Gotu Kola Nootropic Effects for Memory, Anxiety & Brain Function

Gotu Kola is a wetland plant which grows wild in India and Southeast Asia.

Also known as Centella asiatica, the plant is a staple in many different cultural medicinal traditions, including Chinese medicine, African medicine, and Ayurveda.

It has been used successfully as treatment for a broad range of severe infections in the human body, including cholera, dysentery, and syphilis.

More recently, the leaves of the plant have been employed for cognitive enhancement and mood relief. In this context, the plant, which is also known as Indian pennywort in the U.S., can be used to alleviate depression and anxiety, while improving overall cognitive function.

Gotu Kola

Herbal Supplement

Longevity

Energy

Concentra- tion

How It Works:

• Used in India for longevity & vitality
• Supports energy levels & adrenal function
• Boosts concentration & circulation

Dosage:

Between 300 - 600 mg per day

Safety:

Rated Possibly Safe

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Gotu Kola Effects

One of the most interesting effects of Gotu Kola is its tendency to bind to cholecystokinin receptors.

These sites exist throughout the central nervous system, and are responsible for regulating physical emotional responses such as anxiety, pain relief, and the feeling of satisfaction.

It is thought that Gotu Kola’s activity here is what generates much of its calming effects.

Those effects are further enhanced by the component compounds brahmoside and brahminoside. These compounds are known sedatives which also appear in the traditional remedy Brahmi (Bacopa Monnieri), another noted stress reliever.

Gotu also reduces both inflammation and blood pressure throughout the body. This, combined with its positive impact upon collagen production, could be responsible for its ability to expel bacteria and viruses which cause infection.

Gotu Kola Benefits

Gotu Kola is an excellent, mild daily remedy for common stress and anxiety. It has a calming effect upon the central nervous system, and creates a relaxing sensation within a few minutes of consumption.

The herb is often prepared in a tea for this purpose, and is comparable to a more intense version of chamomile tea. For stronger stress relief, Gotu Kola can be paired harmoniously with supplements which boost the body’s GABA response.

GABAergic supplements work by inhibiting the over-firing of nerve cells during stress triggers. Gotu can also soothe fatigue from both a mental and physical standpoint. By cutting inflammation, it brings relief to tired muscles and light muscle pain.

All of these benefits make the herb suitable as a light therapy for more severe motor and cognitive disorders, such as Alzheimer’s Disease and Parkinson’s Disease. It is thought to calm agitated, confusing thoughts, while providing relaxation to muscles which may be difficult for patients to control. The herb is also still used as a folk remedy cure-all for the common cold, wound healing, and improved circulation.

Gotu Kola is sometimes mentioned as a birth control herb for women. In traditional cultures, women have taken the herb to prevent pregnancy. It has also been used to regulate menstruation. There is no clinical evidence to validate the efficacy of these uses however.

Gotu Kola Dosage

Gotu Kola appears to have a broad range of effective dosages. Initial clinical studies into the herb looked at its efficacy for circulation and clotting support. For these patients, a dosage of 300 mg was adequate.

For stress relief and general mood support, a dosage of 500 mg, twice a day, was successfully tested by the University of Maryland Medical Center.

Recently, an effective dosage as high as 12 grams was administered for extreme anxiety panic attacks, as reported in the Journal of Clinical Psychopharmacology.

A starting dose between 500 mg and 4000 mg, up to three times a day, is suggested by most manufacturers. It is best to start at the lower end of those recommendations and note effects before increasing amounts.

The main risk with heavy doses is over-sedation, as with many natural remedies which are taken to calm nerves

Gotu Kola Side Effects

Gotu Kola is considered very mild and is easy to tolerate by most people. It should not be taken by anyone with an existing liver impairment or disease such as hepatitis, as it seems to aggravate symptoms.

Along these lines, it should not be taken with any other medication which are known to affect the liver. These might even include acetaminophen (Tylenol).

The sedative nature of the remedy makes it inappropriate to combine with other depressant medications. Prescription drugs such as Klonopin, Ativan, and Ambien do not mix well with Gotu Kola and should be avoided to prevent excessive sedation.

Gotu Kola Review

Whether prepared in a tea or consumed as crushed dry leaves, Gotu Kola is a mild yet effective therapy for stress relief and mental calming. It has been used successfully in various folk medicine traditions as a cure-all for infections and circulation issues. Now, it is frequently suggested as a mood lifting solution for anxiety and mental fatigue.

Gotu has relatively few side effects, and can be safely combined with other supplements which prompt stress relief, especially compounds which boost GABA response. Overall, Gotu is a traditional remedy which can be used effectively for daily relaxation.

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