GOTU KOLA
(Centella Asiatica)


The plant has been referred to as "food for the brain".


Centella is used as a leafy green in Sri Lankan cuisine, where it is called Gotu Kola. In Sinhalese Gotu is translated into conical shape and Kola for leaf. It is most often prepared as Malluma (මැල්ලුම); a traditional accompaniment to Rice and curry, and goes especially well with vegetarian dishes such as dhal, and jackfruitor pumpkin curry. It is considered quite nutritious. In addition to finely chopped Gotu Kola Malluma almost always contains grated Coconut and may also contain finely chopped green Chilis, Chili powder, Turmeric powder and Lime (or Lemon) juice.


Kola Kenda is made with very well boiled red rice (with extra liquid), coconut milk and Gotu Kola which is liquidized. The porridge is accompanied with Jaggery  for sweetness. Centella leaves are also used in the sweet "pennywort drink."

In Indinesia, the leaves are used for sambai oi peuga-ga, an Aceh  type of salad, also mixed into asinan in Bogor.

In Vietnam and Thailand this leaf is used for preparing a drink or can be eaten in raw form in salads or Cold rolls.

 In Bangkok, vendors in the famous Jatujak Market sell it alongside coconut, roselle, crysanthemum, orange and other health drinks.

In Malay cuisine the leaves of this plant are used for ulam, a type of Malay salad.

It is one of the constituents of the Indian summer drink "thandaayyee".

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Centella leaves are also used in the sweet

 "pennywort drink."

Part used: tops.

Properties: nervine, tonic, alternative,antipyretic, diuretic.

What it affects: brain, nerves, kidneys, bladder, hearth, and circulation.

Preparation and amount:

Infusion: steep 5-15 min and drink 3 oz 3 x a day.

Fluid extract: drink 1/2-1 tsp. 3 x a day

powder: 5-10 #0 capsules (30-60 grains) 3 x a day

Purposes:

Gotu kola is a very common medicinal plant throughout India and the tropical countries. Internally, it is one of the best herbs for the nerves and brain, including epilepsy, schizophrenia, and loss of memory. It decreases fatigue and depression, and stimulates the central nervous system. To treat nervous disorders, gotu kola oil is applied externally over the entire body, including the scalp. This oil (called Brahmi oil) is an herbal extract in sesame oil. To make it, add enough sesame oil to cover the herb; cover and let stand 14 days; then squeeze out the oil.

Gotu kola has remarkable rejuvenating properties similar to those of fo-ti and ginseng. It neutralizes blood acids and cools the blood, thus making it of great value in all fevers and inflammations. It is both a blood purifier and diuretic. It is good for heart and liver function. It helps eliminate excess fluids. it promotes the healing of wounds and is good for varicose veins. It is used to treat rheumatism, blood diseases, connective tissue disorders, poor appetite, kidney stones, and sleep problems.


Plant Description:

The stems are slender, creeping stolons, green to reddish green in color, interconnecting one plant to another. It has long-stalked, green, reniform leaves with rounded apices which have smooth texture with palmately netted veins. The leaves are borne on pericladial petioles, around 2 cm. The rootstock consists of rhizomes, growing vertically down. They are creamish in color and covered with root hairs.

The flowers are pinkish to red in color, born in small, rounded bunches (umbels) near the surface of the soil. Each flower is partly enclosed in two green bracts. The hermaphrodite flowers are minute in size (less than 3 mm), with 5-6 corolla lobes per flower. Each flower bears five stamens and two styles. The fruit are densely reticulate, distinguishing it from species of Hydrocotyle which have smooth, ribbed or warty fruit.

The crop matures in three months and the whole plant, including the roots, is harvested manually.