Gotu kola powder may help to improve memory, support weakened veins, reduce anxiety levels, and facilitate the healing of wounds. Revered in traditional Ayurvedic and Chinese medicine, the substance has long been used to promote relaxation and meditation. Ground from the dried herb Centella asiatica, this powder can easily be mixed with drinks or food to offer a wide array of health benefits.

What is Gotu Kola?

Gotu kola (Centella asiatica) is a small, leafy green herb that grows in India, Southeast Asia, and parts of Africa. It has long been used as a medicinal herb in traditional Ayurvedic and Chinese medicine to heal wounds, clear the mind, and aid relaxation.

Gotu Kola Tea & Dosage

For a calming cup of tea, mix a teaspoon of the powder with 8 ounces of hot water. The tea can be sweetened to taste with your preference of honey or sugar. This herb has a bitter, cooling taste which can be masked by other flavors. The herb can also be mixed into smoothies and juices or select side dishes, such as mixed vegetables; simply blend between ½ and 1 teaspoon into any beverage or food once a day.

Gotu Kola Benefits

Supports Memory: Gotu kola powder is a brain food that may help sharpen the mind and improve cognitive function. A 1992 study led by researchers at Kasturba Medical College found that the retention of learned behavior in rats that consumed the extract was three to sixty times better than that of control animals. This study suggests that the herb may improve memory function.

Improves Venous Insufficiency: Gotu kola is commonly used to treat varicose veins and chronic venous insufficiency, a condition in which leg veins can no longer effectively circulate blood back to the heart. In a 1990 study published in the journal Angiology, researchers examined its effect on people suffering from venous insufficiency. Patients that received the gotu kola extract experienced improved vein function compared to the placebo group. Another study found that both 60 mg and 30 mg daily doses reduced fluid leakage in people with varicose veins. Improvements were greater for people that received the higher dose.

Reduces Anxiety: If you feel like you're constantly on edge, gotu kola powder may help relieve some of your anxious symptoms. Research suggests that highly anxious people are more likely to be startled by a new noise than those who aren't overly anxious; this is called the &dlquo;startle response.&drquo; A 2000 study published in the Journal of Clinical Psychopharmacology found a significantly reduced startle response in patients treated with gotu kola.

Enhances Wound Healing: Gotu kola contains compounds called triterpenoids which help heal wounds and strengthen the skin. A 1999 study published in the Journal of Ethnopharmacology found that guinea pigs fed with triterpenoids from gotu kola experienced significant wound healing activity. Other evidence suggests that the herb may reduce joint pain and skin hardening in patients with scleroderma.