Improve Your Circulation With Gotu Kola

Below we will discuss in detail the properties of gotu kola and how you can take advantage of it to improve your circulation.

Gotu kola is a plant from India, of the Apiaceae family, well known for being the source of certain active ingredients used to improve circulation. The most important of these principles is asiaticoside, a substance to which the vast majority of its properties are attributed.

Now, outside the pharmacological field, the truth is that the use of gotu kola has a long history in countries such as India, China and Indonesia.

It has been used orally to improve mental and cognitive health, but also topically to heal wounds and treat diseases such as leprosy, dermatitis, and psoriasis.

Now, despite the fact that throughout history it has been used in various ways, to treat different conditions, the truth is that not all of its uses are supported by science.

In fact, within its traditional uses, it has only been proven that gotu kola does provide benefits when it comes to improving mental, cognitive and cardiovascular health; especially in the treatment of venous disorders such as venous hypertension.

How to take advantage of gotu kola? 

To benefit from the properties of gotu kola we can consume it as an infusion, add its leaves to salads or consume supplements in the form of capsules.

Although its topical use, in essential oils, lotions, creams or other ointments, is mainly oriented towards the healing of wounds and burns, it can also be used to improve circulation since it has a great vasoconstrictor power. 

Gotu kola compounds

In addition to tannins, essential oil, phytosterols, mucilages, resin, saponins. Gotu kola is capable of providing health benefits thanks to its following chemical compounds:

• Pentacyclic triterpenes and their genins: Asian and madecasic acids and heterosides (asiatoside, madecasósido and terminolósido).

• Alanine, serine, aminobutyrate, aspartate, glutamate, lysine and threonine (Free amino acids).
• Kampferol, Quercetin, 3-Glucosyl-Quercetin, 3-Glucosyl-Kampferol (Flavonoids)
• Hydrocotilline (An alkaloid).
• Vallerina (A bitter principle).

Its antioxidant power

Being rich in flavonoids, gotu kola provides antioxidants that help protect the various organs and systems of the body, including the circulatory system, of course.

In fact, it is considered that the abundance of antioxidants and collagen is what explains the broad therapeutic scope of the set of compounds in gotu kola.

Studies have shown that regular consumption of gotu kola can help prevent loss of elasticity in blood vessels, reduce inflammatory problems, and generally improve circulation.

In an observational study, carried out with a sample made up of 94 people with  post phlebitic syndrome Those who took a 90 mg dose of gotu kola extract for several weeks had a significant improvement in muscle tone, compared to those who took only placebo. It should be noted that this dose was divided into 3 doses, daily.

Indications

• Always consult with your doctor before starting to take gotu kola to avoid allergies and other adverse reactions.
• Do not mix gotu kola together with irritating or inflammatory foods and drinks; such as garlic, onion, cayenne pepper, or bell peppers.
• If you have taken caffeine before consuming gotu kola, you should wait at least two hours before taking gotu kola.
• Do not exceed the indicated doses. 
• Arriving the sixth week of consumption, a 2-week break should be taken before resuming the treatment again.
• Suspend its use in case of pregnancy, since this plant has abortifacient properties. It is also necessary to avoid its use during lactation.
• Do not administer in minors.

Side effects

Side effects of gotu kola are rare, but can include: allergies and a burning sensation on the skin, headache, upset stomach, nausea, dizziness, and extreme drowsiness. These reactions tend to occur, especially when the recommended dose is exceeded.