Gotu Kola Tea And Its Benefits

Gotu Kola Tea

Often used as part of Ayurveda therapy and to complement traditional medicine, Gotu Kola tea has been a staple in Indonesia, China and India for thousands of years. In China, Gotu Kola is known as “The Fountain of Life”. With the multitude of healing properties contained in Gotu Kola, it may be the secret to extending life that you are seeking.

What is Gotu Kola?

Gotu Kola is a plant and a member of the parsley family. Also known as, Centella asiatica,  wild in Japan, Indonesia, Sri Lanka, China, India and South Africa. It grows in and near water and produces small, oval-shaped fruit. The flowers on the plant are white, light-purple or pink. The green leaves are fan-shaped, which are used along with the stems for medicinal purposes.

What is Gotu Kola Tea Good For?

Gotu Kola tea has many benefits for your skin. It’s history includes uses for minor skin disorders such as wounds and life-altering skin disorders such as leprosy. Gotu Kola tea’s healthy benefits also include:

  • building vein strength
  • reducing swelling
  • lessening varicose veins
  • reducing stretch marks
  • helping recovery from minor burns
  • lessening anxiety
  • improving brain function
  • decreasing joint pain

Gotu Kola’s health benefits extend into your physical and mental abilities. Including this beverage in your daily choices can boost your skin’s health and reduce your stress.

What Does Gotu Kola Tea Taste Like?

Although Gotu Kola is a member of the parsley family and may not have an intense odor or flavor, some say the tea has a sweet taste, which can be reduced by combining it with other teas or ingredients. You may find the taste slightly bitter and resembling an astringent. Again, you can mask these harsh flavors by combining it with some of your favorites.

Tea Pairings

To cover the sweet or bitter taste of Gotu Kola tea, or to add an intense flavor if needed, you can combine the tea with other herbal delights such as chamomile to boost the anti-anxiety properties of the drink. A touch of lavender will also help to calm your nerves. If you are seeking to reduce swelling and inflammation, consider combining your tea with a diuretic tea such as Dandelion, but use with caution as to not dehydrate your body. Other tea pairings to boost your senses include peppermint, lemon and raspberry.

Healing Benefits of Gotu Kola Tea

The main active properties of Gotu Kola include Triterpenoids and Asiaticoside. Both work together to enhance the skin-improving benefits of Gotu Kola Tea.  Gotu Kola tea falls into the Ayurvedic system of treatment since it complements traditional medicine, but is a natural way to improve your health. The main components of Gotu Kola tea provide:

  • anti-inflammatory properties
  • sedative effects
  • diuretic activity
  • cardiovascular blood flow action
  • anti-arthritis properties

Biochemical Profile of Gotu Kola Tea

The triterpenoids in Gotu Kola tea are responsible for the skin-improving benefits. Triterpenoids have been shown to help the skin recover from wounds as it boosts antioxidant and blood flow to the injured area. The antioxidants and blood cells help the skin repair from damages such as cuts, scrapes and burns. Triterpenoids are also shown to strengthen the skin and to enhance the production of collagen which can help reduce stretch marks and cellulite.

Asiaticoside, the other active component in Gotu Kola tea, is also an antioxidant that has anti-inflammatory effects. These help to improve your skin and can reduce your anxiety.

Gotu Kola Tea

Are There Any Side Effects from Gotu Kola Tea?

According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, Gotu Kola has been studied for up to one year of use. Ideally, you can use Gotu Kola tea for a six-week period, but should always consult your physician before trying this herbal supplement. The Asiaticoside ingredient in Gotu Kola may be linked with tumor growth, so if you are suffering from cancer, or have a history of cancer, check with your doctor before beginning the supplement.

Gotu Kola may be harmful to the liver, so if you have any pre-existing liver conditions, it is best to avoid this beverage. Other side effects, most often from very high doses, may include:

  • dizziness
  • tiredness
  • upset stomach
  • headache
  • burning sensation when used topically

It is not recommended for those under 18 years of age. For those over the age of 65, a lower dose is recommended as well as a chat with your physician.

Dosage and How to Make Gotu Kola Tea

You can purchase dried Gotu Kola leaves and crush them to make your own tea. You can also purchase pre-made Gotu Kola and enjoy the beverage up to three times a day. Always store your leaves in a cool, dry place to prolong their use and keep the intensity of the herb.

Combine 1 to 2 teaspoons of Gotu Kola dried leaves with 1 cup of boiling water. You can place your tea in a tea bag, or ball and let it steep for 10 to 15 minutes, or to your desired taste. Let the tea cool and then enjoy your drink between meals. Drinking a warm cup of tea is a nice way to relax at the end of the day.

Where to Buy Gotu Kola Tea

Choose  from companies such as Buddha Teas, Celebration Herbal or Organic India.

Who Can Benefit from Gotu Kola Tea?

Those who can benefit the most from Gotu Kola tea include those suffering from varicose veins and other skin conditions. Gotu Kola’s effects on varicose veins range from a reduction in swelling to a decrease in the leaking from the weakened veins. If you are suffering from skin wounds, minor burns or stretch marks, Gotu Kola may be the solution you seek, as it helps to boost the production of skin’s collagen.

If you are suffering from insomnia, anxiety or feel like you aren’t thinking as clearly as you used to, Gotu Kola can help to calm your nerves and boost your memory.

What We Like and Don’t Like About Gotu Kola Tea

The skin-improving benefits are delightful from Gotu Kola. Instead of purchasing messy or smelly creams to improve your skin’s condition, you can sip a delicious beverage and gain the benefits. The drawback of Gotu Kola is that you can only safely use it for six weeks at a time and the liver-damaging effects have yet to be sufficiently studied.

Did You Know?

  • Legend says that a Chinese herbalist who took Gotu Kola lived for over 200 years.
  • Gotu Kola may helfor psoriasis, which can be itchy around the hair line.
  • Take Gotu Kola before flying to reduce ankle swelling.