top of page
18 (3).png

These plants, funghi and insect illustrations
are part of my botanical oracle deck

Centella asiatica | Gotu Kola

Botanical Overview:

  • Family: Apiaceae (Carrot family)

  • Common Names: Gotu Kola, Indian Pennywort, Asiatic Pennywort, Brahmi (in some traditions, though this name can also refer to Bacopa monnieri)

  • Plant Type: Perennial herbaceous plant

  • Native Range: Tropical and subtropical regions of Asia, including India, Sri Lanka, China, and Southeast Asia

  • Key Identifiers:

    • Small, rounded to kidney-shaped green leaves with serrated edges

    • Creeping growth habit, forming dense mats

    • Tiny, pinkish-red to white flowers in small clusters


Properties:

  • Active Compounds: Triterpenoids (asiaticoside, madecassoside), flavonoids, and sterols

  • Pharmacological Actions: Adaptogenic, anti-inflammatory, nootropic, anxiolytic, wound-healing, and diuretic

  • Flavor Profile: Mildly bitter and slightly earthy


Distribution and Habitat:

  • Found in wetlands, marshes, and other damp environments

  • Thrives in tropical and subtropical climates with high humidity

  • Widely cultivated and naturalized in Asia, Africa, and parts of the Americas


Medicinal Uses:

  • Cognitive Support: Enhances memory, concentration, and mental clarity; used traditionally as a brain tonic

  • Stress and Anxiety: Calms the mind and reduces symptoms of anxiety and depression

  • Wound Healing: Speeds up healing by stimulating collagen production and reducing inflammation

  • Circulatory Health: Improves blood flow and strengthens veins, often used for varicose veins and chronic venous insufficiency

  • Skin Health: Treats minor burns, scars, and skin irritations due to its anti-inflammatory and regenerative properties

  • Detoxification: Supports kidney and liver function by promoting detoxification


Psychoactive Properties and Effects:

  • Psychoactive Nature:

    • Acts on the nervous system to improve mood, reduce stress, and enhance cognitive function

    • Often used to promote a sense of calm and mental clarity without sedation or intoxication

    • Does not produce euphoria or addictive effects

  • Not Psychedelic: No hallucinogenic or perception-altering effects


Magical Correspondences and Uses:

  • Element: Water

  • Planetary Association: Mercury

  • Magical Uses:

    • Used in rituals to enhance focus, clarity, and memory

    • Associated with healing and protection, particularly for emotional and mental health

    • Employed in meditation practices to promote spiritual growth and inner peace

    • Worn or carried as a talisman for mental strength and insight


Folklore and Mythology:

  • Revered in Ayurvedic and Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) as a sacred plant that promotes longevity and wisdom.

  • In Sri Lankan legend, elephants' long lifespans are attributed to their habit of eating Centella asiatica.

  • Known as one of the "elixirs of life" in ancient traditions, believed to rejuvenate both body and mind.

  • Linked to meditation practices in some cultures, particularly among yogis and monks.

Comments


Connect with me: 

  • Instagram
  • Facebook
  • bluesky icon
  • YouTube
  • Pinterest
  • TikTok
  • Etsy
bottom of page