herb research - gotu kola

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Centella asiatica - (Gota kola)

Therapeutic Actions:

* Accelerates the healing time for wounds, burns and ulcers

* Adaptogen

* Analgesic

* Anti-inflammatory

* Antiseptic

* Circulatory stimulant

* Connective tissue balancing effect

* Corticosteroid-sparing effects in rats under stressful conditions

* Decrease adrenal enlargement

* Decreases scar tissue buildup after injuries

* Diuretic

* Enhances connective tissue by stimulating glycosaminoglycan synthesis

without promoting excessive collagen synthesis

* Improve memory

* Increases chondroitin sulfate and hyaluronic acid, structural components

* Increases development and maintainenece of blood vessels to connective

tissue

* Increases endurance and energy

* Increases formation of mucin

* Increases keratinization of epidermis by stimulation of germinal layer of

the skin

* Increases tensile strength of dermis

* Laxative

* Mild anti-stress, tranquilizing and anti-anxiety action by enhancing

cholinergic mechanisms

* Reduces stress-induced ulcers

* Stimulates nail and hair follicle growth

Clinical Indications:

* Chronic fatigue syndrome

* Eczema

* Fibrocystic breast disease

* Hemorrhoids

* Hypertension

* Impotence

* Memory loss

* Multiple sclerosis

* Peptic ulcer

* Stress Incontinence

* Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)

* 2nd and 3rd degree burns by gas, boiling water or electrical current -

daily compresses or IM injections

* Abscesses

* Anal fissures

* Bladder ulcers

* Cellulite

* Cirrhosis

* Improving mental function

* Keloids

* Leprosy

* Lupus erythematosus

* Mental retardation

* Mycosis fungiodes

* Perineal lesions

* Periodontal disease

* Retinal detachment

* Scleroderma - by reducing joint pain, improving finger mobility and

decreasing skin hardening

* Skin ulcers

* Surgical wounds

* Tuberculosis

* Varicose veins

* Venous insufficiency

* Wound healing

Contraindications:

* Pregnancy due to the emmenagogue and abortifacient effects

Drug/Nutrient Interaction:

* Limited data

Chemical Constituents:

* Amino acids

* Beta carotene

* Glycerides of fatty acids

* Falvonoids:

Kaempferol

Myo-inositol

Quercetin

* Potassium

* Resins

* Sterols:

Campesterol

Sitosterol

Stigmasterol

* Sugars

* Triterpenoid components:

Asiatic acid

Asiaticoside

Madecassic acid

Madecassoside

* Various polyacetylene compounds

* Vellarin, a bitter

* Volatile oil composed of:

An unidentified terpene acetate

Camphor

Cineole

Toxicity:

* Orally - tolerated very well

* Topically - may rarely cause contact dermatitis