Folk History and Use: 

 

Historical use is mentioned in the Chinese Shennong Herbal (circa 1st-2nd century CE).  Chinese herbalist, Li Ching-Yun, regularly used Gotu kola and was believed to have lived until he was 197 years old.  The herb was therefore called “miracle elixirs of life”.   It was used as an aphrodisiac and for treating abscesses, asthma, diarrhea, epilepsy, fever, hepatitis, high blood pressure, mental fatigue, stomach ulcers, and syphilis.  

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Common use today includes treatment of chronic venous insufficiency, burn wounds, stress-related duodenal ulcers, toning stomach, scleroderma, psoriatic arthritis, and scabies.

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In Ayurvedic medicine, Gotu kola is used as a tonic to reduce mental fatigue and improve mental clarity.  It is also used for internal and external ulcers, blood circulation, and reducing edema.  Treatment listed in the Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia includes inflammation, tastelessness, fever, cough, itching, skin diseases, excessive urination, dyspnea/asthma, and anemia.  Brahma Rasayana is a mixture of herbs and fruits taken with warm milk as a cerebral tonic.

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TCM uses Gotu kola for treating jaundice, heat-stroke with diarrhea, urolithiasis in the kidney, bladder, or urethra, hematuria, carbuncles, boils, and traumatic injuries. 

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Gotu Kola can absorb heavy metals from contaminated soils. ⁶

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Energetics:  Cooling and drying⁷

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Taste:  Bitter-sweet, astringent and acrid.²

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Constituents:  Main chemical components are triterpenes Asiatic acid madecassic acid (triterpene ester glycosides derived from them, asiaticoside, and madecassoside), and terminolic acid.  Brahmoside, brahminoside, and hydrocotyline have also been found in Gotu kola.¹ 

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Herbal Actions:  Adaptogen and cerebral tonic. ⁷ Antidepressant, anti-inflammatory, diuretic, nervine, skin tonic, vulnerary.¹⁶

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Indications: 

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• UV damage - In vitro Extract 1:6 shown to stimulate collagen synthesis better than vitamin C.  Inhibitory effect related to free radical scavenging comparable to grape seed extract. ¹⁰ 

• Builds nerve tissues - cognition, dementia, and nerve injury.¹¹ 

• Venous insufficiency - reduces swelling and improves blood flow. May reduce leg swelling when taken before flying.¹² 

• Inhibition of production of HSV-2 virions.¹³

• Anti-proliferative effect on human respiratory epithelial cells.¹⁴  

• Cold, flu, tuberculosis, shingles, UTI.  Tonsillitis, pleurisy, hepatitis, GI issues, asthma, and increased longevity.⁵

 

Preparation methods: Tea, ointment, tincture, capsules, tablets, cosmetic preparations.¹

 

Plant parts used:  Dried aerial parts collected during the flowering period.  TCM & Ayurvedic - dried whole plant used.¹

 

Dosing strategies: 

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• Infusion - 50-60g dried leaves up to 3 times daily.²

• Infusion - 30-90g daily (higher dose for recovery from stroke or recent injury).⁴

• TCM: 15-30g dried, 30-60g fresh¹

• Culinary - salads, curries, rice dishes, and beverages.²

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Contraindications (medications, life stages, health issues, etc.): 

 

Adverse reactions for large doses can cause irritations, drowsiness, nausea, vertigo, headaches.  Avoid if hyperthyroid.²