Gotu Kola: Benefits, Uses & Dosage

Gotu Kola (Centella asiatica) is a powerful nervine and rejuvenative herb with a bitter taste, cooling energy, and sweet post-digestive effect. It balances all three doshas (VPK=) and works on all tissue-elements except the reproductive tissue, primarily affecting blood, marrow, and nerve. Its main systems of action are the nervous, circulatory, and digestive systems.

Gotu Kola is a close relative of Brahmi (Hydrocotyle asiatica) and is often used in the West as a substitute, functioning quite well in this role though with better diuretic and slightly less strong nervine properties. The herb increases intelligence, longevity, and memory. Its key actions include nervine, rejuvenative, alterative, febrifuge, and diuretic properties.

Key indications include nervous disorders, epilepsy, senility, premature aging, hair loss, and chronic and obstinate skin conditions. It may aggravate itching, and in large doses may cause headaches or temporary loss of consciousness. Preparations include infusion (hot or cold), decoction, milk decoction, powder at 250 to 500 mg, medicated ghee, and medicated oil.

• Medhya: Intellect-promoting
• Raktapittahara: Prevents bleeding from high pitta Raktaśodhana Purifies the blood
• Kus• t• haghna: Alleviates skin diseases
• Rasa- yana: Rejuvenates life and pitta
• Vayah.stha-pana: Antiageing
• Hr• daya: Heart tonic
• Nidra-janana: Promotes sleep
• Biomedical: Alterative, nervine, antipyretic, mind tonic, antispasmodic, analgesic

Dosage: 1–30g per day as an infusion, 3–15ml per day of a 1:3 @ 25% tincture or 25ml per day fresh juice. (Namjoshi et al 1978). There seems to be some discrepancy in the texts but both Suśruta and Va-gbhat.a, as well as the Bha-vapraka-śa, state that the two are different plants but have the same medhya or mind-enhancing activity. Q An excellent herb for rejuvenating and restoring cerebral function often taken with ghee to enhance this effect. Q One of the great meditator herbs. High in sattva. Q Its prabhava is to optimise brain function (medhya). Q It is best used as a cold extraction as heat can destroy its properties. Q Fresh herb juice is considered the strongest way to use gotu kola, so if you are using the dried herb the leaves must be vital and green to ensure efficacy.

Combinations:

• Brahmi, jatamansi, shankhapushpi, tagarah, nutmeg for nervous conditions and is often used as a ghee compound.
• Neem, manjishtha, guduchi, bakuchi for inflammatory skin conditions.
• Guduchi, guggulu, turmeric for joint inflammations.
• Tulsi, ginger in fevers. Chapter 6 PLANT PROFILES

Contraindications: Large doses can be narcotic and; cause a vata headache or dizziness. Caution during pregnancy

Safety: metabolism it should not be used with benzodiazepines or barbiturates. Caution with hypoglycaemic and cholesterol-lowering medication. As it inhibits liver enzymes responsible for barbiturate

The leaf of the gotu kola herb looks like the two hemispheres of the brain. Gotu kola acts upon the brain tissue. It is a very effective aid for developing memory and intelligence. It stimulates the brain tissues, thereby expanding understanding and comprehension.

Gotu kola relieves stress and calms the mind. In Sanskrit, it is called brahmi (Brahma means Cosmic Consciousness). This herb will help the flow of energy in the brain between the right and left hemispheres.

Gotu kola also is a decongestant and is used to alleviate sinus problems. To cleanse mucus, use the powder form: take one-fourth teaspoonful with honey, morning and evening.

Gotu kola's essential action is upon the mind and higher consciousness. One also may take it in the form of a tea, one cup at bedtime, to promote sound sleep and peaceful, alert awakening.