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What’s this
Gotu kola (Centella asiatica or Hydrocotyle asiatica) is a herbaceous plant of the Apiaceae or Umbrelliferae family, widespread in tropical areas overlooking the Indian Ocean. In India it has certainly been known for some centuries: called “tiger plant”, Centella was used to treat the wounds of leprosy, syphilis, lupus and other diseases. The centella plant develops a long, creeping stem on which round or kidney-shaped leaves and red flowers arranged in umbels grow. The aerial parts of gotu kola represent the plant drug, that is, the part that has the highest content in active principles, used in herbal medicine and phytotherapy. The main constituents that characterize the centella phytocomplex include triterpene saponins (asiaticoside and madecassicoside), bitter substances, flavonoids, essential oil, tannins, resins, alkaloids. Centella is commonly used to promote wound healing and to treat capillary fragility, venous insufficiency and cellulite.
Properties and benefits
Gotu kola has healing properties given by the ability to stimulate the production of collagen and mucopolysaccharides. The active components of centella help regulate the growth of fibroblasts, connective tissue cells, increasing the synthesis of collagen preventing the formation of hypertrophic and keloid scars. In the countries of origin, the plant is traditionally used to treat wounds, sores, psoriasis, erythema caused by the sun and minor burns. In cosmetics, the use of creams containing gotu kola can help keep the skin hydrated and prevent the formation of wrinkles and signs of aging. In addition to repairing the skin, centella is used to treat gastric and duodenal ulcers.
The properties of centella also bring benefits to blood vessels, which is why the preparations that contain it are widely used for the treatment of capillary fragility and in disorders related to venous and lymphatic insufficiency. Creams, ointments, gels and food supplements containing centella are therefore also useful to combat the feeling of heavy legs and cellulite. Gotu kola is also useful for counteracting inflammation in hemorrhoids, again by virtue of its properties on blood vessels.
In India and China, gotu kola is used in traditional medicines to relieve the symptoms ofanxiety, improve cognitive abilities, to prepare aphrodisiac remedies and in general to increase the duration of life. As for the treatment of anxiety, the intake of gotu kola seems to enhance GABAergic, with an effect on the main inhibitory neurotransmitter synthesized by our body. The Indian Pharmacopoeia also attributes to it diuretic, restorative and antipyretic properties, ie capable of reducing body temperature in case of fever.
How to use it
Centella leaves are harvested when the plant is in bloom and then dried and used as they are in infusion or to obtain topical or oral extracts. Gotu kola can therefore be used externally or internally, depending on the symptom you want to relieve. The topical preparations (creams, gels, ointments, etc.) can be used for:
- wounds
- capillary fragility
- heavy legs
- cellulite
- hemorrhoids
- skin rashes that cause itching
- psoriasis
- sunburn
- sunburn
Creams and other products to be applied topically should contain at least 1% of gotu kola extract or tincture.
In herbal medicine it is also possible to find preparations for internal use, which include the dried loose herb to make herbal teas, the titrated dry extract and the mother tincture. The recommended daily dosage is one gram of the drug infused in a cup of hot water. As regards the capsules and tablets containing gotu kola, it is necessary to refer to the dosage indicated by the manufacturer, which takes into account the content for each dose of food supplement. Finally, the tincture of gotu kola is taken by diluting 30 drops in a little water, one to three times a day.
The preparations to be taken orally are indicated in case of:
- capillary fragility
- venous insufficiency
- heavy legs
- cellulite
- hemorrhoids
- anxiety
Often the mother tincture of centella is associated with other plant tinctures with a similar action for a synergistic action, for example that of horse chestnut or red vine against venous insufficiency and that of ash or pilosella to combat cellulite.
Contraindications
Gotu kola does not cause particular side effects. It is considered a safe remedy and does not seem to have contraindications even in pregnancy, breastfeeding or pediatric age. As with any other plant, the use of centella is however to be avoided in case of allergy.
