Gotu Kola – 5 Seeds

Gotu kola (Centella asiatica) is a perennial groundcover that’s a member of the same plant family as parsley and carrots. It is commonly known as Pennywort. It grows abundantly in the wetlands of Asia, South Africa, and Australia.

It is an important natural remedy in Chinese, Indonesian, and Indian Ayurvedic medicine — its health benefits are legendary. In traditional Chinese medicine, it is believed to promote longevity and, in fact, its Chinese name means “fountain of youth.”

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Gotu Kola Culinary Uses

Gotu Kola is not only highly therapeutic, but extremely nutritious. This wonder herb is higher in the B-complex vitamin group than any other plant.

• This mild-tasting plant has the texture and appearance of watercress and a taste similar to parsley.
• It’s a common ingredient in many Asian cuisines where it’s added to salads, rice, and curry dishes.
• It’s also blended into cold smoothie-like drinks and made into tea.

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Gotu Kola Medicinal Benefits

Gotu kola has a particularly long list of traditional uses. Gotu Kola has been used as a medicinal herb for thousands of years in many parts of Africa and Asia.

• Its ability to heal wounds, improve mental clarity, and treat skin conditions such as leprosy and psoriasis gave it the reputation of being one of the “miracle elixirs of life”.
• In Zimbabwe, Gotu Kola is considered to be a powerful aphrodisiac, while the Hosa and the Mfengu tribes in East Africa have used it both as a nourishing food and a valuable medicine for many years.
• In traditional African medicine it has been used extensively for the treatment of leprosy, bronchitis, asthma, syphilis and wound healing.
• It re-vitalizes the nerves and brain cells, increases attention span and concentration, and combats aging.
• In Ayurvedic medicine, it is known as a “brain food”. It has been used in India for 3,000 years for boosting memory, wound healing, as a mild diuretic, for increasing concentration, alertness, as well as anti-anxiety and anti-stress, and to relieve hypertension.
• Today, American and European herbalists use Gotu Kola for disorders that cause connective tissue swelling.
• The Gotu Kola plant’s anti-tumour and wound-healing properties have been clinically proven – it contains triterpenoid saponoids that help to promote cell replication. It increases the reproduction of peripheral blood vessels and connective tissue, improves circulation and helps to retain/restore elasticity of the skin.

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Growing Gotu Kola

Indoor Sowing: Cold Stratification and then transplant the seedlings in Spring.

Direct Sowing: Autumn and Winter.

• Direct Sowing is recommended, but you can also start the seeds indoors.
• For direct sowing, moisten the soil and then lightly press the seeds into the top layer of the soil.
• Cover with a very thin layer of soil. Keep the soil moist. Germination will take place the following Spring.
• For growing indoors, you need to first cold stratify the seeds for 30 – 60 days.
• After the cold stratification has been completed,  it is time to plant the seeds.
• Create a potting mix with potting soil and coco peat or use a seed starting mix. Fill a container of any size with the potting mix.
• Moisten the soil and tamp it down firmly.
• Press the Gotu Kola Seeds lightly into the top layer of the soil and barely cover the seeds with a thin layer of soil.
• Keep the soil moist at all times and do not allow it to dry out.
• Germination is very erratic and can take 3 months or more.
• Transplant the seedlings into larger individual pots when they have grown their first set of true leaves.
• Allow the seedlings to grow in the containers for their first year. Keep the containers indoors or in a greenhouse during the winter.
• Plant the seedlings in the garden anytime after your area’s last frost date.
• Choose a moist spot in partial shade, for the plant’s permanent location.
• In the garden, it grows nearly anywhere as long as conditions are never dry, and works well near water or as a ground-cover in dark, shady areas.