General Description
Gotu kola (also known as pennywort or marsh penny) is a perennial
herb found in wet, tropical areas around the world. The plant grows
close to the ground, reaching heights up to 30 centimeters, with
heart-shaped or circular leaves, 1 to 7 centimeters in diameter,
and small, white or pink colored flowers, which grow in groups of
three to four. The fruit can be ovate or spherical, measuring 2
to 5 millimeters in diameter. The leaves and stems are used medicinally.
Health Applications
- Circulation
- Memory
- Wound healing
- Skin health
History and Traditional Use
In addition to its widespread consumption as a vegetable, gotu
kola has been used medicinally in Asia since prehistoric times.
Gotu kola was commonly used to aid memory and promote longevity,
a practice arising from the observation that the herb was often
consumed by elephants. In India, the herb was used to treat skin
diseases, leprosy, syphilis, rheumatism, epilepsy, and mental
illness. In southeast Asia, gotu kola was used as a diuretic,
and for mental and physical exhaustion, diarrhea, eye diseases,
inflammations, asthma, and hypertension.1
Chemical Composition
Gotu kola contains a mixture of triterpenes, volatile oils, and
plant sterols.
Contemporary Uses
Although many herbalists still recommend gotu kola as a memory
tonic, most research on the herb has focused on its potential
in vascular disorders and wound healing. Numerous animal studies
suggest that topical and oral applications of gotu kola can aid
wound healing.2-5 Although the exact mechanism
of action is not clear, it appears that the herb stimulates the
production of collagen and glycosaminoglycans6-8
and increases antioxidant levels in wounds.9
Numerous human studies suggest that gotu kola may be helpful for
circulatory disorders such as varicose veins and chronic venous
insufficiency.10-16
Dosage/Toxicity
Gotu kola is consumed as a vegetable in large quantities and has
no known toxicity. For medicinal purposes, a common recommendation
is 600 mg of dried leaves, three times per day.1
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