How to Make Gotu Kola Ginkgo Tincture

Gotu kola and ginkgo tincture is a great remedy to have handy in your apothecary. I use it to help improve my memory and brain function.

Grow Your Ingredients

Gotu Kola (Centella asiatica)

Gotu Kola, the “herb of longevity”, can help enhance memory, concentration, and overall cognitive function. It’s a perennial herbaceous plant native to Asia and used in Ayurveda and Traditional Chinese Medicine. Gotu kola is a brain tonic used to vitality, mental clarity, and overall health. I can grow Gotu Kola as an annual in my zone 5b garden.

Ginkgo biloba (Ginkgo biloba)

Ginkgo is an ancient tree species native to China. The leaves are used to help improve brain function, circulation, and overall health. Since I can’t grow ginkgo, I purchased the herb in bulk from Mountain Rose Herbs.

Overview

Tinctures are liquid extracts made from herbs that have been steeped in alcohol for an extended period of time. They’re a popular way to take herbal remedies because they’re easy to use and can be stored for several years.

You can take tinctures with a little water, honey, or tea to help with the flavor.

The recipe involves combining dried gotu kola leaves and dried ginkgo leaves into 100 proof vodka for tincturing. The extraction takes about 4-6 weeks.

Equipment Needed

• Sterilized glass jar with a tight-fitting lid
• Cheesecloth or a fine-mesh strainer
• Funnel
• Amber glass dropper bottle

Ingredients

• 1 cup dried gotu kola leaves
• 1 cup dried ginkgo leaves
• 2 cups 100-proof vodka

Instructions Summary

1. Gather ingredients: Harvest your herbs or purchase from a reputable source, like Mountain Rose Herbs.
2. Prep: Sterilize your mason jar and make sure it’s completely dry before adding the ingredients. Add the herbs and alcohol to the sterilized jar. Make sure the plant material is covered completely. Top off with a little more alcohol, as needed. The ratio of alcohol to dried herbs should be roughly 2:1 (for example, 2 cups alcohol to 1 cup herbs).
3. Store: Place the jar in a cool, dark place and let it sit for about 4-6 weeks. Shake the jar once a day to mix everything around. Don’t forget to label it!
4. Strain: After four to six weeks, strain the tincture using a cheesecloth and a fine-mesh strainer. Squeeze the herbs in the cheesecloth to extract all of the liquid. Use a funnel to transfer the tincture into amber glass dropper bottles. The amber glass will protect the tincture from light and help to preserve its potency.
5. Long-term storage: Label the tincture with the date and the name of the herb. Store it in a cool, dark place. A tincture can last for several years if stored properly.

How to sterilize your mason jar or glass jar

1. Wash the jar with hot soapy water and rinse thoroughly.
2. Boil water in a large pot and add a mason jar ring.
3. Once the water is boiling, carefully lower the jar into the pot so that it is resting on the mason jar ring.
4. Let the jar sit in the boiling water for about 10 minutes to sterilize it.
5. Use tongs to remove the jar from the boiling water and place it on a clean towel or drying rack.
6. Let the jar air dry completely or dry it with a clean towel.

How to Use Gotu Kola Ginkgo Tincture

It’s always best to consult with a qualified healthcare practitioner or herbalist who can help you determine the appropriate dosage based on your individual needs. However, here are some general guidelines for adults using a gotu kola and ginkgo tincture:

Brain Support: 1/2 teaspoon – 1 teaspoon three times a day.

Note: This information is general and for educational purposes only. Your personal health and dosing should be determined by you and your healthcare provider.

Contraindications of Gotu Kola and Ginkgo

These herbs are generally considered safe for most people when consumed in reasonable amounts, but there are a few things to keep in mind:

1. Pregnancy: People who are pregnant or trying to conceive should avoid gotu kola.
2. Pharmaceuticals: Ginkgo effects many prescription medications. Consult your doctor before using ginkgo.
3. Epilepsy and Seizures: Avoid ginkgo if you experience seizures or have epilepsy.
4. Blood disorders: Ginkgo may increase the risk of bleeding. Do not take ginkgo before surgeries.
5. Diabetes: Ginkgo may interfere with diabetes treatment and affect blood sugar.

How to Make Gotu Kola Ginkgo Tincture

Gotu Kola and Ginkgo tincture can help improve circulation, memory, and cognitive function.

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Equipment

• Sterilized glass jar with a tight-fitting lid
• Cheesecloth or a fine-mesh strainer
• Funnel
• Amber glass dropper bottle

Ingredients

  

• 1 part dried gotu kola
• 1 part dried ginkgo
• 2 parts 100-proof vodka

Instructions

 

• Harvest your herbs or purchase from a reputable source, like Mountain Rose Herbs.
• Sterilize your mason jar and make sure it’s completely dry before adding the ingredients. Add the herbs and alcohol to the sterilized jar. Make sure the plant material is covered completely. Top off with a little more alcohol, as needed. The ratio of alcohol to dried herbs should be roughly 2:1 (for example, 2 cups alcohol to 1 cup herbs).
• Place the jar in a cool, dark place and let it sit for about 4-6 weeks. Shake the jar once a day to mix everything around. Don’t forget to label it!
• After four to six weeks, strain the tincture using a cheesecloth and a fine-mesh strainer. Squeeze the herbs in the cheesecloth to extract all of the liquid. Use a funnel to transfer the tincture into amber glass dropper bottles. The amber glass will protect the tincture from light and help to preserve its potency.
• Label the tincture with the date and the name of the herb. Store it in a cool, dark place. A tincture can last for several years if stored properly.

References

Farhana, Kun Marisa, Malueka, Rusdy Ghazali, Wibowo, Samekto, Gofir, Abdul, Effectiveness of Gotu Kola Extract 750 mg and 1000 mg Compared with Folic Acid 3 mg in Improving Vascular Cognitive Impairment after Stroke, Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 2016, 2795915, 6 pages, 2016. https://doi.org/10.1155/2016/2795915

Mayo Clinic. (n.d.). Ginkgo. Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research. https://www.mayoclinic.org/drugs-supplements-ginkgo/art-20362032

National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health. (n.d.). Ginkgo. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. https://www.nccih.nih.gov/health/ginkgo

Nicolai SP, et al. Ginkgo biloba for intermittent claudication. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/14651858.CD006888.pub3/abstract.

Sabaragamuwa, R., Perera, C. O., & Fedrizzi, B. (2018). Centella asiatica (Gotu kola) as a neuroprotectant and its potential role in healthy ageing. Trends in Food Science & Technology, 79, 88-97. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tifs.2018.07.024

Tan, M.-S., Yu, J.-T., Tan, C.-C., Wang, H.-F., Meng, X.-F., & Wang, C. (2015). Efficacy and adverse effects of Ginkgo biloba for cognitive impairment and dementia: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease, 43(2), 589-603. https://doi.org/10.3233/JAD-140837