Herbal Insight: Gotu Kola
Gotu Kola: A Memory Enhancing Herb with Numerous Benefits
Gotu Kola (Centella asiatica); other common names: Indian Pennywort, Mandukaparni, Thalkuri, Brahmi.
Gotu Kola, also known as Thalkuri, is famous in Ayurvedic medicine for its health promoting effects on the mind and nervous system. Although native to Asia, similar varieties can be found all over the world in places that meet its need for wet soil, warm weather, and shade. This upright little creeper is also called Mandukaparni meaning “like a frog,” maybe because its leaves resemble the webbed feet of frogs, or because it lives in “froggy” areas. It sprouts new growth from the rhizome, each leaf seeming to “hop” off the ground on individual stalks.
In Ayurvedic medicine Gotu Kola is well known for its use as a medhya rasayana, supporting the function of the mind and nervous system. It is often referred to as “brahmi” though true brahmi is considered by most to be bacopa monniera. In addition to its ability to boost brain power and reduce mental stress, this powerful little herb has many other benefits including promoting wound healing and hair growth.
If you’re lucky enough to have access to fresh Gotu Kola, this herb can be taken in its raw form by chewing on a leaf, or adding fresh leaves to a salad. Cooking it or boiling it for too long may reduce some of its benefits.
Effects of Gotu Kola on the body:
The taste of Gotu Kola is mildly bitter, with traces of astringency and sweetness. It has an overall cooling effect, with a sweet aftertaste (vipak). These unique qualities make it balancing for all three doshas (vata, pitta, and kapha).
Brain Health: It is most commonly used in Ayurvedic medicine as a brain tonic. It enhances sattvic qualities in the mind and is very useful for meditation. By its relaxing effect on the central nervous system, it helps to promote the flow of prana in the brain, improving concentration and memory retention power. Useful in cases like ADHD, senility, and epilepsy, where the nervous system and brain function are challenged, this herb can be a strong ally.
Rejuvenation: Through nourishing the whole nervous system, it also acts as a rasayana, or rejuvenative, promoting long life and graceful aging. Like the ayurvedic herb bhringaraj, when used topically as an oil, it is beneficial in promoting hair growth and reversing premature greying.
Skin health and wound healing: Gotu Kola also benefits the skin and blood as well as the nerves, clearing toxins and inflammation. It is helpful for treating gout, by lowering uric acid levels in the blood, and has an overall beneficial effect on the skin and cartilage.
Additional benefits: This herb has many other benefits, supporting heart health and even reducing arthritic conditions. It could also be helpful in cases of addiction and overeating. According to author and Ayurvedic scholar David Frawley, “Gotu Kola is the best herb to cleanse hallucinogenic drugs from the liver and brain.”
How to take it:
Powdered herb: Using the powdered form, mix ½-1 tsp in warm water and sip as a tea. This is the easiest way to take the herb. If you don’t like the taste of the raw herb, you can also take it in capsulated form as well. Two capsules equal about ½ teaspoon of the powdered herb.
Tincture: you can find Gotu Kola in tincture form as well. Taking 10 drops under the tongue will have similar benefits to taking it as a tea.
Nasya Oil: A great way to experience Gotu Kola’s beneficial effect on the mind is through nasal administration of the herb in a carrier oil. There are many nasya oils on the market that contain Gotu Kola. Find a reputable brand that uses ethically sourced organic herbs and oils.
Topical use: Gotu Kola can be used on the skin for wound healing. An oil infusion of Gotu Kola is often used to rub into the scalp, which can help promote sound sleep and enhance brain function and memory retention.
Contraindications: While generally safe and tridoshic, when taken in excess Gotu Kola can increase vata dosha, creating giddiness, headache, and dizziness.
Conclusion: This is a fantastic herb to use when you need some help balancing your nervous system and supporting brain function. For those working with inflammatory skin issues and uric acid imbalances like gout, Gotu Kola is also a very good herb to supplement with. Its overall rejuvenative effect on the mind and body can benefit most people. As with all herbs, avoid taking it excessively- since when used in large doses can bring too much prana into the nervous system, increasing vata.
Works Cited:
Das, Vishnu. Ayurvedic Herbology East and West. Lotus Press, 2013.
Frawley, David. Ayurvedic Healing. Lotus Press, 2000.
Gogte, Viadya V.M., Dravyaguna Vigyan: Ayurvedic Pharmacology and Therapeutic Uses of Medicinal Plants. Chaukhambha Publications, New Delhi, 2009.
Pole, Sebastian. Ayurvedic Medicine. Singing Dragon, 2006.