Gotu Kola

Centella asiatica

 

 

Monograph

1. Plant Family:
• Apiaceae, or Umbelliferae (parsley/carrot family) ^[1]
2. Habitat & Cultivation:
•  Grows well in warmer regions of north and south hemispheres up to altitudes of 7000 ft.  It prefers swampy and damp areas of fields, shady places and along river beds, streams and ponds.  It has been found along stone walls and rocky areas at 2000ft in India and Sri Lanka. ^[1]
3. Parts Used:
• Leaves ^[1]
4. Herbal Actions:
• Adaptogen
• Nervine
• Antispasmodic
• Nootropic
• Stimulant
• Vulnerary ^[1]
5. Indications:
• Skin conditions
• Rheumatic conditions
• Assist healing surgical wounds
• Reduce keloid formation or hypertrophy of scars
• Accelerate healing of burns ^[1]
6. Plant Constituents:
• Asiatic acid, madecassic acid, asiaticoside, asiaticoside A, and asiaticoside B.21 ^[2]
• The leaves of Centella asiatica have also been reported to contain 170mg calcium, 30mg phosphorous, 3.1mg iron, 414mg potassium, 6.58mg beta-carotene, 0.15mg thiamine, 0.14mg riboflavin, 1.2mg niacin, and 4mg asorbic acid. ^[2]
7. System Affinities:
• Nervous system
• Integumentary system ^[1]  
8. Energetics:
• Bitter
• Sweet
• Cool
• Moist ^[3]
• Overall, gotu kola is considered balancing for all of the doshas (VKP=).  It is a tonic for pitta, inhibits vata, and reduces excess kapha. ^[1]
9. Safety:
• Pregnancy Category B1
• Lactation Category C
• Avoid using if you have:
• Allergies to the Apiaceae family ^[1]
10. Interactions:
• None known  ^[1]

Personal Experience

1. Organoleptics:
• The dried leaves are a light-medium green with greenish-brown stems. It smells sweet and hay-like, feels bright and tingly in my nostrils.
2. Preparation Method:
• Hot infusion: 2 tbsp in teapot of hot water
3. Usage Notes:
• The smell is not great. It smells like grass clippings, and the taste is in the same vein. It feels warming, not just the temperature - it leaves a slightly metallic taste in my mouth. After a few days of drinking this tea, I felt that my mental fog was greatly diminished. One day it took away a headache I was experiencing, which was a huge help in getting work done. I don't know if I'll continue using this tea because of the taste, perhaps I'll make a tincture out of the remaining herb.
4.  Ayurvedic Opposites: 

1. Heavy   ⇔   Light
2. Dull    ⇔   Sharp
3. Cold   ⇔   Hot
4. Oily   ⇔   Dry
5. Smooth   ⇔   Rough
6. Dense   ⇔   Porous
7. Soft   ⇔   Hard
8. Static   ⇔   Mobile
9. Cloudy   ⇔   Clear
10. Solid   ⇔   Liquid

Sources:

1. Zollinger, R. & Riccio, L. (2018). Week 3 Study Questions. Bastyr University: WI-18_MW5122-A Botanicals 2: Postpartum.
2. Sigma-Aldrich. (2010). Gotu kola. Accessed online at https://www.sigmaaldrich.com/life-science/nutrition-research/learning-center/plant-profiler/centella-asiatica.html
3. Josey, S. (2013). Golden Poppy Blog: Gotu kola. Accessed online at http://www.goldenpoppyherbs.com/blog/gotu-kola-materia-medica/