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Centella asiatica - (L.)Urb.

Gotu Kola

Author	(L.)Urb.	Botanical references	58, 265, 266
Family	Umbelliferae	Genus	Centella
Synonyms	Hydrocotyle asiatica - L.
Known Hazards	There is a warning that the plant can irritate the skin[238], though it is widely used to treat skin complaints[238].
Range	E. Asia - India, China and Japan. Australia.
Habitat	Old stone walls and rocky sunny places in lowland hills and especially by the coast in central and southern Japan[58]. Shady, damp and wet places such as paddy fields, and in grass thickets[147, 238].
Edibility Rating	2 (1-5)	Medicinal Rating	5 (1-5)

Physical Characteristics

An evergreen Perennial growing to 0.2m by 1m.

The plant prefers light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. The plant prefers acid, neutral and basic (alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It requires moist or wet soil.

Habitats

Bog Garden; Cultivated Beds; East Wall In; South Wall In; West Wall In;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Leaves.

Leaves - raw or cooked. Used in salads and in curries[238]. Cooked as a vegetable[272]. An aromatic flavour, we have found them to be rather overpowering in salads when used in any but small quantities[K].

Medicinal Uses

Adaptogen; Antiinflammatory; Cardiac; Depurative; Diuretic; Febrifuge; Hypotensive; Nervine; Sedative; Skin; Tonic.

Gotu kola is an outstandingly important medicinal herb that is widely used in the Orient[238] and is becoming increasingly popular in the West[254]. Its Indian name is 'Brahmi' which means 'bringing knowledge of the Supreme Reality' and it has long been used there medicinally and as an aid to meditation[238]. It is a useful tonic and cleansing herb for skin problems and digestive disorders[254]. In India it is chiefly valued as a revitalizing herb that strengthens nervous function and memory[254]. The whole plant is alterative, cardio-depressant, hypotensive, weakly sedative and tonic[240]. It is a rejuvenating diuretic herb that clears toxins, reduces inflammations and fevers, improves healing and immunity, improves the memory and has a balancing effect on the nervous system[147, 152, 238, 240]. It has been suggested that regular use of the herb can rejuvenate the nervous system and it therefore deserves attention as a possible cure for a wide range of nervous disorders including multiple sclerosis[K]. Recent research has shown that gotu kola reduces scarring, improves circulatory problems in the lower limbs and speeds the healing process[238]. It is used internally in the treatment of wounds, chronic skin conditions (including leprosy), venereal diseases, malaria, varicose veins, ulcers, nervous disorders and senility[238, 240]. Caution should be observed since excess doses cause headaches and transient unconsciousness[238]. Externally, the herb is applied to wounds, haemorrhoids and rheumatic joints[238]. The plant can be harvested at any time of the year and is used fresh or dried[238]. Another report says that the dried herb quickly loses its medicinal properties and so is best used fresh[237].

Other Uses

Cosmetic.

Extracts of the plant are added to cosmetic masks and creams to increase collagen and firm the skin[238].

Cultivation details

Prefers a moist to wet soil in sun or partial shade[238]. Plants also grow on walls in the wild and so should tolerate drier conditions[K]. This species is not hardy in the colder areas of the country, it tolerates temperatures down to between -5 and -10°c[200]. It grows and spreads very well outdoors during the summer in most parts of the country and is very easy to increase by division. It can therefore be grown as a summer crop with divisions being taken during the growing season and overwintered in a greenhouse in case the outdoor plants are killed by winter cold[K].

Propagation

Seed - sow spring in a greenhouse[238]. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle and grow them on in a greenhouse for their first winter. Plant them out in late spring or early summer of the following year, after the last expected frosts[K]. Division is simple at any time in the growing season, though the spring is probably best[K]. We find that it is best to pot up the divisions until they are rooting away well, though in selected mild gardens it should be possible to plant the divisions out directly into their permanent positions[K].

Links

Permaculture.info Details of this plant in the Permaculture.info project, a community plant and permaculture database.

References

[K] Ken Fern
Notes from observations, tasting etc at Plants For A Future and on field trips.

[58] Ohwi. G. Flora of Japan. (English translation) Smithsonian Institution 1965
The standard work. Brilliant, but not for the casual reader.

[147] ? A Barefoot Doctors Manual. Running Press 0 ISBN 0-914294-92-X
A very readable herbal from China, combining some modern methods with traditional chinese methods.

[152] Lassak. E. V. and McCarthy. T. Australian Medicinal Plants. 0
A very good and readable guide to the subject.

[200] Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992 ISBN 0-333-47494-5
Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.

[237] Hobbs. C. Ginkgo. Elixir of Youth. Botanica Press, California. 1994 ISBN 0-9618470-3-4
Looks in detail at the medicinal virtues and also mentions some of the plants other uses. The information on traditional Chinese use and modern herbal use of the plant is backed up by an extensive bibliography.

[238] Bown. D. Encyclopaedia of Herbs and their Uses. Dorling Kindersley, London. 1995 ISBN 0-7513-020-31
A very well presented and informative book on herbs from around the globe. Plenty in it for both the casual reader and the serious student. Just one main quibble is the silly way of having two separate entries for each plant.

[240] Chopra. R. N., Nayar. S. L. and Chopra. I. C. Glossary of Indian Medicinal Plants (Including the Supplement). Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, New Delhi. 1986
Very terse details of medicinal uses of plants with a wide range of references and details of research into the plants chemistry. Not for the casual reader.

[254] Chevallier. A. The Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants Dorling Kindersley. London 1996 ISBN 9-780751-303148
An excellent guide to over 500 of the more well known medicinal herbs from around the world.

[265] Carolin. R. & Tindale. M. Flora of the Sydney Region Reed. Australia. 1993 ISBN 0730104001
Concise flora with little beyond an extensive key, species descriptions, very brief habitat description.

[266] Flora of China 1994
On-line version of the Flora - an excellent resource giving basic info on habitat and some uses.

[272] Manandhar. N. P. Plants and People of Nepal Timber Press. Oregon. 2002 ISBN 0-88192-527-6
Excellent book, covering over 1,500 species of useful plants from Nepal together with information on the geography and peoples of Nepal. Good descriptions of the plants with terse notes on their uses.

Readers Comments

Useful plants of Madagascar

Rich Tue Nov 16 11:22:24 1999

I've just got a lovley little book in French on the useful plants of Madegascar (Plantes utiles des hautes terres de Madagascar) by Jean-Marie Samyn. Its got descriptions, photos and uses of about 100 plants listed below. You can also see all the details online at Plantes utiles.

Abrus precatorius, Acacia dealbata, Acacia mearnsii, Agauria salicifolia, Agauria polyphylla, Ageratum conyzoides, Albizzia gummifera, Aloe capitata, Aloe todaro, Aloe macroclada, Anthocleista madagascariensis, Apholoia theaeformis, Brachylaena ramiflora, Buddleja madagascariensis, Caesalpinia sepiaria, Caesalpinia decapetala, Cassia laevigata, Cassia mimosoides, Cassia occidentalis, Catharanthus lanceus, Catharantus roseus, Centella asiatica, Clerodendrum emirnense, Clerodendrum putre, Commelina madagascarica, Crinum firmifolium, Crinum ligulatum, Crinum voyoni, Cussonia bojeri, Cynodon dactylon, Datura stramonium, Dodonae madagascariensis, Dodonae viscosa, Emilia citrina, Eugenia jambolana, Eugenia jambos, Euphorbia hirta, Euphorbia milii, Euphorbia primulaefolia, Evodia madagascariensis, Ficus baroni, Ficus apodocephala, Ficus pachyclada, Ficus roussonetiaefolia, Ficus trichosphaera, Ficus pyrifolia, Ficus melleri, Ficus soroceoides, Ficus claoxyloides, Ficus phanerophlebia, Ficus xiphocuspis, Floscopa glomerata, Gomphocarpus fruticosus, Gomphocarpus cornutus, Haronga madagascariensis, Hedychium coronarium, Helichrysum bracteiferum, Helichrysum cordifolium, Helichrysum gymnocephalum, Kalanchoe laxiflora, Kalanchoe prolifera, Kaliphora madagascariensis, Lantana camara, Leonotis nepetaefolia, Maesa lanceolata, Melia azedarach, Mimosa latispinosa, Mimosa pudica, Mussaenda arcuata, Nicandra physaloides, Pavonia urens, Phyllarthron madagascariense, Physalis peruviana, Phytolacca dodecandra, Psiadia altissima, Psorospermum androsacemifolium, Ricinus communis, Senecio faujasioides, Senecio longiscapus, Sida rhombifolia, Siegesbeckia orientalis, Solanum mauritianum, Solanum nigrum, Tachiadenus longiflorus, Trema orientalis, Trema affinis, Trema cummersonii, Trema grevei, Trema grisea, Trema guineensis, Trema treme, Trema velutina, Uapaca bojeri, Urena lobata, Vernonia appendiculata.

Centella asiatica

Abdussyukur Mon May 2 12:31:24 2005

We cultivate medicinal plants including Centella asiatica in Java, Indonesia. We seek buyer from anywhere who request the herbal leaves.

Centella asiatica

Jane Huang Tue May 31 06:24:51 2005

Guangxi Changzhou Natural Products Development Co., Ltd. is a medium-sized high-tech company located in Nanning, the capital city of Guangxi Province and one of the coastal opening cities at south of China. As a largest Asian manufacturer specialized in researching, developing and manufacturing Centella Asiatica (Gotu Kola) Series extract products, we are able to supply top quality botanical extract products of Asiaticoside, Madecassoside, Asiatic acid, Madecassic acid, Centella Selected Triterpenes (TECA, titrated extract of Centella Asiatica), Notoginseng triterpenes, Notoginseng leaf triterpenes, Mucuna, Levodopa, Mangiferin etc, which have been exporting to Korea, Japan, America and Europe market at competitive price. We welcome you to be our partner to exploit south China¡¯s abundant botanical resources in the 21th century which is a green era.

1¡¢Centella Asiatica(Gotu Kola) Series Extract: 1) Asiaticoside 5%--90% 2) Asiatic acid 95% 3) Madecassoside 95% 4) Madecassic acid 95% 5) Gotu Kola P.E. (Total Triterpenes) 5%--90% 6) Centella Selected Triterpenes (Asiaticoside 36--44%, Asiatic & Madecassic acid 56--64%) (Synonyms: TECA, titrated extract of centella asiatica) 7) Centella Triterpenic Genine 95% (Asiatic & Madecassic acid 95%) 2¡¢Notoginseng Series Extract: 1) Notoginseng Triterpenes 95% 2) Notoginseng Leaf Triterpenes 80% 3) Notoginseng Extract 30% 3¡¢Mangiferin 60%--80% 4¡¢Levodopo 99% 5¡¢Mucuna Extract 10%--30%

Analytical Method: HPLC Packing: In fibre drum or carton, lining with double sealed PP bags.

Ms.Jane Huang

Guangxi Changzhou Natural Products Development Co., Ltd. Add: No.17 West 2nd Lane Shunfeng Street, Dashatian Economic Exploitation Zone, Nanning 530219, Guangxi China Tel: +86-771-4506480 Fax: +86-771-4506481 E-mail: market@changzhou-centella.com http://www.changzhou-centella.com

Centella asiatica

Eduardo H. Rapoport Thu Feb 2 2006

Centella asiatica became adventitious in Argentina, Chile, Uruguay, S. Brazil, USA, Caribbean, Central & S. Africa and Australia.

Centella asiatica

adam Thu Mar 2 2006

this page is very good and important but i want to know centella asiatica in self polination or cros polonation plant and how many flavonids are there in this palnt thank you

Centella asiatica

Jan Smith Sat Mar 4 2006

I want to buy gotu kola seeds or plants Jan Smith, jsmithatty@charter.net

Centella asiatica

jose ingles jr. Sat Apr 22 2006

we are propagating different varieties in the philippines. we would like to obtain samples of the african variety for comparison. jr ingles. cell 632926 906 1221. jringles@philonline.com

Centella asiatica

Margaret McCaffrey, delrcher1@aol.com Mon May 1 2006

I would like to purchase Centella Asiatica (Gotu Kola) plants or seeds. Thanks, Margaret A. McCaffrey delrcher1@aol.com

Centella asiatica

Mon Jun 5 2006

I want to buy gotu kola seeds or plants (Kay) kteape@bigfoot.com

Centella asiatica

linda parker Sun Jun 18 2006

I would like to purchase gotu kola seeds or plants. Thanks, (linda) blueforest60@yahoo.com

Centella asiatica

dhinuka Mon Jul 31 2006

Eating Gotu Kola daily (fresh leaves plus natural vegetable tablets) will improve the quality and quantity of your hair. Try it nowww !! Dhinuka Athauda dnathauda@msn.com

Centella asiatica

Irene Jones Wed Aug 16 2006

I would like to purchase gotu kola seeds or plants. Thanks. (Irene) ijplume@sbcglobal.net

Centella asiatica

John Chong Mon Mar 5 2007

Grateful if you can clarify this small matter for me. I have been advised that Gotu Kola (Centella asiatica) is different to the herb called Brahmi which is the Indian name for Bacopa monnieri. Please adivse. Thanks.

Centella asiatica

Ken Fern, Plants for a Future Mon Mar 5 2007

The confusion of common names! Centella asiatica has many different common names, amongst them are Gotu Kola and Brahmi. Bacopa monnieri is a very different plant and also has a range of common names, including Brahmi. In India, the name Brahmi is more commonly applied to Bacopa - it is the original Sanskrit name for the plant and is very similar to other Indian vernacular names (including Bramhi, Brambhi and Brihmi). To avoid confusion in the West, the name Gotu Kola is usually given to Centella and Brahmi to Bacopa

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