Gotu Kola: Herb of Longevity

A member of the Parsley family, Gotu Kola is used in cooking and as a wellness tonic in India and China. In traditional Indian herbalism, Gotu Kola is referred to as “a pharmacy in one herb,” and is cherished for brain, nervous system, and memory support. In fact, in South India, the elephant’s strong memory is attributed to Gotu Kola, a favorite pachyderm food. “Herb of Longevity” is another nickname for the plant, due to its ability to help preserve an acute mind and youthful spirit.

Gotu kola supplement, powder and dried plant on marble table.

What sets ORGANIC INDIA Gotu Kola Apart?

ORGANIC INDIA takes every avenue to operate in a way that is Beyond Sustainable, for both the planet and the amazing partners we work with. Our Gotu Kola is grown, harvested and prepared in adherence to the following principles and practices:

Small Family Farmers. Ethical partnerships are the heart and soul of our company. We contract with small, family-owned farms across India and purchase crops at premium market price. Most of our partners have been with us for more than ten years, and each is an integral part of our herbal family. As indispensable members of our team, we provide all of our farmers health insurance and ongoing training by agricultural experts who are at the cutting edge of organic and regenerative farming⁠—a no-brainer for us, but an unfortunately unheard-of practice in the industry.
Regenerative Agriculture. We are deeply rooted in agriculture that is beyond sustainable—it’s regenerative. What this means is our farming practices not only preserve the land, they make it better. Regenerative means replenished soil, improved biodiversity, enhanced water conservation, and increased carbon sequestration. We look beyond our crop to the whole earth and our responsibility to it as a healthy conscious living company.
Sustainable Production. All of our herbal teas and supplements are produced in our LEED Platinum certified production facility in India, which is a marvel of top-tier sustainable design, construction and operations.

Gotu Kola Benefits for Body and Mind

Gotu Kola is a wonder herb for the brain and body, bringing clarity and relief in the face of the many stressors of daily life. The active ingredients in Gotu Kola are saponoids. Here are the main benefits of Gotu Kola:

Adaptogen. Gotu Kola is an adaptogen, meaning that it promotes a healthy stress response in the brain and nervous system.
Nootropic. Gotu Kola is classified as a Medhya Rasayana, which means it is a brain nootropic that rejuvenates and replenishes the mind.
Cognitive Health. Found to support cognition, intelligence, memory, creativity and executive functions of the brain.
Skin Health. For centuries, Gotu Kola has been used to protect skin health and aid in topical wound healing.

Traditional Uses

One of the first mentions of Gotu Kola can be found in the Chinese “Shennong Herbal ” dating to 200 to 100 BC, where it is noted as the “Fountain of Life.” In fact, a Chinese herbalist named Li Ching Yun was believed to have lived to 256 years old thanks to drinking an elixir with Gotu Kola. The herb is considered sacred in India, and is known as a Brahmi herb in Ayurveda for its ability to awaken spiritual perception. In the 1800s, it became widely used in India as a way to protect and nurture the skin. Around the same time, the French began using it for its cognitive benefits.

Where is Gotu Kola grown?

ORGANIC INDIA Gotu Kola is sustainably grown in Uttar Pradesh, India. The plant grows throughout India, Sri Lanka, Madagascar, China, Indonesia and South Africa. It is also cultivated in Australia and North America.