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The Asian plant Gotu Kola (Centella asiatica) is also known as tiger grass or Indian pennywort. The tropical plant grows near water and can be found throughout the tropics. Gotu kola is used in many areas. In some Asian countries, the plant is used in medicine. In China, for example, Gotu Kola is used in Chinese medicine. In India, it is known in Ayurveda.
We compare the Gotu Kola plant in its different variations and explain what is important for your purchase so that you can choose the most suitable product for you.
Contents
Summary
- The Asian plant Gotu Kola is known for its antibacterial and positive properties.
- Gotu Kola is known as a remedy and a superfood and can be used in many ways.
- The plant is widespread all over the world and can be used not only for health, but also for personal care and the preparation of dishes
The Best Gotu Kola: Our Picks
There is a wide range of Gotu Kola products. You can decide for yourself which type of product you prefer to use. We will help you find the right one for you and have presented our favourites in their different versions here.
Buying and evaluation criteria for Gotu Kola
There are different varieties of Gotu Kola. To help you decide which Gotu Kola is right for you, we have listed the most important criteria here.
To help you find the right one for you, we have the answers here:
Ingredients
Gotu Kola has been known for thousands of years and is still appreciated in parts of Asia. It rarely has side effects when used correctly. Here we list the ingredients of the Gotu Kola plant. The leaves contain important vitamins A, B, C and E. It also contains arginine, alkaloids and other important minerals.
According to a study in which the plant was grown and observed in a greenhouse for 16 weeks, one of the most abundant minerals is potassium. Other minerals present in significant quantities were calcium, potassium, iron and magnesium.
Other minerals are copper and zinc. However, the content of minerals varies greatly from plant to plant. These ingredients make the Asian plant a medicinal plant, which has a positive effect on humans(1).
Intake and dosage
Children should refrain from taking Gotu Kola. Adults should be careful not to overdose. Since there are different varieties of Gotu Kola, we will tell you how to use each of them: If you use the tincture, you should follow the manufacturer’s dosage instructions. As a guideline, you can’t go wrong with 30 to 60 drops three times a day.
For the tea, you use the dried Gotu Kola leaves, which you simply boil. You can drink this tea three times a day. In its powder form, you can use 1000 to 4000 mg three times a day. You can use this in your shakes and smoothies, or in the preparation of soups and other dishes, such as adding it to your oat porridge(2).
Gotu Kola can be mixed with other products on its own, be it cosmetics or food. It is not for nothing that it is considered a siuperfood for body and health. (Katherine Hanlon/ unsplash)
Effect
The plant, which originates from Asia, is said to have countless positive properties. Gotu kola can be used to treat a number of ailments. These are as follows:
- Psoriasis
- Acne
- Cellulite, stretch marks
- Concentration disorders
- Sores
- Varicose veins
- Menstruation problems
- Sleep disorder
- Depression
- Relieving anxiety and stress
However, there is no clinical evidence to support many of these claims. More studies are needed to assess the exact effect(3). Gotu kola is antibacterial and therefore particularly good for wound healing disorders. It also inhibits inflammation.
A study shows that researchers believe that the triterpene saponins contained in Gotu Kola are responsible for its many health effects(4).
Studies
The medicinal effects of the Gotu Kola plant have not been approved by the FDA (US Food and Drug Administration). Even in this country there is no medical confirmation of the effect of the medicinal plant Gotu Kola(5, 9).
However, the WHO (World Health Organisation) has already confirmed the effect of the water navel herb in wound healing. There have also already been further studies on the fact that Gotu Kola in combination with another herbal mixture, called Abana, can help to lower high blood pressure.
This was given to people with heart disease and who had high blood sugar. After 8 weeks of study, it was found that blood pressure could indeed be lowered(6).
In another study, healthy women were tested to drink a smoothie with Gotu Kola. The consumption of fresh Gotu Kola increased the performance and alertness of the women. In addition, the personal well-being improved positively(7).
Guide: Questions about Gotu Kola answered in detail
We will now go into the most important questions and answer them in detail. This will help you to learn more about Gotu Kola and will also make it easier for you to decide which Gotu Kola to buy. In the following, you will learn about the following:
Who is Gotu Kola suitable for?
Healthy adults who want to lower their high blood pressure or do something about their stress and anxiety are also well served by Gotu Kola. Gotu kola also helps with depression and skin diseases such as psoriasis. If you have any complaints, however, you should consult a doctor and ask for the correct dosage.
How is Gotu Kola used?
According to an interesting legend, the Chinese herbalist Li Ching-Yuen lived to be over 200 years old. His diet was all about medicinal herbs. Gotu kola was one of them.
As we have already mentioned, you can use Gotu Kola in many different ways. The plant is taken in powder form, capsules or as a tea. It is used for various purposes. Besides the supplements, you can also use Gotu Kola in cosmetics and, for example, richly nourish your skin with it.
You can also use it in the kitchen, like adding it to your soup pot, or in salads, curds, shakes and smoothies. The taste is aromatic and slightly bitter. Therefore, it is less considered a stimulant herb(8).
How much does Gotu Kola cost?
| Price range | Available products |
|---|---|
| 3 – 10 € | Cream, oil, simple product |
| 10 – 20 € | Capsules, powder, drops, selection in different variants |
| 20 – 30 € | pure tea, high quality, tested and organic |
The price here depends above all on the quality. If you attach a lot of importance to high-quality production, with good ingredients, which is certified organic, it is better to go for the higher-priced category. However, there are also high-quality products in the lower-priced segment. Also keep an eye out for reviews.
Conclusion
The Gotu Kola plant originates from East Asia, where it has been used in Ayurveda and traditional Chinese medicine for thousands of years. The Gotu Kola plant is predominantly popular in Asia and still has its importance there today. The plant can be used in many ways. In Europe, it first aroused interest and gained popularity, so that some people are no longer unfamiliar with the term. Gotu kola is said to have many positive properties.
Since gotu kola can help against many ailments, it depends on you personally which variety you choose. You can find the plant as capsules, powder, creams, oils, tinctures and teas. The leaves are also used in the kitchen, for example in salads and other dishes. Or also in cosmetics. You have the choice to choose and see which one you like best.
There are hardly any negative effects, but you should avoid overdosing. If you overdose, you may experience dizziness and headaches. Gastrointestinal problems and fatigue may also occur. Note that if you are taking medication, it is better to ask your doctor first if it is okay to take it with the medicinal plant.
Furthermore, it should be said that this is a natural herb that is not officially medically recognised for the treatment of certain symptoms. If you have a serious complaint, please consult a doctor.
(Cover photo: bckfwd/unsplash)
References (9)
1.
K. Perera (2008), Food values in different morphotypes of Centella asiatica L. with special preference to Iron and Calcium content
Source
2.
gigasnutrition.com: Was ist Gotu Kola und was bewirkt es?
Gigas Nutrition BV
Source
3.
medicalnewstoday.com: What are the benefits of gotu kola?
Jenna Fletcher, 10.03.2020
Source
4.
Kashmira J. G., Jagruti A. P., Anuradha K. G. (2010), Pharmacological Review on Centella asiatica: A Potential Herbal Cure-all
Source
5.
drugs.com: Gotu kola medically reviewed
Cerner Multum, 05.10.2020
Source
6.
J A Antani, R D Kulkarni, J Antani (1990), Effect of Abana on ventricular function in ischemic heart disease
Source
7.
Oluranti M.L., Fatima W., Matthijs D. (25.12.2020), Consumption of fresh Centella asiatica improves short term alertness and contentedness in healthy females
Source
8.
kraeuter-buch.de: Gotu Kola
Torsten Purle, 19.01.2019
Source
9.
drugs.com: Gotu kola medically reviewed
Cerner Multum, 05.10.2020
Source
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