Gotu Kola Extract Uses, Health Benefits, Dosages & Side Effects

Gotu kola (centella asiatica) is an Ayurvedic herb that has long been used to promote longevity, vitality and brain function.

It is considered to have a rejuvenating effect that supports mood, mental energy, cognitive performance, wound healing and immune function.

People take gotu kola supplements to enhance alertness, focus, memory and neuron health. It is purported to help with occasional absentmindedness associated with aging and to reduce mental fatigue.

Topical creams containing this herbal extract are also used to reduce stretch marks and scarring. They may work by increasing the production of type I collagen. This plant extract has also been used to improve circulation.

This article will discuss how gotu kola works in the body, common uses, health benefits, food and supplement sources, safety and side effects, and possible interactions with drugs and other supplements.

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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What is Gotu Kola?

Gotu kola is the common name for the Centella asiatica plant. It is a member of the parsley family (Apiaceae) that develops long creeping stems and produces bursts of small flowers that can be red, white, or pink. [2]

Centella asiatica is indigenous to a wide region, spanning through Indonesia, Japan, China, India, Sri Lanka, South Africa, and the South Pacific. [1]

In Chinese, Indian, and Indonesian traditional medicine gotu kola has been used for various conditions for thousands of years. In Indian medicine, it plays a similar role to the Chinese ginseng plant.

It has been used traditionally to enhance cognition, heal wounds faster, and treat dermatological conditions ranging from psoriasis to leprosy.

Today, this herbal supplement is being studied for its possible benefits in chronic venous insufficiency, anxiety, rheumatism, skin regeneration, and many more conditions.

In in vitro (cultured cell) and animal trials, gotu kola has been observed to have antioxidant, wound healing, sedative, anxiolytic (antianxiety), antidepressant, antiepileptic, gastroprotective, anti-inflammatory, antinociceptive (blocking pain), radioprotective, and cognition-enhancing properties. [1, 2, 3]

Common Gotu Kola Uses

The University of Maryland Medical Center (UMM) states that gotu kola herbal preparations were used in traditional medicine for colds and respiratory infections. [1]

This herb has also been used for stomach ulcers, fever, diarrhea, hepatitis and syphilis. [1]

In Canada, Europe, and the United States, Centella asiatica is commonly used today for varicose veins. It has been studied extensively as a natural treatment for a condition called chronic venous insufficiency where blood pools in the legs. [1]

In many countries, gotu kola is included in topical preparations for psoriasis and for improving the healing of minor wounds. [1]

It is the active ingredient in Alpha Centella cream which is used to reduce scarring. It is also included in Trofolastin cream for stretch marks along with vitamin E and collagen-elastin hydrolysates.

One of the most common modern uses for Centella asiatica is as a cognition enhancer or nootropic supplement. It is used with another herb called Bacopa monnieri for improving cognitive function.

In preliminary studies, gotu kola seem to be effective for not only enhancing certain markers of cognitive performance, but also for regenerating tissues needed in wound healing. [1]

The cognition-enhancing properties may take a few weeks to notice in some supplement users. It seems to upregulate the growth of neurons in the brain.

Researchers think this is due to activation of proteins called mitogen activated protein kinases (MAPKs). When MAPKs are activated, brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), a neuronal growth factor, is released. [3]

Centella asiatica may also help to preserve collagen, the primary structural protein found in skin and connective tissues. It seems to do so by inhibiting activity in enzymes that break down collagen. [3]

Further, this herb seems to increase the production of collagen. This proposed mechanism might accelerate wound healing. [3]

Traditional Medicine Uses

WebMD states that some people take Centella asiatica for parasitic, viral, and bacterial infections including cholera, syphilis, dysentery, influenza, the common cold, H1N1 “swine” flu, tuberculosis, elephantiasis, UTIs (urinary tract infections), and more. [4]

People also use it for hepatitis, jaundice, anemia, diabetes, and a condition called pleurisy where fluid builds up inside the lungs. This herb is also used for improving memory and decreasing mental fatigue. [4]

This supplement is sometimes used for depression, Alzheimer’s disease, physical fatigue, anxiety, and various psychiatric disorders. Further, it is used both as a pregnancy preventer and a libido enhancer. [4]

Gotu kola is used topically for improving varicose veins, scarring, stretch marks, and wound healing. [4]

Many of these common uses have their foundation in traditional medicine practices. At this time there have been some promising results from various research studies, but results are limited.

More research is needed to determine the therapeutic efficacy of gotu kola for these and other common uses. This herb has not been approved by the FDA as a drug for the prevention or treatment of any medical conditions.

How Does It Work?

It is important not to confuse gotu kola with kola nut (Cola nitida). Kola nut is a different plant and contains caffeine. Centella asiatica does not contain caffeine and has no stimulant effects. [1]

According to WebMD the leaves, stems and other aboveground parts of Centella are used to make herbal medicines. This plant is also used widely in food preparation. [4]

Gotu kola is believed to affect numerous biological pathways and have a wide range of possible physiological effects. However, specific mechanisms of action for this herb are not yet completely understood. [2]

Research on the pharmacological effects of Centella has shown that it contains various important constituents. Some of these include:

• 1-8% saponin-containing triterpene acids
• Essential oils
• Flavone derivatives, including quercetin, kaempferol, sitosterol and stigmasterol
• Flavonoids
• Isothankuniside
• Sesquiterpenes
• Sugar esters, including asiatic acid, madecassic acid, and asiaticoside (A and B) [4]

Triterpene saponins are the primary active constituents of gotu kola. They are believed to cause most of the herb’s pharmacological effects. [4]

In in vitro, animal, and human research studies asiaticoside, madecassoside, and other triterpenes saponins have been observed to increase wound healing and to reduce arterial pressure in cases of chronic venous insufficiency. [4]

Some research has suggested that terpenoids in Centella asiatica might have anti-inflammatory effects. [4]

Evidence from in vitro studies suggests that gotu kola may bind to both GABA (gamma aminobutyric acid) and CCK (cholecystokinin) receptors to cause mild sedative, analgesic (pain-relieving) anxiolytic (anti-stress), and anticonvulsant effects. [4]

One study found that oral use of a Centella asiatica extract reduced the startle response in healthy human subjects. [4]

Some animal research suggests that asiaticosides might help to prevent and/or treat gastrointestinal ulcers. This may occur due to increasing strength of gastric mucosal lining, and by slowing down the damage of radical agents in the blood that could damage the gastric system such as free radicals, food toxins, smog, etc. [4]

Derivatives of asiaticoside, including asiatic acid, asiaticoside 6, and SM2, are being explored for possible roles in Alzheimer’s disease. Preliminary in vitro research suggests that these compounds might help to protect brain neurons from the toxicity of beta-amyloid. [4]

Some Centalla extracts seem to demonstrate antiviral and antibacterial activities in vitro. This herb seems to work against the Herpes simplex II virus – as well as bacteria including Pseudomonas pyocyaneus, Trichoderma mentagrophytes, and Entamoeba histolytica. [4]

Effects on Collagen and Skin

The Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database (NMCD) states that gotu kola extract seems to enhance connective tissue remodeling. It seems to do so in several ways, including by:

• Decreasing capillary permeability
• Increasing epithelial turnover
• Increasing fibroblast activities
• Stimulating collagen synthesis [4]

Type II collagen is linked to hypertrophic (overly large) scarring. In in vitro studies using human cells, gotu kola has been seen to increase the production of Type I collagen over Type II, which could possibly help to minimize excessive scarring from wounds. [4]

In preliminary human research a Centella asiatica terpenoid extract was seen to strengthen the structure of arterial plaques. [4]

Researchers believe this may have been due to increased collagen levels. This is important because low-collagen plaques are more likely to rupture, break down, and cause an embolism (arterial obstruction). [4]

Some evidence from in vitro and animal research suggests that asiaticosides in gotu kola may enhance wound healing by stimulating production of long, unbranched polysaccharides called GAGs (glycosaminoglycans). [4]

Anti-Cancer Effects

There is growing interest in gotu kola as a possible anticancer/chemopreventive agent. Some studies using dried powder extracts have shown antitumor and cytotoxic effects against tumor cells in vitro. [4]

In preliminary in vitro and animal cancer studies, Centella asiatica extracts seem to target tumor cells selectively; meaning no damage is sustained by healthy, non-tumorous cells. [4]

Chemotherapy, a common cancer treatment in humans, often damages healthy cells as well as tumor cells. More research is being conducted to determine gotu kola’s anticancer potential in human cancers and its ability to potentially preserve healthy cells.

Gotu Kola Health Benefits

The NMCD rates gotu kola as Possibly Effective for venous insufficiency. This means that preliminary research shows that it works, but more studies are needed to determine efficacy for all people.

There have been some promising results seen in studies using Centalla asiatica for atherosclerosis (arterial plaque buildup), cognitive function, deep vein thrombosis, keloid scars, general scarring, stretch marks, and wound healing. [4]

Despite the long history of use of this plant in traditional medicine, human research is quite limited. More clinical research is needed to determine the therapeutic efficacy of gotu kola for these and other conditions.

Centella asiatica products are available as dietary supplements in the United States. The FDA has not approved gotu kola as a drug to prevent or treat any medical conditions.

Chronic Venous Insufficiency

Venous insufficiency refers to inadequate blood flow through veins. This condition often results from dysfunction in the veins or one-way vein valves in the legs.

Blood pools in the legs unable to return to the heart for pumping and can cause symptoms like burning, aching, pain, stinging, and swelling.

Several clinical studies have suggested that gotu kola can improve blood flow and reduce swelling in people with chronic venous insufficiency, relative to placebo controls. [1]

One possible cause of venous insufficiency is loss of elasticity in blood vessels. In one study, Centella asiatica extract was observed to reduce leakage of fluids through blood vessels with compromised elasticity. [1]

According to the NMCD, evidence from eight different studies suggests, “Taking gotu kola or a specific extract of gotu kola (Centellase) orally for 4-8 weeks seems to improve measures of circulation and decrease symptoms such as edema in patients with venous insufficiency.” [4]

If you are interested in learning more about Centella asiatica it is recommended that you speak with your doctor to determine if this supplement is right for your needs.

Gotu Kola for Cognitive Function

Animal and preliminary clinical trials have shown that gotu kola may have positive effects on cognitive function, and possibly degenerative cognitive diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease. [2]

One study showed cognitive-enhancing and antioxidant properties in healthy rats given Centella asiatica extract.

In rats with streptozotocin-induced cognitive impairment (which has been likened to Alzheimer’s disease in humans) aqueous extracts of 100, 200, or 300 mg /kg of Centella or a placebo was given for 21 days. The treated rats showed increased antioxidant activity and cognitive behaviors in stress tests. [2]

The researchers suggest that gotu kola extract may have efficacy in preventing cognitive deficits and reducing oxidative stress. [2]

A preliminary double-blind placebo-controlled human trial gave patients over 61 years old either a placebo or a treatment of 250, 500, or 750 mg of gotu kola daily and tested cognitive function and mood.

It was found that cognitive function and mood were in improved in the treatment groups and most improved in the 750 mg group. [2]

Not all studies have found positive results. Preliminary clinical research suggests that using a combination supplement containing gotu kola, docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), and ginkgo biloba does not improve any marker of cognitive function, relative to placebo controls, in cognitively-intact elderly adults. [4]

More clinical research is needed to determine the therapeutic efficacy of gotu kola for cognitive function and disease.

Stretch Marks and Scarring

There are two specific multi-ingredient cream formulations (Trofolastin and Verum) containing Centella asiatica that have been observed to reduce the formation of stretch marks during pregnancy. [4]

Another topical cream product containing Centella asiatica triterpenes applied twice daily beginning at 10-14 weeks pregnant till the end of pregnancy has been observed to decrease the severity of both new and old stretch marks and the incidence of new stretch marks. [4]

These creams also contain other ingredients such as rosehip oil, vitamin E, elastin, and essential fatty acids. The effect of gotu kola alone is not known and more research is needed. [4]

Preliminary evidence suggests that using a skin cream called Alpha centella two times a day for 6 – 8 weeks might reduce scarring after removal of surgical sutures.

This was noted in patients after receiving surgeries to remove excessive scar tissue formations called keloids. [4]

More research is needed to determine how gotu kola affects wound healing, scarring, stretch marks, and other dermatological conditions.

Food Sources

Gotu kola has been used in food preparation, in various cultures, for thousands of years. Some of the more popular culinary uses include:

• As a primary green leafy vegetable in Sri Lankan cuisine
• As malluma, an accompaniment to curry and rice
• As ulam in Malay cuisine
• In the Indian summer drink thandaayyee
• In various herbal infusions and teas
• In vegetarian dishes like dhal, sambai oi peuga-ga and Bogor
• Mashed and eaten with rice in Bangladeshi cuisine

Centella asiatica is also used in recipes that include other ingredients such as coconut, orange, rosemary, garlic, ginger, lemon, shallot, turmeric, chilis, carrots, and sea salt.

Supplements and Dosages

The UMM states that gotu kola supplements are available as powders, tablets, ointments, capsules, liquid drops, tinctures, and as fresh and dried herbs. [1]

The NMCD reports that there are more than 1450 different supplement and products that contain Centella asiatica as a single ingredient or in combination with other compounds.

Do your research and choose supplements from reputable manufacturers. Take your time selecting between available products. When possible, try to find supplements that are organic, non-GMO and free from fillers or contaminants.

As an oral supplement, gotu kola capsules or tablets typically contain 350-450 mg per tablet, and between 1-3 tablets are taken per day as per manufacturer recommendations, for a total daily dosage of between 350-1350 mg.

The UMM states that people use between 1 -2 grams fresh or dried herb in purified water to brew tea, up to 3 times daily. Others have used 30% alcohol 1:2 tincture; 30 to 60 drops, 3 times daily. [1]

According to ConsumerLab, the usual dosage for Centella asiatica standardized extract is 20 – 60 mg, 3 times daily. These extracts should be standardized to contain:

• 29 – 30% asiatic acid
• 40% asiaticoside
• 29 -30% madecassic acid
• 1 – 2% madecassoside [6]

In research trials for atherosclerosis, 60 mg three times daily for 12 months has been used. In trials on venous insufficiency between 60-180 mg per day have been used. [4]

You should discuss the best dosage of gotu kola for you with a doctor who understands your health history, current state of health, and the medications you may use.

Gotu Kola Side Effects

The Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database has rated gotu kola as Possibly Safe when used orally or topically and appropriately.

Topical use during pregnancy has also been rated as Possibly Safe. There is insufficient information on safety during pregnancy or lactation and it is recommended that use be avoided. [4]

The University of Maryland Medical Center states that this herb is not recommended for anyone under 18 years of age. [1]

The NMCD states that when taken orally, gotu kola is usually well-tolerated in typical doses. However, certain side effects are possible. The most common are mild cases of gastrointestinal upset. In rare cases, users experience drowsiness.

Topically, this herb might cause redness, itching, burning, and/or papules in some users. Two studies found that this herb can cause eczema in rare cases.

There is some concern that the triterpenoid saponins in this plant extract may cause hepatotoxicity (liver poisoning). However, this is very rare. [4]

Speak with your doctor to learn more about potential side effects from this supplement.

Drug and Supplement Interactions

Caution is advised if combining a gotu kola supplement with sedative and/or hepatotoxic medications, herbs, or supplements.

Interactions may occur with possibly-hepatotoxic herbs and supplements like red yeast, comfrey, chaparral, germander, DHEA, niacin, and androstenedione.

Hepatotoxic drugs like Zocor, Baycol, Lopid, Imuran, Tricor, Tegretol, Lipitor, Lescol, Arava, Mevacor, Cognex, and many others may also interact with this supplement.

This plant may interact with herbs and supplements with sedative properties such as catnip, marijuana, kava, yerba mansa, valerian, chamomile, St. John’s wort, California poppy, and Jamaican dogwood.

Side effects may occur if it is taken together with central nervous system (CNS) depressants such as Ambien (zolpidem), Ativan (lorazepam), Donnatal (phenobarbital), and Klonopin (clonazepam).

If you are considering taking a gotu kola supplement, then it is best to discuss it with your doctor first. There are other side effects and interactions possible in addition to those listed in this article.

Make sure to tell your doctor about all medications, herbs, and supplements you use to prevent interactions.

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