Organic Gotu Kola (Centella asiatica)

Herbs are Sold By the Ounce, Price is Per Ounce

Gotu Kola (Centella asiatica)

Family: Apiaceae (Umbelliferae)

Common Names: Indian Pennywort, Brahmi (not to be confused with Bacopa monnieri), Asiatic Pennywort, Mandukaparni

Botanical Description: Gotu Kola is a low-growing, creeping perennial herb with fan-shaped leaves that are green and slightly serrated along the edges. The plant produces small, inconspicuous white or pink flowers that cluster around the leaf nodes. Gotu Kola typically grows in tropical and subtropical climates, flourishing in moist, shady areas.

Habitat and Cultivation: Native to the wetlands of Asia, Gotu Kola thrives in moist, swampy areas and is commonly found in India, Sri Lanka, China, and Southeast Asia. It prefers partial shade and rich, moist soil but can also be cultivated in pots or garden beds in temperate climates. It’s often grown as a ground cover or in herbal gardens.

Parts Used: Aerial parts (leaves and stems)

Historical and Folklore Uses:

Gotu Kola has been used for thousands of years in Ayurvedic, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), and Indonesian folk medicine. It is revered in Ayurveda for its ability to balance all three doshas (Vata, Pitta, and Kapha) and is considered a powerful rejuvenative herb, particularly for the mind. It is also used in TCM to promote longevity, and in folklore, it is said to enhance meditation and spiritual practices.

Energetics and Taste:

• Energetics: Cooling
• Taste: Bitter, slightly sweet

Medicinal Actions:

• Adaptogen: Helps the body adapt to stress and promotes overall balance.
• Nervine: Supports and calms the nervous system.
• Cognitive Enhancer: Improves memory, focus, and mental clarity.
• Vulnerary: Promotes wound healing and skin repair.
• Anti-inflammatory: Reduces inflammation in the body.
• Circulatory Tonic: Improves circulation, particularly in the veins and capillaries.

System Affinities:

• Nervous System: Gotu Kola is best known for its ability to enhance cognitive function, reduce anxiety, and promote mental clarity. It is often used to support brain health and improve memory.
• Skin and Connective Tissue: Gotu Kola is used topically and internally to promote wound healing, reduce scarring, and improve the elasticity of the skin. It supports the repair of connective tissues, making it valuable for conditions like varicose veins, cellulite, and stretch marks.
• Circulatory System: The herb improves circulation, especially in the legs, and is used to treat venous insufficiency and other circulatory disorders.
• Digestive System: Gotu Kola can support digestive health by reducing inflammation and promoting healing of the gastrointestinal tract.

Active Compounds:

• Triterpenoids (Asiaticoside, Madecassoside): These compounds are primarily responsible for Gotu Kola's wound-healing, anti-inflammatory, and circulatory benefits.
• Flavonoids: Potent antioxidants that help protect the body from oxidative stress and support overall health.
• Asiatic Acid: Contributes to Gotu Kola’s anti-inflammatory and cognitive-enhancing effects.

Uses:

1. Cognitive Support: Gotu Kola is widely used to enhance cognitive function, improve memory, and support mental clarity. It is beneficial for reducing anxiety and stress and is often used in herbal formulas for brain health.
2. Wound Healing and Skin Care: The herb is applied topically to wounds, burns, and scars to promote healing and reduce scarring. It is also used in creams and lotions to improve skin elasticity and treat conditions like varicose veins, cellulite, and stretch marks.
3. Circulatory Health: Gotu Kola improves circulation, particularly in the lower extremities, and is used to treat conditions like chronic venous insufficiency and hemorrhoids.
4. Stress and Anxiety Relief: As an adaptogen and nervine, Gotu Kola helps the body cope with stress and can reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression.
5. Digestive Health: It is used to soothe inflammation in the digestive tract and support healing in conditions like gastritis or ulcers.

Cautions:

• Pregnancy and Breastfeeding: While Gotu Kola is generally considered safe, it is best to consult a healthcare provider before using it during pregnancy and breastfeeding due to a lack of conclusive research.
• Liver Health: High doses or prolonged use may affect liver function in some individuals, so it’s important to use Gotu Kola in moderation, especially if you have existing liver conditions.
• Photosensitivity: Gotu Kola may increase sensitivity to sunlight, so sun protection is advisable when using the herb regularly.

Research and Studies:

1. A study published in Journal of Ethnopharmacology confirmed the cognitive-enhancing effects of Gotu Kola, supporting its use in improving memory and reducing anxiety .
2. Research in International Journal of Lower Extremity Wounds demonstrated Gotu Kola’s wound-healing properties, particularly its ability to enhance skin repair and reduce scarring .
3. Another study in Phytomedicine highlighted the herb's ability to improve circulation, particularly in patients with chronic venous insufficiency, validating its traditional use for circulatory health .