Gotu Kola Herb: Benefits, Usage, Precautions & Side Effects

Key insights: It enhances memory and brain function, making it a must-have for sharper cognition. Heals wounds, reduces scars and stretch marks and boosts collagen for youthful radiance. Beat anxiety, stress, and insomnia with this calming herbal remedy. It strengthens veins, reduces swelling, and eases joint pain with its anti-inflammatory power. A natural powerhouse when used wisely—discover how to make it work for you.

Gotu Kola, scientifically known as Centella Asiatica, has been a staple in traditional medicine for thousands of years. This green herb is native to parts of Asia and has been used in Ayurvedic, traditional Chinese, and Indonesian medicine for its healing properties. Nicknamed the “herb of longevity,” Gotu Kola is known for promoting mental health, enhancing skin quality, and boosting overall wellness. Let’s explore the top benefits of Gotu Kola and why it should be a part of your health routine.

Did You Know? Gotu Kola is nicknamed the “herb of longevity” for boosting brain health and memory. It promotes wound healing, improves skin elasticity, and reduces stretch marks. This herb naturally calms anxiety, stress, and insomnia. Gotu Kola strengthens veins, improves circulation, and eases joint pain.

Health Benefits of Gotu Kola Herb

Here are some of the advantages of using Gotu Kola:

1. Helps in Boosting Cognitive Function

A 2016 study compared Gotu Kola extract to folic acid for improving brain function after stroke. One group took 1,000mg of Gotu Kola daily, another took 750mg, and a third took 3mg of folic acid. Gotu Kola and folic acid both helped cognition overall. 

But Gotu Kola was better for improving memory. Another study gave Gotu Kola extract to young and old mice. It improved learning and memory by using a maze test. The improvement was bigger in older mice. To use Gotu Kola, take 750 to 1,000 mg daily for up to 14 days.

2. Wound and Burn Healing

A 2010 review examined studies using Gotu Kola to help heal wounds and burns. Many studies found that Gotu Kola sped up healing. But most studies were on animals or artificial wounds in labs, not people. So, Gotu Kola may not work the same in humans. Also, not knowing how Gotu Kola interacts with medicines could be dangerous. 

According to the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Centre, more testing on humans is needed to confirm if Gotu Kola effectively treats wounds. For now, there is some evidence that Gotu Kola may help wounds heal faster. However, more human research is required to ensure safety and effectiveness.

3. Supporting Skin Health

Triterpenoids, specifically Asiaticoside and Asiatic acid, in Gotu Kola may positively affect skin health. When the skin is damaged or under stress, oxidative stress and inflammation are frequent problems. As antioxidants, Gotu Kola's triterpenoids may aid in the body's natural healing mechanisms and oxidative stress management.

Triterpenoids in Gotu Kola may also help the body produce type I collagen. For the skin to be strong and elastic, collagen, a structural protein that is plentiful in the skin, is necessary. Triterpenoids may contribute to the formation of new skin tissue and promote skin health because they facilitate collagen production.

In contrast to 1% silver sulfadiazine cream, some studies indicate that using a 3% Gotu Kola cream on second-degree burns may promote healing and lessen dryness, itching, irritation, and scar appearance.

4. Helps in Reducing Anxiety and Stress

In a 2016 animal study, researchers discovered that Gotu Kola helped male mice sleep-deprived for 72 hours and feel less anxious. Lack of sleep can lead to neuroinflammation, oxidative damage, and anxiety.

Before sleep deprivation, mice that were fed Gotu Kola for five days in a row showed noticeably less anxiety-like behaviour. Additionally, they had reduced oxidative damage and increased locomotor activity.

A review from 2013 Gotu Kola provides an immediate anti-anxiety impact of herbal remedies on anxiety. Nevertheless, further investigation is required to validate these results.

5. Support Circulation

Triterpenoids included in Gotu Kola have been linked to decreased capillary permeability and blood vessel health. Addressing important problems with venous insufficiency and circulation may help enhance venous tone and lessen blood and fluid leaks into surrounding tissues. 

Clinical studies have shown that Gotu Kola may improve microcirculatory parameters and lessen ankle swelling when used for venous insufficiency at 60–120 mg daily for 4–8 weeks.

6. Supporting Joint and Muscle Comfort

Gotu Kola's anti-inflammatory qualities could promote the comfort of your muscles and joints. The herb has been shown to affect pain pathways and pro-inflammatory cytokines in experimental animal models. These results indicate the possibility of employing gotu Kola to assist disorders involving the comfort of the muscles and joints.

Although further research, particularly clinical trials, is required to validate the potential benefits of Gotu Kola for muscle and joint comfort, a small study found that Gotu Kola enhanced finger movement and reduced joint discomfort in women with scleroderma.

7. It may Help Ease Insomnia

Because Gotu Kola may treat anxiety, stress, and depression, it might also help the insomnia that comes with these conditions. Some see it as a safe alternative to prescription sleep medicines. Older studies suggest that gotu Kola may treat sleep disorders. However, more research is still needed to confirm this. 

To use Gotu Kola for sleep, take 300 to 680 milligrams of gotu Kola extract three times daily for up to 14 days. Although there is some early evidence it can help sleep, additional high-quality human studies must confirm that it is safe and effective for insomnia and other sleep problems before reliable recommendations can be made.

8. Help in Reducing Appearance of Stretch Marks

A 2013 review found that Gotu Kola may reduce the look of stretch marks. Gotu Kola has terpenoids, which may increase collagen in the skin. This could help prevent new stretch marks and heal existing ones. Apply a Gotu Kola cream with 1% extract to the skin several times daily for stretch marks. 

Before using any skin cream, do a patch test. Rub a little on your inner forearm and wait 24 hours. If there is no irritation, it should be safe to use. More collagen from Gotu Kola might lessen stretch marks. However, more research is needed on its effectiveness and safety for stretch marks.

Dosage

Category	Details
Edible Plant Parts	All parts (root, bark, stem, flower, fruit) are edible; leaves are most commonly used.
Dosage for Healthy Adults	30 – 60 ml of leaf juice extract or 3 – 6 grams of crushed leaf powder daily.
Dosage for Children Over 10	Reduced dosage; consult specific guidelines for exact amounts.
Serving for Children Below 10	Diluted chutney instead of concentrated pure leaf juice extract.
Advice for Pre-existing Conditions	Consult a certified Ayurvedic doctor for those with blood disorders, diabetes, hypertension, and arthritis.

Safety and Precautions

Gotu Kola is often safe when used at doses of up to 180 mg per day for a year or up to 1,000 mg daily for 60 days. It’s usually well-tolerated, but some people might experience stomach upset when taken orally or skin irritation when used on the skin.

Although rare, a few reports suggest potential liver issues connected to Gotu Kola, but specific doses weren’t mentioned, and other contaminants could have been involved. Those with liver conditions should be cautious with oral use.

Gotu Kola may interact with certain medications, including:

• Liver-toxic drugs
• Cholesterol-lowering medicines
• Diabetes medications
• Diuretics
• Sedatives

Before starting Gotu Kola, speaking with an Ayurvedic healthcare professional is best, especially if you have health issues or take medications. This ensures its safe use and helps avoid any unwanted side effects or interactions.

Interaction With Other Drugs

• Cholesterol medications: Gotu Kola may alter cholesterol levels, which could affect medications like atorvastatin. Discuss this with your provider before using cholesterol drugs.
• Diabetes medications: Gotu Kola may lower blood sugar. It has additive effects with insulin, metformin, etc. Monitor for low blood sugar symptoms like sweating, tremors, and fatigue.
• Diuretics/water pills: Gotu Kola increases urine output. Combining with furosemide may lead to excessive water loss and electrolyte abnormalities.
• Hepatotoxic medications: Gotu Kola may harm the liver. The risk is higher if combined with acetaminophen or other liver-toxic drugs. Avoid high doses of both.
• Sedatives/sleep medications: Gotu Kola can cause drowsiness. Combining with diazepam, zolpidem, and other sedatives may increase side effects. Risk of excessive sedation.

Conclusion

Gotu Kola is an incredible herb with a long history of use in traditional medicine. Whether you’re looking to boost your cognitive health, reduce stress, improve your skin, or support overall wellness, Gotu Kola offers a wide range of benefits. By incorporating this natural remedy into your daily routine, you can harness its power to improve your quality of life naturally and effectively.

FAQs

1. What are the main benefits of using Gotu Kola?

Gotu Kola helps boost cognitive function, supports skin health, aids in wound healing, reduces anxiety and stress, improves circulation, supports joint comfort, and may help with sleep issues and reducing the appearance of stretch marks.

2. How does Gotu Kola improve cognitive function?

Gotu Kola enhances cognitive function by promoting blood circulation and reducing oxidative stress in the brain. It has been shown to improve memory and learning abilities in animal studies and small human trials.

3. Can Gotu Kola help with anxiety and stress?

Yes, Gotu Kola has calming properties that can reduce anxiety and stress. Studies have shown that it helps lower anxiety-like behaviour, especially in sleep-deprived cases, due to its neuroprotective effects.

4. Is Gotu Kola safe for children?

Yes, but in reduced amounts. A reduced dosage is recommended for children over 10 years old, while children under 10 can be given Gotu Kola in a diluted chutney form rather than concentrated extracts.

5. What are the potential side effects and precautions when using Gotu Kola?

While Gotu Kola is generally well-tolerated, it may cause gastrointestinal upset or skin irritation. Rare cases of liver issues have been reported, so individuals with liver conditions should exercise caution. It may also interact with certain medications, so consulting a healthcare professional is advised.

References:

1. A 2016 study compared Gotu Kola extract to folic acid for improving brain function after stroke. (https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov)
2. Gotu Kola was better for improving memory. Another study gave Gotu Kola extract to young and old mice.(https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov)
3. A 2010 review examined studies using Gotu Kola to help heal wounds and burns. Many studies found that Gotu Kola sped up healing.(https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov)
4. Clinical studies have shown that Gotu Kola may improve microcirculatory parameters and lessen ankle swelling when used for venous insufficiency at 60–120 mg daily for 4–8 weeks.(https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov)
5. Because Gotu Kola may treat anxiety, stress, and depression, it might also help the insomnia that comes with these conditions.(https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov)