An Introduction to the Benefits, Uses and Plant Characteristics of Gotu Kola

Gotu kola is the common name for a perennial herbaceous plant of the genus Centella in the family Apiaceae; its proper name is Centella asiatica (gotu kola), and in various places it is also known by such aliases as bengda wan, mati cao and luodeda. It is fairly widely distributed in the southern regions of China, and is commonly found in damp, shaded environments such as field edges, ditch banks and under forest canopies.

The gotu kola plant grows prostrate, with slender stems that readily root at the nodes, and leaves that are round or kidney-shaped with blunt teeth along the edges, resembling a horse's hoof. The whole plant can be used as medicine; it is generally harvested in summer and autumn, and used fresh or dried in the sun for later use.

In traditional Chinese medicine, gotu kola is considered cold in nature and bitter and pungent in taste, with the effects of clearing heat and draining dampness, resolving toxins and reducing swelling. Traditionally it is mostly used for conditions such as damp-heat jaundice, heatstroke and diarrhea, carbuncles, swellings and sores, and traumatic injuries. In addition, Centella asiatica extract is widely used in modern skincare products, often to soothe and repair the skin.

In some regions, the tender leaves of gotu kola are also eaten as a wild vegetable, commonly blanched and served as a cold salad, cooked in soup, or juiced. Before eating, care should be taken to confirm that the plants come from a clean, uncontaminated source, and it is best not to eat too much the first time.

It should be especially noted that gotu kola and lei gong teng (Tripterygium wilfordii) differ by only one character in name, yet they are two completely different plants; Tripterygium wilfordii is highly toxic, so the two must never be confused or used interchangeably. Gotu kola is cold in nature, so people with weak and cold spleens and stomachs and pregnant women should use it with caution, and when used as a medicinal herb it is advisable to do so under the guidance of a professional.