Indian Medicinal Plants – Vallarai (Gotu Kola)

In India, there is a belief that “Food is Medicine”. It is thought that the type of food we eat will determine our general body health as well as mental health. It’s not just an old wife’s tale, but a scientific fact. The increasing number of blogs and articles talking about food for health validate this age-old belief. Indian cuisine is not just an amalgamation of the spices and veggies. Each ingredient added to the dish has a special reason and a medicinal benefit. That’s why special dishes are made for each festival and special dishes with certain ingredients when a person is sick. The Indian cuisine makes use of medicinal plants for special as well as everyday dishes. One such medicinal plant that is used in cooking is Vallarai. It is a green herb that easily grows even in a small container.

Scientific name: Centella asiatica

Plant type: Evergreen herb

Leaf: Palmate (Rounded heart shape), heavily veined

Flowers: Grow in bunches, white or pink

Taste: Slightly bitter

Chemical Breakup: Contains nitric acid, iron, Asiatic acid, Brahmic acid, Asiaticoside, Madecassoside, centellose, centelloside, anti-oxidants

Other names: Mooligai Brahmi, Centella, Gotu Kola, Brahma Manduki

This green leaf is used in the traditional treatment for many conditions. It is not just used in traditional Indian ayurvedic medicine, but also in traditional Chinese and Japanese medicine. The various medicinal benefits of Gotu Kola are:

Gotu Kola

The leaves have hepato protective properties and are believed to strengthen the liver.

Vallarai helps in improving memory retention. As it has high amounts of nitric acid, this herb enhances brain function to improve clarity and thinking. The brain neurons are stimulated by this herb and enhance the capacity of the brain. In some studies, regular consumption of Vallarai juice has been found to have positive effects in Alzheimer’s disease. Memory loss and confusion, which are major symptoms of this degenerative disease, have been found to reduce with Gotu Kola medication.

Culinary solution: Vallarai chutney, Vallarai juice

Gotu Kola

Another important medical benefit of this herb is that it relaxes the nerve ends, reducing stress and strain. So, it has been found to be beneficial for those suffering from post-natal depression and insomnia. This herb has also been found to be effective in calming hyperactive children. Vallarai is also good for people suffering from anxiety attacks and epilepsy.

The high amount of iron in the herb strengthens hair follicles and improves hair growth. Its rich iron content also makes it a good option for the anemic. Gotu Kola helps improve hemoglobin levels in the bloodstream.

Culinary solution: Vallarai poriyal

Gotu Kola

Regular consumption of Vallarai has been found to be useful in reducing complications due to infections, indigestion, common cold, asthma, respiratory problems, and diarrhea.

Culinary solution:

To kill worms in stomach, mix Vallarai powder (dry Vallarai leaves in shade and powder them in a mixer) in milk and have every day

For urinary infection, grind equal amounts of Gotu Kola and keelanelli (Phyllanthus Niruri), and drink it first thing in the morning on an empty stomach.

Gotu Kola

Vallarai also reduces blood sugar levels, which makes it a great add-on to a diabetic patient’s diet. It strengthens the optic nerves, and helps improve eye power. Vallarai is also believed to improve general body resistance. It is also used as a mouth freshener.

As mentioned in the intro, Indian cooking is based on the fact that we can treat all conditions by taking the proper diet. That’s why many dishes are created using medicinal plants and herbs. If these dishes are made once or twice a week, they will help improve your family’s health and wellbeing. If you have children at home, then it is even more important to add dishes with these medicinal herbs. Strengthen your child’s body and improve his/her resistance power so that they are not easily infected and fall sick. Here is one common recipe that you can try out in your house.

Vallarai chutney is ready. You can use it as a side dish for idli, dosa, or even snacks like samosa. To entice children to eat this dish, make Gotu Kola chutney sandwich with sliced onions and tomatoes.

Instead of grinding, if you serve it as it is, then it is called poriyal. It can be served as a side dish for rice.

Gotu Kola

This sturdy herb can be grown in a small container. It will be perfect for your window or terrace garden. You can get seeds from a nursery and plant them in your garden. If you don’t have space outside, you can also grow them in containers filled with garden soil. Regularly water the soil to keep it cool and moist. Vallarai grows well in swampy land, so it needs regular watering. It takes a few weeks to grow. When fully grown, you can harvest the leaves and use it for cooking or as medicine. New leaves keep sprouting, so you just have to plant once and harvest the leaves at regular intervals.

Vallarai is a sturdy herb with medicinal properties

Gotu Kola relaxes and calms nerves and enhances memory power

This medicinal herb is also used in treatment of cold, tuberculosis, anemia, and hair loss

Vallarai can be eaten raw or cooked

This herb can be easily grown in tubs and containers at home

Gotu Kola

Prevention is better than cure. With proper diet and the use of the best ingredients in your daily cooking, you can take care of your family’s health. Good for health need not mean bad to taste. So, check out various other tasty and yummy dishes that you can make using this medicinal herb. Enjoy cooking and serving healthy food for your family with Vallarai.