JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2000

brain food Gotu Kola Pachyderms eat considerable quantifies of Gotu Kola or Centella asiatica. Don't we use the popular expression having a memory like an elephant? Indeed, it is accepted that this water lily type plant of the same family as parsley (Apiaceae-Umbelliferae family) increases intellectual sharpness by enhancing concentration and stimulating memory. But this is only one of the many properties associated to this strange plant as we will see. Originating from hot areas of both hemispheres, the specie which is hundreds of thousands of years old, abounds mainly in the marshy regions of Sri-Lanka, of the East of Asia, of South Africa, of Madagascar as well as the tropical regions of the American continents. Other than these great geographical distribution areas, it is also found in certain zones of Central Europe. From a morphological point of view, the plant varies in its shape and constitution, according to the physical environment where it is found. For example, in a damp climate, its small leaves will float on water. In a dry climate, its even smaller leaves, will fix themselves to a greater number of roots, which run and anchor themselves on the ground to extract water and vitamins. In the latter, the plant also produces tiny pinkish flowers. In general, it is a rampant plant variety, with ramified roots on the ground or on water, surmounted by small, tender green, deciduous leaves. It's curative properties, historically verified numerous times, as well as it's traditional uses are considerable. In India, per example, Gotu Kola was used for it's beneficial effect in the treatments of leprosy and tuberculosis. In Sri-Lanka, South Africa, Pakistan, Malaysia and certain parts of Central Europe, this plant specie was used mainly as a blood cleanser and is still used frequently for diverse cutaneous problems. Furthermore, it was used to prevent cancer and arthritis. Finally, Gotu Kola was used as a nervous system tonic, an aphrodisiac and was also used for mental and circulatory disorders. Later exported to China, it was believed in Chinese traditional medicine that Centella asiatica increased longevity. Due to its virtues, this plant was often referred to as 'the fountain of youth'. Other than its curative properties, it was believed for a long time that this plant contained caffeine since it acted as a powerful nervous system stimulant or tonic. Yet, constituted of glycosides, catechol, magnesium, vitamin k, to name only those, it has been quickly noticed that when consuming great quantities or high doses, it acted as a sedative. The yogis use it as a facilitator for meditation and visions due to its spirit's purifying and equalising qualities. Nowadays, Gotu Kola is used in the medical field to prevent or treat circulatory insufficiencies, muscular inflammations as well as blood infections. Other recent studies are finally demonstrating that the plant has powerful beneficial effects against chronic skin problems such as cutaneous ulcers, cellulite or oedema. In brief, elephants may be smarter than we think! Maybe one day, if this mammal continues to ingest astronomical quantities of Centella asiatica, we will see a skin mutation, and its skin will no longer be rough but will be as smooth as baby's skin. Kathia Roy Bibliography : DUKE, J.A. Handbook of Medicinal Herbs. Boca Raton. FL : CRC Press. 1985. 110-1. KARTING, T. Clinical applications of Centella asiatica (L). In : Herbs, Spices and Médicinal Plants : Recent Advances in Botany, Horticulture and Pharmacology. Vol. 3 ; Ed. Le Cracker. JE Simon. Phoenix, AZ : Onix Press. 1986. 145-73.