Gotu Kola (Centella Asiatica) is one of the herbs used in a Tai-Chi tradition for longevity.

The plant itself can soak up heavy metals from the soil. As such, ensuring the source you are consuming is organic, or at least doesn’t contain dangerous heavy metals, is important. Copper accumulates in its roots; manganese and lead accumulate in the leaves [R].

Not only does Gotu Kola increase the potency of THC, caffeine, and sex hormones, it lowers inflammation, improves long-term memory, and improves healing.

Health Benefits of Gotu Kola

1) Gotu Kola Prevents Hair Loss

Gotu Kola increased hair growth in six rats, increasing the number of hairs per area and the length of each hair [R]. Although, it’s even better when combined with Aloe Vera, Eclipta alba (false daisy), Ocimum sanctum (holy basil), and Emblica officinalis (Indian gooseberry).

Gotu Kola also lowered free radicals and stress in mice, both known to cause hair loss [R, R, R].

2) Gotu Kola Protects Blood Vessels

The terpenes in Gotu Kola increase collagen production, leading to lower blood pressure and help with swelling (edema) [R].

This was also found in a placebo-controlled study [R].

3) Gotu Kola Treats Psoriasis

Gotu Kola can inhibit skin cell reproduction. While it is a treatment for psoriasis, it is not as strong as the standard drug used (psoralen) [R].

4) Gotu Kola Treats Stomach Ulcers

Gotu Kola increased cell healing and reduced the size of ulcers in rats (by reducing myeloperoxidase and increasing bFGF) [R, R, R].

5) Gotu Kola May Heal Wounds and Cellulite

Asiaticasoide, found in Gotu Kola, increased skin strength and skin collagen to better heal wounds in pigs and rats [R].

It also increased SOD, catalase, glutathione, Vitamin E, and Vitamin C in skin damage in rats [R, R].

Asiatic acid, also in Gotu Kola, increased collagen production, further benefiting the healing of wounds [R].

Similar results have been found for Gotu Kola in regards to improving the healing of burns [R, R].

Further, Gotu Kola has been used for stretch marks, raised scars, inflammation (phlebitis and cellulite), and leprosy [R].

6) Gotu Kola Reduces Anxiety

In rats, Gotu Kola improved anxiety; in humans, Gotu Kola prevented being easily startled [R, R].

7) Gotu Kola Increases cAMP Response (CREB)

The Gotu Kola leaf increased the cAMP response element-binding protein (CREB) [R].

CREB is increased by antidepressants and is involved in forming long-term memories [R, R].

8) Gotu Kola Reduces Inflammation

Asiatic acid and madecassic acid, found in Gotu Kola, inhibited IL-1 beta, IL-6, and TNF-alpha (as well as inhibiting iNOS and COX-2) in bacteria-infected cells [R, R].

Thus, it prevented going into shock from infection and increased clotting, which is useful for infected cuts [R].

9) Gotu Kola Prevents Free Radical Damage

The phenols in Gotu Kola provide antioxidant and anti-tumor benefits in mouse cells [R].

10) Gotu Kola Increases Serotonin and Dopamine and Lowers Cortisol

In rats, Gotu Kola lowered their version of cortisol (corticosterone) and increased serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine [R].

Lower cortisol improves long-term memory and lowers aggression [R].

It may also be useful for sleep disorders [R].

11) Gotu Kola Prevents Thrombosis

A component in Gotu Kola prevented thrombosis by inhibiting blood clotting in certain rat models [R, R].

12) Gotu Kola Slows Tumor Growth

Known as an antiproliferative, Gotu Kola slowed the growth of some types of human tumor cells [R].

13) Gotu Kola Kills Cancer

Gotu Kola successfully killed skin cancer and breast cancer in test-tube models [R, R].

14) Gotu Kola Treats Herpes

Gotu Kola helped clear up herpes by inhibiting herpes virus (HSV-1 and HSV-2). The effect was stronger when combined with mango [R, R].

15) Gotu Kola Treats Alzheimer’s

Gotu Kola prevented nerve cell death in test tube models of Alzheimer’s by reducing the negative effects of amyloid beta [R].

Gotu Kola Research

Since Gotu Kola decreases inflammation, researchers are studying whether it could treat schizophrenia and depression [R, R].

Gotu Kola also lowered signs of despair in rats [R].

Skin and breast cancer have been stopped by Gotu Kola. Hopefully, this will be researched in a clinical format [R, R].

Gotu Kola Constituents

Gotu Kola contains:

• centellasaponins A, B, C, and D,
• madecassoside (brahminoside),
• asiaticoside A, B, C, D, E and F,
• sceffoleoside A,
• asiatic acid,
• madecassic acid (brahmic acid),
• isothankunic acid,
• alpha-humulene,
• germacrene B/D,
• beta caryophyllene,
• centellin,
• asiaticin,
• cenetellicin [R, R, R].

Gotu Kola Interactions

Gotu Kola inhibits CYP2C9, CYP2D6, CYP3A4, which are a part of many drug-drug interactions [R].

This increases the potency of ibuprofen, THC, ketamine and others. It produces an action similar to St. John’s Wort, Ginkgo Biloba, and Modafinil (CYP2C9) [R].

It increases the potency of opioids, antipsychotics, beta-blockers, amphetamines, and others, which is similar to cannabis and cocaine (CYP2D6) [R].

Also, it increases the potency of sex hormones, benzodiazepines, statins, chemotherapy, caffeine, cocaine, and others, which acts similarly to grapefruit juice (CYP3A4) [R].

Gotu Kola Side Effects

Gotu Kola extract dosed at 300 mg per day for 21 days in humans found no side effects [R]. However, some people have associated skin itching or burning from a cream of Gotu Kola, or low blood pressure, headache, nausea, dizziness, and drowsiness with too much Gotu Kola tea.

Gotu Kola Dosage

A lot of people take around 1000 mg of Gotu Kola per day in capsules. Although, Gotu Kola tea is another method and people have 1-5 cups over the day with about 1 g per cup. I can’t comment on this scientifically or from experience. I have ordered some and will update.

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Joe’s Experience With Gotu Kola

I’ve taken Gotu Kola when I was tired and it woke me up and other times where it relaxed me, so it’s somewhat balancing.

I find that it’s good for brain function, but not suited for me exactly because it’s a little too much of an immune stimulant. However, I think it would be good for most people, especially Th2 dominant people.

Gotu Kola Reviews

Reviewer2044694:

"I can’t believe how often I go into a room and REMEMBER what I came in for. That’s a huge change, and a very pleasant one."

Reviewer1729696:

"Hi, I had a problem with poor circulation,and the first day that I took Gotu kola I started having a feeling of my blood flowing in my legs. No joke, this stuff works!!

And i’ve been taking it for 5 days now and my whole body feels like I’m having my blood flow properly for the first time in years.

And also I suffer from multiple sclerosis and I haven’t had any numbness or tingling in my legs since I started taking this! I just feel so healthy!

Also I had been having a problem with not getting enough sleep, I’ve tried various prescription drugs and none of them worked. The gotu kola made me sleep so well all night, this is a blessing from Jehovah God!!! Alisa."

Reviewer3270238:

"Increases mental stamina, concentration and reduces anxiety. Its like an adaptogen for the brain."