We are in a world where everyone depends on synthetic pills a lot. If you have a fever or common cold, for instance, you can take paracetamol. In case you feel constipated, there are over-the-counter medications that you can buy as well. Life should be easy because of them, right?
Despite that, it is no secret that a lot of chronic diseases have come to surface since such innovations have occurred. It can make you wonder, “Would such illnesses appear if we avoided synthetic products altogether?”
In light of this, allow me to introduce you to Gotu kola.
What Is Gotu Kola?
Gotu kola is one of the many aromatic plants out there which is still yet to be explored fully by the great scientists out there. Although this herb is native to a lot of countries all over the world, it is commonly known as Ayurvedic medicine and has been called with various names in India like Bat-maina (Meghalaya), Karivana (Marathi), Tvashti (Sanskrit), and Muyalchevi (Malayalam), among others.
Centella grows anywhere like grass, so it isn’t hard to find. There had been on-going pharmacological studies on its chemical properties, too. They can prove the idea that Gotu kola can be the next famous and useful herb all over the world.
What Can Gotu Kola Do?
In India, the plant has been mistaken as Bacopa monierri because they were both called there as “Brahmi,” but later on they have cleared that the latter is called Mandookaparni while the former is the “Brahmi.” However, it’s safe to say that this confusion has a basis because they are both known as excellent memory enhancers. Besides, researches showed that aqueous extract prepared with the plant resulted in good cognitive learning for the albino mice they used. This extract is also a promising antidote for seizures triggered by Pentylenetetrazole with the added benefit of it as a hindrance to learning impairment which other antiepileptic drugs do have.
This plant is also said to have properties that can be therapeutic to tumors. Scientists are very enthusiastic into developing this into an anti-cancer drug with its extract. After all, experiments on mice showed that it has a direct effect on DNA synthesis without being somewhat poisonous to the cells. Asiaticoside, a chemical property of Centella, works well in collagen synthesis, making it worthy with wound-healing actions. Because of this, it might be helpful for cancer chemotherapy as it improves the anti-tumor activity of vincristine in cancer cells.
Aside from the illnesses mentioned above, as of today, Gotu kola is perceived to give people protection from cardiovascular damages, radiation, hepatoma, and neurological problems. People brew its leaves to make tea out of it so those who have dysentery, diarrhea, and other abdominal issues can drink it.
The good thing with Gotu kula is that it has very low toxicity. However, just like any other thing in the world, it has to be taken in moderation because studies showed too that a large amount of this plant could be narcotic.
Wonder herb or not, though, don’t forget to talk to your physician before taking any Gotu kola product.