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Gotu Kola supplement
Adaptogenic Herb

Gotu Kola: Benefits, Dosage, Forms & Research

Adaptogenic Herb

This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Consult your healthcare provider before starting any supplement. Full disclaimer

TL;DR — Quick Answer

Gotu kola is an Ayurvedic brain tonic and wound-healing herb with evidence for anxiety reduction, cognitive enhancement, and skin/wound repair. Standard dose is 500-1000mg standardized extract daily (or 1-2g dried herb).

Key Facts

What it is
A creeping herb (Centella asiatica) used in Ayurvedic and Chinese medicine as a brain tonic and wound healer
Primary benefits
  • Reduces anxiety and promotes calm
  • Enhances cognitive function and memory
  • Accelerates wound healing and collagen synthesis
  • Improves venous circulation
  • Neuroprotective properties
Typical dosage
500-1000mg standardized extract daily
Evidence level
Moderate
Safety profile
Generally Safe

What the Research Says

Gotu kola has a diverse evidence base spanning anxiety, cognition, and wound healing. The most rigorous anxiety study is Bradwejn et al. (2000), which used acoustic startle response as an objective anxiety measure. For wound healing, the TECA extract has the most clinical support, with Brinkhaus et al. (2000) reviewing multiple positive trials. Wattanathorn et al. (2008) provided evidence for cognitive benefits in elderly subjects. A notable safety concern: rare cases of hepatotoxicity have been reported, leading to recommendations for cyclic use rather than continuous long-term supplementation.

Benefits of Gotu Kola

  • Anxiety reduction — Bradwejn et al. (2000, n=40) showed a single 12g dose of gotu kola significantly reduced acoustic startle response (a validated anxiety measure) compared to placebo
  • Cognitive enhancement — Wattanathorn et al. (2008, n=28) found 750mg/day gotu kola extract improved working memory, mood, and calmness in healthy elderly subjects over 2 months
  • Wound healing — TECA (titrated extract of Centella asiatica) accelerates wound closure and collagen synthesis; multiple clinical trials support its use for surgical wounds, burns, and chronic ulcers (Brinkhaus et al., 2000 review)
  • Venous insufficiency — Cesarone et al. (2001, n=87) demonstrated TECA improved symptoms and microcirculation in chronic venous insufficiency patients
  • Neuroprotection — asiaticoside promotes neurite outgrowth and may protect against beta-amyloid toxicity in preclinical models (Soumyanath et al., 2005)
Did you know?

Gotu kola has a diverse evidence base spanning anxiety, cognition, and wound healing.

Forms of Gotu Kola

FormBioavailabilityBest For
TECA (Titrated Extract)HighWound healing and venous insufficiency — the most clinically studied standardized form
ECa 233 ExtractHighCognitive and anxiety — standardized to triterpenoid glycosides
Dried Herb PowderModerateTraditional Ayurvedic use in capsules or teas

Dosage Recommendations

General recommendation: 500-1000mg standardized extract (6% triterpenes) daily

Timing: Morning and evening; take with water on an empty stomach

Dosage by Condition

ConditionRecommended DoseEvidence
Anxiety500mg extract twice dailyModerate
Cognitive enhancement500-750mg dailyEmerging
Wound healing60-120mg TECA daily (topical also effective)Moderate
Venous insufficiency60-120mg TECA dailyModerate

Upper limit: 1000mg extract daily (higher doses increase liver toxicity risk)

Side Effects and Safety

Safety profile: Generally Safe

Potential Side Effects

  • Mild GI upset (nausea, stomach pain)
  • Headache and dizziness (uncommon)
  • Skin irritation with topical use (contact dermatitis)
  • Hepatotoxicity reported in rare cases with prolonged high-dose use
  • Drowsiness in some individuals

Drug & Supplement Interactions

  • May have additive sedative effects with anxiolytic and sedative medications
  • Potential hepatotoxicity risk — avoid combining with other hepatotoxic drugs
  • May interact with diabetes medications (blood sugar-lowering effects)
  • May enhance effects of diuretics
  • Cycle use (2-6 weeks on, 2 weeks off) to reduce hepatotoxicity risk
Check Gotu Kola interactions with other supplements →
BenefitsDosage GuideSide EffectsTypes & FormsResearchFAQ

Related Conditions

AnxietyFocus & Cognitive PerformanceSkin Health

Related Supplements

Bacopa MonnieriAshwagandhaLion's Mane

Frequently Asked Questions

Is gotu kola the same as brahmi?

In some Ayurvedic traditions, both gotu kola (Centella asiatica) and bacopa (Bacopa monnieri) are called "brahmi." However, they are completely different plants with different active compounds. In North Indian Ayurvedic tradition, brahmi typically refers to Bacopa monnieri, while in South Indian tradition, it may refer to gotu kola. To avoid confusion, use the botanical names. Both are medhya rasayanas (brain tonics) but work through different mechanisms.

Can gotu kola help with scars and stretch marks?

Gotu kola has the strongest evidence of any herb for wound healing and collagen synthesis. TECA extract has been shown to improve collagen formation and scar maturation in clinical trials. For scars and stretch marks, both oral supplementation and topical application of centella-containing creams may be beneficial. Many commercial scar creams now include Centella asiatica extract as an active ingredient.

Should I cycle gotu kola?

Yes, cycling is recommended due to rare reports of hepatotoxicity with prolonged continuous use. A common protocol is 4-6 weeks on, followed by 2 weeks off. Monitor for signs of liver stress (fatigue, dark urine, abdominal pain) and discontinue if they occur. This cycling approach is also consistent with traditional Ayurvedic practice.

References

  1. (). A double-blind, placebo-controlled study on the effects of Gotu Kola (Centella asiatica) on acoustic startle response in healthy subjects. Journal of Clinical Psychopharmacology. DOI
  2. (). Positive modulation of cognition and mood in the healthy elderly volunteer following the administration of Centella asiatica. Journal of Ethnopharmacology. DOI
  3. (). Chemical, pharmacological and clinical profile of the East Asian medical plant Centella asiatica. Phytomedicine. DOI