Gotu Kola Extract (Centella asiatica; Pennywort; Peng Da Wan) 2 fl oz: HH

Used as an infusion, decoction, extract, tincture and poultice. Used throughout the Indian subcontinent as a poultice for skin diseases and the healing of wounds. It also has an ancient reputation for aiding mental clarity and lowering blood pressure. Hydrocotyle asiatica, listed by Grieve and King's, is sometimes listed as a synonym, but Oriental medical references say that Hydrocotyle is actually a different and medicinally inferior plant. Centella's saponins (including asiaticoside, madecassoside and madasiatic acid) seem to reduce scar formation in wound healing by inhibiting the production of connective tissue as they simultaneously close the wound. As the research below indicates, Centella has been experimentally shown to be 'effective in venous insufficiency, reducing ankle edema, foot swelling, capillary filtration rate and improving microcirculatory parameters.' The herb is very good news for varicose veins. This demonstrable improvement in microcirculatory efficiency may explain Gotu Kola's ancient reputation as an aid to mental clarity, high blood pressure, fever, rheumatism and mental disorders.