Paula’s Spotlight Herb
Gotu Kola
Gotu Kola
Latin name: Centella asiatica
Family: Apiaceae (Pea Family)
This lushly green herb is found native to South and Southeast Asia, Japan, China, South Africa, and the South Pacific.
She loves to grow near slow moving waters and swampy areas and has been used in Traditional Chinese Medicine and Ayurveda for centuries.
One of the many uses for this stalky plant with kidney shaped leaves includes strengthening membranes within the body such as the connective tissues. So, it’s great for skin ailments such as boils, itchy skin, age spots, and also does wonders for wound healing.
There is a legend of an ancient Chinese herbalist who lived more than 200 years because of the daily use of Gotu Kola. “Two leaves a day will keep old age away” as the ancient Sinhalese proverb goes.
My favorite uses are internally as a tea and externally as a facial oil or salve. As a tea, it seems to work well with restoring connective tissue after surgery or injury. I will also enjoy a cup of tea when I feel that I need some help calming my mind. For the skin, it is great in an infused oil (sweet almond or olive oil are my favorites) as the plant is said to help stimulate collagen production. I enjoy using this infused oil as my daily regiment in my facial oil or in a salve to help with scarring or itchy, dry skin.
Constituents: tripernenes, flavonoids, polyacetylenes, phytosterols, volatile oil, tannins, beta-carotene, B vitamins, vitamin C, alkaloid, sterols and more.
This information has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. It is always best to check with a health care professional before starting a new herbal regiment as some herbs may be contraindicated during pregnancy or while taking medications.
