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Gotu Kola
Description:
Gotu kola, not to be confused with the caffeine-rich kola nut, is a red flowering plant that grows in India, Sri Lanka, Madagascar and other hot, swampy areas throughout the world. It has been a part of traditional Indian Ayurvedic healing for centuries, and especially revered for its therapeutic benefits towards skin disorders. Gotu kola is also a food of choice for elephants. Some believe the herb helps these animals - and perhaps humans as well - live to a ripe old age.
Gotu kola contains chemicals called "triterpenes"; which help form collagen in bones, cartilage and connective tissue. Taken internally or applied topically, the herb can be beneficial for burns, keloid scars, incisions and wounds. It is also shows promise as a treatment for varicose veins as it helps strengthen blood vessels and improve blood flow. Some studies show gotu kola is effective as a topical agent on psoriasis lesions.
Another use of gotu kola is for improving memory and mental acuity. Some studies show it helps improve the concentration levels of developmentally disabled children and Alzheimer's patients.
Properties & Uses:
Diuretic - Diuretics form a class of drugs which increase the volume of urine produced by the kidneys. It can be used effectively to treat mild cases of edema when kidney function is good and when the underlying abnormality of cardiac function, capillary pressure, or salt retention is being corrected simultaneously. Diuretics are not an appropriate treatment for edema caused by inflammation of the kidneys, and are useless in cardiac edema associated with advanced kidney insufficiency.
Narcotic - an agent which depresses the function of the central nervous system, inducing sleep and lessening pain. By definition, narcotics can be toxic in excess.
Sedative - Sedatives are a class of drugs which function to quite nervous excitement and reduce motor activity without inducing sleep. They are used in the management of neuroses and in the treatment of anxiety and apprehension accompanying various disease states such as hypertension. Sedatives commonly function to induce reversible depression of the central nervous system. Examples of this class are phenobarbital, secobarbital sodium, and pentobarbital.
Tonic - an agent which strengthens or tones.
Gotu Cola is able to rebuild energy reserves. It increases mental and physical power, combats stress and improves reflexes, has an energizing effect on brain cells, and may help prevent nervous breakdown. For this reason, it is called "food for the brain." It relieves high blood pressure, mental fatigue, senility, and helps the body defend itself against various toxins. It is very rich in the B Complex vitamins, lowers blood pressure, and is an effective diuretic.
Gotu cola is often confused with foti-teng - which is actually an Oriental blend of three different herbs. The Gotu Cola herb is a single plant and has been used successfully to treat leprosy throughout southeast Asia. It has been used in hospitals and clinics in Calcutta for the treatment of syphilitic diseases, both internally and externally.
Gotu Cola contains an oily substance, a resin, an organic acid, tannin, and traces of an alkaloid. Another analysis reveals a substance called vallerine (0.8 - 1%), resin, fat (8.9%), tannin and carbohydrates (24.5%), gum and salts (11.5%), albumoid matter (12.5%), and ash (2.4%). Vallerine is a pale yellowish color with a bitter, pungent, persistent taste and odor. It has been reported to be effective in treating eye lesions and cataracts. Many people in India have ascribed mind and memory improving qualities to this herb.
Toxicity Levels:
Gotu Cola has often been mistaken for another herb (Cola Nitida or Cola Acuminata) which is erroneously called Gotu Cola by those who have not done their home work. The second herb more properly should be called Kola Nut. It has caffeine (up to 3.5%), whereas true Gotu Cola has none. Where Gotu Cola is reported to have caused nervousness, insomnia, and minor trembling, or to have psychoactive substances such as caffeine, theobromine, or kolanin, these reports are actually referring to Kola Nut (Cola species) and may be considered misinformation by poorly informed persons usually speaking from prejudice and not scientific analysis.
Those with hypotension and low potassium levels may want to restrict their use of Gotu Kola.
Recommended Dietary Allowances:
Dried gotu kola leaf can be made into a tea by adding 1–2 teaspoons (5–10 grams) to about 2/3 cup (150 ml) of boiling water and allowing it to steep for ten to fifteen minutes. Three cups (750 ml) are usually suggested per day. Fluid extract (1/2–1 teaspoon (3–5 ml) per day) or a tincture (2–4 teaspoons (10–20 ml) per day) are sometimes recommended. Standardized extracts containing up to 100% total saponins (triterpenoids), 60 mg once or twice per day, are frequently used in modern herbal medicine.
Food Sources:
This plant grows in a widespread distribution in tropical, swampy areas, including parts of India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Madagascar, and South Africa. It also grows in Eastern Europe. The roots and leaves are used medicinally.
Side Effects & Interactions:
Except for the rare person who is allergic to gotu kola, no significant adverse effects are experienced with internal or topical use of this herb.9
At the time of writing, there were no well-known drug interactions with gotu kola.
References:
1. Duke JA. CRC Handbook of Medicinal Herbs. Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press, 1985, 110–1.
2. Kartnig T. Clinical applications of Centella asiatica (L) Urb. In Herbs, Spices, and Medicinal Plants: Recent Advances in Botany, Horticulture, and Pharmacology, vol. 3., Craker LE, Simon JE (eds). Phoenix, AZ: Oryx Press, 1986, 145–73.
3. Morisset R, Cote NG, Panisset JC, et al. Evaluation of the healing activity of hydrocotyle tincture in the treatment of wounds. Phytother Res 1987;1:117–21.
4. Kartnig T. Clinical applications of Centella asiatica (L) Urb. In Herbs, Spices, and Medicinal Plants: Recent Advances in Botany, Horticulture, and Pharmacology, vol. 3., Craker LE, Simon JE (eds). Phoenix, AZ: Oryx Press, 1986, 145–73.
5. Brinkhaus B, Linder M, Schuppan D, Hahn EG. Chemical, pharmacological and clinical profile of the East Asian medical plant Centella asiatica. Phytomed 2000;7:427–48.
6. Pointel JP, Boccalon H, Cloarec M, et al. Titrated extract of Centella asiatica (TECA) in the treatment of venous insufficiency of the lower limbs. Angiology 1986;37:420–1.
7. Bossé JP, Papillon J, Frenette G, et al. Clinical study of a new antikeloid drug. Ann Plastic Surg 1979;3:13–21.
8. Murray MT. The Healing Power of Herbs. Rocklin, CA: Prima Publishing, 1995, 173–83.
9. Murray MT. The Healing Power of Herbs. Rocklin, CA: Prima Publishing, 1995, 173–83.