Claudia Keel

EarthFlower.org | ArborVitaeNY.com

G OTU K OLA
Centella /Hydrocotyle Asiatica
"A 5 star herb!” –K.P. Khalsa
“One of the great wisdom remedies”
-Matthew Becker
Common N ames & Etymology:
As it is so used and revered, centella has numerous common names. The
common name ‘Gotu Kola’ is actually the common name in Sri Lanka
rather than in India as is often supposed. In Sinhalese, gotu is translated as
"conical shape" and kola as "leaf". (The herb is not related to kola or kola
nut in the least!) other names include:
Ÿ Mandukaparni “frog-leaved” in Nepal, N. India & Ayurvedic texts
Ÿ Brahmi in Sanskrit (Bacopa monniera is also commonly called Brahmi),
Ÿ Sekisetsuso (Japan) Ÿ jeokseolcho (Korea)
Ÿ Indian pennywort (United States)
Ÿ Luo de da, Ji xue cao “accumulation of snow herb” (Chinese)
ŸKula kudi (Hindi) Ÿbemgsag, brahma manduki, brahmanduki, ondelaga, ekpanni (south & west India), sarswathi
aku (Andhra Pradesh), khulakhudi, mandukparni, mandookaparni, or thankuni (Bengal), Vallarai (Tamil)
 

Plant Family:
Umbelliferae/Apiaceae (parsley family) subfamily: Mackinlayaceae
“Plant geneticists have recently termed Maṇḍūkaparṇī as an “araliaceous hydrocotyloid” (Downie etal 2000), for
although it is a member of the Apiaceae, it bears many similarities both botanically and in therapeutic action with
other genera of the Araliaceae, such as Ginseng (Panax ginseng).” 3
 

Cultivation:
A small spreading annual found growing near rivers and ponds prevalent in India, East Asia and many parts of
South Africa. Can be grown as a tender annual in temperate lands (preferring the warmth of green houses) and as a
house plant.
 

Parts U sed: Aerial parts – leaf and stem

 

H arvest: Fresh green aerial parts during growing season

It is important to source centella carefully in the market place, as watery areas it could be
harvested from could could be outwash areas where the water is contaminated with heavy
metals, fecal coliform or parasites.
 

M edicine Preparation:
Tea (infusion), Powdered, Succus, Tincture fresh 1:2, 95% alcohol; dry 1:3, 50% alcohol
“Fresh plant is considered best, either as a juice, or more recently, as a fresh plant tincture.
Dried plant preparations however are used in Āyurveda and should not be considered as
useless.”3
 

M ajor Constituents :
Essential oils, fatty oils, sitosterol, tannins, resin, gum, tannins, alkaloid (hydrocotyline), bitter principle (vellarine), pectic acid,
polyphenols, saponins (braminoside, brahmoside), flavonoids. And large amounts of pentacyclic triterpenoids including
asiaticoside, brahmoside, asiatic acid, and brahmic acid also known as madecassic acid. Other products include centellose,
centelloside, and madecassoside
 

Cultural Traditions and U ses

While centella is one othe most ancient and prominent Ayurvedic herbs, the oldest preserved writing of its use is in the Divine
Husbandman’s Classic Materia Medica, the earliest Chinese pharmacopeia dated to 2698 BC. Gotu Kola appears in the ancient
materia medicas wherever it grows and while it does not grow readily in cold northern environments it was part of European
materia medicas particularly france in the 1880s. Gotu Kola is also a common green vegetable throughout Southeast Asia,
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from India to the Phillipines, sometimes eaten raw as a side dish, or prepared as a juice. It is said to be a favorite food of
elephants in Sri Lanka (who in turn are famed for their memory). Gotu kola is a minor feature in the longevity tradition of the
T'ai chi ch'uan master Li Ching-Yuen. He purportedly lived to be 197 or 256, due in part to his usage of traditional Chinese
herbs, including gotu kola. In Nepal, during the ceremony for the first day of spring, gotu kola leaf is given to schoolchildren to
help them in their studies by improving memory and concentration.

Gotu Kola as M edicine - Outline of H erbal U ses & Indications

Taste: Bitter, Pungent, mildly Astringent, mildly Sweet
Energetics / G una: Cooling to neutral; mildly astringent; balancing to all doshas
Qualities: Light, dry, subtle, sharp, liquid; spreading
D octrine of Signatures:
“leaf shape resembles the cerebellum, suggestive of its affinity for cognition”
Actions:
Nerve tonic, connective tissue (collagen) tonic, vulnerary, rejuvenative (rasayana), alterative, analgesic, anti-oxidant, brain
tonic, anti-poison, cardio-tonic, immune-stimulant, febrifuge, diuretic, anthelmintic, anti-convulsant, sedative, hair tonic,
increases circulation to extremities
Doses:
Recommended doses vary widely. Gotu Kola is a nutritive food herb and generally is
best applied in regular food based doses over a longer period of time (3 -6 months)
℘ Dried herb infusion 1-2 tsp. per 8 oz. hot water steeped 1 – 8 hours or decoction: 4
oz. 3x/day
℘ Dried herb powder: 2 grams 2 -3x/ day
℘ 4:1 concentrated powder extract: one gram 2x/ day
℘ 1:5 tincture: 20-40 drops 2 -3x/ day

Specific indications:
℘ Skin ailments: excellent healing properties for numerous skin conditions including: eczema, psoriasis, boils, abscesses,
cuts, wounds, post-operative healing, scars, radiation burns, acne, urticaria, ulcers, sclerodema
℘ Wound healing, anti-inflammatory collagen modulator for wounds and other leisions such as burns, keloid
formation, lacerations, eczema, psoriasis & other dermatitis conditions. Can be combined with Comfrey (Symphytum
officinalis root), applied topically and taken internally to speed healing and recovery.3
℘ Supports collagen in the body: Induces collagen synthesis in dermal fibroblast cells Improves adherant fibroblast
activity in skin and connective tissue in lupus, scleroderma & other autoimmune conditions
℘ Red, hot and inflamed skin conditions, use internally with Sarsaparilla. It is also applied externally to help heal
lesions, burns or leprosy. (Winston) For Pitta skin conditions and where Pitta is the primary dosha.
℘ For psoriasis and eczema benefit can be obtained by using with hepatics (In Ayurveda centella is combined with
hepatic herbs such as Bhṛṅgarāja, Mañjiṣṭhā, Dāruharidrā 3 though Yellow dock (Rumex crispus) is a local analog. A
balm made of a licorice and gotu kola infused olive oil mixed with an equal part of with grassfed tallow is deeply
absorbable and effective healing for eczema and psoriasis lesions (see recipe below).
℘ Topically in salves and balms to treat herpetic lesions, leprosy, scrofula, seborrheic dermatitis, ‘dish pan’ hands,
eczema, psoriasis and insect bites stings and chapped lips.
℘ Increases circulation to periphery, including both the brain and the extremities. (but not heating to exterior as in
ginger’s action) This action offers a window into traditional uses to promote intellect, improve concentration, and
enhance meditative focus.
℘ For mental and cerebrovascular conditions including epilepsy, migraines, stroke, dementia, memory loss, poor
concentration, and attention deficit disorder. KP Khalsa understands Epilepsy and migraines as related ailments and
finds that centella “treats the root of the brain disorder.”
℘ For cognitive dysfunction where pitta is the predominant doṣa, best used as the fresh juice, 25 mL twice daily
℘ Brain and Memory Tonic: mental fatigue, poor memory and concentration, neuropathy, Alzheimer’s, epilepsy stroke,
learning problems (ADHD, autism, Asperger’s), Shatavari has an affinity with the mind and is used to promote memory
and mental clarity and for ADHD in children. It is often combined with brain tonics such as gotu kola. It is calming,
reduces anxiety and increases resilience to stress.
℘ Promotes general strength and longevity- considered rejuvinative (rasyana) and an excellent tonic for elders .“At
least one 2008 study detected improvements in the mood and cognition of a small sample of elderly patients who
received at least 750 mg per day.[i]”4
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℘ Stress, Trauma. anxiety, depression, insomnia
℘ Scars - effective topically and internally to heal of recent scars tissue and, most
notably, centella is one of few herbs helpful for long held scars. “Evidence continues
to pour in from European and Indian researchers, who, in several studies, confirmed
that gotu kola compounds promote rapid healing in wounds. [iv] [v] [vi] These
qualities allow gotu kola to actually heal and re-grow new skin, gently closing and
repairing even long-standing, painful lesions, skin ulcers and scars.[vii]”4
℘ Indigestion, effective for stomach acidity and peptic ulcers
℘ Leaky Gut Wall Demulcents and tissue healing
℘ chronic coughs, catarrh,
℘ Bacterial infections clinical studies show its effectiveness against Pseudomonas and
Streptococcus spp. Used for childhood infections,
℘ Viral infections Internally and topically for Herpes simplex
℘ Detoxification: use it to cleanse the system of toxins and reduce inflammation
℘ Antimicrobial, taken internally with Kaṭuka and Bhūnimba, or Western herbs such as Goldenseal (Hydrastis canadensis
root) and Echinacea spp in the treatment of infectious conditions.3
℘ Immuno-deficiency diseases along with other immune-modulants such as Astragalus Adjunct to Auto-Immune
protocols (ex Mediherb’s protocol includes Gotu Kola Complex 3 - 4 /x day)
℘ Hot /damp arthritis conditions incl. rheumatoid arthritis and psoriatic arthritis: well combined with sarsparilla
(David Winston also consider in combination with magnolia, guaiac, devil’s claw)
℘ Autoimmune conditions: Rheumatoid arthritis , scleroderma , psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis Multiple sclerosis
high long term doses
℘ IBD or IBD, post-concussion pain, gastritis, vulvodynia (topically and orally) or interstitial cystitis– is indicated for
tissue that is red, hot and inflamed. It is often combined with Sarsaparilla and can be effective as part of a protocol for.
℘ Mineral tonic: long infused tea or decoction or infused vinegar supplies minerals aiding ailments cause by mineral
deficiencies.
℘ Pain due to vascular insufficiency (Peripheral arterial disease (PAD), varicose veins), impaired circulation of the skin
and topically for painful inflammation of the skin.
℘ Restless legs, cramps – Centella’s actions as both a nerve tonic and magnesium rich mineral tonic provide a window
into its healing action.
℘ Anti-poison: blood toxicity
℘ Edema, cellulite, venous insufficiency, varicose veins, hemorrhoids,
℘ Other traditional indications: fevers, urinary problems, gout anemia emaciation, amenorrhea, diabetes adjunct in the
treatment of enlarged lymph glands
℘ External applications of fresh juice or poultice/decoction of dried leaves: speeds healing of wounds, burns, keloid
scars, cervicitis, vaginitis, varicose veins and ulcers, and hemorrhoids.
℘ External poultices for internal condition: Gotu kola poultices are also noted for its ability to be absorbed deeply to
heal internal ulcers
℘ External infused in oil: Prepared in coconut oil and applied to the head, it is used to calm the mind, promote sleep,
relieve headaches and prevent hair loss; it is applied to the skin in eczema and Herpes.

Contraindications & Cautions:

No safety issues known. Not recommended for use during pregnancy
Possible Interactions: Can potentiate action of anxiolytics
“A water-soluble fraction of Centella asiatica was reported to inhibit hepatic enzymes responsible for barbiturate metabolism
(Leung & Foster 1996), and has been found to have a GABAnergic activity (Chatterjee et al 1992). Maṇḍūkaparṇī is thus
contraindicated with the concurrent use of drugs such as benzodiazepines, barbituates or antiepileptics. Contact dermatitis has
been reported in some patients using preparations of fresh or dried parts of the plant (Eun & Lee 1985). Although the
triterpene constituents have shown to lack any kind or teratogenic effects (Bosse et al 1979), relaxation of the rat uterus has
been documented for brahmoside and brahminoside, and therefore Maṇḍūkaparṇī is thus avoided in pregnancy
(Ramaswamy et al 1970). Hyperglycemic and hypercholesterolemic effects have been reported for asiaticoside in humans
(Newall et al 1996), and caution should be exercised with the concomitant use of hypolipidemic and hypoglycemic
therapies. Frawley & Lad report high doses of Maṇḍūkaparṇī may cause a loss of consciousness and headaches, and that it
may aggravate pruritis (1986). The majority of texts indicate that Maṇḍūkaparṇī is contraindicated in vāttika conditions
(Warrier et al 1995), and if used should be formulated with other botanicals to offset this effect, e.g. Aśvagandhā.” 3

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Gotu Kola as Food
Centella grows wild and easily in Sri Lanka and is used regularly as a leafy green in cuisine, where it is called gotu
kola It is most often prepared as malluma, a traditional accompaniment to rice and curry, and goes especially well
with vegetarian dishes, such as dhal, and jackfruit or pumpkin curry. It is considered quite nutritious. In addition to
finely chopped gotu kola, malluma almost always contains grated coconut, and may also contain finely chopped
green chilis, chili powder, turmeric powder and lime (or lemon) juice. A variation of the nutritious porridge known
as kola kenda is also made with gotu kola by the Sinhalese people of Sri Lanka. Kola Kenda is made with very
well-boiled red rice (with extra liquid), coconut milk and gotu kola, which is pureed. The porridge is accompanied
with jaggery for sweetness. Centella leaves are also used in sweet "pennywort" drinks.
In Indonesia, the leaves are used for sambai oi peuga-ga, an Aceh type of salad, and is also mixed into asinan in
Bogor.
In Vietnam and Thailand, this leaf is used for preparing a drink or can be eaten in raw form in salads or cold rolls.
In Bangkok, vendors in the famous Chatuchak Weekend Market sell it alongside coconut, roselle, chrysanthemum,
orange and other health drinks.
In Malay cuisine the leaves of this plant are used for ulam, a type of Malay salad.[6]
It is one of the constituents of the Indian summer drink thandaayyee.
In Bangladeshi cuisine mashed centella is eaten with rice and is popular for its medicinal properties. Wikipedia

Gotu Kola Recipe N otes:

Reconstituting dried Gotu Kola leaves offer a way to include it in numerous recipes such as pesto
& paneer

Ÿ reconstituted dried Gotu Kola Ÿ spring or filtered water

-- Sift hard stems as much as possible from dried herb and place desired amount in a bowl
-- Lightly cover /coat dried herb with water (Do not add too much water)
-- Let sit for @ 4 hours ( Covering the bowl) until the herb has plumped up with the absorbed water.
-- Press out extra water (reserve for use in other dishes or drink!) and then use in dishes as one would basil or spinach

Gotu Kola Pesto

This method offers a way to make a pesto out of dried herb as Gotu Kola is rarely available fresh
in North America well as include Gotu Kola regularly in one’s menu as is done in many cuisine in
Asia
Ÿ reconstituted dried Gotu Kola Ÿ olive oil Ÿ garlic Ÿ cheese such as Romano or Parmesan Ÿ optional: another fresh herbs
-blend all together as you would for other fresh herb pestos

Gotu Kola Oil & Salve

Recipe forthcoming
 
Sources:
1. Anne McIntyre , Foundations of Ayurveda Course chapter 12
2. K P Khalsa - ArborVitae class notes
3. Todd Caldecott, Ayurveda: The Divine Science of Life. (2006). Elsevier/Mosby.
4. KP Khalsa, class notes and article on line at https://www.internationalintegrative.com
5. [i] Wattanathorn J, et al. Positive modulation of cognition and mood in the healthy elderly volunteer following the administration of
Centella asiatica. J Ethnopharmacol. Mar 5 2008;116(2):325-332.
6. [iv] Chen YJ, Dai YS, Chen BF, Chang A, Chen HC, Lin YC, Chang KH, Lai YL, Chung CH, Lai YJ. The effect of tetrandrine and
extracts of Centella asiatica on acute radiation dermatitis in rats. Biol Pharm Bull 1999; Jul;22(7):703-6
7. [v] Shukla A, Rasik AM, Dhawan BN. Asiaticoside-induced elevation of antioxidant levels in healing wounds. Phytother Res
1999; Feb;13(1):50-4
8. [vi] Maquart FX, Chastang F, Simeon A, Birembaut P, Gillery P, Wegrowski Y. Triterpenes from Centella asiatica stimulate
extracellular matrix accumulation in rat experimental wounds. Eur J Dermatol 1999; Jun;9(4):289-96
1. [vii] Altern Med Rev. 2003 Nov;8(4):359-77.Nutritional support for wound healing.MacKay D, Miller AL. Thorne Research, Inc.,
PO Box 25, Dover, ID 83825, USA. [email protected]
[more citations forthcoming]  
 
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