Gotu Kola

The use of natural herbs for the treatment and prevention of diseases and other health disorders have been very much widespread and gaining popularity not only in the Philippines but to other parts of the globe as well.

Medicinal plants and herbs have been used by the ancient world since time immemorial and the practice had been passed down from generations to generations. Recently, with the increasing prices for pharmaceutical drugs plus the other unpleasant side effects that some of these drugs give to the user, the use of alternative medicine has been thought of a lot.

One of these many natural herbs traditionally used for regulating high blood pressure and treating nervous disorders is the Gotu Kola. Gotu Kola is a slender, creeping plant that grows commonly in swampy areas. It is commonly known as Indian pennywort, water pennywort and marsh penny.

I had personally tried using gotu kola leaves when I can't sleep. My mother had planted them at our front yard. Actually, this plant is not that hard to cultivate since it is perrenial and grows fast even on loamy soil. I get two leaves (just two leaves a day), wash it on running water and chew it fresh before sleeping especially at night. The taste is not bad. It's like munching on fresh young guave leaves. I can say it really relaxes the body and mind and you can surely sleep soundly.