Gotu Kola: Potential Benefits, Known Risks, and More

Note: The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not approve supplements for safety or effectiveness. Talk to a healthcare professional about whether a supplement is the right fit for your individual health, and about any potential drug interactions or safety concerns.

Gotu kola (also known as Centella asiatica) is a plant. Historically, it’s been used to treat leprosy and eczema, as well as help with burns and wound healing, says Jen Scheinman, RD, the nutrition affairs manager for Timeline Nutrition in Ossining, New York.

More recently, people have used gotu kola as a remedy for a wide variety of conditions, including varicose veins, high blood pressure, cognitive function, and anxiety, she says.

Here’s what you need to know about the evidence behind these purported benefits, potential side effects and risks, and more.

Not all the longstanding uses of gotu kola are supported by science, but some are.

There is some evidence to suggest that gotu kola may be effective in the following ways:

• May Improve Varicose Veins One study found that gotu kola’s antioxidant, anti-inflammatory properties could be useful in treating venous insufficiency, the condition that underlies varicose veins.

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  “There is a decent amount of research showing it may benefit venous insufficiency and help improve circulation,” Scheinman says.
• May Help Reduce Anxiety “Gotu kola is well known among herbalists as a potent nervine, which means it can relax and calm a stressed-out nervous system,” says Jenna Volpe, RDN, founder of Whole-istic Living in Austin, Texas. However, some research has been uncontrolled or performed on animals. Still, Volpe calls the research “promising,” since multiple studies suggest potential anxiety-reducing effects.

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• May Help Heal Wounds, Scars, and Stretch Marks Research has shown that gotu kola has the potential to treat acne, burns, atopic dermatitis, and wounds, though researchers note that more intensive clinical trials are needed to confirm this.

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  “Based on the research, it appears gotu kola has wound-healing and skin-healing potential when applied topically in many cases,” Volpe says. “However, we need more human studies with larger sample sizes in order to make formal claims and standardized recommendations around scar reduction, wound-healing, and stretch mark shrinkage from a clinical standpoint,” she says.
• May Improve Cognitive Function According to a research review, a limited number of human studies have shown that this herb could enhance cognition and have neuroprotective effects.

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  “From a research standpoint, at this point in time, the research on gotu kola is mixed, but mostly in favor of it being supportive for cognitive function,” Volpe says.

Gotu kola is sometimes touted as a weight loss aid, but take these claims with a grain of salt. “At this point in time, we have very weak evidence in terms of formal literature (especially in the form of human studies available) to support the claim that gotu kola can boost weight loss,” Volpe says.

Note, too, that the FDA regulates supplements differently from conventional drugs. Not all supplements are vetted for quality and effectiveness.

Risks

Some groups of people should avoid taking gotu kola. According to Casey Kelley, MD, an integrative and functional medicine doctor based in Chicago, it can be harmful to the liver, so people with liver disease should steer clear.

Side Effects

Outside of those groups who should avoid gotu kola, it’s safe for most other healthy people. “Generally, gotu kola is well tolerated,” Kelley says. “However, there are side effects to be aware of.”

• Skin allergy
• Burning sensations when applied to the skin
• Headache
• Upset stomach
• Nausea
• Dizziness
• Extreme drowsiness

“One way to avoid these side effects is to start yourself off on a lower dose and gradually work up,” Kelley says.

You should always consult your doctor or an integrative nutritionist before beginning any new supplement regimen to discuss whether it’s right for your individual healthcare needs, identify safe dosage, and understand the risks and potential medication interactions.

And you probably shouldn't take this supplement long term. Limit it to no more than six weeks at a time, because of the potential adverse effects on your liver, Kelley says. “Before you resume, make sure to give your body at least a two-week break,” she says. “Make sure to let your doctor know if the side effects you experience are severe or preclude your day-to-day activities.”

There are many ways to add gotu kola to your diet. You can find it in the form of:

• Tea
• Dried herb
• Tincture or extract
• Capsule
• Tablet
• Ointment

“There’s not necessarily a best way to take it,” Scheinman says. “It depends more on why you are taking it.” For example, if your goal is to calm anxiety, sipping a gotu kola tea might be very soothing. Or if you’re using it to improve the appearance of your skin, a cream or ointment might be best.

Most people take a capsule version, Kelley says.

While she says she has not seen the plant sold in Western grocery stores, it’s possible to purchase seeds and grow it yourself. Doing so may bring added benefits. Eating gotu kola fresh (versus dried or in tincture form) may preserve more of the water-soluble vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that are not well extracted in alcohol and may be partially lost during the drying process, Volpe says.

There are many forms of gotu kola, so here are a few things to keep in mind when selecting your best option.

Selection

Choosing a quality brand is important, Scheinman says. Gotu kola is a supplement, so it’s important to look for a verification seal, because supplements are not fully regulated by the FDA.

“When looking for high-quality supplements, look for certifications on the bottle that say things like ‘third-party-verified,’ or ask a qualified health practitioner to direct you to quality brands,” Kelley says.

To choose a quality supplement, check the label for USP, NSF, or Consumer Labs Approved. This means the product has undergone third-party testing for quality and purity.

Also, check the ingredient list. “I prefer to use single herbs rather than blends,” Scheinman says. “Many times in blends there may not be enough of the active ingredient to have much impact. If the label says ‘proprietary blend’ and doesn’t list the dose of gotu kola in it, I’d avoid that brand.”

Finally, consider the form of gotu kola you’re taking. “While tinctures, capsules, and tablets are likely quicker to get to the cells, some people may benefit from topical applications or teas,” says Sam Schleiger, RD, an integrative and functional medicine dietician and owner of Simply Nourished in Elkhorn, Wisconsin. “The specific product you select will greatly depend on preference as well as what effect you hope to achieve from a health perspective as different delivery methods or forms may work slightly differently.”

Storage

Kelley says typical doses range from 60 to 450 milligrams daily, for up to six weeks. The right dosage depends on what form you’re taking. You should always consult your doctor to receive an individualized recommendation.

Schleiger says more large, well-designed studies are needed to know more about the specific dosages that are safe. “Furthermore, differing dosages may be used for different health conditions,” she says. “It's best to speak to your provider to help you determine the most appropriate dosage and form based on your health needs.”

It's always a good idea to talk with your healthcare provider to confirm what dose is safe for you to try, Schleiger says.

• Gotu kola is a supplement that has limited and varied research evidence to support its use for helping with skin health, wound healing, varicose veins, cognitive health, and anxiety, among other concerns.
• Gotu kola isn’t for everyone, and there are some people who should avoid it, such as those with liver trouble and diabetes.
• Experts say the health benefits associated with the plant are promising, but more studies are needed to be sure.

Additional reporting by Sarah Garone.