Botanical Name: Centella Asiatic

Sanskrit Name: Gotu Kola

Country of Origin: India

Distillation Method: Steam

Plant Part Used: Leaf

Indications: 100% Pure Brahmi Oil. No other oils are added. Brahmi oil is the medicated oil of the gotu kola leaf. Gotu Kola is a common groundcover found in the tropics and is said to be the preferred food of the mother elephant during her entire pregnancy. In Ayurveda it is considered a rejuvenator for the entire body and is commonly used as a medicated oil. Brahmi is excellent for hair growth and the prevention of baldness. This oil has a beautiful sweet fragrance and natural green color. It is an exquisite oil that is calming and soothing. Brahmi Oil is a natural herbal hair rejuvenator and memory enhancer.

Usage: massage oil, conditioner, shampoo

Aroma: sweet, fruity, fresh herbal smell.

Mixes well with: sandalwood

Properties Used as an herbal scalp & skin tonic. Brahmi in Ayurveda is used for promoting intelligence, improving memory and revitalization of the five sense organs. Brahmi is often called the "food of the brain". Used in Ayurveda to calm the mind and pacify Pitta, 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, an aphrodisiac, 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 anxiety when necessary. Traditional Chinese medicinal believed Gotu kola provided longevity, 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 health care Gotu Kola is used primarily for venous insufficiency, localized inflammation and infection, and post-surgery recovery. Gotu kola is also used for the following:

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 healthy skin. 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.