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Herb library

Mandukaparni (Gotu Kola / Indian Pennywort)

Gotu Kola (Gotu Kola / Indian Pennywort)

Centella asiatica

The 'frog leaf' creeper — memory, calm and skin repair in a single cooling herb.

Gotu kola creeper · Herb · Parts: Leaf, Whole plant

Taste (rasa)
Bitter, Sweet, Astringent
Energy (virya)
Cooling
Balances
Pitta, Vata, Kapha

What it is used for

Benefits

  • Supports memory, concentration and mental calm
  • Encourages wound healing, scar softening and collagen repair
  • Used for heavy, tired legs and poor venous circulation

How it has been used

Traditional uses & benefits

Mandukaparni is a medhya rasayana — a herb for the intellect. Where ashwagandha rebuilds the body, this one clears and cools the mind.

Traditional uses

  • Memory, study and mental fatigue
  • Wound healing, scars, stretch marks and skin repair
  • Heavy legs, varicose veins and poor circulation

Practical guidance

  1. 1Take it in the day for clarity; it is calming but not sedating.
  2. 2Fresh leaf juice is traditional in South India; powder in ghee is the classical medhya form.
  3. 3Cycle 6 weeks on, 2 weeks off rather than taking it indefinitely.

How much

Dosage

Powder 1-2 g daily, or 30-60 ml of fresh leaf juice.

How to take it

Preparation & usage

Leaf juice

Blend a handful of fresh leaves with water and strain.

Morning

Brahmi-style ghee

Stir 1 g of powder into warm ghee or milk.

Evening

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Precautions

  • Avoid in pregnancy and with active liver disease
  • Can deepen the effect of sedatives and anti-anxiety medication
  • Take in cycles of 6 weeks with a break rather than continuously

Where this comes from

Sources

Used forEnergy & FocusSkin & HairSleep & Stress

Where to buy

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If you buy, look for a batch-tested product that states the botanical name and tests for heavy metals. Check with your doctor first if you take medication, are pregnant or breastfeeding.