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Gotu Kola Benefits- Improve Your Health And Well-Being.
There are many Gotu kola benefits you must know to enjoy them. This article provides the list of all Gotu kola benefits that you may use to enjoy their perks.
Gotu kola is also referred to as the “herb of longevity”. It is a common staple found in traditional Indonesian, Chinese, and Ayurvedic medicines. Various practitioners claim that this herb or plant has the power to heal skin issues, boost brain power and functioning, and promote kidney and liver health conditions. Some studies conducted on the same benefits seem to agree with the practitioners.
Gotu kola consists of a significant amount of proteins and vitamins like vitamin B and C. It also has minerals like calcium and iron along with antioxidants belong to flavonoid and carotenoid groups. This is the reason why the Gotu kola benefit can be sued for many purposes and health conditions.
Keep reading to know all the Gotu kola benefits as it may help improve the overall health and well-being of your loved ones.
Gotu Kola Benefits
1. Boosts Cognitive Functions
A small study from 2016 compared the benefits and effects of folic acid and Gotu kola extract in terms of boosting cognitive functions after suffering a stroke. This study went through the impact on 3 different groups of participants. One group took 1000 mg of Gotu kola every day, one took 750 mg of Gotu kola per day, and the other group took 3 mg of folic acid every day.
It was found that folic acid and Gotu kola were equally proven to be effective in improving overall cognition. Gotu kola had come out to be more beneficial in the improvement of memory domains.
Another study included the cognitive-enhancing effects of Gotu kola extract (liquid form) on mice. Both old mice and young mice were believed to show improvement in memory suing and learning but the effect was higher in older mice as compared to the younger ones.
750 mg to 1000 mg of Gotu kola extract can be taken per day for up to 14 days. It should be taken only once a day.
2. Role in treating Alzheimer’s disease
As you already read Gotu kola has the ability to improve and enhance nerve function and memory which gives it the potential to be beneficial for people suffering from Alzheimer’s disease. In fact, a study conducted on mice back in 2012 found out that Gotu kola has a positive impact on behavior abnormalities in mice suffering from Alzheimer’s disease. Such Gotu kola benefits make it a rich herb.
The extract not only helped improve Alzheimer’s condition but in animal studies and lab studies it also had a modest effect on protecting various brain cells from toxicity. This may also protect the cells from plaque formation associated with Alzheimer’s condition.
However, further researches are needed to determine exactly how Gotu kola benefits may help with Alzheimer’s. If you have Alzheimer’s and you are interested in adding herbs of Gotu kola in your treatment, you can always talk to your doctor to know more.
You can take 30 to 60 drops of Gotu kola extract in liquid form 3 times a day. The dosage of Gotu kola might vary depending upon the manufacturers so make sure you follow all the directions given on the label extract to enjoy Gotu kola benefits. Various bottles have Gotu kola in liquid form with droppers, so you can use them without problems. Make sure you consult your doctor if you have planned on using it.
3. May help reducing stress and anxiety
An animal study was conducted in 2016 by some researchers. They found out that Gotu kola benefits were not only limited to brain functioning. It also has anti-anxiety effects on mice that were given Gotu kola. These mice did not sleep for 72 hours due to which they had anxiety, neuroinflammation, and oxidative damage.
Mice that took Gotu kola for 5 days in a row before sleep deprivation had experienced less anxiety behavior. These mice also depicted improvements in locomotor activities with less oxidative damages.
Also, a 2013 review of herbal medicines anti-anxiety in nature concluded that Gotu kola had a role in reducing anxiety effects. However, still, research is needed to confirm all these things.
If you wish to use Gotu kola benefits for anxiety, take 500 mg of Gotu kola extract 2 times a day for the next 14 days. In case of extreme anxiety, you may also use Gotu kola extract nearly 2000 mg.
4. May act as an antidepressant
Gotu kola has positive effects on the function of the brain which also helps Gotu kola in being an effective antidepressant. Also, not to forget, anxiety and Depression are slightly related which makes it for to be an antidepressant.
A 2016 review supports these statements. A study conducted on 33 individuals having generalized anxiety disorder may help to prove this. All the participants were advised to take Gotu kola instead of antidepressants for the next 60 days in a row. All of them reported decreased depression, anxiety, and stress by themselves. This may help privj g gotu koal ebenfts against depression.
Another study assessed that Gotu kola benefits on rats were also similar. It helped rats give relief from chronic depression. This herbal remedy had shown to have a positive effect on certain elements of depression including body temperature, body weight, and heart rate. Elements of behavioral depression can be reduced via Gotu kola benefits.
You can take 500 mg Gotu kola extract twice a day for the next 14 days and 2000 mg in case of intensified depression. This is slightly the same as discussed for anxiety. Gotu kola acts as an antidepressant due to its properties. However, you can consult your doctor to remain sure before taking it.
5. Role in circulation and swelling
Gotu kola benefits are also seen in improving circulation and reducing swelling. Research from 2001 indicates that Gotu kola can be used to reduce problems associated with fluid retention, circulation, ankle swelling, etc.
Participants who had mild to moderate superficial venous diseases associate with switch varicose veins were advised to take Gotu kola for 2 days before they went for fights, the day of their fights, and one day after the fight completes.
Researchers found out that all the participants that took Gotu kola supplements experienced less fluid retention significantly and less ankle swelling than the participants who did not take it.
Another old study shows that Gotu kola benefits can be used to treat varicose veins. The reason behind this can be their positive metabolic effect on the vascular valve connective tissues.
To use Gotu kola benefits for this purpose, you may take 60 to 100 mg of Gotu kola extract approximately 3 times a day for 7 days or a week before and after completing the fight. You can also use it as a massaging agent on the region affected with topical creams having 1% of Gotu kola extract in them.
If you have decided to use the topical cream, you must run a skin patch test to make sure it suits your type. To do this, rub a small amount of Gotu kola cream on the inside of your forearm. If you haven’t gone through any inflammation or irritation after applying the cream within 24 hours, it is completely safe to be applied elsewhere.
6. Helps ease insomnia
Gotu kola benefits are also associated with eating insomnia or sleep deprivation. Given its amazing benefits to reduce anxiety, depression, and stress, you may use Gotu kola for treating or reducing insomnia that accompanies these conditions sometimes. Some practitioners consider this herbal remedy to be an alternative to medications used to treat the skin. They believe this method or Gotu kola to be safe for use to treat sleep disorders.
Although older research suggests that group kola is associated with the treatment of sleep disorders, additional studies are still required to confirm the facts ad findings.
To use Gotu kola benefits for insomnia, you may take 300 to 680 mg Gotu kola extract for 14 days in a row. Consume it 3 times a day for results.
7. Helps reducing stretch marks
A review from 2013 suggests that Gotu kola helps to reduce the presence of stretch marks on the body thus treating skin conditions. It is believed that the terpenoids present in Gotu kola increase the production of collagen in the body. This helps in preventing stretch marks appearance and new marks from forming. It heals exiting marks if any.
To use Gotu kola benefits for skin purposes apply it as a cream, having 1% Gotu kola extract few times a day on the affected body pars.
Before using it on your skin, make sure you run a patch test to confirm if it suits your skin and is fit for usage.
8. It has detox effects
New researches taking place on Gotu kola benefits suggests that Gotu kola extract may be used to reduce or get rid of kidney and liver toxicity.
According to reports, an animal study conducted in 2017 found out that Gotu kola can be used to suppress the toxic sides effects of isoniazid (an antibiotic). Isoniazid is mainly used to prevent and treat tuberculosis.
Rats were used for this experienced and were given 100 mg Gotu kola extract for 30 days in a row before they were injected with the antibiotic. Most of the rats experienced less toxicity as a result of isoniazid than usual. Some rats that still experienced liver and kidney toxicity resumed to normal level after giving Gotu kola again.
However, more studies and researches are needed to prove these facts ad findings.
To use Gotu kola benefits for detoxifying purposes, you will need 30 to 50 drops of liquid Gotu kola extract nearly 3 times a day for the next 14 days or 2 weeks. Not that dosage varies between the manufacturers because of the concentration of Gotu kola they use, so read the description or the label before taking.
9. Helps relieve joint pain
Due to the anti-inflammatory properties of Gotu kola, it can be useful for the treatment of arthritis or relieve joint pain caused by inflammation or arthritis.
In fact, a study from 2014 on collagen-induced arthritis in mice find out that oral use of Gotu kola was able to reduce inflammation in joints, bone erosion, and cartilage erosion. Gotu kola benefits are also assisted with antioxidant effects. It has a positive effect on the immune system function as well.
To use Gotu kola benefits for jig pain, take 300 to 680 mg of Gotu kola after consulting your doctor in case you are differing from arthritis. Take this extract 3 times a day for the next 2 weeks to notice the benefits.
10. Promotes wound healing and minimizing scarring
A study conducted on rats in the year 2015 found out that wound dressing having Gotu kola in it had great healing effects on different types of wounds. This also includes wounds caused by clean-cut harp objects, infected tissues, and irregular tears caused by any blunt force trauma.
Although it seems promising and has great benefits, more studies need to be inducted to confirm these results.
You can apply Gotu kola as an ointment preferably the one having 1% Gotu kola extract to the area affected several times a day. If the wound still seems deep, you must visit your doctor for immediate treatment as the infection may spread. Make sure you do a patch test before applying it.
Do Not Use Gotu Kola If-
Gotu kola might sometimes have skin irritation when used topically in some people. Gotu kola also has dangerous levels of some heavy metals due to its growth in contaminated soil. Make sure you get it from a reliable source before using it. You are advised not to use Gotu kola if any of these conditions persist in your body:
- If you are pregnant.
- Breastfeeding a bay
- Have a history of skin cancers
- Age is below 18.
- Have a scheduled surgery in the next few weeks
- Have any liver disease or hepatitis
- Have diabetes
- taking diuretics
- taking some other sedatives for anxiety
- have high cholesterol
The Bottom Line
before using Gotu kola for its benefits, make sure you consult a medical practitioner or doctor to avoid any harmful effects or interactions with other medications (in case you are taking any).
Know that this herbal remedy or Gotu kola benefits are not for replacing any prescriptions or doctor-approved treatment plans. If you do so without counting your doctor, you may have to face some adverse side effects.
Know that Gotu kola should not be taken in high amounts for breastfeeding and pregnant women. Always consult your doctor before introducing Gotu kola into your body for any purpose.
