Gotu Kola, Leg Pain and Swollen Veins

I was in my late 20s when I noticed tiny blue thread-like squiggles on my right ankle. Entering mid-30's, I started to feel leg aches that occur once or several times a month. With a job that required travel, teaching and training most of the time, I was constantly tiring my legs and feet from long standing and high heels, and so you'd expect to find me at the end of some days with restless and achy legs that feel heavy. Pain was mild to intense, sometimes really burning.

But I did not sort to pain-relievers to medicate myself... I had the fear of becoming drug dependent (a big hand for me?) I rest and elevate my legs at night, instead, so veins in the legs can pump blood up to my heart.

I have been eating freshly-picked Gotu Kola leaves (from Dad's garden) for more than three years now, hoping to improve general health. I chew one to two leaves after breakfast. I cannot say I'm doing this religiously as I tend to skip from forgetting, sometimes lazy, and of course, the boring thing. I don't even remember when exactly I started to feel better, the important thing was I had a very good improvement. Those tiny "spider" bluish veins are not giving me the same discomfort in the legs than they had done before.

I did not have idea eating Gotu Kola is effective to reducing leg aches in particular. I was not taking something for leg pain except my always have to be there vitamins C, E, fresh juices and some concoctions (when I get the time). I have read somewhere that Gotu Kola contains triterpines, madecassoside and asiaticoside which strengthen vein walls and capillaries that promotes circulation. So I suspect, Gotu Kola did it!

I am convinced that Gotu Kola can help keep leg veins in good condition. It just makes sense and I feel better. Whether I eat one, two or three leaves a day, every other day, once a week, or just when I remember, I know from experience that when I'm chewing freshly-picked Gotu Kola, I am providing MY LEGS and FEET with what it needs for health and well-being.

Now I'm in my mid-forties and grateful I never had any of those unsightly squiggly "root-like" veins turn red and swollen. Thanks to Gotu Kola.

Here's more about Gotu Kola and some supporting research.

Gotu Kola leaf is tasteless. It likes to grow around water and grows well on tropical region. Legend has it back to an ancient Chinese herbalist who lived more than 200 years as a result of using this leaf, giving Gotu Kola the name as "miracle elixirs of life." You'll love his story.

Known to contain many nutrients that feed the nervous system and supports the body’s vitality by increasing concentration, alertness and mental ability, it has been used for thousands of years in India, China and Indonesia. The high content of B vitamins in the Gotu kola have shown to help prevent mental fatigue, anxiety and depression which re-vitalizes the body and combats aging.

There are many uses of Gotu Kola. Many people take it to improve memory and intelligence. Other effective uses even include circulation problems, including varicose veins and blood clots in the legs, according to WebMd.

In general, there is usually no question regarding the ability to eat edible leaves and grasses raw. In fact, light diets include raw fruit and vegetable juices, some fresh green salads, and those raw vegetables and greens which can be palatably chewed.

With regards to Gotu Kola and my leg aches... thankfully, it was nature that made all things work well together. Spider veins may be unsightly, but they can be dangerous. Bear in mind that there are conditions that cause spider or varicose veins to be dangerous when left untreated. It is still very important to seek medical help whenever pain and tenderness in the leg area is an issue.

Eating fresh Gotu Kola raw may have no significant adverse side effects, according to Secrets of Longevity (which I strongly believed in, as well), but each of us has different body system. It is best to consult with your physician before using this herb. Do not take while pregnant or nursing.