The medicinal use of gotu kola has its roots in India, where the herb continues to be part of the ancient healing tradition called Ayurveda. Word of its therapeutic benefits for skin disorders gradually spread throughout Asia and Europe.
A red-flowered plant that thrives in hot, swampy areas, gotu kola grows naturally in India, Sri Lanka, Madagascar, middle and southern Africa, Australian, China, and the southern United States. The plant's leaf is most commonly used medicinally.
Whether taken internally or applied externally as a compress, gotu kola has many beneficial effects. The herb's workhorse substances are chemicals called triterpenes (especially asiaticoside), which appear to enhance the formation of collagen in bones, cartilage, and connective tissue. In addition, they promote healthy blood vessels and help produce neurotransmitters, the chemical messengers in the brain.
Gotu kola's singular effect on connective tissue-promoting its healthy development and inhibiting the formation of hardened areas-makes it potentially important for treating many skin conditions.
Gotu kola has been used to increase mental acuity. Current research supports a role for this herb in boosting memory, improving learning capabilities, and possibly reversing some of the memory loss associated with Alzheimer's disease.
Taking gotu kola orally or using a topical preparation generally does not cause problems.
Though the names sound similar, there is no relationship between gotu kola and the kola nut. The kola nut is a stimulant containing caffeine; gotu kola is very mild sedative and caffeine-free.
Common uses-treats burns and wounds, builds connective tissue, strengthens veins, improves memory.
forms-capsules, tablet, tincture, powder, dried herb/tea.
The Healing Power of Vitamins, Minerals and Herbs. Reader's Digest.
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