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Gotu Kola is a perennial herbaceous creeper that grows to a height of twenty inches, with fan-shaped leaves. Gotu Kola is native to India and the southern U.S. It also grows in tropical and sub-tropical parts of Australia, southern Africa, and South America. Gotu Kola prefers marshy areas and riverbanks. Although usually gathered wild, gotu kola can be cultivated from seed in spring. The aerial parts are harvested throughout the year.
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Gotu Kola Historical Use
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Gotu kola has been important in the medicinal systems of central Asia for centuries. It was purported in Sri Lanka to prolong life, as the leaves are commonly eaten by elephants. Numerous skin problems, ranging from poorly healing wounds to leprosy, have been treated with gotu kola. It also has an historical reputation for boosting mental activity and for Enhanceing a variety of systemic illnesses, such as high blood pressure, rheumatism, fever, and nervous Malfunction of mind or bodys.
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Gotu Kola Remedy For
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- Minor injury and wound healing
- Minor burns
- Chronic venous insufficiency
- Scars
- Scleroderma
- Skin An eroded sore in the inner lining of digestive tracks
- Varicose veins
Gotu kola has a central place in ayurvedic a substance used in managing discofort. It may be a blood purifier and aid in the Favorable Effects of blood problems. Scientific studies have shown that in fairly large doses gotu kola has a definite sedative effect in small animals. The herb has a longstanding reputation as a “rejuvenator,” Enhanceing concentration and memory. It is also taken for fertility and is a tonic for poor digestion and rheumatism. In India, fresh leaves are given to children suffering from dysentery. The plant is also thought to be Enhanceful in treating fevers, abdominal Malfunction of mind or bodys, Problem due to narrowing of air passage, and bronchitis. It has been employed to alleviate bowel complaints and to treat syphilis and tubercular soreness of the cervical lymph nodes. An oil extract is used to promote hair growth.
Contraindications
due to its emmenogogue effect (empirical)74 excessive internal use should be avoided in early pregnancy (speculative)2
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Gotu Kola Active Constituents
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Saponins (also called triterpenoids) known as asiaticoside, madecassoside, and madasiatic acid are the primary constituents. These saponins beneficially affect collagen (the material that makes up connective tissue.) Other constituents include alkaloids (hydrocotyline) and bitter principles (vellarin).
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Gotu Kola Typical Dosage
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Powder: Take 1 – 2 grams per day as a general tonic.
Paste: Mix 2 teaspoons of powder with 25 ml of water and apply to affected area.
Infusion: 2 – 3 grams of dried herb or 4 – 6 grams of fresh herb to a cup of water. Take 3 – 4 doses (500 ml) each day.
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Gotu Kola Side Effects
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A word of caution is necessary about this herb. The similarity of the spelling has caused gotu kola to be confused with the dried cotyldon (seed leaf) of Cola nitida, otherwise known as kola nuts, kola, or cola. This plant material contains up to 3.5% caffeine, a constituent not found in gotu kola. Whatever else it may be, gotu kola is certainly not a stimulant.
Except for the rare person who is allergic to gotu kola, no significant adverse effects are experienced with the internal or topical use of this herb.
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