Gotu Kola Benefits For Your Skin And Hair That You Were Not Aware Of
Nourish Mantra
From tightening up saggy skin to preventing excessive hair fall, there are manifolds of gotu kola benefits for skin and hair. Gotu Kola, the timeless herb, is also known as Centella Asiatica. It is a powerhouse of many nutrients that adds an abundance of goodness to your life. It is a multitasker herb with an enriched history dating back millions of years. Besides its culinary and therapeutic benefits, this medicinal herb also has health benefits like strengthening the liver & kidney health and increasing mental acuity.
What is Gotu Kola?
Gotu Kola, a therapeutic herb, belongs to the Apiaceae plant family. It is a hero ingredient indulged in salads and some other sumptuous cuisines of Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Burmese and other Asian countries. It's been used for skin, hair and body health and is referred to as an "Herb of longevity" with restorative and healing attributes. From tinctures to supplements to teas and cosmetics, it offers myriad benefits with an unforgettable and nourishing experience.
Gotu kola is a hydrating ingredient that suits sensitive skin, which is more prone to redness and irritation. It is an unbeatable moisture regulator that travels deep into the skin and hair to make them look hydrated, soothing and nourished. It is one of those blessed bounties of nature that goes well with every skin and hair type. It is composed of a compound, triterpene saponin, which makes the skin youthful and reduces hair & scalp-related concerns. Phytonutrients are also present in this herb which are also known as flavonoids. They damage free radicals, boost collagen levels, nourish the tissues and improve the texture of skin and hair.
Do you know the significance of Gotu Kola in Ayurveda and Science?
Significance in Ayurveda
For many years, Ayurvedic practitioners have employed gotu kola, also called Mandukaparni, as a vegetable and herb that can help maintain the health of skin and hair and slow the aging process. This herb balances the two doshas of kapha and pitta, so it is helpful concerning bleeding issues, respiratory illnesses, and colds and coughs. Gotu Kola is often compared to Brahmi given that it has 'medhya' properties that can enhance one's memory. This plant also can purify the body system, making it a powerful tool for dealing with diabetes, urinary issues, heart issues, and anemia.
Significance in Science
Also known as Centella Asiatica, gotu kola has been used in pharmaceutics and cosmetics due to its medicinal properties. It is a good source of pentacyclic triterpenoids, which have potent anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial, anticancer, hepatoprotective, and wound-healing effects. Furthermore, gotu kola helps promote collagen production, so it is often used in anti-aging treatments.
What are the Gotu Kola benefits for skin?
Gotu Kola or Centella Asiatica benefits for skin are enormous regarding skincare. It is a boon for your skin as it is jammed up with ultimate goodness, making it especially beneficial for dry skin. It has potassium, iron, calcium and vitamins (A, C and B2).
Aging, medical issues and excessive exposure to environmental aggressors can cause a breakdown in the skin barrier and lead to dry, dehydrated skin. Gotu Kola's bioactive ingredients, like triterpenoid saponins, triterpenic steroids, flavonoids, phenolic compounds and essential amino acids, may help patch up the skin barrier and block water from passing through the stratum corneum. By retaining moisture in the outermost layer of your epidermis, your skin should appear fresh and hydrated.
It's no surprise that your skin is vulnerable to free radical damage and oxidative stress, which can harm the skin over time. Gotu Kola is packed with antioxidants that can win over the ills, forming a barrier to protect against them. Enzymes such as glutathione peroxidase and superoxide dismutase have impressive antioxidant abilities, helping mitigate the damage from free radicals and premature aging. Many research experiments have revealed that elements like Madecassoside and Madecassic Acid in Gotu Kola may boost the helpful SOD and GPX enzymes. They improve the body's antioxidant abilities to improve skin health. Thus, Gotu Kola for skin is an ideal solution for firmness.
Augmented with the detoxifying properties as per Ayurvedic significance, Gotu Kola cleanses the skin and makes it look squeaky clean. Gotu Kola extract for skin when used for skin cleansing, strips away all harmful toxins that can lead to various skin conditions. Additionally, its astringent properties help in removing excess oil from the face, keeping your pores free from congestion.
The aging process causes the skin to sag. However, certain phytochemicals found in Gotu Kola, such as triterpenoid saponins and polyacetylenes, can help restore elasticity to the skin. These compounds can trigger collagen production, block its breakdown, and stimulate fibroblasts' growth, which provides structure and support. This way, Gotu Kola has been shown to improve skin elasticity and reduce sagging.
Gotu Kola is a magical potion that works on wounds and burns. Its antiseptic properties are a savior that protects you from any skin infection. It also has anti-inflammatory properties that soothe and reduce swollen area around the wound site. It calms the skin and improves blood flow circulation to the wound to speed up the healing process.
It uplifts the production of collagen and fibroblast proliferation, thus accelerating re-epithelialization and wound contraction. This enhances the tensile strength of the healing area and averts wound breakdown.
Being exposed to the sun's UV rays or having a health condition such as diabetes can cause your skin to produce more melanin. Gotu kola is a herb in the Ayurvedic tradition, known as 'varnya,' which means it has skin lightening/brightening properties that contains centelloids, flavonoids, and tannins which inhibit the production of melanin. Therefore, if you apply Gotu Kola regularly, it can help fade dark spots and give you a brighter complexion.
One of the Gotu Kola benefits for skin is that it effectively treats the stubborn acne that always pops out when something important is turning up. This herb has been used since ancient times to treat acne, known as 'Yuvana Pidakas' in ayurveda. It has anti-inflammatory properties to soothe inflamed acne. It also comprises antibacterial and antioxidant properties that tackles bacterial proliferation in skin pores and speeds up wound healing.
What are the Gotu Kola benefits for hair ?
This medicinal herb is also known as the 'herb of longevity'. It has many health benefits like strengthening liver & kidney health and increasing mental perceptiveness. But did you know Gotu Kola extract benefits hair by solving various scalp and hair problems like itching, dandruff, hair fall etc. A compound in Gotu Kola, Asiatic Acid, is one of the active ingredients in this plant that encourages the production of collagen that gives your hair wholesome nutrition. It uplifts hair growth faster by improving blood flow to the scalp. It is vital because the blood vessels surrounding the hair follicles deliver them nutrition. Here are some benefits of Gotu Kola for hair :
Being the best caretaker of your hair
Gotu Kola for hair works miraculously by preventing hair loss. When you regularly apply extracts of Gotu Kola on your scalp or hair follicles, then it aids in reducing the telogen phase of the hair growth cycle. It is the resting phase in the hair growth cycle where your hair stops growing and you experience shedding of strands everywhere you go.
Pro at revitalizing your hair strands
The Gotu Kola extract benefits your hair by embattling naturally dry strands with the minerals, protein and moisture it demands. This timeless herb enhances and hydrates the look and feel of your curls. The protein content helps to mend broken strands and strengthen old and new hair strands.
Picks up the call of ultimate nourishment
The extracts of Gotu Kola deliver immense nourishment to your scalp by supplying the much-needed nutrients to help them flourish. When the scalp is provided with all those necessary vitamins and minerals from the diet or through products you put in your scalp and hair, it will begin to function effectively. It will help to regulate sebum production and soothe the scalp to keep dandruff, extreme shedding, psoriasis and so much more at bay. All of this supports growing stronger and healthier hair.
Gives hair of your dreams
Using Gotu Kola helps to increase new hair growth. Once this breakthrough herb is applied and massaged, it regulates the blood flow to the scalp. Once blood flow has increased to the scalp, it will rejuvenate the follicles that promote hair growth.
Refines the hair texture that you'll fall in love with
Once you feed Gotu Kola extracts to your hair, it will make your hair more lustrous than ever before. It will bring back the lost sheen of your crown that will catch everyone's attention.
Try some home remedies with Gotu Kola
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For acne treatment
What do you need?
- Tea tree essential oil
- Gotu Kola oil
What to do?
- Add 2-3 drops of tea tree essential oil to 10 ml of Gotu Kola oil.
- Mix both the oils together and use it as an acne spot treatment.
- Leave it for 15-20 minutes and wash it off with lukewarm water.
-
For anti-aging
What do you need?
- Rosehip essential oil
- Gotu Kola oil
What to do?
- Add 2-3 drops of rosehip essential oil to 10ml of Gotu Kola oil.
- Mix them together and apply it on your skin.
- Massage it gently in upwards direction.
Leave it for 10-15 minutes and wash it off with lukewarm water.
For dry skin
What do you need?
- Gotu Kola powder
- Honey
- Ela powder
- Triphala powder
- Milk
What to do?
- Mix a tablespoon of Gotu Kola powder with 1/2 tablespoon of honey, 1/2 teaspoon of ela powder and 1 teaspoon of triphala powder.
- In this mixture, add some milk to prepare a paste and apply it on your face.
- Leave it for 20-30 minutes and wash it off.
For oily skin
What do you need?
- Gotu Kola powder
- Amla powder
- Hibiscus powder
- Rose water
What to do?
- Mix a tablespoon of Gotu Kola powder with 1/2 tablespoon of honey and 1/2 tablespoon of amla & hibiscus powder.
- Add rose water in the mixture and prepare a fine paste.
- Apply it on your skin for 30-40 minutes and wash off.
For treating wound and skin infections
What do you need?
- Gotu Kola leaves
- Haritaki powder
What to do?
- Make a paste out of Gotu Kola leaves and apply it on your skin for quick healing of wounds.
- For treating skin infection, add some haritaki powder in Gotu Kola leaves paste and apply it on your skin.
- Leave it for 30 minutes and wash it off.
- What do you need?
For hair growth
- Gotu Kola powder
- Banana
- Honey
- Avocado oil
- Whole milk
What to do?
- Mix 1 tablespoon of Gotu Kola powder with 1 tablespoon of each ingredient- banana mash, honey, avocado oil and milk.
- Apply this mask evenly to your shampooed hair.
- Make a bun and put on a shower cap and keep it for 30-40 minutes.
- Wash your hair with a mild shampoo and conditioner.
Indulge in the richness of Gotu Kola with Nourish Mantra
Embrace your senses with fragrant Indian Roses.
This luxurious lotion is enriched with the essence of the coveted Indian Rose, imparting an enviable shimmer to the skin. A velvety blend of Gotu Kola, Moringa and Indian Ginseng extracts are blended into a sumptuous Shea Butter base, creating a nourishing formula that combats dryness and leaves a smooth, dewy finish.
A hint of heaven wafting through the air.
This luxurious lotion pampers with a signature softness and provides the perfect hydration to your skin. Its luminous freshness is highlighted by the aroma of dew-kissed midnight rain. Its therapeutic ingredients such as Tamarind, Gotu Kola, and Indian Ginseng nourish, moisturize, and buff the skin.
Experience the power of this incredible natural treatment to regenerate your skin!
Nourish Mantra Urban Rani Youth Preserve Cream. This intensive, rich-textured cream works to minimize and prevent signs of aging. When you wake up, your skin will look supple, smooth, and youthful. The exquisite ingredients, such as Okra and Gotu Kola, contribute to the cream's hydrating and revitalizing effects so your skin feels replenished and plump. Every time you use this cream, it's like creating your own oasis of beauty that will make you feel confident throughout the day. The formula melts into your skin with ease, providing a comfortable finish that keeps your skin moisturized all night
FAQ’s
This amazing herb is especially beneficial for those dealing with temporary redness and sensitivity. It has a strong moisturizing effect and also helps to regulate excess oil. Gotu Kola is a godsend for those with dry, oily, or combination skin types, as it serves both as an astringent and a moisturizer. So, if you're looking for a way to improve the look and feel of your skin, try Gotu Kola.
Yes, as it helps increase collagen production and reduce sagging skin which leads to tighter skin.
The antioxidants found in Gotu Kola can help benefit many parts of the body, including our hair follicles. Those with androgenic alopecia have been found to have much more oxidative stress than normal, so Gotu Kola’s ability to neutralize free radicals can help improve and manage the symptoms of common hair loss.
Further research is needed to understand the connection between Gotu Kola and hair growth. From experimental findings, it appears that Gotu Kola can help protect our hair follicles from accelerated aging, increase gene expression so that the body can produce hair inductive compounds, and even stimulate the formation of new follicles.