Vilwadi Gulika Benefits, Uses, Ingredients, Dosage & Side Effects
Vilwadi Gulika (also called Vilwadi Agada, Bilwadi Vati, Bilwadi Gutika) is a polyherbal ayurvedic medicine used for the treatment of snake bite, scorpion sting, spider bite, rodent bite, gastroenteritis, cholera, indigestion, and fever. Generally, it is a drug of choice for toxic effects developed in human body due to any underlying cause or toxic substance of animal origin.
Ingredients (Composition)
| Bilva (Indian Bael) Root Bark – Aegle Marmelos | 1 Part |
| Tulsi (Holy Basil) leaves – Ocimum Sanctum | 1 Part |
| Karanja (Karanj) fruit – Pongamia Pinnata | 1 Part |
| Tagara – Valeriana Wallichii | 1 Part |
| Devdaru (Deodar Cedar or Himalayan Cedar) – Cedrus Deodara | 1 Part |
| Haritaki or Harad (Chebulic Myrobalan) – Terminalia Chebula | 1 Part |
| Bibhitaki (Bahera) – Terminalia Bellirica | 1 Part |
| Amla (India Gooseberry) – Phyllanthus Emblica | 1 Part |
| Sonth (Ginger Rhizome) – Zingiber Officinale | 1 Part |
| Kali Mirch (Black Pepper) – Piper Nigrum | 1 Part |
| Pippali (Long Pepper) – Piper Longum | 1 Part |
| Haldi (Turmeric) – Curcuma Longa | 1 Part |
| Daruhaldi (Daruharidra) – Berberis Aristata | 1 Part |
| Basthamuthra | Q.S. |
| REFERENCE: ASHTANGA HRIDAYA, UTTARA STHANA, CHAPTER 36, SARP VISH PRATISHEDH ADHYAYA, VERSE: 84 – 85 | |
Preparation Method
- Take all pre-washed, dried and clean ingredients.
- Grind each ingredient separately to make a fine herb powder.
- Separate fine powder of each herb through a mesh sieve.
- Measure each ingredient by weight and mix all ingredients in an equal proportion.
- Now, take herbal mixture in a stone mortal and add Basthamuthra in it. Pestle the mixture for a few hours. Then make its tablets (each of 500 mg).
- Now, leave tablets for drying and when they become moisture free, store them in glass containers or food-grade plastic containers.
Medicinal Properties
Vilwadi Gulika has following medicinal properties.
- Antivenin
- Antitoxin
- Anti-snake venom
- Anti-inflammatory
- AMAPACHAK – Detoxifying
- Anti-cholera
- Febrifuge
- Digestive stimulant
- Anti-constipation
Ayurvedic Properties
Based on ingredients, Vilwadi Gulika is likely to be more suitable for people with symptoms of increased or aggravated Vata Dosha and Kapha Dosha.
Therapeutic Indications
Vilwadi Gulika is helpful in following health conditions.
- Snakebite
- Scorpion Sting
- Spider Bite
- Rodent bite
- Gastroenteritis
- Cholera
- Indigestion
- Fever
Vilwadi Gulika Benefits & Medicinal Uses
Vilwadi Gulika is mainly used for its antivenin and antitoxin activities. It is effective against all types of poisons of animal origin including snake envenomation.
Snake Bite
Internal Use: Make powder of Vilwadi Gulika and mix it with honey. Give it to the patient having a snake bite in a dosage of 1000 mg (equivalent to 2 tablets). Repeat it for every 15 minutes in severe cases, and then every 30 minutes until the patient recovers from poisonous symptoms. Thereafter, give it in a dosage of 2 tablets thrice daily for a week.
External Use: After making an incision in the place of snake bite, squeeze the cut hard, so that impure blood flows out. After that clean the wound with hot water. After cleaning, make a powder of Vilwadi Gulika in a mortar and mix it in hot water. Apply this Vilwadi paste on the wound and leave it for few minutes. Repeat the same procedure until the patient gets relief from symptoms.
Scorpion sting and others
Vilwadi Gulika is also used in a similar way (as described under snake bite) to treat scorpion sting and bites by other insects or animals.
Overall, Vilwadi Gutika reduces the toxic effects of venin and have protective effects on heart, brain, and nerves.
Dosage & Administration
The general dosage of Vilwadi Gulika is as follows:
| Children | 250 to 500 mg or ½ to 1 tablet |
| Adults | 1000 mg or 2 Tablets |
How to Take Vilwadi Gulika
| Doses (how many times should I take?) | Not applicable; In case of envenomation, dosage can be repeated until the patient becomes stable or gets relief from major symptoms. In other cases, dosage can be 2 to 3 times a day. |
| Right Time (When should I take?) | Whenever required in case of envenomation; otherwise, after meal |
| Adjuvant | Honey, Warm water |
Safety Profile
Vilwadi Gulika is considered safe for most individuals when taken as per its indications in appropriate dosage under professional supervision.
Side Effects of Vilwadi Gulika
Generally, there are no side effects when Vilwadi Gutika is used wisely. If the patient has Pitta Prakriti or any condition related to the increase of the Pitta Dosha, then it can cause following side effects when used in the high dosage or repeated several times unwisely:
- Heartburn
- Acid reflux
- Burning sensation in abdomen
To prevent these side effects, it can be used along with Praval Pishti, Mukta Pishti, Mukta Shukti Pishti or similar medicines.
Pregnancy & Lactation
The safety profile of Vilwadi Gulika is not well-established for pregnant women and lactating mothers. Consult an ayurvedic physician before using Vilwadi Gutika during pregnancy and lactation.
Can I use vilwadi gulika in pregnancy?
It is not advisable. Please consult your doctor for its alternatives.
Can we use this against NIPAH VIRUSES caused fever?
According to ayurvedic principles, there are three types of poisons (Visha) –
1. Sthavara: related to poisonous herbs or poison of plant origin
2. Jangam: related to animals, virus, bacteria etc.
3. Kritrima: human-made chemicals
We consider virus under Jangam Visha. Vilwadi Gulika is effective against Jangam Visha.
If we consider this point, Vilwadi Gulika or similar ayurvedic medicines can be used to alleviates symptoms and treat Nipah virus (NiV) infection.
However, we don’t know how much this approach will be effective. It requires experiments and research.
Vilwadi Gulika has helped me a lot in IBS. Can I take it lifelong?
Yes, it can be taken lifelong under the supervision of ayurvedic physician.
Some insect bit me in my palm 2 months back. Initial 2 days, there was pain, later no pain… But till now the swelling is there. I tried allopathy ointment but swelling got reduced very little only.
Is there any effective medicine for insect bite swelling remaining even after two months in ayurveda? How about Vilwadi?
Vilwadi Gulika can help. You may take this medicine after consulting an ayurvedic physician.
In addition to this, you also require hot fomentation with castor plant leaves. Cut the leaves. Take sesame oil in a pan and cook these leaves. Add 3 tablets of crushed Vilwadi Gulika in it. Place hot leaves in cloth and give hot fomentation with this. It should be repeated for 2 times a day for 7 to 14 days.