Gotu kola grows in tropical swampy and temperate areas in many regions of the world. The stems are creeping stolons slender, green to reddish-green, connecting plants. It has long-stalked, rounded green apices which have a smooth texture with palmately netted veins. The leaves are borne around 2 cm on pericardial petioles. The rootstock growing vertically down consists of rhizomes. They are covered with root hairs and creamish. The flowers are born in small, rounded bunches near the surface of the soil and are white or crimson. Each flower is slightly enclosed in two green bracts. The hermaphrodite flowers are less than 3 mm, with 5-6 corolla lobes per flower. Each flower bears two styles and five stamens. The fruit is densely reticulate, smooth, ribbed, or warty. The crop matures in 3 months, and the whole plant, including the roots, is harvested manually.
Benefits :
- It may help boost cognitive function and enhance memory.
- It may act as an antidepressant.
- It may help to reduce anxiety and stress
- It may improve circulation and reduce swelling and also heal wounds.
- It may help reduce the stretch marks appearance.
- It may help ease insomnia.
- It helped to improve mental clarity.
- It may help to treat skin conditions such as leprosy and psoriasis.
Side effect:
Their side effects are as follows:-
- Nausea
- low fever
- clay-colored stools
- stomach pain
- loss of appetite
- dark urine
- jaundice
Precaution :
- Avoid pregnant and breastfeeding women.
- Avoid people who have liver problems.
- Avoid during and after surgery.
Interaction:
Be cautious with the following combination:
- Medications that can harm the liver (Hepatotoxic drugs) interact with Gotu kola harm the liver might increase the risk of liver damage.
- Sedative medications (CNS depressants) that interact with Gotu kola might cause breathing problems and/or too much sleepiness.
Dosing:
Gotu kola extract, in adults doses of 60-450 mg daily for 4-12 months by mouth. It’s present in various forms such as creams, gels, and ointments. Advice from a healthcare provider to find out what type of product and dose might be best for a specific condition.
