Gotu Kola (Centella asiatica) is an herb that’s been traditionally used in Asia for its heal-all abilities. The secret’s out in the west about its cornucopia of benefits, and the green beauty industry using it more and more in formulations for it’s from protective antioxidative power and skin tightening collagen synthesis.
How Gotu Kola Herb offers Skin Tightening Benefits (Even Better Than Vitamin C)
While Gotu Kola is used in the eastern medicine to connect with higher consciousness, studies have proven its compounds to be effective in maintaining youthful qualities for the skin.
Stimulating collagen synthesis is important for restoring skin firmness and elasticity in addition to antioxidant power to mitigate the damage of UV exposure and free radical damage. One study describes a blend of triterpenes named asiatic acid, madecassic acid and asiaticoside which lend stimulation of collagen synthesis for tissue regeneration and additional antioxidant benefits.
When comparing Gotu Kola (Centella) to the popular skin care ingredients Vitamin C, Gotu Kola showed significant enhancement in collagen stimulation.
“The vitamin C (25 µg/mL) which was used as a positive control showed 2-fold collagen enhancing response. At 50 mg/mL, the Centella extract enhanced 3-fold collagen production compared to the control (untreated).”
Antioxidant value is another consideration in the youthful appearance of skin, as oxidative damage from UV exposure is one of the biggest contributors to degradation of the collagen and elastin structures of skin.
A study estimating the preventative impact of the flavonoids found in Centella on photooxidative stress found topically applied to be “excellent candidates for successful employment as protective agents in certain skin diseases caused, initiate or exacerbated by sunlight irradiation.” When you protect your collagen structures you preserve your skin firmness, making Gotu Kola a real ally in keeping skin looking resilient and youthful.
Gotu Kola Uses in the Nutricosmetics Trend to Enhance Skin From Within
A Nutricosmetic is a food or supplement that is ingested with the intent of enhancing the beauty of the skin. With a holistic approach in mind many people are finally acknowledging the inner beauty connection, and adding nutritional strategies and products to support their full spectrum of wellness and radiance.
Nutricosmetics contain vitamins, phytonutrients and other natural ingredients to promote youthfulness and reverse processes associated with aging.
“Anti-oxidants used in such nutricosmetics or oral anti-aging products include vitamins A, C and E, fatty acids like alpha-lipoic acid, and botanicals such as green tea. Superior [nutricosmetics] also include ingredients, which promote skin health, have anti-inflammatory action, and include an anti-stress component.”
Eating Gotu Kola Herb for Whole Body Beauty Benefits
Ingesting Gotu Kola is noted to be memory enhancing with neuro-protective qualities and antioxidant benefits. It contains vitamins B & C, proteins, essential minerals and a host of phytonutrients.
When Gotu Kola was tested for anti-inflammatory impact,
“at 2 mg/kg concentration, the extract had mild anti-inflammatory property. However, at 4 and 10 mg/kg, the anti-inflammatory activity was significantly different from the control”
As inflammation is found to be present in all disease, this presents a whole approach to well-being.
The gotu kola leaf can be consumed in a variety of ways, the easiest being to eat the leaves, for example as a salad accoutrement. It can also be juiced or made into powder supplementation.
Gotu Kola Herb and Ayurveda - a Traditional Approach to Skin Health
In Eastern understanding, the ancient holistic health balancing system of Ayurveda (ayur: life // veda: knowledge/wisdom) outlines three energy principles (called doshas) of embodiment which are described by:
Vata: air & space
Pitta: fire & water
Kapha: earth & water
Every person is bespoke in their dosha make up, and the aim of Ayurveda is to balance each according to the original constitution and the external factors that are affecting the body.
While some herbs balance specific doshas, Gotu Kola is tri-doshic, which means it helps to regulate all three.
According to classic Ayurvedic texts, Gotu Kola will “give a favorable turn to one’s fortune, impart a lotus-like bloom [to the cheeks] with perpetual youth, unparalleled intellectual faculties, and a life that would cover a period of three centuries of song and sunshine.”
In Chinese Medicine, Gotu Kola is said to be a “miracle elixirs of life” and is referred to in Ayurveda as 'Brahmi’, the goddess of supreme wisdom.
This leafy green beauty is a true bounty of benefits for body, mind, soul & skin. Will you make it part of your natural beauty lifestyle?
Disclaimer: The information contained on this site is general in nature and for informational purposes. It is not meant to substitute for the advice provided by your own physician or other medical professional. None of the statements on this site are a recommendation as to how to treat any particular disease or health-related condition. If you suspect you have a disease or health-related condition of any kind, you should contact your health care professional immediately. Please read all product packaging carefully and consult with a healthcare professional before starting any diet, exercise, supplementation or medication program. Cosmetic products have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent disease.