Ingredient investigation – Gotu Kola
What is Gotu Kola?
Gotu Kola, the common name for the plant Centella Asiatica, has been used for thousands of years to treat a variety of health and skin conditions across Asia and India.
It was used as a tonic to improve mental clarity, a tincture to treat respiratory infections, and as a salve to heal wounds and skin conditions such as psoriasis and even leprosy. Its nickname in China translates to “the fountain of life” because it was so valuable and versatile.
It has been used in Western Medicine in recent years to treat chronic vein issues, particularly sluggish blood flow and varicose veins. It is also a potent natural skincare ingredient.
What does Gotu Kola look like?
It is a member of the parsley family but has no taste or smell. It has small fan-shaped leaves, tiny white and purple flowers and little oval fruits. Most of the parts used for medicine comes from the leaves and stem of the plant. It isn’t related to the Kola plant and has no caffeine or stimulant properties.
Using Gotu Kola internally
Why to take Gotu Kola before you fly?
It is a great supplement to take before you fly as studies have shown that it reduces ankle and leg swelling caused by cabin pressure. It is also valuable for reducing water retention. It helps to increase blood vessel elasticity so that they do not leak or become sluggish.
This in turn can help with wound healing as Gotu Kola also contains chemicals known as triterpenoids. They strengthen the skin, boost antioxidants in the wounds and increase blood supply to the areas. This can happen both topically (in an ointment) or internally (as a supplement) or both.
Can Gotu Kola help enhance your memory?
These same chemicals seem to be a natural anti-anxiety medication and they increase mental function in clinical studies. It has proven particularly useful for enhancing memory and because of this, it is being trialled as a supplementary treatment for Alzheimer’s disease as well as a preventative for the disease itself. Another study found that people taking Gotu Kola were less likely to become suddenly startled and felt less anxious in general.
Gotu Kola can help heal and prevent stretch marks
It has been used to decrease pain associated with scleroderma (skin hardening) and as a mild sedative for people struggling with insomnia. The triterpenoids increase collagen production from within the body and this can help with joint, ligament and cartilage issues as well as help ease, heal and prevent stretch marks in the skin. This also helps with all wound healing from within, promoting faster healing and minimizing scarring.
Detoxify your liver and kidney with Gotu Kola
Some of the most recent research on the plant suggest that it is showing promise as a detoxifier for liver and kidney toxicity, as it suppresses the side effects of certain antibiotics used to treat respiratory illnesses. This could mean that people can take life-saving medications without facing as many serious side effects.
Why is Gotu Kola Great for your skin?
Gotu Kola is just as amazing for the outside of your body. This incredibly hard-working plant contains a potent combination of phytochemicals, fatty acids, amino acids and beta carotene, which all help the skin to protect itself from environmental stressors and fight signs of aging.
How can Gotu Kola help with reducing wrinkles and cellulite?
It has remarkable firming abilities, which help not only with wrinkles but with reducing cellulite. The plant contains the phytonutrients known as flavonoids which fight off free radicals, protect from damage and boost collagen formation and thus elasticity.
It brings blood flow to the areas where it is used which not only enhances skin function but healing as well, making it perfect for skincare that works on blemishes, scars and eczema. It has also been used topically to treat hair loss and it re-oxygenates the blood close to the scalp skin.
What products can I find Gotu Kola in?
We use Gotu Kola in our powerful serum Green Coffee and Gotu Kola Beauty Veil Lifting Serum where it works alongside anti-oxidant green coffee, to boost collagen and firm the skin.
It is also a hero ingredient in Cryo Facelift Ice Cube Treatments where it stimulates cell growth and encourages blood flow to reduce puffiness and increase cellular regeneration.
Its powerful phytonutrients are also a part of our Collagen Boosting Gel, where they are mixed with hyaluronic acid to form a delivery system that pulls them deep in the epidermal layer of the skin to encourage elasticity, blood flow, suppleness and overall skin health.
