Gotu kola (Centella asiatica (L.) Urban), of the Apiaceae family, is also known as Centella and Pennywort. Native to areas such as Sri Lanka and South Africa, the leaves of this swamp plant have been used around the world for centuries to treat leprosy, cancer, skin disorders, arthritis, hemorrhoids, and tuberculosis.
Gotu Kola was first used in India where it is part of Ayurvedic medicine and is popular as a nerve tonic to promote relaxation and enhance memory. Indian healers use this herb to treat skin inflammations and as a mild diuretic. Oriental healers rely on Gotu Kola to treat emotional disorders such as depression.
Gotu kola has also been employed as an energy tonic, and as a treatment for high blood pressure and mental disorders. Gotu kola is a vital herb in Ayurveda, the traditional science of health in India, where it is used to "strengthen both the white and gray matter of the brain", stimulate learning, memory and alertness, and calm or sedate nervousness when necessary. Traditional Chinese medicinal believed Gotu kola provided long life, and thus called it the "fountain of youth" herb in China. In the United States, Gotu kola is found in countless energy formulas and tonics.
This herb has also been used to bring down fever and relieve congestion due to colds and upper respiratory infections. Recent studies show that Gotu Kola has positive effects on the circulatory system; it seems to improve the flow of blood throughout the body by strengthening the veins and capillaries. It has been used successfully to treat phlebitis, as well as leg cramps, swelling of the legs, and heaviness or tingling in the legs. This is particularly useful for bedridden people.
Gotu Kola has even been used as 'food for the brain' after a nervous breakdown to rebuild energy reserves, or to prevent a nervous breakdown. It has an energizing effect on the cells of the brain, relieves high blood pressure, mental fatigue, senility, and helps the body defend itself against various toxins. It works as a blood purifier and in strengthening the heart, as well as with bowel problems, rheumatism, skin problems, and also promotes blood circulation in the lower limbs and reduces the pain and swelling due to phlebitis.
A common misconception is that Gotu kola contains caffeine, which is simply not true. Researchers have found that Gotu kola contains several glycosides that exhibit wound healing and anti-inflammatory activities, and in large doses it can act as a sedative. Other researchers have shown that fresh leaves of the Gotu kola plant are effective in healing chronic skin ulcers and other wounds.
Gotu kola contains a group of triterpenes called asiaticosides that possess strong antioxidant properties.
In modern times Gotu Kola is used primarily for venous insufficiency, localized inflammation and infection, and post-surgery recovery. Gotu kola is also used for the following:
SKIN: Open wounds, sores, ulcers, other infections and radiation ulcers.
CONFINEMENT: Bed sores, phlebitis, tingling, night cramps.
VEIN PROBLEMS: Phlebitis, varicose veins, cellulite and edema.
GYNECOLOGY: Lesions during pregnancy, delivery and obstetric manipulations, and episiotomy tears.
Gotu kola affects various stages of tissue development, including keratinization (the process of replacing skin after sores or ulcers). Asiaticosides stimulate the formation of lipids and proteins necessary for integumentary stability. Gotu kola has been found to have significant results in healing of skin, other connective tissues, lymph tissue, blood vessels (decreasing capillary fragility), and mucous membranes.
Gotu Kola contains Vitamins A, G, K, and is also high in magnesium. Supporting agents for Gotu kola include: Bilberry, Butcher's Broom, Silica, Zinc, Vitamins C, E and D.
Grape Seed Extract along with Pycnogenol, an extract derived from maritime pine bark is an important source of one of nature's most potent antioxidants, the proanthocyanidins, which are synergistic with Vitamin C - that is, they greatly enhance the activity of Vitamin C in the body. These nutritionally valuable substances have been utilized to treat deteriorating diseases and conditions with great success. Grape Seed extract helps Vitamin C enter the body's cells, thus strengthening the cell membranes, and protecting the cells from oxidative damage. Research has shown that proanthocyanidins (bioflavonoids) serve as anti-inflammatory, antihistamines, antiallergenic and are major free radical scavengers. The proanthocyandins possess up to 50 times stronger antioxidant activity than Vitamin C&E, Beta Carotene or Selenium.
Proanthocyanidins also help promote tissue elasticity, help heal injuries, reduce swelling and edema, restore collagen and improve peripheral circulation. Proanthocyanidins also prevent bruising, strengthen weak blood vessels, protect against atherosclerosis, and reduce histamine production.
For years, those who could afford the high price of Pycnogenol supplements derived significant antioxidant protection against free radicals. Pycnogenol, which is derived from pine bark, contains 85% proanthocyanidin. Grape seed extract contains 95% proanthocyanidin and is far more affordable than Pycnogenol.
The many benefits of Grape Seed Extract include:
Powerful, natural and hypoallergenic free radical scavenger and antioxidant.
Highly bioavailable bioflavonoid complex which is rapidly absorbed and distributed throughout the body within minutes.
Has 50 times greater antioxidant capability than vitamin E and 20 times greater activity than vitamin C (in vitro).
Inhibits the enzymes which lead to histamine formation.
Helps increase the effectiveness of vitamin C by acting as a carrier and as a restorer of oxidized vitamin C by working with glutathione.
Provides protection to brain and spinal nerves from potent free radical damage.
Removes and prevents lipofuscin formation in the brain and heart, conferring anti-aging benefits.
Binds to collagen fibers, increasing elasticity and flexibility in muscles, tendons, and ligaments.
Acts as smooth muscle relaxants in blood vessels.
Is extremely stable on the shelf, showing no loss of potency after 12 years of storage.
Fully researched and supported by numerous clinical studies for over 26 years.
Green tea extract comes from the natural dried leaves of the tea plant (Camellia sinensis). Black tea is derived from oxidized green tea leaves. Both Green and Black tea have been used for thousands of years in Asia, both as a beverage and a herbal medicine.
Green Tea contains natural caffeine and other Phenolic-containing antioxidant compounds. They activate the central nervous system, which spars the body's ability to lose unwanted fat cells through the Thermogenic process.
Researchers studying green tea have found it to be an excellent source of potent, bioflavonoid-rich compound that is high in polyphenols, a special class of bioflavonoids. The most important of the polyphenols isolated from green tea are the catechins, and in particular (-)Epigallocatechin Gallate (EGCG), a strong antioxidant that is used in food production and antioxidant research.
The phenol groups in green tea polyphenols are extremely active, easily able to capture and neutralize free radicals and other pro-oxidants. Researchers have found that EGCG is over 200 times more powerful than vitamin E in neutralizing pro-oxidants and free radicals that attack lipids (oils and fats). EGCE is also 20 times more potent than vitamin E in reducing the formation of dangerous and potentially mutagenic peroxides that form in rancid fats and lard.
EGCE is also known to confer protection against respiratory and digestive infections and food poisoning, while encouraging acidophilus growth and regularizing bowel habits. In laboratory studies, 500 mg. of green tea catechins per day have been shown to significantly lower blood pressure and possess anti-mutagenic activity. Additionally, at very high levels (0.5% to 1% of daily diet) green tea catechins reduced high total- and LDL-cholesterol levels in animal studies.
Green tea blocks the attachment of bacteria to the teeth, protecting against cavities. Green tea extract is non-toxic, both in acute doses and high long-term doses. There is no potential for causing mutation or birth defects, and no adverse effect on fertility, pregnancy or nursing.
