Gotukola: Fountain of Youth

Dr. Danister L. Perera

Siddhalepa Ayurveda Hospital (Pvt) Ltd.

Gotukola is a common plant which is well-known to most of the people and has been taken as a food for centuries. Scientifically it is known as Centella Asiatica and in Ayurvedic literature it is commonly called Mandukaparni in Sanskrit. This is an herb with leaves bearing a distinct aroma and available in almost all the parts of Sri Lanka, through India and in other parts of South East Asia up to 2000 ft altitude. This herb grows in the swampy areas of Madagascar, Africa, Australia, South America, and even the south eastern United States. The wild variety is commonly found along streams, river-beds, tanks or ponds and moist places while other variety is grown as pot-herb in home gardens or commercial cultivations. But there is a popular belief hat the wild variety is more potent and effective in medicinal value.

According to Ayurvedic system of medicine it has many medicinal uses and renowned as a very important ingredient contained in various medicinal preparations. Also it's medicinal properties and uses are mentioned in oldest classical texts of Ayurveda such as Charka samhita and Susritha samhita. The whole plant is used for medicinal purpose and can be harvested at any time of the year and is used fresh or dried. In Ayurvedic pharmacology it is able to balance Kapha and Pitta doshas which are naturally having counteractions on each other. Gotukola is an outstandingly important medicinal herb that is widely used in the Orient and now is becoming increasingly popular in the West as well. It also has been internationally recognized within many countries' pharmacopoeias and has been considered an herb or natural medicine since the late 1800s. In modern day pharmaceutical world Gotukola extract and active principles are often used as frontline ingredients in tonics, oral slimming formulas, natural herb cosmetic preparations, body firming products, wound healing, anti-aging skin care products.

Gotukola is also one of the largest cultivated crops and thrives under organic farming conditions because it is popularly used as a food source in the form of leafy greens within South Asian countries. Gotukola has traditionally been used from time immemorial as salads, porridge, tempered cusine and herbal teas. As a food Gotukola is the green leaf which contains the highest amount of Iron and also a rich source of folic acid, thiamin, riboflavin, pyridoxine, vitamin K, calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, manganese, and other antioxidants. Since 100 gm of Gotukola contain 60 mg of Iron this can be recommended as a herbal Iron supplement for any age. Usually Gotukola is consumed raw as a salad, a mixture of Gotukola, coconut, chilies, table salt and lemon is a very popular cusine in Sri Lanka.

Since it consists of various essential nutrients Gotukola is thought to help maintain youthfulness and sustain longevity. Other than nutrients it contains a variety of active ingredients like asiaticoside (a triterpene glycoside / triterpenoid), brahmoside and brahminoside (both saponin glycosides), madecassoside (a glycoside with strong anti-inflammatory properties), madecassic acid, asparate, glutamate, serine, threonine, alanine, lysine, histidine. It is completely safe to take Gotukola in daily meal in various forms which can up keep the immune system in its optimum capacity. As an anti-oxidant beta carotene content in Gotukola is adequate enough to fight against free-radicals deposited in the body. Since Gotukola contains sufficient amount of iron and other minerals it can provide positive implications on physical health also. This helps to body to slowdown the aging process and control negative impacts of premature aging due to various impurities. When detoxifying the body, Gotukola assists with destroying toxic accumulation in the brain as well as the nerves, while it helps to clear the body from heavy metals as well as drugs. In alternative health this herb is used to treat tumors and cancerous growths, without suppressing the auto immune system or creating toxic wastes within the body.

Although in English it is named as Indian pennywort, the name Gotukola is more popular in Western countries. Since the word Gotukola is now added to the world top ranked herbal medicines we must be proud as Sri Lankans. Gotukola is also known as Bemithiriya in Sinhala and it is derived from the Sanskrit word Brahmi which means Divine wife of Lord Brahma. She is well-renowned goddess Saraswathie worshipped for power of retention and memory. Therefore Gotukola has a legendary reputation for its memory enhancing properties and culturally gained an honor being a good food for learning children. Gotukola is sometimes known as the "memory herb" that revitalizes the brain cells and helps in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease and memory loss. Memory enhancing properties of this plant has been recently proven by modern scientific researchers and it is shown that daily intake as food can provide more nourishment to improve brain function. In ancient textbooks Gotukola is highlighted as a brain tonic and age sustainer.

Medicinal use of Gotukola comes also from the Chinese herbal tradition known as luo de da or ji xue cao and the legend of Li Ching Yun, a Chinese herbalist who supposedly lived to be 256 years old because he regularly consumed Gotukola. It is literally known as the "fountain of youth" in Chinese traditional medicine. Other anti-aging action that this herb is said to demonstrate is an increase in hemoglobin, and a decrease of urea and acid phosphates levels in the blood. Gotukola restores balance to the nervous system and therefore its sedative qualities help to treat nervous disorders and neurotic disturbances. It revitalizes the nerves and is said to be especially effective when used proactively to avoid and treat a nervous breakdown. Gotukola's astringent qualities help to detoxify the body by drawing fluid from tissues which promotes urination, helps to eliminate excess fluid from the body, and is effective in lowering fever. Gotukola helps improve blood circulation throughout the body and is therefore considered an overall tonic for rejuvenation and natural restoring of tissue damages.

Also Yogis have used this herb to increase their meditation abilities through better concentration, focus and alertness, because it has also shown great promise in improving mental retention ability and increasing IQ. This plant is a commonly prescribed major ingredient in Ayurvedic recipes used for mental disorders, intellect impairment, learning incapability, immune-deficiency disorders. Therefore including Gotukola in daily meal can be recommended for the individuals involved in decision making and under going more mental stress in daily life. Since the herbal teas prepared using Gotukola contain no caffeine yet it is used extensively to increase energy vitality and can assist in overcoming the negative effects of fatigue and stress. It will help combat fatigue and depression, increase virility, strengthen the immune system, improve appetite and enhance energy and stamina.

Gotukola appears to have steroid like properties, and in a number of studies, it has also shown improving circulation and tends to balance out the function of the adrenal glands, which secrete hormones in response to stress. The action could have a beneficial effect on the chemistry of the brain and it relaxes people and increases their mental clarity. The reason for this might be because of the high concentration of thiamine (vitamin B1), riboflavin (vitamin B2) and pyridoxine (vitamin B6) which assists to convert carbohydrates into glucose as well as normal nervous system functioning. Hence Gotukola is a time-honored herb with a reputation for improving concentration and learning ability. It is also considered a "brain food" that increases mental activity. Gotukola is sometimes known as the "memory herb" that revitalizes the brain cells and helps in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease and memory loss. It is a restorative tonic for mental decline in old age, because it protects the blood vessels that supply oxygen to the brain and stimulates circulation. Therefore it is used for its rejuvenating and alerting action which can promote general health as well as body's immunity.

Therefore traditionally Gotukola has become popular as a herb for improving skin complexion and enhancing beauty of ladies. One active ingredient in Gotukola, asiaticoside, works to stimulate skin repair and to strengthen skin, hair, nails and connective tissue. With its effect on connective tissue great value is achieved with the synthesis of collagen, thickening of the skin increasing the tensile strength of the flesh, wound healing, repair of damaged tissue as well as promoting hair and nail growth. When it is used internally, it has a beneficial effect on collagen production in the body, improving skin tone and externally helps to make an excellent poultice for minor wounds, wounds that do not heal, heal burns and reduce the amount of eventual scarring. It is also beneficial in healing gastric ulcers and duodenal ulcers.

The saponin known as asiaticoside beneficially affects collagen, the material that makes up connective tissue and is beneficial for healthy skin. Researchers found that in tests, when it was applied to psoriasis-affected areas, the lesions were healed. This herb has been an age-old treatment for leprosy, skin ulcers, eczema and other skin problems. Gotukola is capable of balancing hormones and has been used to relieve menopausal discomforts in women, especially hot flashes, vaginal dryness and depression. Gotukola is a mild sedative that promotes a calming effect in the body and has been useful in treating sleep disorders. It has been used for centuries in the treatment of liver and kidney problems, and has once again become popular as an alternative treatment for people suffering from hepatitis as well as alcoholic liver disease. In some studies, Gotukola was given to patients with chronic liver disease, and there was an improvement, and historically, the herb has long been used to treat jaundice as well as a liver protector.
