Gotu Kola
Other Names : Brahma-Buti, Brahma-Manduki, Centellase, Centella asiatica, Centella Asiática, Centella Asiatique, Centella coriacea, Divya, Gota Kola, Hydrocotyle asiatica, Hydrocotyle Asiatique, Hydrocotyle Indien, Indischer Wassernabel, Indian Pennywort, Indian Water Navelwort, Ji Xue Cao, Khulakhudi, Luei Gong Gen, Luo De Da, Madecassol, Mandukaparni, Manduk Parani, Mandukig, Marsh Penny, TTFCA, Talepetrako, Thick-Leaved Pennywort, Tsubo-kusa, Tungchian, White Rot.
A member of the parsley family, gotu kola (Centella asiatica) has long been used in traditional Chinese medicine and ayurveda (the traditional medicine of India) to heal skin conditions such as psoriasis, fight mental fatigue, and treat asthma, fever, and stomach ulcers.
See also : Brahmi Oil
Special Precautions of Gotu Kola
Although side effects are rare, some people taking gotu kola may experience upset stomach, headache, and drowsiness. Because gotu kola can make your skin more sensitive to the sun, it's important to limit your sun exposure and use sunscreen while taking it.Medical experts advise against using gotu kola if you have a history of squamous cell carcinoma, basal cell skin cancer, or melanoma. People with liver disease should also avoid gotu kola.
The benefits of Gotu Kola are
Now sold as an herbal supplement, gotu kola is marketed as a memory-booster and natural remedy for anxiety and depression. It is also is regarded as an adaptogen (a type of herb said to strengthen your resistance to stress while enhancing your energy). Gotu kola has yet to be extensively researched, but a few studies have shown that the herb may help with these health problems:
- Traditionally Gotu Kola benefits include the herb being used to treat some extremely serious conditions like syphilis, rheumatism, leprosy and mental illness. It is also used to stimulate urination and to relieve physical and mental exhaustion, eye diseases, inflammation, asthma, high blood pressure, liver disease, dysentery, urinary tract infections, eczema, and psoriasis.
- Anxiety : scientists discovered that gotu kola could decrease anxiety symptoms.While treating stress-related disorders like panic attacks and problems related to anxiety Gotu Kola has shown some extremely remarkable results. Scientists have established that compounds in Gotu Kola known as triter-pene acids bind to receptors in your central nervous system and reduce your startle response.
- Mood Disorders : In another small study, 28 older adults took gotu kola at various doses (250, 500, and 750 mg) once daily for two months. Results revealed that study members on the highest dose had improvements in mood, as well as memory and cognitive function.
- Varicose Veins : A number of small studies indicate that gotu kola may stimulate circulation and help fight varicose veins and venous insufficiency (a condition that impairs flow of blood through the veins).
- Gotu Kola has gained popularity as a natural remedy for disorders that cause connective tissue swelling such as scleroderma, psoriatic arthritis (arthritis occurring in conjunction with psoriasis), anklylosing spondylitis (arthritis of the spine), and rheumatoid arthritis.
- One of the many benefits of Gotu Kola include its effectiveness in treating various skin conditions and it is also felt to be very helpful in the treatment of cellulite and keloids. The hardening of connective tissue cells below the skin's surface causes cellulite and Gotu Kola seems to be very effective in slowing down this process.
- helps to improve the health of the brain. It has been used in Ayurvedic medicine for hundreds of years already and studies have been conducted supporting health claims that Gotu Kola can indeed help improve a person’s memory. Gotu Kola is considered as a rejuvenating herb which helps to increase the mental capacity and mental ability of the person and also improve his behavioral patterns. For those undergoing menopause, this herb also helps relieve anxiety, alleviate fatigue and ease depression. In order to fully appreciate the effects of Gotu Kola, taking 600 mg of dried powdered Gotu Kola leaves thrice a day should be maintained.
- spiritual : In both Chinese Medicine and Ayurvedic traditions, Gotu Kola is considered a supreme Shen (spiritual) and Sattva (reality enhancing) tonic herb, used for thousands of years with great effect. In China, it was more revered for its ability to extend life, used as a key component in an herbal blend used by many Daoists to surpass 250 years in age, as the records go. In India, it was and still is used by yogis, monks and meditators for its psychic and awareness enhancing effects.
