Centella Asiatica is an herbaceous plant commonly known as Asiatic Pennywort, Gotu Kola and Indian Ginseng. It is easy to grow and is similar to ginseng in its benefits. Many herbalists regard the merits of gotu kola as favourable as ginseng plus more affordable.
Centella asiatica has been used medically in Thailand, India, China, Japan and Indonesia Asia for thousands of years. Known as a mild adaptogen it is commonly used as a medicinal herb in antiaging preparations for the skin and as a culinary vegetable. Gotu kola contains neither caffeine, nor theobromine. Medical experts in the United States and Europe have in recent years have been looking in to the herb for its possible health benefits.
Varicose Veins
Gotu Kola can help people to improve their blood circulation, reduce swellings and varicose veins. A condition that causes blood to collect in the legs. One clinical study published in “Angiology” concluded that trial patients taking Gotu Kola had a marked reduction in tiredness, pain, ankle edema, swelling and cramps.
For Wound Healing
Gotu Kola, Centella Asiatica for centuries has been in the treatment of minor wounds. Centella asiatica works when used as an ointment salve. Triterpenoids chemicals contained in Gotu Kola appear to decrease surgical scarring, increase blood supply to the wounded area, strengthen the skin and boost antioxidants at the wound area. There have been only a few medical trials but these seem to appear to confirm the herb leaf extract has a successful use as a wound healer. It was found that both sunburn and burn patients that had applied Centella asiatica had experienced successful healing and a decreased the risk of infection.
Boost Memory
Centella Asiatica has a role to play slowing the decline in brain power that is related to growing old. The journal called Complementary and Alternative Medicine gave a positive review in May 2018 to the positive role of Gotu Kola, Centella Asiatica
in helping to treat dementia. It can be used to rejuvenate the brain areas that are known to underlie important cognitive functions.
Mood Improving
Pennywort Centella Asiatica has been found to have powerful effects on the mind. In medical trials with a daily use of Centella Asiatica, patients experienced an increased feeling of calmness, alertness and a positive outcome on anger management.
Skin Care
Natural collagen diminishes as we age at about one per cent each year. Collagen is considered absolutely crucial for maintaining a tight, wrinkle free and youthful complexion. Centella Asiatica Pennywort not only improves blood circulation and antioxidant activity but the generation synthesis of skin tissue and collagen. Therefore by using Gotu Kola as part of your daily skin care routine you can fend off those telling signs of aging. Reducing wrinkles and loss of firmness, improving elasticity and saying goodbye to saggy skin. Plus it is also rich in amino acids, fatty acids, phytochemicals and beta carotene. Gotu Kola, Indian Ginseng can speed up healing in the treatment of psoriasis, eczema, stretch marks and veins. Acne sufferers benefit because it helps to prevent scarring and future spots and blemishes.
It is possible to purchase over the counter Centella cream. This is excellent for those who are acne prone and have sensitive skin. There are a number of soaps, shampoos, face masks as well as skin creams. They all use Centella asiatica leaf as a base for a maximum hydration treatment with calming and soothing effects.
More Benefits
Ancient healers have used Indian Ginseng Centella asiatica to treat an amazing variety of ailments for thousands of years. These include hepatitis syphilis leprosy, eczema, psoriasis, ulcers respiratory infections, colds, fevers, epilepsy, fatigue, and asthma. Chinese medicine calls Pennywort Centella Asiatica the “fountain of life” because they believe it increases longevity. Sometimes herbalists prescribe it for the treatment of hypertension, insomnia, scleroderma, cancer, cellulite, increase hair length and stimulate hair growth.
Conclusion
Legendary sayings for Gotu Kola include ‘2 leaves a day, keeps old age away’ and ‘a pharmacy in one herb’. #
ThaiTSS