Overview
Gotu kola (Centella asiatica) is a traditional medicinal herb used in Ayurvedic and Chinese medicine for thousands of years, considered a brain tonic and longevity herb. Modern research investigates its effects on anxiety, cognitive function, wound healing, and venous circulation. The herb contains triterpenoid saponins (especially asiaticoside and madecassoside) as primary active compounds.
Primary applications focus on anxiety reduction and stress management, cognitive function support and mental clarity, wound healing and skin health (particularly for scars and surgical wounds), venous insufficiency and varicose veins, and adaptogenic support for overall wellness.
Evidence quality is moderate for anxiety and wound healing, preliminary for cognitive benefits in healthy adults, good for venous insufficiency applications.
Safety is generally good at typical doses (300-750 mg daily) with long traditional use history, though occasional liver toxicity cases have been reported with supplements (causality unclear).
What it means
Ancient Ayurvedic "brain tonic" herb with best evidence for anxiety reduction and wound healing. Also helps varicose veins and circulation problems. Typical dose: 500-750 mg daily. Note: rare liver toxicity cases reported - choose quality supplements from trusted brands.
Mechanisms, Evidence, and Applications
What it means
Works through GABA enhancement (calming), collagen synthesis (wound healing), and vascular strengthening (better circulation). Effects build slowly - expect 2-8 weeks for anxiety benefits.
GABAergic modulation is one proposed anxiolytic mechanism - gotu kola appears to enhance GABA activity, reducing anxiety and promoting relaxation. Neuroprotective effects occur through antioxidant activity, reduction of neuroinflammation, and support of dendrite and axon growth. Collagen synthesis enhancement via triterpenoid stimulation of collagen production explains wound healing and skin benefits. Vascular effects include improved circulation, strengthening of vein walls, and increased connective tissue integrity in blood vessels.
Anxiety and Stress
For anxiety, research shows 500-750 mg daily gotu kola (standardized extract) reduces anxiety symptoms in clinical populations and healthy adults experiencing stress. A study in generalized anxiety disorder found 500 mg twice daily reduced anxiety comparably to medication. Effects build over 2-8 weeks. Anxiolytic effects are gentle - think calm focus rather than sedation.
What it means
Gotu kola calms anxiety without making you drowsy - gives you "calm focus" instead of sedation. One study found it worked as well as prescription anxiety medication.
Cognitive Function
For cognitive function, traditional use emphasizes brain tonic properties. Modern research is mixed - some studies show improved working memory, reaction time, and mental clarity with 500-1000 mg daily, while others show minimal effects. Benefits might be more notable under stress or fatigue than in optimal conditions. Consistent long-term use (months) might be needed for cognitive effects.
What it means
Cognitive benefits are inconsistent in research. It might help more when you're stressed or tired rather than when you're already performing well. Needs months of use to judge.
Wound Healing
For wound healing, topical and oral gotu kola accelerates wound closure, reduces scarring, and improves skin healing after surgery or injury. Medical-grade topical preparations (containing purified triterpenoids) have stronger evidence than oral supplements for wounds. Typical oral doses for skin/wound support: 60-180 mg concentrated triterpenoids daily.
What it means
Gotu kola helps wounds heal faster and scars fade - this is one of its best-researched uses. Topical creams work better than pills for wound healing.
Venous Insufficiency
For venous insufficiency (circulation problems causing leg swelling, varicose veins), gotu kola (particularly as total triterpenic fraction) at 60-120 mg triterpenes daily improves symptoms including leg heaviness, pain, and edema. This is one of gotu kola's better-researched clinical applications.
What it means
If your legs feel heavy and swollen from poor circulation or varicose veins, gotu kola has solid research showing it helps. This is actually one of its strongest applications.
Dosing and Standardization
Dosing: 300-500 mg daily (standardized extract) for mild anxiety and cognitive support. 500-750 mg daily for anxiety, stress, or venous insufficiency. 60-180 mg concentrated triterpenes for wound healing or circulation (requires specific extraction). Divide doses throughout day. Take with or without food.
Standardization: Look for extracts standardized to triterpene content (typically 10-40% asiaticoside or total triterpenic fraction). Whole plant powder is traditional but less standardized.
Effects are gradual - anxiety benefits typically emerge over 2-8 weeks. Cognitive effects might require months. Wound healing shows more rapid results (days to weeks).
Safety and Interactions
Safety is generally good with centuries of traditional use. However, rare cases of hepatotoxicity (liver damage) have been reported with gotu kola supplements. It's unclear if contamination, adulteration, or the herb itself is responsible. Those with liver disease should use cautiously and monitor liver enzymes. Common side effects (when they occur): headache or GI upset (mild), drowsiness in some (aligning with calming effects), and photosensitivity (increased sunburn risk) reported rarely.
Drug interactions: sedatives or anxiolytics (additive effects), hepatotoxic medications (theoretical increased liver stress), and blood sugar medications (gotu kola might affect glucose in some research - monitor).
Pregnancy and breastfeeding: traditional use includes pregnancy in some cultures, but modern safety data is insufficient. Avoid high-dose supplements during pregnancy.
Gotu kola is a traditional adaptogenic herb with moderate evidence for anxiety reduction and good support for wound healing and venous health, though cognitive benefits require more research and realistic expectations.
References
Bradwejn J, Zhou Y, Koszycki D, Shlik J. A double-blind, placebo-controlled study on the effects of Gotu Kola (Centella asiatica) on acoustic startle response in healthy subjects. J Clin Psychopharmacol. 2000;20(6):680-684.
Brinkhaus B, Lindner M, Schuppan D, Hahn EG. Chemical, pharmacological and clinical profile of the East Asian medical plant Centella asiatica. Phytomedicine. 2000;7(5):427-448.