Gotu Kola – Extraordinary Ancient Herb That Increases Longevity And Improves Cognitive Abilities

Conny Waters - AncientPages.com - Modern science is catching up with ancient knowledge and we’re slowly rediscovering what our ancestors knew ages ago. Big pharma companies may not always like it, but most people know herbs can offer a variety of heath benefits.

Gotu Kola is part of the Ayurveda tradition. Credit: Ad Age India

Gotu Kola is an ancient herb that has long been used as a healing plant in Asia for thousands of years. It has been known in both ancient India and China long before modern man “re-discovered” it.

Li Ching-Yuen Who Lived 256 Years Used Gotu Kola Daily

Native to the wetlands in Asia, Gotu Kola (Latin: Centella asiatica) is a culinary vegetable and as a medicinal herb. One of the persons who regularly used Gotu Kola was the Daoist master and herbalist Li Ching-Yuen.

As previously discussed on Ancient Pages, Li Ching-Yuen’s story is rather controversial, but he spent most of his time in the mountains where he worked as herbalist. The herbs he collected and used helped him to reach an astonishing age.

For almost 40 years, he survived on a diet of herbs such as lingzhi, goji berry, wild ginseng, he shoo wu and gotu kola and rice wine. According to ancient Chinese medical texts Li Ching-Yuen reached the incredible age of 256 years old. His longevity was largely attributed to the use of Gotu Kola on a daily basis. Whether these ancient records are genuine can be debated, but those who studied the properties of Gotu Kola report the plant can be used to much more than just wound healing.

Gotu Kola Can Treat Almost Anything

Scientists say Gotu Kola “is recommended for the treatment of various skin conditions such as leprosy, lupus, varicose ulcers, eczema, psoriasis, diarrhoea, fever, amenorrhea, diseases of the female genitourinary tract and also for relieving anxiety and improving cognition.”

Gotu Kola is a remarkable healing plant. Credit: Public Domain

Gotu Kola has been used as medicine in the Ayurvedic tradition of India for thousands of years and listed in the historic ‘Sushruta Samhita’, an ancient Indian medical text. The people of Java and other Indonesian islands were also familiar with the herb long ago. In ancient China, Gotu Kola has a high medical status, and the herb is referred to as one of the reported “miracle elixirs of life”. Chinese have used it for more than 2,000 years.

See also:

Pulque: Ancient Drink Of The Gods Is Popular Again But It Has Odd Side-Effects

The Ebers Papyrus – Most Famous Plant Medicine ‘Encyclopedia’ Of Ancient Egypt

Kava – Astonishing Ancient Plant That Improves Emotional Intelligence Is Gaining Popularity In The Western World

Ancient Secrets Of Mistletoe – Sacred Celtic Plant With Magical Powers

Airmid: Irish Goddess Of Healing And Herbs And One Of The Tuatha Dé Danann

Gotu Kola can treat a large number of diseases and conditions. It’s an extraordinary medical plant. In Ayurvedic medicine, this herb is called “brahmi”, which means “godlike”. Having anti-aging properties and being used as an aid to meditation, Gotu Kola is considered to be the most spiritual of all herbs. Today recognized as one of the world's oldest holistic (“whole-body”) healing systems, Ayurvedic medicine was developed in India more than 3,000 years ago.

Dhanvantari, the god of Ayurveda. Credit: HPNadig, Public Domain

According to Ayurveda Gotu Kola can be used as a blood purifier as well as for treating high blood pressure. The plant’s extraordinary properties can also strengthen memory, concentration, and intelligence. This “godlike” herb promotes longevity, treats skin diseases, senility, hair loss, psoriasis and can eve help those who suffer from epilepsy.

The therapeutic potential of this plant still requires more studies but based on the recent medical reports Gotu Kola is undoubtedly greatly beneficial to our health, but as with all other medicine, there can be certain side effects, such as headache, upset stomach, and dizziness.

Gotu Kola is available worldwide, but if you decide to try it make sure you buy the herbal products from reliable sources. Also never forget that herbs can be dangerous and don’t mix them unless you have proper knowledge about their properties and effects.

Written by Conny Waters – AncientPages.com Staff Writer

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