Gotu Kola, or Centella asiatica, is a medicinal herb that is highly regarded among Eastern medicine practices, such as Traditional Chinese Medicine, Ayurveda, and indigenous Indonesian rituals. It has over twenty different species, and can be found flourishing in tropical and subtropical countries. In China, gotu kola was identified as one of the “miracle elixirs of life” over 2000 years ago; however, China isn’t the only country that sings high praise for this small, perennial creeper.
“It is widely used as a blood purifier as well as for treating high blood pressure, for memory enhancement and promoting longevity. In Ayurveda, [Centella asiatica] is one of the main herbs for revitalizing the nerves and brain cells. Eastern healers relied on [Centella asiatica] to treat emotional disorders that were thought to be rooted in physical problems.” In Western medicine, gotu kola has been “reported to have shown positive results in the treatment of leprosy.”
Yep, this powerful plant treats the mind, body, and spirit. Is it any wonder we added it to our Rise Flow Blend? If you haven’t already, try adding Gotu Kola to your daily dose of herbal supplements and feel the effects firsthand!
Your Mind, Body and Spirit on Gotu Kola
We pride ourselves on our herbal formulations. They aren’t quick fixes for the latest health and wellness nuisance sweeping across social media. Our in-house clinical herbalist handpicks every single ingredient and carefully determines every single dose. The result is a supplement that treats the whole person, can be used throughout various seasons of life, and eliminates any serious side effects. Take Rise, for example.
When you look at the label, you’ll find a blend of medicinal herbs, functional mushrooms, and full-spectrum CBD. Each ingredient is potent on its own, but together they create a cumulatively larger, synergistic effect. You won’t see claims to help with isolated issues, like most companies pushing new, shiny products into your kitchen cabinets. Instead, you’ll be met with a formula that carries a range of adaptogenic mental and physical health benefits. To put it simply, our supplements help you find a sense of balance while rising to your potential; any day, any time, any moment.
One of the reasons we fell in love with gotu kola was because it possesses a similar set of qualities. No surprise; its long list of medicinal uses is evidence of its versatility. If you’re in need of a boost, no matter what flavor, gotu kola delivers. Here are three reasons to never skimp on this herb…
Reason #1: Gotu Kola and the Brain
According to several studies, gotu kola effectively restores the brain and nervous system, improves concentration, attention and memory, and fights aging. When ingested as an extract, its antioxidant properties protect neurons from oxidative damage and reduce beta-amyloid-induced apoptosis (or, cell death). Because of these interactions with beta amyloid peptides, some researchers have even suggested gotu kola as a candidate for the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease (AD).
In addition to AD, there is also research looking at the overlapping benefits for Parkinson’s disease. The development of these neurodegenerative diseases display several key characteristics, like: neuroinflammatory activities, oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, and dysfunction in brain-derived neurotrophic factor; all of which are buffered and improved with gotu kola supplementation.
Reason #2: Gotu Kola and the Body
This mighty herb also demonstrates positive effects on skin, endocrine, and cardiovascular disorders. Gotu kola can promote wound healing, reduce skin irritation, lower blood glucose levels, improve insulin resistance, inhibit weight gain, help chronic discomfort, and decrease the effects of oxidative stress. Consistent supplementation also improves the health of the liver, colon, and stomach.
Chronic arousal is not a disease in and of itself, but it is one of the most common precursors to the development of numerous disease states. It’s also indicated in many of the physiological mechanisms listed above. Therefore, when chronic arousal is treated, the benefits spread throughout the entire organism. An individual may notice wholistic improvements, from skin health to integrity of the intestinal barrier.
It’s simple: gotu kola is great for your mind and your body. Adding it to your daily ritual will help boost your cognition, buffer discomfort, and bring your entire body back to a homeostatic state. There’s a reason it has been used for its medicinal properties for thousands of years. With Rise, we made it easy to transfer those ancient benefits into your modern healthy living. Go ahead, give it a try!
References
Gohil, K. J., Patel, J. A., & Gajjar, A. K. (2010). Pharmacological Review on Centella asiatica: A Potential Herbal Cure-all. Indian journal of pharmaceutical sciences, 72(5), 546–556. https://doi.org/10.4103/0250-474X.78519
Sun, B., Wu, L., Wu, Y., Zhang, C., Qin, L., Hayashi, M., Kudo, M., Gao, M., & Liu, T. (2020). Therapeutic Potential of Centella asiatica and Its Triterpenes: A Review. Frontiers in pharmacology, 11, 568032. https://doi.org/10.3389/fphar.2020.568032
