Gotu Kola

Supplements · Cognitive & Vitality Herbs · Supplement, Typed Supps

A traditional herb studied for skin and circulation.

Stage by stage

Intake (Extract capsule): Active triterpene compounds absorbed in the small intestine.
Small intestine (Absorbed): Absorbed alongside other plant compounds.
Bloodstream (Circulates): Circulates throughout the body.
Skin & veins (Collagen & circulation): Studied for effects on collagen production and circulation, particularly skin and vein health.

What the evidence supports

Improving symptoms of chronic venous insufficiency — moderate evidence. Several randomised trials of a titrated extract show reduced leg swelling and symptoms, its best-supported use.
Speeding wound and burn healing — limited evidence. Mostly topical and small-study evidence; suggestive but not robust.
Evidence that it causes Liver injury — insufficient evidence. A small number of hepatotoxicity case reports exist with several weeks of use; a real signal to watch, though causation is not firmly established.

Typical dose

60–120 mg daily of an extract standardised to its triterpene (asiaticoside) content

Upper limit: No established UL; taking breaks is often advised given the liver-injury reports

Timing

With food, standard dosing.

Time to effect

Wks–mo: Any reported skin or circulation effect in studies.

Medication interactions

Medication that can injure the liver (paracetamol at high doses, methotrexate, isoniazid, amiodarone): Rare case reports link gotu kola to idiosyncratic liver injury after several weeks of use. Causation is not established and the cases are few, but stacking it with a drug that carries its own hepatic risk is an avoidable combination. (moderate)
Sedatives and CNS depressants: Traditionally used for calm and often listed as additive with sedatives. The interaction is theoretical — human data are lacking — and a water extract of Centella shows low potential for cytochrome P450-mediated interactions. (moderate)

Common myth

“Gotu kola is the same as kava.” In reality: Despite similar-sounding names, they’re unrelated plants with completely different uses and safety profiles.