So, while I wile away the hours staring at this plot of dirt and admiring my tiny new finds from our most recent local herb fair, it's no wonder my two little Gotu Kola stood out from the rest. If I'd been using this herb instead of trying to move rocks, I may have had that little boost of intelligence to spare my now aching back. Ah well, good thing it's good for muscles too!
There is one myth to dispel before we begin. Gotu Kola does not contain any form of caffeine, natural or otherwise. Whether this misconception is from the association with the simple word cola or from confusion with the better known Kola nut, I don't know; but the fact is, Gotu Kola does not contain caffeine. Never had it, never will...(with my apologies to 7-Up)
Gotu Kola Hydrocotyle, Hydrocotyle Asiatica, Centella Asiatica
FOLKLORE/COMMON NAMES Indian Pennywort, Marsh Penny, Water Pennywort, White Rot, Thick-leaved Pennywort, Common Pennywort, Brahma-manduki, Brahmi, Chi-hsueh Ts'ao, man t'ien hsing, Brahma-manduki, Mandookaparni
Part Used Primarily the leaves, some uses include the entire plant
HISTORICAL REFERENCES The use of Gotu Kola as a medicinal herb throughout India and Asia goes back thousands of years.
- Gotu Kola is listed in the Susruta Samhita, an ancient Indian medicinal text. In China, references to Gotu Kola can be found in the 2000 year old Shennong Herbal as well.
- As one of the purported "miracle elixirs of life" in China. Gotu Kola was attributed to LiChing Yun, a healer who, according to legend, was said to have lived 256 years by taking a tea made from Gotu Kola and other herbs.
- It took until the 1880's for Gotu Kola to be first accepted as a drug in France. Eventually, however, Gotu Kola fell out of favor in the Western European countries and was not recommended as it "caused footrot in sheep".
GARDENING WITH GOTU KOLA
This surprising little member of the carrot family is a low growing, creeping perennial, of which there are approximately 75 species worldwide, all told. It propagates by above ground runners, and healthy plants can reach up to 4' wide in one season.
While Gotu Kola tolerates sun or shade, it prefers constant moisture and does extremely well as a water garden or pond plant. In shallow water, the plant has floating roots and leaves. Gotu Kola will grow on landlocked locations as well and does well as a container plant or in hanging baskets...just keep it well watered!
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