your face.

Wash off anything that stings, burns or turns the skin red. That is not the remedy working, and leaving it on for longer will not help.

Check the list for anything you already react to. Almond oil is a nut product and curd is dairy, so skip those rather than testing them if you have an allergy.

If you have sensitive skin or frequently experience irritation, see our guide to skin care for sensitive skin before trying new homemade remedies. 

How to get glowing skin naturally 

1. Aloe vera 

Aloe vera gel is the clear jelly inside the thick leaf. It goes on cool and dries to a slight tightness.

How to use it

1. Split a fresh leaf lengthways and scoop out about a teaspoon of the clear gel.
2. Smooth it over clean skin in a thin layer.
3. Leave it 15 to 20 minutes, until it feels tacky rather than wet.
4. Rinse with cool water and pat dry.

Benefits

• Cools skin that feels hot after a day in the sun
• Absorbs quickly and leaves no greasy film
• Costs almost nothing if you keep a plant on the windowsill

Good to know: The yellow sap just under the leaf skin can irritate. Stand the cut leaf upright for ten minutes and let it drain before you scoop the gel.

2. Turmeric 

Turmeric is the ground rhizome you already cook with. On skin it is used in very small amounts.

How to use it

1. Stir a small pinch of turmeric into a tablespoon of curd, milk or honey.
2. Mix to a loose paste, thin enough to spread without dragging.
3. Spread it thinly and leave for 10 to 15 minutes.
4. Rinse with lukewarm water, working gently in circles.

Benefits

• Takes the flat look off tired skin
• One of the cheapest things on this list
• Mixes into whatever base suits your skin that day

Good to know: Turmeric stains skin and fabric yellow. Use a pinch rather than a spoonful, keep an old towel for it, and rinse with lukewarm water rather than hot.

3. Besan 

Besan is gram flour, ground from chana dal, and the base of the most common face pack in an Indian kitchen. It has a fine, slightly gritty texture that works as a mild cleanser.

How to use it

1. Put two tablespoons of besan in a small bowl.
2. Add water, milk or curd a little at a time until you have a spreadable paste.
3. Spread it over the face and leave for 10 to 15 minutes.
4. Rinse before it dries hard, working in small circles as you go.

Benefits

• Lifts surface dullness without a scrub
• Absorbs oil on a humid day
• Keeps in the kitchen indefinitely

Good to know: Do not let a besan face pack dry to a crust. It drags on the skin coming off, which is the opposite of gentle. Rinse while it is still slightly tacky.

4. Multani mitti 

Multani mitti is fuller’s earth, a fine clay sold in blocks or powder. It is the classic hot-weather pack.

How to use it

1. Mix one tablespoon of multani mitti with rose water or plain water.
2. Stir to a smooth paste with no lumps.
3. Apply an even layer and leave for about 10 minutes.
4. Rinse with cool water before it dries completely.

Benefits

• Draws oil off skin that feels heavy by midday
• Cools the face in summer
• Sold everywhere and lasts for months

Good to know: Clay is drying by design. If your skin already feels tight, use it on the T-zone only, or skip it and use curd instead.

5. Coconut oil 

Virgin coconut oil is pressed from fresh kernel. It is solid in winter and liquid in summer, which is normal.

How to use it

1. Warm three or four drops between your palms until they melt.
2. Massage into skin that is still damp from washing.
3. Leave it on overnight, or rinse after 20 minutes if you prefer.

Benefits

• Softens dry patches on arms, legs and heels
• Doubles as a hair oil, so one bottle covers both
• Very cheap for the amount you actually use

Good to know: Coconut oil is heavy and sits on the surface for a while. If your face feels clogged the next morning, keep it for the body and use a lighter oil above the neck.

6. Honey 

Raw honey is thick and slightly grainy. The runny squeezy sort sold for cooking is not the same thing.

How to use it

1. Warm half a teaspoon of raw honey between your fingers.
2. Spread a thin layer over clean, slightly damp skin.
3. Leave for 15 to 20 minutes.
4. Rinse with warm water, which lifts it off far more easily than cold.

Benefits

• Leaves skin feeling soft rather than tight
• One ingredient, nothing to mix
• Rinses off completely with no residue

Good to know: Honey is sticky enough to catch hair. Tie it back first, and put a towel round your shoulders unless you enjoy mopping.

7. Tea tree oil 

Tea tree oil is distilled from the leaves of an Australian shrub. It is strong, and it is never used neat.

How to use it

1. Put one teaspoon of a carrier oil, such as coconut or jojoba, in a small dish.
2. Add one or two drops of tea tree oil and stir.
3. Dab the mix onto the spot with a clean fingertip.
4. Leave it on. Do not spread it across the face.

Benefits

• Targets one small area rather than the whole face
• A 10 ml bottle lasts months at two drops a time
• Mixes into any plain oil you already own

Good to know: Neat tea tree oil can cause a reaction even in people who tolerate it diluted. Never put it near your eyes.

If you’re looking for a formulated option for acne-prone skin, see Medkart’s guide to face wash for pimples and dark spots 

8. Green tea 

Green tea works on skin as a cooled rinse. You are using the brewed tea, not the dry leaf.

How to use it

1. Brew one cup of green tea and let it cool completely to room temperature.
2. Splash it over the face, or soak a cotton pad and sweep it across.
3. Leave it to dry on the skin. There is nothing to rinse.
4. Keep any leftovers in the fridge and use within two days.

Benefits

• Costs nothing extra if you already drink it
• Leaves no film, so it goes under anything else
• Feels good on a hot afternoon

Good to know: Let it cool properly. Warm tea on the face does nothing useful and will leave the skin flushed for an hour.

9. Oats 

Oats are used ground, not whole. The grind is what separates a soothing pack from a scratchy one.

How to use it

1. Grind one tablespoon of plain oats to a fine powder.
2. Mix with enough water, milk or curd to make a soft paste.
3. Spread it on and leave for about 10 minutes.
4. Rinse with lukewarm water, without scrubbing.

Benefits

• Feels gentle on skin that is easily irritated
• Doubles as a cleanser on days you skip face wash
• Already in most kitchens

Good to know: Grind the oats properly. Coarse oats act as an abrasive on facial skin, which is not what you want. If it feels gritty between your fingers, grind it again.

10. Curd 

Plain curd, set at home or bought, with nothing added. Not flavoured, not sweetened.

How to use it

1. Take one tablespoon of plain curd, at room temperature rather than fridge-cold.
2. Spread a thin layer over the face and neck.
3. Leave for 10 to 15 minutes.
4. Rinse with cool water.

Benefits

• Cooling on skin that feels hot or wind-burnt
• Already in the fridge, so nothing to buy
• Mixes with turmeric, besan or oats as a base

Good to know: Curd is dairy. If you react to dairy on your skin, skip this one rather than patch-testing it, and use aloe gel as a base instead. 

Also Read: Skin Care: 5 Tips for Healthy Skin 

You can also explore these homemade face masks for different skin types. 

11. Shea butter 

Shea butter is a solid fat from the nut of the shea tree. It is firm in the tub and melts on contact.

How to use it

1. Scrape out a pea-sized amount.
2. Warm it between your fingers until it turns to oil.
3. Press it into dry areas such as elbows, knees and heels.
4. Use it at night, since it takes a while to sink in.

Benefits

• Very rich, so a small tub lasts a long time
• Works on the roughest patches where lighter oils fail
• No smell to speak of once it is on

Good to know: Shea is too heavy for most faces and will feel like a layer rather than a moisturiser. Keep it below the neck unless your skin is very dry.

12. Sunflower seed oil

Plain sunflower oil, ideally cold-pressed. The same bottle you cook with will do.

How to use it

1. Wash your face and leave the skin damp.
2. Warm three or four drops between your palms.
3. Press them into the skin rather than rubbing.
4. Leave it to absorb for a few minutes before anything else goes on.

Benefits

• Light enough for most skin, including oily
• Absorbs faster than coconut or olive oil
• Cheap and sold in every shop

Good to know: Cold-pressed oil is worth the small extra cost here. Heavily refined oil has been heated and treated, and it feels flatter on the skin.

13. Olive oil 

Olive oil is the one on this list with a genuine mark against it, so it comes with a caveat.

How to use it

1. Warm a teaspoon between your palms.
2. Use it as a body massage oil, on arms, legs and shoulders.
3. Leave for 15 minutes, then bathe as usual.

Benefits

• Already in the kitchen
• Works well as a pre-bath body oil
• Rinses off with ordinary soap

Good to know: A review of plant oils^[1] found that olive oil increased water loss through the skin and reported a detrimental effect on the skin barrier. Keep it off the face, and off skin that is already dry. Sunflower or coconut oil is the better choice there.

14. Argan oil 

Argan oil is pressed from the kernels of a Moroccan tree. It is light for a rich-looking oil.

How to use it

1. Put two or three drops on your fingertips.
2. Press them into the face at night, after cleansing.
3. Use a little more on dry patches elsewhere.

Benefits

• Sinks in fast for an oil of its weight
• Almost no scent, so it layers under anything
• A 30 ml bottle lasts several months at three drops a night

Good to know: Argan is expensive, and much of what is sold cheaply is blended with other oils. Check the label says one hundred per cent argan if you are paying for the real thing.

15. Jojoba oil 

Jojoba is technically a liquid wax rather than an oil, pressed from the seeds of a desert shrub.

How to use it

1. Warm two or three drops in your palm.
2. Press into clean skin, alone or mixed into a heavier oil to thin it.
3. Use morning or night. It is light enough for either.

Benefits

• Feels closest to skin’s own oil of anything here
• Thins out heavier oils that feel like too much on their own
• Keeps far longer than most oils without turning

Good to know: Because it is a wax, jojoba does not go rancid the way a nut or seed oil does. An open bottle is still fine a year later, which is not true of almond or sunflower oil.

16. Almond oil 

Sweet almond oil is the classic Indian massage oil, sold in every chemist.

How to use it

1. Warm a teaspoon between your palms.
2. Massage into the body in slow circles, working upwards.
3. Leave for 15 minutes, then bathe.

Benefits

• Mild, familiar scent that most people like
• Widely sold and easy to replace
• Good slip for a proper massage

Good to know: Almond oil is a nut product. If you have a nut allergy, do not use it and do not patch-test it. Sesame or sunflower oil does the same job without the risk.

17. Sesame oil 

Sesame oil is the traditional oil for abhyanga, the oil massage done before bathing.

How to use it

1. Warm two tablespoons of sesame oil until it is comfortably warm, not hot.
2. Massage into the whole body, starting at the feet and working up.
3. Leave it on for 15 to 20 minutes.
4. Bathe as usual. Warm water lifts it off better than cold.

Benefits

• Warming in winter, which lighter oils are not
• Cheap and available everywhere in India
• The traditional choice for a full-body massage

Good to know: Use plain sesame oil, not the dark toasted kind sold for cooking. Toasted oil has a strong smell that lingers on skin and clothes.

18. Rose water 

Rose water is the water left after distilling rose petals. Real distillate has a faint, clean smell.

How to use it

1. Splash or spritz it onto the face after cleansing.
2. Or soak a cotton pad and sweep it over the skin.
3. Leave it to dry. There is nothing to rinse off.
4. Keep the bottle in the fridge in summer for a cold splash.

Benefits

• Freshens skin in seconds with no rinsing
• Travels well and works over the day
• Doubles as the liquid for mixing multani mitti or besan

Good to know: Much of what is sold as rose water is water with added fragrance. Check the ingredients for rose distillate or rose hydrosol rather than perfume or parfum.

19. Papaya 

Ripe papaya is used mashed. The fruit needs to be properly ripe, soft to the thumb.

How to use it

1. Mash two or three cubes of ripe papaya to a smooth pulp.
2. Spread it over the face in an even layer.
3. Leave for 15 to 20 minutes.
4. Rinse with cool water.

Benefits

• Cheap and everywhere when it is in season
• Smells pleasant, which not everything here does
• Rinses off cleanly with no residue

Good to know: Use ripe fruit only. The white sap in unripe papaya is irritating on skin, so if the cubes feel firm and the sap runs milky, eat it instead.

20. Sandalwood 

Sandalwood is used as a powder, ground to a paste with water. It is the traditional cooling pack.

How to use it

1. Mix one teaspoon of sandalwood powder with rose water or plain water.
2. Stir to a smooth, spreadable paste.
3. Apply an even layer and leave until it is nearly dry, about 15 minutes.
4. Rinse with cool water.

Benefits

• Cooling on hot days, more so than clay
• The scent is the main reason most people use it
• Traditional for weddings and festivals, so easy to find

Good to know: Real sandalwood powder is expensive and much of what is sold cheaply is sawdust with fragrance added. If it costs very little and smells strongly, it is probably not sandalwood.

Which remedies can you leave on overnight? 

The oils and butters are the ones that stay on. Coconut oil, shea butter, argan and jojoba are all used at night and left until morning, which is why they sit at the drier end of this list.

Packs and pastes are not left on. Turmeric stains a pillowcase, besan and multani mitti dry to a crust that drags coming off, and curd and papaya will not keep once they are on your face.

Leaving something on for longer does not speed it up. An overnight habit is about convenience, and about giving a heavier oil time to sink in, rather than a stronger result.

What should you skip and why? 

Some popular remedies are worth avoiding, and two of them are on nearly every list you will find.

Lemon juice. Citrus on skin followed by sunlight can cause phytophotodermatitis^[2], a painful reaction that blisters and leaves dark streaks where the juice ran. Those marks can last months. It is the most common bad advice in this category.

Apple cider vinegar. In the study that tested it^[3], one forearm was soaked daily in vinegar diluted to 0.5% acetic acid, against plain water on the other. It changed nothing measurable over two weeks. It also irritated most of the people in the trial.

Baking soda and toothpaste. Both sit far from skin’s own pH, and neither belongs on a face.

Sugar and salt scrubs. The grains are sharp and leave tiny tears in facial skin. Use ground oats instead.

Skin-lightening creams. The World Health Organization^[4] reports these can cause rashes, discolouration and scarring. It cites a 2018 study in which around 10% of creams tested exceeded the Minamata Convention mercury limit, many by a hundred times.

What to expect and how long it takes 

Nothing here works in a week. These are maintenance habits rather than repairs, and a month or two of regular use is a fairer test.

A review of complementary treatments for skin^[5] found not enough evidence to recommend ingredients of this kind for diagnosed conditions. The honest case for most of them is that they are pleasant, cheap and low-risk, not that they are proven.

What counts as it not working? Skin more irritated after two weeks, a pack that stings every time, or a spot that is getting bigger. Any of those means stop.

For simple everyday habits that support healthy skin, see our healthy skin care tips guide. 

When home remedies are not enough 

ALT – Home Remedies When Avoid

Home and Ayurvedic preparations are used over long stretches, and they suit upkeep rather than repair.

Skin that is painful, spreading, bleeding or simply not settling needs a doctor rather than the next item on a list. So does anything changing shape, colour or size.

If you want something more consistent than a kitchen mix, a shop-bought product is a fair alternative. It is made to the same recipe every time and carries its own label, which a hand-mixed paste does not.

For persistent or recurring skin concerns, explore our skin care and treatments resources or speak with a healthcare professional. 

Where can you buy face wash, moisturiser and sunscreen on Medkart? 

Medkart lists face washes, moisturisers and sunscreens alongside its medicine range. The personal care products category covers cleansers, moisturising lotions and topical skin preparations.

Products listed on Medkart include:

1.Face Washes:

For oily, acne-prone or dull-looking skin

• Ahaglow Advanced Face Wash – For users looking for a face wash with exfoliating ingredients and everyday cleansing.
• ACWASH Face Wash – For users looking for a cleanser formulated for acne-prone/oily skin.
• Aqua Facewash Suay – For everyday face cleansing. 

For dry or sensitive skin

• Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser – A gentle cleansing option for users with dry or sensitive skin.

2. Moisturisers

For dry to very dry skin

• Cetaphil Moisturising Cream – A rich moisturiser designed for dry to very dry skin and currently available in 100 g and 250 g variants on Medkart.

For lightweight daily moisturisation

• Cetaphil Moisturising Lotion – A lighter lotion-format moisturiser for everyday use. The 100 ml version is currently available on Medkart.

For moisturisation + sun protection

• Hydrasun Moisturising SPF 30 Cream – For users looking for a moisturising cream that also provides sun protection. 

3.Sunscreens

For lightweight gel-based sun protection

• Cetaphil Sun SPF 50 Plus Gel – For users looking for SPF 50 gel-based sun protection. It is currently available on Medkart.
• Suncote Gel – For users who prefer a gel sunscreen.
• Ekran Aqua Gel – For users who prefer a lightweight gel texture.
• Suntris SPF 40 PA+++ Sunscreen Gel – For users specifically looking for an SPF 40 gel sunscreen.

For lotion-format sun protection

• Sunscreen Suay Lotion – For users who prefer a lotion-format sunscreen.

Medkart states that the medicines it sells are sourced from WHO-GMP certified manufacturers. Its comparison tool places products side by side, and the medicines index lists what is in stock.

If you already use a prescribed skin treatment, ask a pharmacist before adding to it.

Key takeaways

• Patch-test anything new on your inner forearm and leave it a day before it goes near your face.
• Most packs come off best while still slightly tacky, not dried to a crust.
• Oils go on damp skin, not dry, so they have something to hold.
• Tea tree oil is always diluted in a carrier oil, never used neat.
• Olive oil belongs on the body rather than the face, and off skin that is already dry.
• Lemon juice before sun exposure can cause a painful reaction that leaves marks for months.
• Nothing here works in a week, and a month or two is a fairer test.
• Skin that is painful, spreading or not settling needs a doctor, not another remedy.
  

FAQs: Common Questions About Home Remedies for Glowing Skin 

Q. Is turmeric or besan better for glowing skin? 

They are used for different reasons. Besan is the mild cleanser of the two, which is why it suits oily or humid days, and turmeric goes in by the pinch for colour rather than texture. Plenty of people use both in one paste with curd or milk as the base.

Q. How often can I use a face pack? 

Two or three times a week is plenty. Clay and besan are drying enough that daily use leaves skin tight, while curd, aloe and rose water are mild enough for more often. If your skin feels tighter after a week, cut back.

Q. Can I mix two remedies together? 

Yes, and most are designed for it. Turmeric, besan and oats all want a liquid base, and curd, honey, rose water or aloe gel each work as one. Keep it to two or three ingredients, because a pack with six is harder to blame when something reacts.

Q. How long do homemade packs keep? 

Mix them fresh each time. Nothing here has a preservative, so a paste left out grows bacteria within a day. Cut aloe keeps about a week in the fridge and cooled green tea about two days.

Q. My skin stings when I use turmeric. Is that normal? 

No. Stinging means rinse it off, not that something is working. Turmeric is usually fine, but the base may not suit you, or the pinch may have been closer to a spoonful. If a fresh mix stings again, leave it out.

Q. Do I still need sunscreen if I use these? 

Yes. Nothing here protects skin from sunlight, and lemon juice makes sun exposure worse. Sun protection is a separate habit, and the most useful one for how skin looks over years.

Q. Are shop-bought versions better than homemade? 

They are more consistent. A cream is made to the same recipe every time and lists what is in it, which a hand-mixed paste does not. That is a fair reason to prefer one, not a claim that it works better.

References 

• https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5796020/
• https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5965419/
• https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8172074/
• https://www.who.int/news/item/14-02-2023-countries-unite-to-remove-mercury-from-hazardous-skin-lightening-products
• https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8362305/

Medical disclaimer: This article describes remedies and practices in common household use. It is written for general interest and does not replace advice from a doctor or pharmacist. Anything painful, spreading or not settling should be seen by a doctor rather than treated at home, and 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.

Feature	What the sources say
Periods	The NHS lists irregular periods or long gaps between them. The WHO adds that periods may be absent altogether, and that some people have heavy, long or painful ones.
Hair	The NHS lists excess hair growth, called hirsutism, and also hair loss. The WHO describes female-pattern baldness or thinning alongside excess facial or body hair.
Skin	Oily skin and acne appear on both lists. The NHS also names thick, dark patches of skin, called acanthosis nigricans.
Fertility	Both name difficulty getting pregnant.
Mood and energy	The NHS lists mental health problems including depression and anxiety, and feeling very tired.

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.

Situation	What to do
Periods that are irregular, very infrequent or have stopped	Raise it at an appointment rather than waiting. The 2023 guideline records that premenopausal women with the condition have a markedly higher risk of endometrial hyperplasia and endometrial cancer.
Difficulty getting pregnant	Both the NHS and the WHO list this among the reasons to seek help, and the fertility treatments named above all need a prescriber.
Excess hair growth, hair loss or acne affecting daily life	The NHS names these among the symptoms to see a GP about where they affect everyday life.
Low mood or anxiety	The NHS lists mental health problems among the features of the condition, and the same threshold applies.
A family history of type 2 diabetes	Mention it. The guideline records raised risk of impaired glucose tolerance and type 2 diabetes regardless of body mass index.

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.

Bioequivalence is the test that decides whether a generic medicine can stand in for the product it copies. It compares how much of the active ingredient reaches the bloodstream, and how fast.

Generic medicines are approved on that comparison rather than on fresh trials in patients. The rules governing the comparison are set by regulators, and they differ in detail between countries.

What is bioequivalence? 

Bioequivalence is a comparison between two formulations of the same active ingredient. India’s New Drugs and Clinical Trials Rules, 2019[1] define a bioequivalence study as one establishing the absence of a statistically significant difference in the rate and extent of absorption. That comparison is made against a reference formulation with the same active ingredient.

The World Health Organization[2] frames it as two products being bioequivalent when their bioavailabilities are similar to such a degree that the same effects can be expected from both. It treats Cmax and tmax as the measures of rate, and the area under the curve as the measure of extent.

The US FDA[3] states the same idea more plainly. A generic drug is bioequivalent when it delivers the same amount of active ingredient at the same rate and to the same extent as the brand-name drug.

What is a generic medicine? 

A generic medicine is a copy of a brand-name medicine that has already been approved. The FDA’s summary of generic drug facts[4] states that a generic must have the same active ingredient, strength, dosage form and route of administration as the brand-name drug.

It must also be made under the same strict standards, carry the same label with certain exceptions, and be bioequivalent to the brand-name medicine. The FDA states that approved generics work in the same way and provide the same clinical benefit and risks as their brand-name counterparts.

Those statements describe the United States regulatory standard. An India-specific regulatory source is needed before making the same claim about a particular Indian product.

What does a bioequivalence study measure? 

A bioequivalence study measures the active ingredient in the blood over time. WHO names the measures that matter and the range the result has to fall inside.

Measure	What it shows
Cmax	The highest concentration the active ingredient reaches. WHO treats this as one of the two measures of the rate of absorption.
tmax	The time at which that highest concentration is reached. It is the second measure of rate.
Area under the curve	The total exposure over time, which WHO treats as the measure of the extent of absorption.
90% confidence interval	The statistical result. WHO states the interval for the geometric mean ratio should normally fall within 80 to 125% for log-transformed data.

The underlying quantity is bioavailability. The New Drugs and Clinical Trials Rules define a bioavailability study as one assessing the rate and extent to which a drug is absorbed from a formulation. The definition covers the drug becoming available in the systemic circulation, or at the site of action.

Those acceptance limits are the WHO figures, and an Indian regulatory source setting the same numbers was not available for this article. WHO states that the primary concern in a bioequivalence assessment is to limit the risk of a false declaration of equivalence.

How is a bioequivalence study run? 

The study compares a test product against a comparator. WHO defines the comparator product as the one the generic is intended to be interchangeable with in clinical practice, and normally that is the innovator product.

WHO states that bioequivalence studies should generally be performed with healthy volunteers rather than with patients. The FDA’s description of an abbreviated new drug application[5] says much the same, measuring how long the generic takes to reach the bloodstream in healthy volunteers.

WHO lists four ways of assessing equivalence:

• Comparative pharmacokinetic studies in humans
• Comparative pharmacodynamic studies in humans
• Comparative clinical trials
• Comparative in vitro tests

In a pharmacokinetic study the active ingredient or its metabolites are measured over time in a biological fluid such as blood, plasma, serum or urine.

Who approves bioequivalence studies in India? 

CDSCO oversees them. The CDSCO BA/BE Division[6] is responsible for regulatory oversight, for the evaluation of bioavailability and bioequivalence studies, and for the approval of BA/BE study centres in India.

Stage	What happens
Protocol review	The CDSCO BA/BE Division evaluates the study protocol before the study begins.
Ethics Committee review	Under the New Drugs and Clinical Trials Rules, an Ethics Committee reviews the protocol, and every member signs a declaration that there is no conflict of interest.
Registration	The same rules state that a bioavailability or bioequivalence study requires registration from the authorities specified in rules 8 and 17.
Approval or NOC	The Division grants approval or a no objection certificate, including for studies conducted only for export.

The Division also assesses therapeutic equivalence and interchangeability between the test product and the reference or innovator product.

Why do generic medicines cost less? 

Generic makers do not repeat the original trials. The FDA states that generic applicants do not have to repeat the animal and clinical studies required for the brand-name medicine.

Competition then does the rest. The FDA states that a single competitor can cut the price by about 30%, and that around five competitors bring the reduction to nearly 85%.

Those figures describe the United States market. Indian prices are set under a different system, which that source does not describe.

Also Read: How reliable are generic medicines? Why do generic medicines cost less?

When is a bioequivalence study not needed? 

Not every generic needs a study in people. WHO describes a biowaiver as an approval granted on evidence of equivalence rather than through in vivo equivalence testing.

Comparative in vitro tests sit among the four methods WHO lists for assessing equivalence. Whether that route is open for a particular product is a regulatory decision, and not something that can be read off a pack.

The limits of a bioequivalence result 

A bioequivalence result is about absorption, not about everything on the pack. The FDA states that generics may contain different inactive ingredients, and that in rare cases those can affect absorption or how well someone tolerates the product.

WHO frames bioequivalence as a comparison between a multisource product and its comparator. That single comparison is what the approval rests on.

Any switch between products should be discussed with a doctor or pharmacist.

How to compare generic and branded medicines on Medkart 

Medkart groups products by composition, so that everything sharing an active ingredient and strength appears in one place, with the manufacturer shown for each. Composition pages cover molecules such as:

• Cetirizine 10 mg and cetirizine 5 mg
• Levocetirizine 5 mg and levocetirizine 2.5 mg per 5 ml
• Ibuprofen 200 mg and ibuprofen 400 mg
• Ciprofloxacin 250 mg and ciprofloxacin 500 mg

Medkart[7] 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 change from a prescribed product should be discussed with a doctor or pharmacist first.

Key takeaways 

• Bioequivalence compares the rate and extent to which an active ingredient is absorbed from two formulations.
• India’s New Drugs and Clinical Trials Rules, 2019 define a bioequivalence study as establishing the absence of a statistically significant difference in that absorption.
• The comparison is made against a reference formulation, which is normally the innovator product.
• Cmax and tmax describe the rate of absorption, and the area under the curve describes the extent.
• WHO states the 90% confidence interval should normally fall within 80 to 125% for log-transformed data.
• The CDSCO BA/BE Division oversees these studies in India and approves the study centres.
• Generic medicines cost less partly because the original animal and clinical studies are not repeated.
• A bioequivalence result covers absorption, and inactive ingredients can still differ between products.

FAQs: Common Questions About Bioequivalence 

Q. Who takes part in a bioequivalence study? 

Healthy volunteers, rather than patients. WHO states that bioequivalence studies should generally be performed with healthy volunteers. Where a product is intended for use in both sexes, it says the sponsor should include both males and females. Clear inclusion and exclusion criteria have to be set out in the study protocol.

Q. Why is the comparator usually the innovator product? 

Because that is the product whose evidence already exists. WHO states the comparator will normally be the innovator product, for which efficacy, safety and quality have been established. The generic is measured against that established product rather than against an unproven one.

Q. Does a bioequivalence study prove that a generic is safe? 

It stands in for that evidence rather than generating it fresh. WHO describes a bioequivalence study as a surrogate for clinical evidence of the safety and efficacy of the multisource product. The underlying safety and efficacy evidence belongs to the comparator product it was measured against.

Q. What is an abbreviated new drug application? 

It is the application route for a generic in the United States. The FDA states that an abbreviated new drug application contains the data submitted for the review and potential approval of a generic drug product. It is called abbreviated because applicants are generally not required to include animal and human data establishing safety and effectiveness.

Q. Are two generics of the same medicine compared with each other? 

Not as part of the route described in the guidance. WHO frames a bioequivalence study as a comparison between a multisource product and a comparator product, which is normally the innovator. The sources used for this article do not describe a head-to-head comparison between two generic products. A doctor or pharmacist is the right person to ask about moving between them.

Q. Does a generic have to look like the brand? 

No. The FDA states that generic medicines may differ from the brand in minor cosmetic ways such as colour. It adds that these differences do not affect how the medicine works. A change in the look of a pack is therefore not by itself a reason to doubt it, and a pharmacist can confirm what has changed.

References 

• https://cdsco.gov.in/opencms/resources/UploadCDSCOWeb/2022/new_DC_rules/NEW%20DRUGS%20ANDctrS%20RULE,%202019.pdf
• https://cdn.who.int/media/docs/default-source/medicines/norms-and-standards/guidelines/regulatory-standards/trs1052_annex8.pdf
• https://www.fda.gov/drugs/generic-drugs/generic-drugs-questions-answers
• https://www.fda.gov/drugs/generic-drugs/generic-drug-facts
• https://www.fda.gov/drugs/types-applications/abbreviated-new-drug-application-anda
• https://cdsco.gov.in/opencms/opencms/en/bioequi_bioavail/
• https://www.medkart.in/know-generic-medicine 

Medical disclaimer: This article gives general information only. It does not replace advice from a doctor or pharmacist. No medicine 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.

Use	What the evidence says
Dry skin in atopic dermatitis	A 2025 review of emollient studies[3] reports that a 20% glycerol cream, applied twice daily for four weeks by 24 people with atopic dermatitis, raised skin capacitance and lowered water loss through the skin compared with its vehicle.
Very dry skin in dialysis patients	A phase 3 trial[4] of a cream containing glycerol 15% and paraffin 10% recorded a response in 60.2% of 235 patients with moderate to severe uraemic xerosis, against 41.0% on the vehicle.
Hand dermatitis from wet work	In a crossover trial in 32 fabric workers[5], a cream containing 20% glycerin applied twice daily for two weeks lowered hand eczema severity and water loss by about 20%, and raised skin capacitance by about 20%.
Chapped or cracked skin	Labelling for a glycerin 40% ointment on DailyMed[6] states that the product helps prevent and temporarily protects chafed, chapped or cracked skin and lips.
Facial skin	A double-blind split-face trial[7] in 31 women aged 55 to 75 applied a 20% glycerol emulsion twice daily for four months. Hydration measured at the crow’s feet rose further than on the placebo side, while the two sides did not differ significantly on wrinkle visibility.

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.

Situation	What to do
Babies under six months	The FDA order requires skin protectant products containing glycerin to carry a statement that a doctor should be asked before use in children under six months. The glycerin 40% ointment label carries the same line.
Deep or puncture wounds and animal bites	Both DailyMed glycerin labels state that the product should not be used on deep or puncture wounds, or on animal bites.
Serious burns	The glycerin 40% ointment label states that it should not be used on serious burns.
Wound care	The glycerin 20% gel label lists stasis ulcers, pressure ulcers, first and second degree burns and post-operative incisions among its uses, and sets a review point at 10 to 14 days.

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.

Use	What the evidence says
Immune effects in HIV	A randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial[5] gave 300 mg three times daily for six months to 68 people. Sixty per cent on the extract reported fewer symptoms against 20 per cent on placebo, but CD4 count did not improve in either group.
The wider pharmacology	The 2023 review reports anti-diabetic, antiviral and immune-modulatory activity from laboratory and animal work, and calls for large-scale clinical studies to establish efficacy in people.
Giloy leaves	The 2024 review of giloy leaves reports that leaf extracts stimulate immune cells including natural killer cells, B cells and T cells. It states that these findings come from laboratory and animal work, and reports no human trials of leaf-based products.
Everyday immunity	No source retrieved for this article establishes that giloy prevents or shortens an ordinary infection in a healthy adult.

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? 

Situation	What to do
Existing liver disease	LiverTox reports that cases appear more frequent and more severe in people with pre-existing liver disease, often as acute-on-chronic injury that worsens the underlying condition. Giloy should not be started without a doctor’s agreement.
An autoimmune condition	The Cureus patient had Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, and the authors suggest autoimmune disease deserves further investigation as a risk factor.
Long unsupervised courses	LiverTox puts time to onset between a few weeks and six months. The published cases describe self-medication rather than prescribed courses.
Raw stem bought loose	Tinospora crispa resembles Tinospora cordifolia and is known to harm the liver. Loose stem carries an identification risk that a labelled product does not.
New symptoms while taking it	Fresh tiredness, nausea, loss of appetite, dark urine or yellowing of the eyes is a reason to stop giloy and see a doctor that week.

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.

Cetirizine is the generic name of an antihistamine used for allergy symptoms. It is a prescription medicine in India, sold under several brand names and in more than one form.

Tablets, syrups and drops are made by many different companies. The active ingredient is the same, but strength, pack size and price are not.

What is cetirizine? 

Cetirizine is an antihistamine. MedlinePlus[1] explains that it works by blocking the action of histamine, a substance in the body that causes allergic symptoms.

The NHS[2] describes it as a medicine that helps the symptoms of allergies. MedlinePlus lists its oral forms as tablets, chewable tablets, capsules, orally disintegrating tablets and syrup.

Its status in India is set by the Drugs Rules, 1945[3]. Cetirizine hydrochloride appears at entry 104 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 cetirizine uses? 

Cetirizine is used for allergy symptoms. MedlinePlus lists relief of sneezing, a runny nose, itching of the nose or throat, and red, itchy or watery eyes. It also lists use for hives.

The NHS names hay fever, conjunctivitis, eczema, hives, reactions to insect bites and stings, and some food allergies.

DailyMed[4] describes an over-the-counter cetirizine tablet as temporarily relieving symptoms due to hay fever or other upper respiratory allergies. That is a United States label. It does not describe the approved indications of any Indian product.

Popular brands containing cetirizine

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

Brand Name	Active Ingredient	Available Strengths / Forms*	Manufacturer / Company
Cetzine	Cetirizine	10 mg tablets	Dr Reddy’s Laboratories Limited
Alerid	Cetirizine	10 mg tablets	Cipla Pharmaceutical Company Limited
Zyrtec	Cetirizine	10 mg tablets	Dr Reddy’s Laboratories Limited
Okacet	Cetirizine	10 mg tablets	Cipla Pharmaceutical Company Limited
CZ3	Cetirizine	10 mg tablets	Lupin Limited
Setimed	Cetirizine	10 mg tablets	Zee Laboratories Ltd
Cetriz	Cetirizine	10 mg tablets	Wellcure Lifesciences

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.

Cetirizine composition and available strengths 

Cetirizine tablets are commonly sold at a strength of 10 mg. NHS guidance on how and when to take cetirizine[5] also describes a liquid labelled either 5 mg per 5 ml or 1 mg per 1 ml.

A strength such as cetirizine 10 mg describes the amount of active ingredient in that product. It is product information, not a dosing instruction.

Medkart’s listings for cetirizine 10 mg and cetirizine 5 mg show tablets, capsules and drops among the forms stocked.

How is cetirizine dosage decided?

There is no one dose that applies to every cetirizine prescription. Age, the product and the person all come into it.

DailyMed’s directions for a 10 mg over-the-counter tablet give one tablet once daily for adults and children aged 6 and over, with a limit of one tablet in 24 hours. Adults aged 65 and over, children under 6, and people with liver or kidney disease are directed to ask a doctor.

The NHS states that adults and children aged 12 and over usually take 10 mg once a day, and that children under 12 take a lower dose twice a day.

A prescriber decides what is appropriate for a particular person.

Also Read: Allergy Relief Tablets: Top Options for Fast Results

What are the common cetirizine side effects? 

Sleepiness and tiredness are the most commonly reported side effects. NHS guidance on cetirizine side effects[6] reports them in more than 1 in 10 people.

The same page lists headaches, a dry mouth, feeling sick, feeling dizzy, diarrhoea, a sore throat, and sneezing or a blocked nose in more than 1 in 100 people. MedlinePlus lists drowsiness, excessive tiredness and dry mouth as its common effects.

The NHS advises contacting a doctor about bruising more easily than normal, or bleeding that takes longer than usual to stop. It advises emergency help for signs of a serious allergic reaction, including:

• Swelling of the lips, mouth, throat or tongue
• Breathing very fast or struggling to breathe
• A tight throat or trouble swallowing
• Skin, lips or tongue that look blue, grey or pale
• Sudden confusion, drowsiness or dizziness

Why drowsiness matters 

Cetirizine is grouped with the non-drowsy antihistamines, and the NHS notes that some people still find it makes them feel quite sleepy. NHS guidance on common questions about cetirizine[7] says it seems more likely to cause sleepiness than loratadine, desloratadine or fexofenadine.

MedlinePlus warns that cetirizine may make a person drowsy, and says driving or operating machinery should wait until the effect is known. DailyMed adds that alcohol, sedatives and tranquillisers may increase drowsiness.

Can cetirizine interact with other medicines? 

Yes. NHS guidance on taking cetirizine with other medicines[8] states that some medicines can increase the chance of side effects.

That guidance names three groups to check first: medicines that cause drowsiness, medicines that cause a dry mouth, and medicines that make it difficult to pass urine. DailyMed separately directs anyone taking tranquillisers or sedatives to ask a doctor or pharmacist first.

The NHS advises against taking two antihistamines together unless a doctor has recommended it. It says there is not enough information to establish that herbal remedies are safe with cetirizine.

Anyone on regular treatment should tell a doctor or pharmacist, including about herbal remedies and supplements.

Who should be careful with cetirizine? 

Some people need advice before taking cetirizine at all. NHS guidance on who can and cannot take cetirizine[9] says most adults can take it, and sets out what needs a check first.

Situation	What to do
A previous allergic reaction	The NHS says to mention any previous allergic reaction to cetirizine or to any other medicine. DailyMed states that the product should not be used by anyone who has reacted to it, to its ingredients, or to an antihistamine containing hydroxyzine.
Kidney failure	The NHS lists kidney failure among the conditions to raise before taking cetirizine. DailyMed directs people with liver or kidney disease to ask a doctor before use.
Epilepsy or seizure risk	The NHS lists epilepsy, or another health problem carrying a risk of seizures, as a reason to speak to a doctor or pharmacist first.
Difficulty passing urine	The NHS lists trouble passing urine among the situations that need advice before starting.
An allergy test coming up	The NHS says cetirizine can affect allergy test results, and that stopping it a few days beforehand may be needed.
Pregnancy or breastfeeding	NHS guidance on cetirizine in pregnancy and breastfeeding[10] says it can be taken in pregnancy and is one of the better antihistamine choices while breastfeeding. DailyMed says a health professional should be asked if pregnant, and that the product is not recommended while breastfeeding.

The two sources differ on breastfeeding, so the advice for a particular product and person should come from a doctor or pharmacist.

The NHS also sets out UK age limits, with liquid on prescription from age 1 and tablets from age 6. In India the Schedule H listing means a prescription is required at any age.

Generic cetirizine vs brand-name cetirizine 

Generic and branded cetirizine contain the same active ingredient. The US FDA[11] 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 cetirizine tablets on Medkart 

Medkart sells cetirizine products online in several brands and forms, including cetirizine tablets and branded packs such as Cetrine, and lists them as prescription items. 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 medicine.

Key takeaways 

• Cetirizine is an antihistamine that works by blocking the action of histamine.
• It is used for allergy symptoms such as sneezing, a runny nose, itchy or watery eyes, and hives.
• Cetirizine hydrochloride is listed at entry 104 in Schedule H of India’s Drugs Rules, 1945, which makes it a prescription drug.
• A strength such as cetirizine 10 mg is product information, not an instruction about how much to take.
• Sleepiness or tiredness is reported in more than 1 in 10 people taking cetirizine.
• Medicines that cause drowsiness, a dry mouth or difficulty passing urine should be checked with a pharmacist first.
• Kidney failure, epilepsy and an upcoming allergy test are among the reasons to seek advice before starting.
• Generic and branded cetirizine share the same active ingredient, but two individual products are not automatically interchangeable.

FAQs: Common Questions About Cetirizine 

Q. How quickly does cetirizine start working? 

Within about an hour. NHS guidance on common questions says a person should start to feel better within an hour of taking cetirizine. How often the medicine is needed after that is a question for the prescriber.

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

It depends on how close the next dose is. MedlinePlus says a missed dose should be taken as soon as it is remembered, and skipped if it is almost time for the next one. Where a child takes a dose twice a day, the NHS says a missed dose can be given within four hours, and that a double dose should never be given to catch up.

Q. Do cetirizine tablets need to be swallowed whole?

Yes. The NHS says cetirizine tablets should be swallowed whole with a drink of water, milk or squash, and not chewed. It also says the liquid should be measured with the syringe or spoon supplied, because a kitchen spoon does not give the right amount.

Q. What happens if someone takes an extra cetirizine tablet by accident? 

The NHS describes cetirizine as generally very safe and says an extra dose is unlikely to cause harm. It still advises seeking advice when a child has taken more than the recommended amount, or when an adult has symptoms such as a headache or a fast heartbeat.

Q. Can cetirizine be taken for a long time? 

It can, but the NHS advises taking it only when it is needed. The same guidance says long-term use is unlikely to do harm, while noting a small risk of severe itching if the medicine is stopped suddenly after long daily use. MedlinePlus lists that itching among the effects to report to a doctor.

Q. Is cetirizine a brand name? 

No. Cetirizine is the name of the active ingredient. A brand name is the name a company gives its own product containing that ingredient. The NHS lists Allacan, Benadryl Allergy, Piriteze Allergy and Zirtek Allergy as UK brand names for cetirizine, and Indian packs carry a different set again.

References 

• https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a623043.html
• https://www.nhs.uk/medicines/cetirizine/about-cetirizine/
• 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=d78223ba-80d5-47f8-e053-2a95a90aebdb
• https://www.nhs.uk/medicines/cetirizine/how-and-when-to-take-cetirizine/
• https://www.nhs.uk/medicines/cetirizine/side-effects-of-cetirizine/
• https://www.nhs.uk/medicines/cetirizine/common-questions-about-cetirizine/
• https://www.nhs.uk/medicines/cetirizine/taking-cetirizine-with-other-medicines-and-herbal-supplements/
• https://www.nhs.uk/medicines/cetirizine/who-can-and-cannot-take-cetirizine/
• https://www.nhs.uk/medicines/cetirizine/pregnancy-breastfeeding-and-fertility-while-taking-cetirizine/
• 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. Cetirizine is an antihistamine listed in Schedule H of India’s Drugs Rules, 1945, so cetirizine 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.