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Photo of Asiatic Pennywort Herb

Asiatic Pennywort Herb

积雪草 · Jī Xuě Cǎo

Heals your skin and sharpens your mind

Properties

CoolingCooling botanicalBitter, Pungent

What it does

Pennywort (gotu kola) is traditionally used for inflamed skin, slow-healing wounds, and mental fatigue. In TCM, it clears damp-heat, a pattern where your body holds onto excess moisture and inflammation at the same time. It's also been studied for memory and focus. What makes it stand out is that dual action: it helps your skin heal and your mind sharpen.

How to take it

Drink

Steep 3–6g of dried gotu kola in hot water for 10 minutes. Drink 1–2 cups daily. Can also be taken as a standardized capsule extract.

Try gotu kola tea in the afternoon. It supports focus without caffeine

Safety

  • Generally well tolerated, but high doses may cause headache or stomach upset
  • Skip during pregnancy. Safety hasn't been established
  • If you have liver conditions, use with caution and practitioner guidance
  • Talk to your doctor before starting, especially if you take medication

Where it comes from

Pennywort (gotu kola) has been used across Asia for centuries, in TCM, Ayurveda, and traditional Indonesian medicine. A Sri Lankan legend claims elephants who ate it lived exceptionally long, earning it a reputation as a longevity herb. In TCM, pennywort appears in classical texts for clearing toxic heat and healing skin. Modern interest has grown around its wound-healing compounds (triterpenoids), with five clinical trials exploring everything from skin repair to cognitive function.