Circulation Support
Gotu Kola Background and Benefits
The herbaceous plant is commonly known as Gotu kola, scientific name is Centella asiatica. Other common names for this plant include Indian pennywort and Asian pennywort. Goto kola is originally from Southeast Asia, but it also grows in other tropical regions of the world. This plant is used in many systems of traditional medicine, including the Ayurvedic system in India, traditional Chinese medicine, and traditional African medicine.
Goto kola typically grows in low, moist areas such as ditches. Its stems creep along the ground, connecting individual plants together. The leaves are round in shape and grow on long stems. Goto kola has cream-colored rhizomes. The hermaphrodite flowers are less than 1/8 inch in diameter and grow in small clusters known as umbels. The fruit is edible and bears a complex reticulated pattern on the skin.
Gotu kola usually matures within three months in a tropical climate. The entire commercial cultivation is harvested by hand. Gotu kola is particularly sensitive to water contamination as it is an aquatic plant.
The biologically active constituents of gotu kola are primarily pentacyclic triterpenoids such as asiaticoside. Other constituents in this category include asiaticoside, brahmoside and brahmic acid. Gotu kola also contains active constituents such as centelloside, centellose and madecassoside.
Uses of Gotu Kola
The primary uses of gotu kola as a dietary supplement generally relate to the circulatory system. These uses include fluid and plaque management, and neurological function.Signs that you need Gotu Kola
Signs of venous insufficiency require Gotu Kola supplementation, which includes blood clots and varicose veins. Infections can also benefit from Gotu Kola, whether the cause is bacterial, parasitic or viral. Neurological signs that could mean you need gotu kola extract include anxiety, stress, fatigue and low mood. Digestive signs that may benefit from Gotu Kola include stomach upset, diarrhea, indigestion and ulcers.
