Asian centella or gotu kola: benefits and properties

What is gotu kola and what is it for?

The Asiatic pennywort or Asiatic hydrocotyle (Hydrocotyle asiatica), known in Hindi as gotu kolaconstitutes a first class Ayurvedic remedy, and has been used since ancient times to treat ailments as diverse as tuberculosisthe hemorrhoids and the leprosy.

Gotu kola is a modest, climbing plant. or prostrate, with peltate leaves, crenate margins, and minute flowers, with white or pink petals. Is native to southern Indiatypical of swampy environments.

Presents in dry plant for infusionbut more frequently in liquid extract, tincture, powder and the infusion for external use in poultices.

What are the properties of gotu kola?

The leaves and flowers of the gotu kola they contain an essential oil, triterpene saponins (asiaticoside, brahmoside), alkaloids (hydrocotiline), tannins, phytosterols, vitamin K and mineral salts (magnesium, calcium and sodium). They highlight their virtues astringent, antiseptic, anti-inflammatory and dermoprotective.

Triterpene derivatives stimulate the formation of fibroblasts, essential cells to repair tissues damaged by wounds or tears. In addition, they regulate the incorporation of collagen into the skin and stimulate the hair and nail growth.

Gotu kola for the skin

All this explains the effectiveness of centella preparations to protect, repair and firm skin tissue, in the healing and relief of burns, scalds, eczema, wrinkles, stretch marks, pimples, scratches, wounds, sores and ulcers.

Gotu kola for the eyes

The preparations with centella asiatica are also indicated on mouth and corneal ulcersin parondopathies, conjunctivitis and keratitis or inflammation of the cornea, and are part of the formulation of various mouthwashes and eye drops.

Gotu kola for circulation

The spark, like venous tonicis very active in case of venous insufficiency, for the treatment of varicose veins, phlebitis, hemorrhoidsnumbness of hands and feet, tingling, crampsetc.

Gotu kola for the brain

More recent studies, based on the knowledge of the ayurvedic medicinethey attribute nerve stimulant propertiesuseful to favor the memory and the capacity of concentration.

How to use gotu kola

Homemade tonic to regenerate damaged skin

There is an excellent astringent and re-epithelializing formula for washing and disinfecting wounds that associates the centella leaves to yarrow, white horehound and thyme.

How to prepare it: Boil two tablespoons of the mixture per half liter of water for between 1 and 2 minutes, let it rest for another 10 and strain. The wound is wetted directly or compresses soaked in the infusion are applied.

Infusion with gotu kola for circulation

To improve poor circulation and stimulate venous return you can prepare a mixed infusion of gotu kola, red vine, ginkgo and witch hazelin equal parts.

How to prepare it: Add a tablespoon of the mixture for each glass of water, boil for 1 or 2 minutes, let it settle and strain. This infusion is taken twice a day, on an empty stomach.

Advisor: J Mª Teixé, herbalist at “El Manantial de Salud”