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Benefits of Gotu Kola

Evidence:Moderate
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This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Statements about dietary supplements have not been evaluated by the FDA and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Individual results may vary — consult your healthcare provider before starting any supplement. Full disclaimer

Evidence-Based Benefits

  • 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)

What the Research Says

Gotu kola has demonstrated potential benefits in cognitive function and wound healing. A randomized, placebo-controlled study by Wattanathorn et al. (2008) found that high-dose Centella asiatica improved working memory and mood in healthy elderly volunteers over a 2-month period. Additionally, Brinkhaus et al. (2000) reviewed multiple trials supporting the use of TECA extract for wound healing, highlighting its clinical efficacy.

Recent research has further explored Gotu kola's cognitive effects. Wightman et al. (2023) conducted a randomized, placebo-controlled trial involving 128 older adults and found that a multi-ingredient herbal supplement containing Gotu kola enhanced the speed of cognitive task performance. However, Phoemsapthawee et al. (2022) reported in a study of 60 older adults with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) that while multicomponent exercise alone or with Gotu kola improved cognitive function and reduced inflammation/oxidative stress, Gotu kola did not add significant cognitive benefits beyond exercise.

Safety considerations are important. Rare cases of hepatotoxicity have been reported, leading to recommendations for cyclic use rather than continuous long-term supplementation. This aligns with findings from Kaziulin et al. (2006), who observed improvements in patients with hepatic encephalopathy using a supplement containing bioactive substances, though Gotu kola was not the sole component.

Overall, Gotu kola shows promise in specific contexts, but its use should be guided by evidence and individual health profiles.

Related Conditions

AnxietyFocusSkin Health
Full Gotu Kola Guide

References

  1. RCTBradwejn J, Zhou Y, Koszycki D, Shlik J (2000). 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 PubMed
  2. RCTWattanathorn J, Mator L, Muchimapura S, et al. (2008). Positive modulation of cognition and mood in the healthy elderly volunteer following the administration of Centella asiatica. Journal of Ethnopharmacology. DOI PubMed
  3. ReviewBrinkhaus B, Lindner M, Schuppan D, Hahn EG (2000). Chemical, pharmacological and clinical profile of the East Asian medical plant Centella asiatica. Phytomedicine. DOI PubMed
  4. RCTWightman E, Khan J, Smith E, Rolfe V, et al. (2023). Chronic supplementation of a multi-ingredient herbal supplement increases speed of cognitive task performance alongside changes in the urinary metabolism of dopamine and the gut microbiome in cognitively intact older adults experiencing subjective memory decline: a randomized, placebo controlled, parallel groups investigation.. Frontiers in nutrition. DOI PubMed
  5. RCTPhoemsapthawee J, Ammawat W, Prasertsri P, Sathalalai P, et al. (2022). Does Gotu kola supplementation improve cognitive function, inflammation, and oxidative stress more than multicomponent exercise alone? - a randomized controlled study.. Journal of exercise rehabilitation. DOI PubMed
  6. RCTCarlson JJ, Farquhar JW, DiNucci E, Ausserer L, et al. (2007). Safety and efficacy of a ginkgo biloba-containing dietary supplement on cognitive function, quality of life, and platelet function in healthy, cognitively intact older adults.. Journal of the American Dietetic Association. DOI PubMed
  7. RCTKaziulin AN, Petukhov AB, Kucheriavyĭ IuA (2006). [Efficiency of includes of bioactive substances in diet of patient with hepatic encephalopathy].. Voprosy pitaniia. PubMed