“Gotu kola” is more commonly known here as the Arthritis herb. This herb has been cultivated in India, China, tropical Asia, and Africa for centuries. It comes from the same family of plants as parsley and it has close relatives in Australia.
Some of the traditional claims made about the medicinal properties of Arthritis herbs include; the extension of life, control of tuberculosis and leprosy, relief of high blood pressure, beneficial effects on ulcers, rheumatis, diarrhea, fever and the pain and swelling associated with arthritis as well as a treatment for cancer and irritating skin ailments. It has also been referred to as Indian Ginseng because of its stimulating effects on many parts of the body.
The leaves of the Arthritis herb have a bitter taste particularly if grown in full sun. You may be able to eat the leaves straight from the plant or they can be chopped up and used like a parsley garnish on salads or mashed potato. It is commonly used to flavour rice dishes in Southeast Asia. A weak tea can be made which you might like to sweeten with honey. The naturally occurring organic chemicals in the leaves include strong alkaloids and a carcinogen called asiaticoside. It is recommended, therefore, that you do not exceed this dose as symptoms of headache, dizziness, and insomnia have been reported.