Centella Asiatica (Gotu Kola) Supplement

Traditional use of Centella asiatica — an Ayurvedic herb that’s also known as gotu kola — dates back to the 17th century. Centella asiatica is listed in the Chinese, Indian, German and British pharmacopoeias. On this page, we provide a detailed explanation of what gotu kola supplements — as well as Ayurvedic herbs — are, how Centella asiatic supplements may benefit the body and explain how to take them.

What is Centella Asiatica?

So, what is Centella asiatica extract? Centalla asiatica is also known as gotu kola, Indian pennywort, Asiatic pennywort or brahmi. The Centella asiatica plant is perennial and herbaceous. It belongs to the Apiaceae plant family. It’s native to Asia’s wetlands, and it’s used as a medicinal herb and in cooking.

Gotu kola, or Centella asiatica, is described as an herb of longevity. It’s considered part of the Ayurveda alternative medicine system. While most commonly associated with India, Ayurvedic herbs are very popular in Indonesia and China as well. In other parts of the world, the Centella Asiatica supplement is known for supporting brain health, promoting better kidney or liver health and healing skin tissue.

Centella Asiatica Benefits

The Centella asiatica health benefits are still being studied, but we’ve already learned so much. Some studies investigate the anti-inflammatory properties of Centella asiatica supplements, which may help facilitate collage synthesis, improve wound healing and help the body form new skin tissue.

However, there are many other gotu kola supplement benefits worth mentioning.

May Help Reduce Stress

Stress is common for adults. As people continue looking for solutions to reduce stress, research shows that gotu kola had a positive effect on male mice suffering from anxiety after being sleep deprived across 72 hours. Additionally, they experienced improved motor activity with minimal oxidative stress.

Another cause of stress is insomnia. Fortunately, research indicates gotu kola may help combat sleep disorders too. Other studies have investigated the herb’s anti-anxiety properties.

Could Improve Cognitive Function

While we have already discussed the psychotropic use of Centella asiatica, it may also be useful for other mental health applications, particularly fatigue.

Additionally, recent studies show that using folic acid in conjunction with gotu kola extract may aid cognitive improvement following a stroke. And while both supplements seem to have cognitive benefits, it appears gotu kola may be more effective when it comes to memory, specifically.

In one mouse study, gotu kola water was given to the animals. As a result, both younger and older species all showed memory and learning improvement when tested in the Morris Water Maze.

However, the effect was much more dramatic in the older mice.

Possibly Provides Relief for Varicose Veins

At 60 mg a day, the triterpenic fraction of Centella asiatica has a scientifically proven veinotonic effect on varicose veins — visibly enlarged veins — and may also reduce uronic acid, beta-glucuronidase, beta-N-acetylglucosaminidase and arylsulfatase in connective tissue and in the vascular wall.

In more common terms, a study showed that Centella asiatica supplements may reduce ankle swelling, circulation problems and fluid retention following an airplane flight that took over three hours.

During the study, any participant with superficial venous diseases and varicose veins were asked to take the supplement before heading on a flight, again on the flight day and one day following the event. Those who took the herbal supplement had a better outcome than those who didn’t.

These benefits would be helpful for anyone that spends a lot of time sitting, whether it is during a daily commute or behind the desk at work.

Additionally, research shows gotu kola may target existing varicose veins. The positive results may be due to the metabolic effect that Centella asiatica tends to have on the vascular wall’s connective tissue.

Gotu Kola Supplement Side Effects

Before you take a Centella asiatica extract, it’s important to know if it is safe for you, specifically. In most cases, Centella asiatica supplements are safe and well-tolerated by most healthy adults. However, we encourage you to perform your own research before you buy Centella asiatica extract supplements.

In some cases, this natural supplement may interact with other medications or herbs. That’s why it’s important to discuss everything you take with your doctor. Make a list of all the other over-the-counter medicines and supplements you take to review with your doctor before starting a new regimen.

Additionally, you should discuss with your doctor any pre-existing health conditions you have. A Centella asiatica supplement may not be right for you if you struggle with certain chronic diseases. Your healthcare provider will know what’s best for your specific situation.

Centella asiatica studies have not been performed on pregnant and breastfeeding mothers. For this reason, it’s not recommended for expectant or lactating mothers. If you fall into one of these categories, it’s best to wait to take a gotu kola supplement after more research has been performed.

1. Wanasuntronwong A, Tantisira MH, Tantisira B, Watanabe H (2012) Anxiolytic effects of standardized extract of Centella asiatica (ECa 233) after chronic immobilization stress in mice. J Ethnopharmacol 143 (2): 579–85
2. Mohandas-Rao KG, Rao MS, Rao GS (2012) Evaluation of amygdaloid neuronal dendritic arborization enhancing effect of Centella asiatica (Linn) fresh leaf extract in adult rats. Chin J Integr Med [Epub ahead of print]: 1–6
3. Veerendra-Kumar MH, Gupta YK (2003) Effect of Centella asiatica on cognition and oxidative stress in an intracerebroventricular streptozotocin model of Alzheimer’s disease in rats. Clin Exp Pharmacol Physiol 30(5–6): 336–42
4. Ellenbogen JM, Hulbert JC, Stickgold R, Dinges DF, Thompson-Schill SL. Interfering with theories of sleep and memory: sleep, declarative memory, and associative interference, Curr Biol., 2006 Jul 11;16(13):1290-4.