Gotu Kola

Gotu Kola also known as pennywort or centella asiatica, is reputed to make one live longer. It is also claimed to be a cure for leprosy. It is good for any skin problem like a rash. It also heals collagen and blood vessels like varicose veins. It is a diuretic which means that it causes frequent urination and the expulsion of excess water from the body. It has been used by buddhist monks because of its ability to focus and calm the mind in meditation. It increases blood and oxygen to the brain and the adrenal glands (the pituitary gland, the pineal gland, and the hypophthalmus). Improving the secretions of these glands alone has the ability to make one younger (for example by taking arginine in large doses on an empty stomach, new hairs start to grow.)

Pennywort contains vitamin K the blood clotting vitamin. It is also reputed to heal spider veins, leaky veins and varicose veins. This has significant implications for the elderly and diabetics, as preventing leaky veins can prevent amputations and save eyesight. It has also been used for arthritis.

Because of it's ability to heal collagen, gotu kola is used in beauty creams as well as for skin disorders.

In Perth, Western Australia where I live, Gotu Kola is a registered weed (as are a lot of herbs). It grows profusely, sometimes as large clumps of healthy plants with large leaves at several locations in swampland near the Swan river. I harvest 1 kg at a time. It takes me about an hour to pick that many leaves.