Gotu Kola:
The Many Benefits of the Ancient Herb of Enlightenment and Longevity

BY JUSTIN FAERMAN

Wild growing Gotu Kola leaves. photo: shutterstock

In nature, form follows function. It should come as no surprise then, that one of Ayurvedic and Chinese medicine’s most treasured herbal medicines, Gotu Kola (Sanskrit: Brahmi, Latin: Centella asiatica), is highly reminiscent of the shape of the human brain. After all, it has been revered for thousands of years for its ability to enhance cognitive

1. Improved Brain Function & Longevity

In both countries and across Asia on the whole, Gotu Kola was known as a longevity herb. The Daoist master and herbalist Li Ching-Yuen was, in his time, a famous proponent and user of the plant. Ancient Chinese medical texts report that he died at the ripe age of 256 years old and attribute his longevity in large part to the use of Gotu Kola on a daily basis. While the accuracy of these records is up for debate, the fact is that Gotu Kola is a well studied herb, and the vast majority of its healing and therapeutic properties, including its ability to measurably prolong life, have been documented and validated by the scientific community. [1] It’s life-extending properties are most likely due to a synergistic combination of its powerful effects on the mind, body and spirit—in every sense, the whole person. The plant’s benefits range from greatly improving memory and restoring brain cell and nerve function to improving blood quality and circulation, restoring digestion and speeding the healing of wounds. [1-13]

2. Increased Intelligence & Cognitive Functioning

Of particular interest in our fast-paced, intellectually demanding modern world is Gotu Kola’s ability to enhance nearly every aspect of mental functioning. [1-13] Typically herbs or substances that can achieve such feats are highly stimulating; however, Gotu Kola is centering, which makes it ideal for anyone looking for a cognitive boost without any of the unwanted and imbalancing side effects of stimulants. In one study, children who took a half a gram of Gotu Kola extract powder every day for one year demonstrated significant improvement of their intellectual level. After six months, there was a substantial improvement in intelligence, cognitive function and concentration. [9]

3. Rebuilds the Nervous System & Reduces Anxiety and Stress

In Ayurvedic medicine, the effects of Gotu Kola classify it as a rasayana, or rejuvenative herb, due to its ability to restore functioning, balance and health to many parts of the mind and body. For example, it is an extremely healing herb for the nervous system and has been shown to repair and restore axons [2], which are used to transmit nerve impulses throughout the brain and body. As such, it has been used as an anti-anxiety, anti-stress and anti-insomnia medicine throughout its long history of human use. [6,12]

Legend has it that Sri Lankan’s observed Elephants eating wild growing Gotu Kola and decided to try it themselves, then discovering the plant’s medicinal properties. photo: schmodder photocase.com

The ability of Gotu Kola to improve blood quality and circulation [1] is likely one of the main components of its rejuvenative effects, as our blood comes into contact with and nourishes nearly every single area of our mind and body, supplying oxygen and other essential nutrients.

4. Psycho-Spiritual Effects: The Herb of Enlightenment

Gotu Kola has long been a favorite herb of Daoists, monks, yogis and sages due to its unique cerebral effects. Many Ayurvedic texts reference the herb’s spiritually enhancing properties, poetically referring to it as the ‘Herb of Enlightenment’. Meditators in particular have sought the plant out for its ability to harmonize the right and left brain hemispheres, which produces a heightened state of awareness, commonly seen in people demonstrating what Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi has popularized as flow states—states where one becomes intensely absorbed with the activity at hand, in which learning and brain circuitry are significantly enhanced.

Gotu Kola grows widely throughout Central Asia and parts of Africa and is native to China, India, Indonesia, Japan, South Africa, Sri Lanka, and various islands in the South Pacific. It’s a small green plant similar on a genetic level to carrots that thrives in wet areas and is used in much the same way as one might use cilantro or parsley in the West. Many health conscious locals add Gotu Kola leaves to salads for their positive effects as the plant is a general life-enhancing tonic and preventative. So the story goes, Sri Lankans noticed elephants regularly eating leaves of the plant, and after trying it themselves, discovered the quite noticeable and profound effects it had on memory and lifespan, which gives credence to the fact that the elephant has been mythologically associated with these qualities throughout human history.

Choosing a Quality Supplement

Due to Gotu Kola’s long history of safe use and the massive amount of research supporting its sizeable list of health benefits, the herb is grown widely and is readily available in most locations worldwide. However, as with any herbal supplement, quality, freshness and potency are of utmost importance. With much of the world’s supply originating in Asia, it is important to look for the standard markers of herb quality, such as the organic or wildcrafted label and to only purchase products from reputable suppliers. Indian organic Gotu Kola supplements are usually of good to excellent quality with the wild-growing Himalayan varieties being rare and highly sought after.

If you are purchasing tablets or capsules be sure to look for brands with minimal additives and fillers, although this is less of a concern when purchasing powdered herb. Gotu Kola has a very mild to slightly bitter taste, meaning it can be consumed as a tea or simply in a glass of water enjoyably. The traditional Ayurvedic method of preparation is to mix Gotu Kola powder with a teaspoon or so of ghee (clarified, medicinal butter). Ghee has a penetrating effect and helps the herb move deeper into bodily tissues. Ghee also enhances the digestive healing properties of the herb and for those sensitive to taste, may make it more palatable.

Dosage

As with any new herbal product it is recommended to start off slowly and work up to higher dosages as you become familiar with its effects on your mind and body. Gotu Kola supplements are safe to take long term, but many Ayurvedic practitioners recommend taking a few days to a week break in between periods of extended use, ranging from two to four weeks at a time.

Although not quite as widely known in the West as more popular herbs like Echinacea and Ginseng, Gotu Kola is one of the planet’s true medicinal treasures and is well worth investigating for anyone looking to fine tune their health.

 Recommended Gotu Kola Products

Guidelines For Safe and Effective Use

If you are using the bulk powder, it is quite easy to make a tasty gotu kola tea from the herb, which, when mixed with honey or simply straight up by itself in water makes an excellent medicinal drink to sip throughout the day.

If you are using capsules or tinctures you can simply take them with food at your convenience. It is recommended to try them for the first time in the morning as some people might find them slightly stimulating and energizing. However, others might find it more relaxing. The plant is a mild adaptogen so it tends to give you more of what you need.

The brahmi gotu kola oil can be applied to any non-sensitive area of your body for a soothing, restorative and rejuvenating effect.  Many men and women in India and Asia use the oil for calming, healing and anti-aging effects.

Recommended dosages start at 1/2 gram daily up to 4 grams per day. It is always wise to start slow and work your way up to determine the optimal dose for your body.

Side Effects and Interactions

Overall, the herb is remarkably safe and has been used without serious side effects for thousands of years. However, some people report that at higher dosages of the plant, they have noticed mild headaches, dizziness and drowsiness. Like any medicinal plant, more is not always better and often lower dosages have just as much, if not more benefit.

There are few precautions and interactions with gotu kola to be worried about, however, if you are concerned about potential interactions with pharmaceutical medications, consult your doctor or naturopath for further guidance.

References

1. Kashmira J. Gohil, et al. “Pharmacological Review on Centella asiatica: A Potential Herbal Cure-all.” Indian Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences 2010 Sep-Oct; 72(5): 546–556.

2. Soumyanath A, Zhong YP, Gold SA, Yu X, Koop DR, Bourdette D, Gold BG. Centella asiatica (Gotu Kola) accelerates nerve regeneration upon oral administration and contains multiple fractions increasing neurite elongation in-vitro. J Pharm Pharmacol. 2005 Sept;57(9):1221-9.

3. Ganachari MS, Babu V, Katare S. Neuropharmacology of an extract derived from Centella asiatica. Pharm Biol. 2004;42:246–52.

4. Tiwari S, Singh S, Patwardhan K, Gehlot S, Gambhir IS. Effect of Centella asiatica on mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and other common age-related clinical problems. Digest J Nanomat Biostruct. 2008;3:215–20.

5. Kumar A, Dogra S, Prakash A. Neuroprotective effects of Centella asiatica (Gotu Kola) against intracerebroventricular colchicine induced cognitive impairment and oxidative stress. Int J Alzheimers Dis. 2009;2009:1–8.

6. Jana U, Sur TK, Maity LN, Debnath PK, Bhattacharyya D. A clinical study on the management of generalized anxiety disorder with Centella asiatica. Nepal Med Coll J. 2010 Mar;12(1):8-11.

7. Bradwejn J, Zhou Y, Koszycki D, Shlik J. A double-blind, placebo-controlled study on the effects of Gotu Kola (Centella asiatica) on acoustic startle response in healthy subjects. J Clin Psychopharmacol. 2000;20(6):680-684.

8. Rao MK, Rao MS, Rao GS. Treatment with Centalla asiatica (Linn) fresh leaf extract enhances learning ability and memory retention power in rats. Neurosciences (Riyadh). 2007;12(3):236-41.

9. M.V.R. Appa Rao, et. al, The Effect of Mandookaparni (Centella Asiatica) on the General Mental Ability (Medhya) of Mentally Retarded Children, Journal of Indian Medicine (August 25, 1973), p.9-12.

10. M.V.R. Appa Rao, et.al, The Study of Mandookaparni (Gotu Kola) and Punarnava for their Pasayan effect on Normal Healthy Adults, Nagarjun, (July, 1969) p.41

11. Wanakhachornkrai, et al. Neuritogenic effect of standardized extract of Centella asiatica ECa233 on human neuroblastoma cells. BMC Complement Altern Med. (2013)

12. Wattanathorn J., et al. “Positive modulation of cognition and mood in the healthy elderly volunteer following the administration of Centella asiatica.” Journal of Ethnopharmacology. 2008 Mar 5;116(2):325-32.

13. Sun GY, et al. Phospholipase A2 in the central nervous system: implications for neurodegenerative diseases. J Lipid Res. (2004)

Recommended Product Disclaimer

The products recommended in this article may have different formulations than the products used in the studies and research cited in this article. As such, they may have different effects than have been reported by these studies. No claim is made or implied whatsoever as to the effects of any recommended products or their effects on health. The statements made in this article have not been evaluated by the FDA. Any products recommended are not intended to diagnose, treat, or cure any disease.