Gotu Kola (Centella asiatica) is a close relative of Bacopa Monnieri, and they are both called Brahmi. They share many benefits, both promoting brain health- but also have distinct qualities. I wrote about Bacopa here. This blog is about Gotu kola benefits, dosage and safety.
Gotu Kola Benefits- Traditional Use
Gotu Kola Benefits For Brain And Sleep
Gotu Kola Benefits For Skin And Circulation
Gotu Kola Benefits For Gut Health
More Gotu Kola Benefits : Antimicrobial, Anti inflammatory, Painkiller
Gotu Kola Warnings
Gotu Kola Preparations (Including Gotu Kola Tea) and Gotu Kola Dosage
Gotu Kola Benefits For Ayurveda/Yoga Lovers
1.Gotu Kola Benefits- Traditional Use
Gotu Kola had been used in Ayurveda (Indian) system of medicine for over 3000 years. It is also a highly regarded herb in Chinese Medicine, being known as one of the “miracle elixirs of life.” It is a powerful brain tonic. Besides its action on the nervous system, is also helps improve digestive, skin, hair and joint health. It acts as a diuretic and helps improve the female urinary and reproductive system.
Both Bacopa and Gotu Kola help open the mind and boost clarity, memory, intellect, focus and concentration. They promote a balanced, peaceful mind, energy during the day and deep, restful sleep at night. Both support healthy circulation (blood and lymph), skin, hair health and digestion. Both have strong anti-aging benefits.
Gotu kola also works on muscles, fat and bone tissues. It stimulates the appetite where Bacopa suppresses it. Bacopa helps increase energy and strength, where Gotu kola helps detox, purify and rejuvenate bodily tissues.
Gotu Kola- Modern /Scientific Research
Here is a quick review of scientific research in both animal and human studies (most of the clinical studies used alcoholic or aqueous extract of Gotu Kola).
Technical: The key active ingredients responsible for its health benefits include are saponins ( aka triterpenoids), mainly responsible for the wound healing and vascular effects. Other components ie brahmoside and brahminoside, seem to be responsible for brain and uterorelaxant actions,. Centelloside and its derivatives are found to be effective in the treatment of venous hypertension. This herb also contains plant sterols, flavonoids, abundant tannins (20-25%), phytosterols (campesterol, sitosterol, stigmasterol), free aminoacids (alanine, serine, aminobutyrate, aspartate, glutamate, lysine and treonine), flavonoids and fatty acids [1].
Gotu Kola Benefits For Brain and Sleep
Gotu kola has anti anxiety and antidepressant qualities (one mechanism of action: improves the levels of dopamine, serotonin, GABA, acetylcholine, norepinephrine and their metabolites and decreases toxicity from excess glutamate). It also improves the density of synapses and activates NRF2 pathways, and prevent neuroinflammation [2],[3],[12]. It promotes restful sleep and has anti-seizure effects.
This herb is well known as a nootropic, because enhances memory and cognition, re-vitalize the brain and nervous system, increase attention span and concentration and combats brain aging, It fights free radicals and prevents neurodegeneration (animal studies).
Human -randomized placebo controlled studies confirmed the Gotu kola benefits for improving mood, cognition, anti-anxiety (including generalized anxiety disorder-GAD)and antidepressant and sleep promoting qualities. Elderly seem to benefit the most from Gotu Kola.
Therefore, this herb could be considered for managing anxiety, depression, ADHD as well as neurodegenerative conditions such as MS, Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s disease [1],[4],[5].
Gotu Kola Benefits For Skin And Circulation
More effective than Bacopa for skin conditions, Gotu kola promotes the synthesis of collagen, improves circulation, decreases inflammation, fights free radicals and overall aids wound healing (including surgical scars). One study conducted in pregnant women showed that a cream based on Gotu Kola, vitamin E and collagen-elastin help improve stretch marks. Other clinical trials evaluated the benefits for treating eczema and wounds.
Gotu Kola Benefits For Gut Health
This herb has anti-ulcer activity by improving gastric mucosal barrier and reducing free radicals. It appears to improve gut autoimmunity (technical: madecassic acid from Gotu kola showed the ability to decreased Th17 cells and downregulate the expression of RORγt, IL-17A, IL-17F, IL-21 and IL-22 and increase Treg cells and the expression of Foxp3 and IL-10 in colitis- animal models) [7]. One randomized placebo controlled study found Gotu kola beneficial for managing anal fissures [8].
More Gotu Kola Benefits : Antimicrobial, Anti inflammatory, Painkiller
Gotu kola shows some activity against herpes virus HSV-1 and 2 and fungi. In animal studies, this herb showed anti inflammatory and analgesic qualities compared with aspirin, but less potent than morphine and mefenamic acid [1]. It also helps reduce inflammation associated with gum diseases (gingivitis) in human studies [9].
Gotu Kola Warnings
It has no known toxicity in recommended doses. Side effects are rare but may include skin allergy and burning sensations (when applied on the skin). Headache, stomach upset, nausea, dizziness, and extreme drowsiness which tend to develop with high doses of the herb. Should not be used during pregnancy or if you wish to become pregnant.
More Gotu kola warnings: should not be taken for more than 6 weeks (if longer treatment is needed you should take 2 weeks break), especially when used in high doses.
Drug-herb interactions- may interfere with sedative /anti-anxiety (sleeping pills). In theory could also interfere with anti-diabetes and cholesterol lowering agents and may increase the absorbtion of stimulants- caffeine, cannabis, cocaine [1], [10].
I found Gotu kola more stimulating that Bacopa, and definitely increases the appetite. Both issues can be reduced/eliminated by applying this herb on the scalp (for brain health) or on the skin (for skin issues). Gotu kola and Bacopa can be used alone or in combination.
Just like Bacopa, Gotu kola can accumulate heavy metals. Buy it from a reputable company [11]. I prefer the organic powder rather than the standardized extract.
Gotu Kola Preparations (Including Gotu Kola Tea) and Gotu Kola Dosage
Gotu kola dosage (daily dosage): 600 mg of dried leaves or infusion, single-dose capsules (300 mg to 680 mg, three times a day). Gotu kola tea can also be used: dried gotu kola tea (from leafs) is made by adding 1-2 teaspoons (5-10 g) to 150 ml of boiling water, steep for 10-15 min (daily dosage : 3 cups (750 ml). The daily dosage for standardized extract (containing up to 100% total saponins (triterpenoids)): 60 mg 1-2 times daily.[1] Gotu Kola can be used as a paste (just add water) and applied on the scalp (many herbs and nutrients are absorbed through the skin).
Gotu Kola Benefits For Ayurveda/Yoga Lovers
Both Bacopa and Gotu Kola are called Brahmi as are thought to promote subtle awareness and satva (the pure essence of consciousness).
Energetics: bitter/cooling/sweet
VPK=
Tissues: all tissue-elements but reproductive, mainly blood, marrow and nerve
Bacopa vs Gotu kola: Bacopa is less cooling and may therefore may work better for vata and kapha imbalances. Gotu kola may be a better choice for pitta imbalance (although both are VPK=)
Gotu Kola increases intelligence, longevity, and memory. It strengthens the immune system and the adrenals. It is a powerful blood purifier working specifically for chronic skin diseases (ie eczema and psoriasis). It is valuable in intermittent or periodic fevers (ie malaria). Gotu kola is a tonic for Pitta. It inhibits Vata, calms the nerves, and helps reduce excessive Kapha.
Bacopa is usually preferred for vata aggravations and conditions related to stress and exhaustion, where gotu kola is used in mental or emotional aggravations of vata and pitta
Additional References:
The Yoga of Herbs:The Yoga Of Herbs, An Ayurvedic Guide to Herbal Medicine: Dr.Lad, Dr. Frawley
