Herbal Remedies-Gotu Kola

Gotu kola belongs to the parsley family and is native to India, Japan, China, Indonesia, South Africa, Sri Lanka, and the South Pacific.  It grows the best in wet climates near water.  The leaves and stems of the fan-like plant are used for numerous medicinal purposes including:

• ADHD
• Anxiety
• Asthma
• Chronic Venous Insufficiency
• Diarrhea
• Epilepsy
• Fever
• Hepatitis
• Insomnia
• Leprosy
• Mental Clarity
• Mental Fatigue
• Scleroderma
• Stomach Ulcers
• Syphilis
• Varicose Veins
• Wounds

Dosage in adults depends on what you’re treating and what form the herb is in.  It’s best to find a naturopathic doctor to aid you in dosage.  Children under 18 should not use the herb.

• Internally-Tea from the dried leaf can be ingested 3 times per day.
• Capsules of powdered herb can be taken at 1,000-4,000 mg three times per day
• Tincture (1 part herb 2 parts 30% alcohol) ½ teaspoon three times per day
• Extract-50-250 mg three times per day.
• Again, depending on the ailment you’re treating, different dosages should be taken with the help of a naturopathic health care provider.

Warning:

• The lasting effects of goto kola have not been sufficiently studied, but have shown to affect the liver.  Do not use for more than 6 weeks at a time without talking to your doctor. 
• Asiatioside-a component ok goto kola is associated with tumors in mice.  Do not use if you have squamous cell, basal cell skin cancer, melanoma, or other precancerous or cancerous skin lesions, do not use goto kola.
• Gotu Kola can rarely cause burning sensations on the skin, skin allergy, dizziness, drowsiness, headache, nausea, and stomach upset.  Do not drive or operate heavy machinery until you know how your body reacts to taking the herb.  If you experience any side effects, let your medical professional know immediately.
• Gotu kola can interact with drugs for diabetes, diuretics, high cholesterol medications, and sedatives such as insomnia and anxiety medications.  You should not take with valerian without your doctor’s permission.
• Goto kola is sometimes called brahmi, centella, centella asiatica, hydrocotyle, Indian pennywort, luei gong gen, marsh pennywort

As with any herbal remedy, this herb has not been approved by the FDA for medicinal use, should not be used to diagnose or treat any medical conditions, should be taken under the direction of a licensed medical professional, and should be stopped immediately if it causes harmful side effects.  If you are having a medical emergency, please get off the computer and call 911.  This herb has been studied extensively by entities other than the FDA, but not for longer than 1 year.  Pregnant women should not use this herb without being instructed by her licensed medical professional.