Brahmi & Gotu Kola

Brahmi (Bacopa monnieri) and Gotu Kola (Centella asiatica) are two Ayurvedic nervine herbs often confused because both enhance cognitive function, memory, and stress relief. Gotu Kola (sometimes called "southern Brahmi") is named after Bacopa monnieri, a plant that specifically refers to it in South India, while in Nothern India it is usually refered to as Gotu Kola which has simular effects but is a different palnt with distinct energetics.

The name “Gotu Kola” originally comes from Sri Lanka, meaning “cone leaf”, in Sanskrit it is Mandukaparni, meaning “frog-leaf”, referring to the shape resembling a frog’s foot, and in India, it is often referred to as “tiger leaf” because tigers roll around in the leaves when injured.

Brahmi (Bacopa Monnier)

Energetics: Bitter, Sweet, Cooling, Light, and Flowing.

Benefits all three doshas

Bio-medicals: Sedative, nervine, cardiotonic, antispasmodic, anticonvulsant, and anti-inflammatory

Ayurvedic actions: Promotes energy and sleep, alleviates skin issues, nervine, increases longevity, improves memory, learning, and concentration, and aids in stress and debility of vata.

Dosage: 2-6 grams per day

Gotu Kola (Centella Asiatica)

Energetics: Bitter, Astringent, Sweet, Cooking, Dry, and Light

Balances all three doshas

Bio-medicals: Alterative, nervine, antipyretic, mind tonic, antispasmodic, and analgesic.

Ayurvedic actions: Relieves stress, insomnia, emotional turbulence and aggravation, improves memory, concentration, and intelligence, acts as a skin tonic, benefits arthritis, and joint inflammation.

Dosage: 1-30 grams per day.