- by Komarova E.L., Doctor of pharmacological science
Excerpts:
. . . Traditionally Gotu Kola was used for wound healing and to treat skin lesions. Nowadays, due to its wound healing properties, its ability to prevent scar formation, and to enhance the integrity and vascularization of connective tissues . . . .
. . . especially the healing of connective tissues . . . .
. . . Only a few plants can stimulate the increase of collagen synthesis, and according to in vitro studies on fibroblasts Gotu Kola has proven its efficacy in this. . . .
. . . Another important property of Gotu Kola is its ability to improve the circulation of the blood, including venous and capillary.
Its ability to improve peripheral circulation, reduce oedema and pain in the extremities, allows the use of the plant for the treatment of phlebitis, varicose veins, spasms and other cases of venous insufficiency. . . .
. . . 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 . . . .
. . . 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 - YouTube 3-minute video from Nature's Classroom
[Starts off with discussion about the nutrients] . . . full of minerals -- calcium, potassium, sodium, magnesium, phosphorous, manganese, chromium, zinc, selenium, iodine, silicon, germanium and cobalt --
. . . it contains awesome phytonutrients known as triterpenoids. Triterpenoids promote collagen formation and have been shown to concentrate antioxidants into damaged tissue and increase the blood supply . . . .
posted
Thanks Keebler, I ordered this yesterday. What improvements have you found using it?
I am hoping to help mylein sheathing.(:
-------------------- Teri Posts: 63 | From Hampton Nh | Registered: Nov 2013
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Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
Member # 12673
posted
- When I take it, I feel better, skin is better, thinking a bit clearer, and far fewer injuries from startles (from sudden sharp sounds such as the beep when my oven reaches temperature - or even when the phone rings).
I've been out of it for a a few months have once and for all determined that I should not be without this - and find myself longing for how much better I feel when taking it. Will order a new supply this coming Monday.
It's obviously not the key to the world and the answer for all things but, as a good support, I have found it essential. It does seem to help my brain, neck & ear nerve tissues not feel so (literally) frayed or as if they are charged with static electricity, just waiting for any trigger to spark the fuse.
But it neither wires me nor sedates me. A bonus.
Be sure, though, that you are seeing an ILADS educated LLMD &/or LL ND so that you can have the causes also directly addressed and they know all your support measures to be sure they all "play well" together. -
[ 01-04-2014, 04:26 PM: Message edited by: Keebler ]
Posts: 48021 | From Tree House | Registered: Jul 2007
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Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
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posted
- When considering herbal / nutritional / adjunct methods, because lyme is so very complex & unique, as are possible coinfections:
if at all possible - because each person & each case is different - it's best to consult with an ILADS-educated LL ND (lyme literate naturopathic doctor) (or similar) who has completed four years of post-graduate medical education in the field of herbal and nutritional medicine -
- and someone who is current with ILADS' research & presentations, past and present, and has completed the ILADS Physician Training Program (see: www.ilads.org )
so they really know all they can about the science of lyme . . . how lyme (& other TBD) act and what we can do about that in various ways.
Many LL NDs incorporate antibiotics (depending upon the licensing laws in their state). Some LLMDs and LL NDs have good working relationships.
When possible, it's great to have both a LLMD and LL ND and even better when they have a long-standing professional relationship.
Herbal Safety considerations & reference books; etc.
Links to many articles and books by holistic-minded LL doctors of various degrees who all have this basic approach in common:
Understanding of the importance of addressing the infection(s) fully head-on with specific measures from all corners of medicine;
knowing which supplements have direct impact, which are only support and which are both.
You can compare and contrast many approaches with links to articles, books, methods . . .
BODY WORK methods / links (and why anyone who works on your spine MUST be LL to the degree they at least know to never suddenly twist neck or spine. Never. Ever. And that we should never be advised to do neck / head / shoulder stands.) -
Posts: 48021 | From Tree House | Registered: Jul 2007
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poppy
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 5355
posted
There are so many things people are taking, and not just the recommended ones. I usually just pass by suggestions that result in taking even more stuff. Since you are saying this, though, I am inclined to give it a second glance. Do you really think this is an important addition or just a possibility. You should see my vita cost tab for a year.
Posts: 2888 | From USA | Registered: Mar 2004
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Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
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posted
- poppy,
Gotu Kola can cover several bases at one time so you might be able to drop some others.
I can't say if it's right for you. Generally, I'd spend several hours studying any one particular herb or nutrient I might consider. Set it aside and then come back to it and re-read some of the key articles and search some more.
Ideally, a LL ND is best to guide but we all know not everyone has access due to location or budget.
I've barely scratched the surface with links listed above but just don't have the time to pull together a full list. and it can be really hard to find good quality articles on the web, it's so commercialized but you can go to Google Scholar for better searching.
Michael Murray's "The Healing Power of Herbs" has the best chapter on Gotu Kola. At Amazon, you can look inside the book here and I suggest getting it if you can:
Another way is to just give it a try and see - with one of the best quality ones.
For me, this is one of the most helpful support supplements. Stinging Nettle LEAF is high on that list, too. If I could only have two herbs on some deserted island, these are the ones for me - in the nutrient support category, that is.
Neither one in the category of direct anti-infection action, just to be clear. -
Posts: 48021 | From Tree House | Registered: Jul 2007
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Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
Member # 12673
posted
- Also at the top of my personal list of most impressive helpers with excellent nutrient content:
The herb, STINGING NETTLE may serve to compensate for the reaction by calming the the cytokine storm that is often part of a herx reaction.
This brought up my RBC count very nicely when I had severe anemia but could not tolerate iron pills. -
Posts: 48021 | From Tree House | Registered: Jul 2007
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posted
I have personally found Gotu Kola to be of great help in managing my Lyme symptoms, particularly the brain fog aspects. As herbs go, there is a fairly large body of research behind it demonstrating the efficacy it has for anything related to the brain.
I first learned of Gotu Kola's role in helping restore mental functioning in a really great article here: http://www.consciouslifestylemag.com/gotu-kola-benefits-of-the-herb-of-enlightenment/ sometime last year. I intuitively felt like it could help so I went and picked up a bottle at my local health food store. Pretty much from the moment I started taking it I felt better.
It also seems to have a positive effect on the nervous system in general and also supplies oxygen to tissues and blood cells, all things which certainly could not hurt with Lyme Disease. I feel like a big part of it is overloaded nervous system at times... I just feel like I am sensitive to everything.
Anyways, IMHO, Gotu Kola for sure helps and its cheap enough where it is worth a try compared to other more expensive modalities.
I also second the vote for stinging nettle from @Keebler. Another amazing healing herb. Some have also had success with Lyme and Pau D'Arco high potency extracts... lots os things to try for someone in our situation!
Posts: 2 | From New Brunswick | Registered: May 2016
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Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
Member # 12673
posted
- Kathy,
Thanks for your note. Glad it is such a great help to you and thanks for adding to the links set. Excellent points, well stated in the article. I enjoyed reading that. I could get lost in the photos, too.
And, oh, welcome to LymeNet. -
Posts: 48021 | From Tree House | Registered: Jul 2007
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Jordana
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 45305
posted
Just bought some gk. Thanks!
Posts: 2057 | From Florida | Registered: Feb 2015
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