Gotu Kola ~ Materia Medica by Jyll Renee’
April 22, 2011 by Jyll Renee', Master Herbologist
Filed under Herbology
GOTU KOLA
Botanical name: Asiatica, hydrocotyle asiatica
Common name: Gotu kola, Brahmi, Indian Pennywort, Brahma-manduki, Marsh penny, Water pennywort
Sanskit name: Madookaparni
Habitat: A native of Ceylon and revered Ayurvedic herb, gotu kola is a slender trailing plant that grows anywhere without any particular fuss. It is a plant loved by the elephant, known for their longevity and ability to remember.
Info: In India, Gotu kola is regarded as perhaps the most spiritual of all herbs. Growing in some areas of the Himalayas, gotu kola is used by yogis to improve meditation. It is said to develop the crown chaka, the energy center at the top of the head and to balance the right and left hemispheres of the brain, which the leaf is said to resemble. It is said to fortify the immune system, both cleansing and feeding the adrenals. It has been used for a pure blood tonic and for skin health. It is also used to promote restful sleep. Gotu kola is often confused with kola nut. Due to this confusion, gotu kola are due to the stimulating effects of caffeine contained in kola nut. In fact, gotu kola is not related to kola nut and contains no caffeine.
Healthy Info:
- Brain food- Memory, Learning ability, Concentration. Gotu kola is known as a tonic for the brain. It cleanses the blood, stimulates the central nervous system, improves circulation and oxygen uptake by the brains, and inspires clear thinking, better focus and concentration.
- Learning Impaired. Indian studies on mentally challenged, those taking gotu kola showed an increase in their IQ on standard tests and more outgoing behavior.
- Hormone Balance. Gotu kola is known as “the secret of perpetual youth” for its ability to balance hormones. It stimulates the pituitary gland and thyroid.
Personal info: We make a Memory/Immune formula in a capsule form with the herbs Gotu kola, Ginko biloba and Ginseng (Astragulus)
*Properties: alterative, diuretic, febrifuge (reduces fever), nervine, rejuvenative
*Values: circulatory stimulant, thyroid stimulant, nervine tonic, diuretic, mild laxative
Ref: 20,000 Secrets of Tea, Victoria Zak pg. 141-42
Submitted by: Jyll Renee’, Master Herbologist (Click here to learn more about Jyll Renee.)
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Disclaimer: The statements in this article are for educational purposes only and have not been evaluated by or sanctioned by the FDA. Only your doctor can properly diagnose and treat any disease or disorder. The remedies discussed herein are not meant to treat or cure any type of disease. The user understands that the above information is NOT intended as a substitute for the advice of a physician or a pharmacist.