Gotu Kola

Gotu Kola is a small herbaceous plant from the family of Mackinlayaceae and is native to the wetlands of Asia. Its scientific name is Centella Asiatica, but the herb is also referred to as centella, Asiatic Pennywort, Indian Pennywort and Gotu Kola. It is an annual plant that completes its lifecycle in one year from germination to seed production. Gotu Kola mainly grows in the tropical swamps. Its stem is slender and its color can vary between green and reddish green. The apices are green, round, long-stalked with a smooth texture with netted veins. Gotu Kola roots grow vertically down, they are covered in root hair and are cream in color. The flowers are typically comprised of 5 to 6 petals per flower and vary from red to pink to white.

Gotu Kola is considered as one of the most important herbs in the Ayurvedic herbal treasure chest. First mentioned in Ayurvedic textbooks thousands of years ago, this herb is best known for its properties that support cognitive functioning and memory. It also helps with skin health, respiratory well being, inflammation and stress. The herb has a sweet, bitter, and pungent taste at the same time and seems to have a cooling effect on the body. Apart from that, the herb possesses complex chemical properties that allow it to be useful in the treatment of various health conditions.