Centella AsiaticaGotu Kolaby Sevi Perez

Botanical DescriptionOrder: Apiales .Perennial, native to the tropical parts of Asia, South Africa,

Family: Apiaceae Madagascar and Pakistan.

Subfamily: Mackinlayoideae . Ground hugging plant with kidney shaped leaves, green to

Genus: Centella reddish green stems and and white to pinkish red flowers.

Species: Centella Asiatica

Medicinal Description

Parts Used: Leaves & Roots

Constituents: Essential oil, tannins, triterpenic saponosides and asiaticosides.

Actions: Anti-inflammatory, Nervine, Tonic, Analgesic, Diuretic, Vulnerary, Antiseptic, Circulatory Stimulant

Energetic Description

Temperature: Cool

Taste: Pungent, Bitter, Sweet, Astringent

Tissue States: Depression, Relaxation, Atrophy

Organs Affected: Liver, Heart, Bladder

*Tridoshic, VPK=

History & FolkloreIt is an ancient remedy that has been used for thousands of years in Asia and is now becoming popular in the West.

Also known as Brahmi, it is often used with Bacopa, an herb which shares the same nickname.

Gotu Kola is traditionally used to aid in meditation as it clears the mind and enhances the ability to concentrate.

The leaves are about the size of an old British penny, hence the common name, Indian Pennywort.

In Sri Lanka it is common knowledge that elephants, who have a reputation of a long life and great memory, eat the plant. The locals follow their example, eating a few leaves a day.

Gotu Kola got the nickname “Tigers Herb” because injured tigers often rub against it to heal their wounds

Li Ching-Yun purportedly lived to be over 200 years old due to chinese herbs including Gotu Kola.

Uses“Gotu Kola has a calming and supportive effect on the nervous system and calms the brain of mental chatter. It also supports connective tissue” (Tilgner)

Mental and Physical Fatigue, Sluggish Digestion, Parkinson’s, Decreases Scar Tissue Buildup,

Anxiety, Depression, Senility, Ulcers, Nervous Breakdown, Acne, Hypertension, Edema,

Loss of Memory, Sinusitis, Influenza, Scleroderma, Lupus, Arthritis, Enhances Connective

Jaundice, Promotes Nail & Hair Growth, Tissue, Drug Withdrawal

Psoriasis, Leprosy, Accelerates the Healing Eliminates toxic accumulations in the brain and nerves

Time for Wounds, Varicose Veins, Thyroid including residues of heavy metals and recreational

Stimulant and pharmaceutical drugs.

StudiesLaboratory studies have suggested that extracts of Gotu Kola could be useful for the prevention and treatment of Alzheimer Disease.

One Study in India reported that Gotu Kola extracts slowed the development of tumors in mice and increased their lifespan.

It has been shown to decrease the adrenal enlargement and possesses corticosteroid-sparing effects in rats under stressful situations.

In one investigation of the anxiolytic effects of Gotu Kola, twenty volunteers were given either a 12-gram dose of Gotu Kola or a placebo. Results showed that compared with placebo, Gotu Kola significantly reduced the response of the subjects to a series of laboratory stressors (loud noises, startling events).

In animal studies, Gotu Kola extracts have been shown to increase the production of hydroxyproline and collagen, the structural components needed for wound healing, by 50-60 percent.

Dosage

“Care should be taken to obtain high quality gotu kola leaf, since this plant is native to polluted drainage ditches in India (perhaps a signature showing its excellence in clearing out the blood)” (Wood)

Infusion, 1-3 ounces. Tincture, 12-30 drops, morning and mid-afternoon (Daniel Gagnon)

15-30 grams. 1 tsp. per cup of water. 20-60 drops tincture 1-4 times a day (Tierra)

Personal Experience

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