Gotu
Kola
Hydrocotyle Ariatica
 Historically, Gotu Kola is considered a prime
nervine tonic as it promotes both mental clarity and calm. In India
where Ayurvedic medicine is practiced, Gotu Kola is used to treat
insomnia, stress, nervousness, disturbed emotions, and many nervous
system disorders. Some yogis use the herb to assist them in their
yoga and meditation practice. India, China and other Far East
countries also considered Gotu Kola a herb of longevity and a
proverb of India was 'two leaves a day keep old age away'.
Gotu Kola is a nerve tonic and a brain food that
both increases mental activity, while also acting as a mild
tranquilizer. It improves blood circulation in the brain, which is
an energy enhancer of those cells and when used proactively can
help avoid and treat a nervous breakdown. Gotu Kola is also useful
in the treatment of anxiety, epilepsy, schizophrenia and loss of
memory.
Modern science, while investigating its use in
longevity and brain capacity, discovered that Gotu Kola is of great
value in fever and inflammatory conditions. The most active
constituents of Gotu Kola are the triterpene, saponins, asiaticoside,
Brahmoside and Brahminoside. Asiaticoside, in particular, exhibits
the wide range of antibiotic activity of the herb. It has been
found to be in bactericidal, fungicidal, ameobacidal, insecticidal
and syphlitic skin diseases.
The latest research suggests that the
asiaticoside in Gotu Kola is among the most promising treatments for
one of history's devastating skin diseases, leprosy.
The volatile oils in Gotu Kola produce a diuretic
and blood purifying effect by producing a purge stimulus in the
kidneys. The volatile oils also contain cholesteremic steroids like
Beta-sitosterol that helps lower serum cholesterol levels. Gotu
Kola is also beneficial in the treatment of high blood pressure.
Areas and diseases where Gotu Kola can be
beneficial:
Age Spots, Aging, Arteriosclerosis, Blisters, High Blood Pressure,
Circulation to Brain, Clear Voice, Depression, Dysentery, Energy,
Exhaustion, Mental and Physical Fatigue, Fever, Headaches,
Strengthens Heart, Hypoglycemia, Inability to Concentrate, Insomnia,
learning Problems, Leg Circulation, Leprosy, Liver, Longevity,
Measles, Memory Problems, Menopause, Mental Troubles, Nervous
Breakdown, Pituitary Gland, Psoriasis, Rheumatism, Schizophrenia,
Scrofula, Senility, Inflammatory Skin Conditions, Sore Throat,
Spinal Meningitis, Stamina, Stomach Problems, Stuttering, Tonic,
Tonsillitis, Ulcerations, Ulcers, Varicose Veins, Wound Healing
Sources:
Little Herb Encyclopedia, by Jack
Ritchason; N.D., Woodland Publishing Incorporated, 1995
Nutritional Herbology, by Mark
Pedersen, Wendell W. Whitman Company, 1998
Rodale's Illustrated Encyclopedia
of Herbs, Rodale Press, Emmaus, Pennsylvania 1987
Planetary Herbology, Michael
Tierra, C.A., N.D., Lotus Press, 1988
Handbook of Medicinal Herbs, by
James A. Duke, Pub. CRP Second Edition 2007
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