Gotu kola, Indian pennywort, Asiatic pennywort, Brahmi
Centella asiatica
🌿 Morphology
🌞 Growing conditions
🌍 Origin and family
🌾 Uses
Warning: Despite the care taken in writing this sheet, it is essential to cross-reference sources before using or consuming any plant. When in doubt, consult a qualified professional
Permaculture uses
Gotu kola is used as a groundcover, helps prevent erosion, and attracts beneficial insects. Its leaves are edible raw or cooked and are valued for their medicinal properties, promoting wound healing, improving cognitive function, and reducing anxiety. It is also used in skincare products. It thrives in moist, shady areas and can be used as a living mulch.
Permapeople description
Gotu Kola, also known as Centella asiatica, is a perennial plant native to wetlands in Asia. It has small, fan-shaped leaves and white or pinkish flowers. The plant typically grows to be about 30-60 cm in height.
In terms of its appearance, Gotu Kola has small, fan-shaped leaves and white or pinkish flowers. The stems of the plant are slender and often have a reddish or purple hue.
In terms of its growing conditions, Gotu Kola prefers wet, marshy areas with partial shade. It can be grown successfully in a variety of soil types, but it thrives in moist, well-draining soil. To cultivate the plant, a gardener would need to provide it with plenty of water and keep the soil consistently moist. In terms of its hardiness, Gotu Kola is winter hardy and can withstand cold temperatures.
In terms of its edibility, Gotu Kola is edible and is often used in traditional herbal medicine. The leaves of the plant can be eaten fresh or cooked, and the root can also be eaten. The plant has a mild, slightly bitter flavor. To store the edible parts of the plant after harvest, they can be dried and kept in an airtight container.
In terms of its uses, Gotu Kola has a wide range of medicinal uses. It is commonly used to treat various skin conditions, including wounds, burns, and eczema. It is also used to improve circulation and to treat mental fatigue and anxiety. In addition to its medicinal uses, the plant can also be used as ground cover and to provide wind protection in gardens.
In terms of its value for wildlife, Gotu Kola provides food and shelter for a variety of animals. Its leaves are a source of food for birds and other animals, and the plant can provide shelter for small animals such as rodents and insects.
Botanical description
Centella asiatica is a herbaceous, perennial plant in the flowering plant family Apiaceae. It is native to wetlands in Asia. It is a small, creeping plant with rounded or kidney-shaped leaves, which are 1–3 cm in diameter. The plant has small, pink flowers and small, oval fruits. It spreads vegetatively by runners, forming a dense mat. It prefers moist, shady environments and is commonly found along ditches, rice paddies, and other wet areas. The leaves and stems contain various triterpenoids, including asiaticoside, madecassoside, asiatic acid, and madecassic acid.
Companion planting
Gotu kola benefits from being planted with other moisture-loving plants, as it thrives in moist conditions. It can be used as a ground cover beneath taller plants that provide shade. No specific antagonistic relationships are widely documented.
Propagation methods
Propagation is typically done through division of runners, stem cuttings, or by seed. Division is the easiest and most common method, involving separating rooted sections of the plant. Stem cuttings can be rooted in water or a moist growing medium. Seeds can be sown in spring, but they require consistently moist conditions to germinate.
History and traditions
Gotu kola has a long history of use in traditional medicine in Asia, particularly in Ayurvedic and traditional Chinese medicine. It has been used for centuries to treat a variety of ailments, including wounds, skin conditions, digestive problems, and cognitive decline. In some cultures, it is believed to promote longevity and vitality.
Usage calendar
Harvesting of leaves can occur year-round in warm climates, but is typically more abundant during the growing season (spring to fall). Planting or division is best done in spring or early summer. Flowering typically occurs in summer.