shopping Gotu kola - two varieties

[ 485 ]Centella asiatica

Gotu Kola Cut & Sifted, Wild Crafted

1/4 Pound: $4.29 Pound: $9.54

[ 692 ]Centella asiatica

Gotu Kola Powder, Wild Crafted

1/4 Pound: $4.66 Pound: $10.35

We offer discounted pricing on orders over 100 pounds. Contact Us

Wholesale Gotu kola

Name: Gotu kola, c/s, wild crafted
Brand: Monterey Bay Herb Co.
SKU: 485
Price: 4.29 USD
Availability: InStock

Centella asiatica

plant overview

the fountain of life

This semi-aquatic member of the parsley family is native to South Africa, Japan, China, Sri Lanka and the South Pacific. In addition to its large, fan-like leaves, the plant is unique in that it has virtually no detectable fragrance of flavor. Despite this, the gotu kola is used fresh or dried in Asian cuisine, often in combination with other herbs and spices to enhance flavor. In China and India, where gotu kola is called the “fountain of life” and Indian Pennywort, respectively, the herb has a long history of use that dates back thousands of years.

Clicking "learn more" next to each variety will take you to individual product pages for details.

01.
A Bit of Botany

a little botanical information on gotu kola

description
Centella asiatica is a small, herbaceous, annual plant of the family Mackinlayaceae (or as a sub-family of Apiaceae). The stems are slender, creeping stolons, green to reddish-green in color, connecting plants to each other. It has long-stalked, green, reniform leaves with rounded apices which have smooth texture with palmately netted veins. The leaves are borne on pericladial petioles, around 2 cm. The rootstock consists of rhizomes, growing vertically down. They are cream in color and covered with root hairs.

The flowers are pinkish to red in color, born in small, rounded bunches (umbels) near the surface of the soil. Each flower is partly enclosed in two green bracts. The hermaphrodite flowers are minute in size (less than 3 mm), with 5-6 corolla lobes per flower. Each flower bears five stamens and two styles. The fruit are densely reticulate, distinguishing it from species of Hydrocotyle which have smooth, ribbed or warty fruit.

common names & nomenclature
Centella may be derived from the verb “sip”, which is a reference to how the plant continuously draws water from the marshy areas in which it lives.

Also known as:
marsh penny, thick-leaved pennywort, indian pennywort, white rot, hydrocotyle, indian hydrocotyle, centella, thankuni, mandukaparni, pegagan, sleuk tracheakkranh, ondelaga, vallaarai

02.
Where in the World

habitat and range for gotu kola

Centella asiatica is native to India, Sri Lanka, northern Australia, Indonesia, Iran, Malaysia, Melanesia, Philippines, Papua New Guinea, and other parts of Asia.

03.
Cultivation & Harvesting

considerations for growing and harvesting gotu kola

climate
Centella asiatica grows in tropical swampy areas, along ditches and in low, wet areas.

soil
Centella asiatica grows in wet, swampy conditions and is considered to be an aquatic plant.

growing
Sow seeds in spring in a greenhouse, transplant out into pots when large enough, plant into the garden in late spring or early summer of the following year. Plants can also be divided in spring or fall, plant divisions directly into the garden beds.

harvesting
Gotu kola leaves and stems can be harvested at any time of the year and are used fresh or dried.

preserving
Store dried leaves and stems as cut pieces or ground powder in an airtight container in a cool, dry place.

04.
The Rest of the Story

history, folklore, literature & more

the many uses of gotu kola
Gotu kola is an herb that’s been used in India and China for thousands of years. It has been used to treat all kinds of skin conditions from leprosy to eczema. And while Eastern herbalists have used it for ulcers, asthma, diarrhea, and even hepatitis, it’s used more for skin disorders today than anything else. However, it has several uses.

One untraditional use for gotu kola is to reduce anxiety. People who take gotu kola have fewer problems handling stress and actually have fewer problems with anxiety attacks. It can also be used to help people sleep better at night. It also helps to reduce blood pressure in people who take it.

The rare disease scleroderma also responds favorably to gotu kola. People with scleroderma who take gotu kola have reductions in the hardening of skin and organs, more joint movement, and less joint pain.

If you suffer with problems such as varicose veins and venous insufficiency (when blood pools in the veins), gotu kola can help to relieve your suffering. It helps to make blood vessels more elastic and that helps them to do their job properly.

The most common use for gotu kola is still to treat skin problems. It can help to relieve pain and inflammation from burns, ulcers, and any type of healing wound. It also works to help prevent scar tissue from forming on wounds or surgical incisions.

Gotu kola is available in many forms. It can be used in diffusions, teas, tinctures, and capsules. In addition, many ointments contain gotu kola that can be applied topically to the skin. You’ll want to use the form that works best for you, depending on the condition for which you’re using it.

The powdered herb is used to make capsules and most people take around 1,000 mg three times daily. However, you’ll want to make sure you follow manufacturer’s instructions to get the dosage correct.

Gotu kola is an herb that has many uses. If you’re having surgery or have had it recently, you may want to use gotu kola to help heal your incision. If you suffer from the debilitating disease scleroderma, gotu kola can provide some relief and slow the progress of the disease.

Finally, if you suffer from anxiety or insomnia, gotu kola is the perfect herb to keep on hand. It will soothe your mind and relax the body. Stock up on gotu kola so that you’ll be ready the next time you need it, you’ll be ready.

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for educational purposes only

This information has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

please be advised: Before making any changes to your diet you should always consult with your doctor, especially if you are pregnant, nursing or have existing conditions.

All reviews solely reflect the views and opinions expressed by the reviewer and not that of Monterey Bay Herb Co. We do not verify or endorse any claims made by any reviewer. None of these statements have been evaluated by the FDA and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease or health condition.