Gotu Kola (Mandukaparni):

A Deep Dive into Its Ayurvedic Pharmacology and Healing Benefits

Introduction

Gotu Kola (Centella asiatica) is a well-known medicinal herb widely used in Ayurveda, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), and Sri Lankan indigenous medicine. In Ayurveda, Gotu Kola (Mandukaparni) is a revered Medhya Rasayana (brain tonic) known for its rejuvenating effects on the mind and body.

Scientific Classification

1. Botanical name: Centella asiatica (L.) Urban.

Syn. Hydrocotyle asiatica L.

1. Kingdom: Plantae – Plants
2. Subkingdom: Tracheobionta – Vascular plants
3. Superdivision: Spermatophyta – Seed plants
4. Division: Magnoliophyta – Flowering plants
5. Class: Magnoliopsida – Dicotyledons                                     
6. Subclass: Rosidae
7. Order: Apiales
8. Family: Apiaceae ⁄ Umbelliferae

Carrot family (It belongs to the plant family Apiaceae / Umbelliferae. Below is the taxonomical classification of plants.

(Ayurveda- Mandukaparni Family)

1. Genus: Centella L. – centella
2. Species: Centella asiatica (L.) Urb. – spade leaf

Vernacular Names

1. English: Indian penny wort.
2. Sinhala: Gotu kola
3. Tamil: vallari lirai.
4. Hindi: brhamamanduki.
5. Malayalam: muttil, kutannal, kadanghal.
6. Telugu: sarasvathyaku.
7. Gujurati: kjanda brhami

Synonyms and interpretations

1. Mandukaparni: Its leaves resemble the shape of the body of the frog.
2. Mahaushadi: It is a potent medicine for imperilling intelligence.
3. Sarasvati: Its rasa is potent.
4. Mandiki: It is a runner.
5. Twasti: It is the site of the goddess Lakshmi.
6. Divya: It is a Divya Aushadi as it has Devine.
7. Suvarkata
8. Adithya bhaktha: Gives brightness to the mind like the sun.
9. Somavalli: A creeper having the prosperity of soma.
10. Smarani: Improves remembrance capacity.
11. Darduro: Like a frog prefers a marshy place for its growth.
12. Brahmi: A plant looks beautiful

General description

A prostrate perennial herb with a short vertical rootstock and glabrous axillary stems with long internodes

Leaves simple, alternate, stipulate, several from the rock stock and 1 to 2 from each node of the runners, petioles 7.5 - 15cm long, erect, glabrous, furrowed above, stipules short, adnate to petiole and forming a sheathing base, leaf blade horizontal, more or less cupped, 3.7 - 5 cm long, reniform, rather broader than long, the rounded basal lobes often overlapping, shallowly, dentate - crenate, glabrous and shining on both sides

Flowers irregular, bisexual, dark pink, nearly sessile, usually 3 together at ends of short, erect, pubescent peduncles,1-3 from the nodes opposite the leaves, bracts 2, close beneath the umbel, ovate, obtuse; Sepals absent or closely united with ovary; Petals 5, minute, ovate, acute, slightly imbricate or valvate; Stamens 5, alternating with petals, epigynous disc, 2- locular with one pendulous ovule in each loculus, very much compressed, slightly hairy, styles 2, very short, erect

Fruit about 0.3-0.4 cm long, ovoid, had, consisting of 2 mericarps attached to a slender, central axis, indehiscent, pericarp thickened, mericarps with the primary and secondary ribs very obscure or vein-like; Seeds solitary in each mericarp, pendulous, albuminous.

Distribution

Gotu Kola is found in India, Sri Lanka, and various tropical and subtropical regions. Sri Lanka, it is a widely prevalent weed, thriving in waste grassy areas upto 6000ft.

Types

1. Heen Gotu Kola- (Centella asiatica Linn)
2. Maha Gotu Kola- (H. Javannica Thumb)

Chemical Composition

1. Gotu Kola contains the alkaloid hydrocotyline and a volatile oil called vellarine, primarily found in its roots.
2. It is a rich source of phosphorus, iron, calcium, and other essential minerals. Additionally, it has a high concentration of vitamin B.
3. A yellow neutral gum, centelloside, has been extracted from local sources, which closely resembles asiaticoside.

Part used

Whole plant

Ayurveda Pharmacological Properties (Rasapanchaka)

1. Rasa (Taste): Tikta (bitter)
2. Anurasa: Kashaya (astringent), Madhura (sweet)
3. Guna (Quality): Laghu (light), Sara (mobile)
4. Veerya (Potency): Sheeta (cooling)
5. Vipaka (Post-digestive effect): Madhura (sweet)
6. Prabhava: Medhya (Brain tonic)
7. Dosha Effect: Balances Vata, Pitta, and Kapha (Tridosh shamaka). Specially Kapha and Pitta pacifying

Ayurveda Pharmacological actions

1. Medhya (Brain tonic)
2. Hridya (Good for heart)
3. Stambhana (Restraining/ Suppressing)
4. Shothanashaka (Anti-inflammatory)
5. Mutrala (Diuretic)
6. Raktashodhaka (Blood purification)
7. Kushthaghna (Help to treat skin disorders)
8. Vayasthapana (Anti-aging)
9. Rasayana (Rejuvenation therapy)

Pharmacodynamics (Mode of Action)

Gotu Kola is known for its apoptogenic, nervine tonic, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, diuretic and wound-healing properties. It enhances cognitive functions, strengthens the nervous system, and improves skin health.

Conclusion

Gotu Kola (Mandukaparni) is a revered Ayurvedic herb known for its powerful rejuvenating effects on the mind and body. As a Medhya Rasayana, it enhances memory, focus, and cognitive function while also promoting skin health, blood purification, and heart wellness. Its anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and diuretic properties make it a valuable remedy for stress, anxiety, and skin disorders. By balancing Vata, Pitta, and Kapha doshas, Gotu Kola supports holistic well-being and longevity.