Centella asiatica
| Centella asiatica | |
| Light: |   |
| Moisture: |   |
| Hardiness: | 8 |
| Soil pH: | 5.6-8.4 |
| Evergreen Self Pollinated | |
| Height: | 1' |
| Width: | 3' |
| Blooms: | Mid Summer-Late Summer |
| Native to: | |
| Edible Rating: |  |
| Medicinal Rating: |  |
| Tea: | Yes |
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Centella asiatica (common name: gotu kola)
Propagation: Seed - sow spring in a greenhouse[1]. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle and grow them on in a greenhouse for their first winter. Plant them out in late spring or early summer of the following year, after the last expected frosts[K].
Division is simple at any time in the growing season, though the spring is probably best[K]. We find that it is best to pot up the divisions until they are rooting away well, though in selected mild gardens it should be possible to plant the divisions out directly into their permanent positions[K].
Cultivation: Prefers a moist to wet soil in sun or partial shade[1]. Plants also grow on walls in the wild and so should tolerate drier conditions[K].
This species is not hardy in the colder areas of the country, it tolerates temperatures down to between -5 and -10°c[2]. It grows and spreads very well outdoors during the summer in most parts of the country and is very easy to increase by division. It can therefore be grown as a summer crop with divisions being taken during the growing season and overwintered in a greenhouse in case the outdoor plants are killed by winter cold[K].
Range: E. Asia - India, China and Japan. Australia.
Habitat: Old stone walls and rocky sunny places in lowland hills and especially by the coast in central and southern Japan[3]. Shady, damp and wet places such as paddy fields, and in grass thickets[4][1].
Edibility: Leaves - raw or cooked. Used in salads and in curries[1]. Cooked as a vegetable[5]. An aromatic flavour, we have found them to be rather overpowering in salads when used in any but small quantities[K].
Medicinal: Gotu kola is an outstandingly important medicinal herb that is widely used in the Orient[1] and is becoming increasingly popular in the West[6]. Its Indian name is 'Brahmi' which means 'bringing knowledge of the Supreme Reality' and it has long been used there medicinally and as an aid to meditation[1]. It is a useful tonic and cleansing herb for skin problems and digestive disorders[6]. In India it is chiefly valued as a revitalizing herb that strengthens nervous function and memory[6].
The whole plant is alterative, cardio-depressant, hypotensive, weakly sedative and tonic[7]. It is a rejuvenating diuretic herb that clears toxins, reduces inflammations and fevers, improves healing and immunity, improves the memory and has a balancing effect on the nervous system[4][8][1][7]. It has been suggested that regular use of the herb can rejuvenate the nervous system and it therefore deserves attention as a possible cure for a wide range of nervous disorders including multiple sclerosis[K]. Recent research has shown that gotu kola reduces scarring, improves circulatory problems in the lower limbs and speeds the healing process[1]. It is used internally in the treatment of wounds, chronic skin conditions (including leprosy), venereal diseases, malaria, varicose veins, ulcers, nervous disorders and senility[1][7]. Caution should be observed since excess doses cause headaches and transient unconsciousness[1]. Externally, the herb is applied to wounds, haemorrhoids and rheumatic joints[1].
The plant can be harvested at any time of the year and is used fresh or dried[1]. Another report says that the dried herb quickly loses its medicinal properties and so is best used fresh[9].
Usage: Extracts of the plant are added to cosmetic masks and creams to increase collagen and firm the skin[1].
Pollinators: Insects
Notes: This would be an excellent help. We can obtain the dried leaves from Hambledon herbs to use as a tea.
Soil: Can grow in light, medium, and heavy soils.
In Leaf: Evergreen
Flower Type: Hermaphrodite
Known Hazards: There is a warning that the plant can irritate the skin[1], though it is widely used to treat skin complaints[1].
Also Known As: Hydrocotyle asiatica. L. H. cordifolia. H. repanda.
Links
References
- ↑ 1.00 1.01 1.02 1.03 1.04 1.05 1.06 1.07 1.08 1.09 1.10 1.11 1.12 1.13 1.14 Bown, Deni. Royal Horticultural Society Encyclopaedia of Herbs and Their Uses. Dorling Kindersley, 1995.
- ↑ Huxley, Anthony. The New Royal Horticultural Society Dictionary of Gardening. MacMillan Press, 1992.
- ↑ Ohwi, Jisaburo. Flora of Japan. Smithsonian Institution, 1965.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Revolutionary Health Committee of Hunan Province. A Barefoot Doctors Manual. Running Press.
- ↑ Manandhar, Narayan. Plants and People of Nepal. Timber Press, 2002.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 Chevallier, Andrew. The Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants. Dorling Kindersley, 1996.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 Chopra, R. Glossary of Indian Medicinal Plants. Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, New Delhi, 1986.
- ↑ Lassak, Erich and Tara McCarthy. Australian Medicinal Plants.
- ↑ Hobbs, Christopher. Ginkgo: Elixir of Youth. Botanica Press, 1994.