Description
The first known users of Gotu kola and the origin of its name come from Sri Lanka, where locals noted that elephants-renowned for their longevity, would eat the plant. Gotu Kola became a staple in their diets and a few leaves were eaten a day in hopes of increasing lifespan. Gotu Kola’s first written mention is in the Chinese Shennong Herbal roughly 1800 years ago where it is referred to as -the fountain of life. In China a legend boasts of a Chinese herbalist named Li Ching-Yuen, who at the age of thirteen embarked upon a life of gathering herbs in the mountains, he consumed Gotu kola every day, along with other herbs and practiced the art of qigong. He lectured and practised TCM until his death in 1933 at the remarkable age of 256
In Ayurvedic medicine practice, it is among only a few herbs that is tri-doshic-bringing balance to all three body types, vata, pitta, and kapha.
Gotu kola has a particularly long list of traditional uses including treating disorders of the mind(Alzheimer’s), mental fatigue, anxiety, depression, memory loss, and insomnia. as well as improved circulation, wound healing and detoxification.
The main active components of Gotu kola, accounting for 1-8% of the constituents, include asiatic acid, madecassic acid, asiaticoside, asiaticoside A, and asiaticoside B
Asiaticoside derivatives, including asiatic acid and asiaticoside 6, were shown to reduce hydrogen peroxide-induced cell death, decrease free radical concentrations, and inhibit beta amyloid cell death, suggesting a role for Gotu kola in the treatment and prevention of Alzheimer’s disease.
Cognitive enhancing properties are also seen from the use of Gotu kola as an increase in neuronal growth is found. This is due to activating a class of proteins known as MAPKs, which causes a release in a growth factor for neurons called Brain-derived Neurotrophic Factor. This amazing longevity herb also augments the release of anti-inflammatory signalling molecules from immune cells known as IL-1β which help with chronic circulation issues.
This phenomenal herbal ally is grown around the world as a vital source of nutrition and medicine. Due to it thriving in temperate and tropical conditions, it has become rampant in many parts of South Africa.
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