How to Take Gotu Kola for Health
Gotu kola (Centella asiatica) is also known by other names such as centella, Indian pennywort and marsh pennywort. It is a creeping plant that grows in tropical and subtropical swamps. The aerial parts of the plant are used medicinally. The following steps will help you decide whether or not to take this herbal supplement.
1
Read about the historical uses of gotu kola. It has been used for thousands of years in China, India and Indonesia to heal wounds, improve mental ability and treat leprosy and psoriasis.
2
Look at modern uses of gotu kola. Western herbalists use it to treat swelling in connective tissue and to improve the memory. It is also applied externally to treat wounds.
3
Consider the results from modern scientific testing of gotu kola. It contains triterpenoids which do aid in wound healing, but it is unclear that the dried extract has enough to be effective.
4
Study the usage guidelines of gotu kola. Continued use longer than six weeks is not recommended. Patients with a history of skin lesions should not take it. Asiaticoside is a component of gotu kola and has been associated with tumors in mice.
5
Take no more than the recommended dosage of gotu kola. Common dosages are a 1- to 4-gram capsule of the powdered herb three times per day. A standardized extract of 40 percent asiaticoside is given in 50 to 250 mg amounts three times per day. Gotu kola may also be taken as a tea.
http://www.ehow.com/how_2068079_take-gotu-kola-health.html
Gotu kola (Centella asiatica) is also known by other names such as centella, Indian pennywort and marsh pennywort. It is a creeping plant that grows in tropical and subtropical swamps. The aerial parts of the plant are used medicinally. The following steps will help you decide whether or not to take this herbal supplement.
1
Read about the historical uses of gotu kola. It has been used for thousands of years in China, India and Indonesia to heal wounds, improve mental ability and treat leprosy and psoriasis.
2
Look at modern uses of gotu kola. Western herbalists use it to treat swelling in connective tissue and to improve the memory. It is also applied externally to treat wounds.
3
Consider the results from modern scientific testing of gotu kola. It contains triterpenoids which do aid in wound healing, but it is unclear that the dried extract has enough to be effective.
4
Study the usage guidelines of gotu kola. Continued use longer than six weeks is not recommended. Patients with a history of skin lesions should not take it. Asiaticoside is a component of gotu kola and has been associated with tumors in mice.
5
Take no more than the recommended dosage of gotu kola. Common dosages are a 1- to 4-gram capsule of the powdered herb three times per day. A standardized extract of 40 percent asiaticoside is given in 50 to 250 mg amounts three times per day. Gotu kola may also be taken as a tea.
http://www.ehow.com/how_2068079_take-gotu-kola-health.html
