What is Gotu Kola?
Gotu kola is a tasteless and odorless plant that belongs to the parsley family. It has been used in the Indian and Chinese systems of medicine for thousands of yearsto heal wounds, improve mental clarity, and treat skin conditions such as leprosy and psoriasis.
In the past it was used to treat syphilis, hepatitis, stomach ulcers, mental fatigue, epilepsy, diarrhea, fever, asthma, and respiratory infections such as colds. Some people call it the “the fountain of life” because a legend exists that an ancient Chinese herbalist lived for more than 200 years as a result of taking Gotu kola.
In modern times Gotu kola is mostly used to treat varicose veins and chronic venous insufficiency, a condition where blood pools in the legs. It is also used topically to treat psoriasis and help heal minor wounds.
Benefits of Gotu Kola
- It helps to reduce the swelling in the legs caused by venous insufficiency
- It improves blood flow of varicose veins patients
- It reduced the amount of fluid leakage in varicose veins patients
- It helps lower ankle and leg swelling caused during flight
- Wound healing and skin lesions
- It strengthens the skin
- It boosts antioxidants at wound sites thereby encouraging faster healing
- It increases blood supply to wounded regions to help in healing
- It can be applied to the skin to help with skin conditions such as minor burns, psoriasis, scars, and stretch marks
- It decreases anxiety, nervousness, and stress
- It improves mental function and promotes relaxation while maintaining vigilance
- It improves the symptoms of Scleroderma such as joint pain and skin hardening
- It improves the movement of the finger in Scleroderma patients
- In lower doses it is a relaxant and in higher doses it is a sedative. Therefore it can be used to promote sleep in patients with insomnia
By : Natural Health News
