Gotu kola has been used as a medicine for thousands of years in India, China, and Indonesia, particularly for healing wounds, improving mental function and treating the symptoms of leprosy. It even has a reputation for promoting longevity.

Gotu kola has been shown to:

• increase the strength of the dermis and increased keratinisation (healing) of the epidermis of the skin
• stimulate blood vessel growth into connective tissue
• increase antioxidant and collagen concentration in wounds and stimulate wound healing
• enhance production of mucin, hyaluronic acid, and chondroitin sulfate, all required for connective tissue, skin, hair, nail and joint repair and growth
• exhibit anti-anxiety activity and enhance mental function
• have anti-inflammatory activity

Historically, gotu kola has been used for chronic skin conditions (including psoriasis and leprosy), abscesses, syphilis, hepatitis, gastric ulcers, rheumatism, mental fatigue, epilepsy, diarrhoea, fever, and asthma. Modern research and use particularly applies gotu kola to:

• Connective tissue disorders - including wounds, burns, scleroderma, psoriasis
• Joint disease - including psoriatic arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, rheumatoid and osteoarthritis
• Blood vessel disorders, especially venous insufficiency (varicose veins, varicose ulcers, leg oedema)
• Mental health - as an aid for mental fatigue and learning, and to reduce anxiety and insomnia. Potential applications include Alzheimer's dementia.

Generally recommended doses include 2 medium fresh leaves each day with food or half a teaspoon of dried leaf infused as a tea, taken three times per day.

Standardised extracts in tablets or capsules usually contain a certain concentration of triterpenes (known active constituents), with doses used in studies ranging from 20 mg to 180 mg three times per day.

• Gotu kola is generally regarded as safe and well tolerated. Rare side effects may include contact dermatitis, headache, gastric upset, nausea, and sedation.
• Exceedingly high doses may result in sedation, vertigo and stupor.
• Not recommended during pregnancy and breastfeeding and in infants.

Contact YourHealth for referenced material regarding this herb, any conditions or therapies mentioned.

A Medical Practitioner specialising in Integrative Medicine, a qualified Nutritionist or Naturopath will be well trained in the use of nutrients, including their proper dosage, contraindications and potential drug interactions.