Gotu Kola: Tonic & Medicinal Remedy

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Gotu kola: Tonic and Medicinal remedy JoAnn Guest Mar 12, 2005

 

http://eatmoreherbs.com/zine/9_gotu_kola.html

 

Gotu kola has been used in India and the islands of the Indian Ocean

for centuries as a tonic and medicinal remedy. It is considered to

be one of the best herbal tonics.

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Gotu kola (Hydrocotyle asiatica)

Part Used: Entire herb

Properties: Alterative, antiasthmatic, antispasmodic, blood

purifier, diuretic, nervine Primary nutrients: Catechol,

epicatechol, magnesium, theobromine, vitamin K

 

Gotu kola has been used in India and the islands of the Indian Ocean

for centuries as a tonic and medicinal remedy. It was believed to

increase longevity and improve energy.

 

Anciently, it was used to treat leprosy, calm the nerves, increase

mental and physical power, to stimulate and rejuvenate the brain, to

prevent nervous disorders, mental fatigue and senility.

 

Gotu kola is considered to be one of the best herbal tonics. A tonic

is a substance that works to put the body into balance or normality.

To be in balance means to work properly and to be in a healthy

state.

 

An herbal tonic helps to promote an optimum state in the body

systems. Gotu kola helps to gradually build the nervous system as a

nervous system tonic. It has been used for many different ailments

including nervous disorders, deficient mental function, memory

problems, epilepsy and schizophrenia.

 

It works by cleansing and purifying the blood by neutralizing acids

and helps the body defend itself against toxins.

 

Studies have shown that the ingredient, asiaticoside, speeds the

healing of wounds. It is considered a blood cleanser and is also

effective for diseases of the lungs as well as leprosy. It

stimulates the capillaries and helps to improve brain function,

varicose veins, and hypertension.

 

Gotu kola is often used to increase mental function and performance.

Many studies have confirmed the usefulness of gotu kola in improving

brain function. It is commonly prescribed in Europe and India to

improve mental function.

 

Research done in India found the water extract of fresh leaves to

help improve memory and learning. It was also found to help improve

and overcome the negative effects associated with stress and

fatigue. 247 Other clinical trials in India have found that gotu

kola can help increase the I.Q. and mental ability of mentally

retarded children. The children involved in the study showed

improved mental capacity as well as improved behavior. It was given

to the children in combination with capsicum and ginseng. 248 This

improved behavior and mental capacity can help individuals with

mental and learning disabilities to achieve a higher quality of

life.

 

Another study found improvement in the memory of rats when given the

gotu kola extract. The learned behavior retention improved

dramatically in the rats. The conclusion of the study was that gotu

kola improves learning and memory. 249

 

Some natural health professionals recommend gotu kola for ADD. Gotu

kola is considered food for the brain and nervous system and can

help improve brain function which is a condition common among

children suffering from ADD. Many have reported great improvement

from using gotu kola such as improved memory, mental alertness, and

longer attention span. 250

 

Gotu kola was used anciently to heal wounds and soothe cases of

leprosy. 251 Probably the first studies done using gotu kola were

with cases of leprosy. The asiaticoside content of gotu kola has

been used for years in Europe and the Far East to cure leprosy and

tuberculosis.

 

252 Studies done recently on gotu kola have centered around this

healing ability. It seems to be able to accelerate the time to heal

wounds and skin diseases.

 

Gotu kola has shown to be beneficial in helping to repair tissue

after surgery and trauma. It has the ability of strengthening the

veins and repairing connective tissue. It also nourishes the motor

neurons. 251

 

Researchers in Madagascar began the modern studies on gotu kola in

1949. An extract was injected into the leprosy patients directly on

nodules and ulcerated areas. The extract was found to aid in

dissolving the covering to promote eventual healing in the subjects.

This opened the door to the use of gotu kola for healing skin

ailments. 255 There have also been excellent results from studies

done in treating burn patients with second and third degree burns

due to boiling water, electrical rent, or gas explosions. The gotu

kola extract helped limit the swelling and shrinking of skin which

is a result of burning. It reduced infections and scarring and

increased healing time. 256

 

Gotu kola contains two saponin glycosides known as brahmoside and

brahminoside which are known to promote relaxation. A study done on

animals showed large doses caused a sedative action.

 

 

PRIMARY APPLICATIONS Aging

Blood pressure, high

Fatigue

Hypoglycemia

Memory, loss

Nervousness

Arteriosclerosis

Circulation, poor

Heart problem

Leprosy

Mental problems

Senility

 

 

 

SECONDARY APPLICATIONS Blood, impurities

Dysentery

Headaches

Liver

Pituitary problems

Rheumatism

Tuberculosis

Veins, varicose

Wounds

Depression

Fevers

Insomnia

Menopausal symptoms

Psoriasis

Schizophrenia

Thyroid problems

Toxins, effects of

Vitality, lack of

 

 

 

This is brought to you by Louise Tenney Louise Tenney has dedicated

much of her life to the pursuit of natural approaches to health. She

has enjoyed immense success as an author, with her publications

equaling over 1 million sales. Louise attended Portland State

University, studying applied chemistry and biology, and earned her

Master Herbalist degree in 1986.

 

This article on Gotu kola is from the book

 

Today's Herbal Health

_________________

JoAnn Guest

mrsjo-

DietaryTi-

www.geocities.com/mrsjoguest/Genes