Can I eat it as a chutney?

Yes, vallarai chutney is a traditional way to eat it.

Does it taste bitter?

Mildly bitter and grassy; a little honey helps.

Is gotu kola the same as brahmi?

No, though both are called brahmi in some regions.

Mandukaparni (Gotu Kola) Leaf Tea for a Busy Mind

A few fresh or dried gotu kola leaves steeped into a mild green tea in the afternoon or evening, a South Indian herb for calm focus.

The Ayurvedic view of mandukaparni

Mandukaparni (gotu kola, Centella) is a round-leafed creeping herb eaten as a green in Kerala and Sri Lanka and used in Ayurveda for the mind and skin.

Gotu kola is eaten as a leafy green (vallarai keerai) in Tamil Nadu and Kerala and used in Ayurveda as a medhya herb. Small studies hint at calming effects; it is gentle and food-like in small amounts.

Ingredients

6 to 8 fresh gotu kola leaves or 1 tsp dried
1 cup hot water

How to prepare

Steep leaves in hot water for five minutes; strain.

How to use

Sip in the afternoon or early evening a few times a week.

Helpful habits

Fresh leaves are sold in South Indian markets as 'vallarai' or 'brahmi' – check which plant it is.

Precautions

Avoid with liver disease, in pregnancy, or with sedatives.
Avoid with liver disease and in pregnancy; check with a doctor if you take sedatives.
A home remedy, not a treatment. See a doctor if symptoms last more than a few days or get worse.

Frequently asked questions

Can I eat it as a chutney?: Yes, vallarai chutney is a traditional way to eat it.
Does it taste bitter?: Mildly bitter and grassy; a little honey helps.
Is gotu kola the same as brahmi?: No, though both are called brahmi in some regions.