Gotu Kola Powder

Gotu kola powder may help to improve memory, support weakened veins, reduce anxiety levels, and heal wounds faster. Gotu kola is revered in traditional Ayurvedic and Chinese medicine, and 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 experience incredible health benefits.

How to Enjoy Gotu Kola Powder

Mix .5 to 1 teaspoon of gotu kola powder in any beverage or food once a day. For a calming cup of tea, mix a teaspoon of gotu kola with 8 ounces of hot water and sweeten with honey or sugar. Gotu kola powder has a bitter, cooling taste which can be masked by other flavors. Try gotu kola in smoothies and juices, or mixed with vegetables and other side dishes.

Health Benefits of Gotu Kola Powder

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 gotu kola extract was three to 60 times better than that of control animals. This study suggests that gotu kola 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 pump blood back to the heart. In a 1990 study published in the journal Angiology, researchers examined the effect of gotu kola 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 of gotu kola 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 “startle response.” A 2000 study published in the Journal of Clinical Psychopharmacology found a significantly reduced startle response in patients treated with gotu kola. This research suggests that gotu kola powder may be helpful for treating anxiety.

Promotes 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 gotu kola may reduce joint pain and skin hardening in patients with scleroderma.

Origins of Gotu Kola Powder

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. According to Ayurvedic tradition, gotu kola activates the crown chakra, which refers to the energy center at the top of the head that helps keep the right and left hemispheres of the brain in balance. In China, gotu kola translates to “fountain of youth” because it is believed to promote long life. The herb also goes by the names Asiatic pennywort and Indian pennywort because its fan-shaped leaves are the size of an old British penny.