Gotu Kola Benefits

Gotu kola is Centella asiatica (L.) Urban, a low creeping herb of the carrot family (Apiaceae) that grows along ditches, paddy edges and damp roadsides across South and Southeast Asia. It is pegaga in Malay, gotu kola in Sinhala, ji xue cao (積雪草) in Chinese, and — confusingly, and importantly — one of two plants called brahmi in Ayurveda. It has no relationship whatsoever to the caffeinated kola nut.

Gotu kola is unusual among herbs in one respect that matters more than anything else on this page: its active fraction was purified, standardised and turned into an actual pharmaceutical decades ago. The titrated extract of Centella asiatica — sold as TECA, TTFCA, Madecassol or Centellase, depending on the country and the decade — is a defined mixture of asiaticoside with asiatic and madecassic acids. Nearly every credible clinical result attached to this plant belongs to that standardised fraction, not to a tea, a leaf salad or a capsule of milled dried herb.

The evidence sorts cleanly. Two uses have real human trial support: wound healing and scar management, and chronic venous insufficiency. A third — the cognitive and anxiolytic reputation the plant is most famous for — rests on a handful of small studies, and much of what people believe about it has been borrowed by mistake from a completely different plant. These four articles work through each in turn.

Table of Contents

1. Deep-Dive Articles
2. What Gotu Kola Actually Is
3. The Four Triterpenes and What TECA Means
4. Where the Evidence Is Strong — and Where It Is Not
5. The Brahmi Problem, in Short
6. What to Check on a Label
7. Safety at a Glance
8. Key Research Papers
9. External Resources
10. Connections

Deep-Dive Articles

What Gotu Kola Actually Is

The plant is a perennial with round, scalloped, kidney-shaped leaves on long stalks, spreading by runners over wet ground. It is a genuine food in its home range — eaten as a salad green in Sri Lanka (gotu kola sambol), blended into cooling drinks in Thailand, cooked as a vegetable in Malaysia and Indonesia. That everyday food use is worth remembering, because it puts a floor under the safety discussion: this is not an exotic pharmacologically loaded root that nobody has ever eaten in quantity.

Two identity errors follow the plant everywhere, and both are worth clearing before you read anything else.

It is not kola nut. The word “kola” in gotu kola is a transliteration of the Sinhala word for leaf. It has nothing to do with Cola species, cola drinks, or caffeine. Gotu kola contains no caffeine at all and is not a stimulant.

It is not the only brahmi. In Ayurvedic practice the Sanskrit-derived name brahmi is applied to both Centella asiatica and Bacopa monnieri — plants in different families with different chemistry. This one causes real harm to readers, because the most-cited “brahmi improves memory” results are Bacopa’s, and they are routinely repeated on gotu kola packaging. The dedicated article on that confusion is here.

Botanically, the Apiaceae membership matters for one practical reason: the allergy warnings that circulate about gotu kola frequently name ragweed, daisies and chrysanthemums. Those are Asteraceae cross-reactivity warnings and they belong to a different plant family. If you have a plant-family allergy question about gotu kola, the relevant family is carrot, celery, parsley and fennel.

The Four Triterpenes and What TECA Means

Gotu kola’s activity is credited to four pentacyclic triterpenes — two glycosides and their corresponding aglycone acids:

The pharmaceutical fraction goes by several names that all mean roughly the same thing: TECA (titrated extract of Centella asiatica), TTFCA (total triterpenic fraction of Centella asiatica), Madecassol, Centellase, or on a French or Italian prescription simply extrait titré. The classic composition is around 40% asiaticoside with roughly 60% of the combined asiatic and madecassic acids — a defined ratio, sold in milligram doses, with a real pharmacokinetic profile. Grimaldi and colleagues measured asiatic acid in plasma after single and repeated TTFCA doses in healthy volunteers in 1990, which is more than most botanicals can claim.

Everything downstream of this point depends on it. A trial that gave 60 mg of TTFCA three times daily is not evidence about a 500 mg capsule of dried gotu kola powder, and it is certainly not evidence about a cup of tea.

Where the Evidence Is Strong — and Where It Is Not

The pattern is consistent: gotu kola performs best where you can measure something physical — a wound edge, an ankle circumference, a capillary filtration rate — and worst where the endpoint is a cognitive test score.

The Brahmi Problem, in Short

If you take one thing from this hub, take this. Centella asiatica and Bacopa monnieri are both sold as brahmi. They are not related: Centella is Apiaceae and contains triterpene saponins; Bacopa is Plantaginaceae and contains bacosides, a chemically different class. Their evidence bases are also different. Bacopa has been through multiple randomised trials and two systematic reviews specifically for memory, with modest but repeatedly observed effects on delayed word recall. Gotu kola has not.

When a gotu kola label says “traditionally used to support memory — brahmi”, it is trading on Bacopa’s research. If memory is your goal, read the Latin binomial and go to the Bacopa monnieri page instead. Full detail in the dedicated article.

What to Check on a Label

1. The binomial. Centella asiatica must appear. “Brahmi” alone tells you nothing.
2. A standardisation figure. Look for a stated percentage of total triterpenes, asiaticoside, or the phrase “titrated extract”. No number means no way to relate the product to any trial.
3. The plant part. Whole aerial parts (leaf and stem) is standard. “Root” would be unusual and is not what was studied.
4. What else is in the cream. The striae trials both tested multi-ingredient creams — Centella plus vitamin E plus collagen hydrolysates, or plus rosehip oil. Those results belong to the formula, not to Centella alone.
5. Milligrams per day, not per capsule. Venous trials used 60–180 mg/day of the triterpenic fraction; a label boasting “1000 mg” of unstandardised herb is a different quantity entirely.

Safety at a Glance

• Allergic contact dermatitis is the best-documented adverse effect, and it comes from the topical products. Case reports go back to the 1990s and continue into 2024. If a cica cream stings, itches or reddens over days rather than minutes, stop it.
• Liver injury has been reported with oral use. Jorge and Jorge described three women who developed jaundice after 20–60 days of oral Centella asiatica, one with recurrence on rechallenge. It is rare, but it is real, and it is why open-ended daily use is a bad idea.
• Avoid in pregnancy and breastfeeding for oral use. Safety has not been established. (The striae creams are a topical exception used under obstetric supervision in trials — that is not the same as taking capsules.)
• Possible additive sedation with alcohol, benzodiazepines, sleep medication and general anaesthesia. Stop it about two weeks before planned surgery.
• Cycle rather than run continuously. Traditional practice and the hepatotoxicity reports point the same direction: a few weeks on, then a break.

Key Research Papers

Chemistry, pharmacology and overviews

1. James JT, Dubery IA. Pentacyclic triterpenoids from the medicinal herb, Centella asiatica (L.) Urban. Molecules. 2009;14(10):3922–3941. The reference description of the four signature triterpenes and how extracts are titrated.
2. Brinkhaus B, Lindner M, Schuppan D, Hahn EG. Chemical, pharmacological and clinical profile of the East Asian medical plant Centella asiatica. Phytomedicine. 2000;7(5):427–448. The foundational review linking the triterpenes to connective-tissue and venous effects.
3. Sun B, Wu L, Wu Y, Zhang C, Qin L, Hayashi M, et al. Therapeutic potential of Centella asiatica and its triterpenes: a review. Frontiers in Pharmacology. 2020;11:568032. A modern synthesis, largely preclinical.
4. Grimaldi R, De Ponti F, D’Angelo L, Caravaggi M, Guidi G, Lecchini S, et al. Pharmacokinetics of the total triterpenic fraction of Centella asiatica after single and multiple administrations to healthy volunteers. A new assay for asiatic acid. Journal of Ethnopharmacology. 1990;28(2):235–241. Demonstrates that oral TTFCA actually produces measurable asiatic acid in plasma.

Wound healing, scars and striae

1. Arribas-López E, Zand N, Ojo O, Snowden MJ, Kochhar T. A systematic review of the effect of Centella asiatica on wound healing. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 2022;19(6):3266. Only four clinical trials met inclusion criteria — the honest measure of how thin the human base is.
2. Bylka W, Znajdek-Awiżeń P, Studzińska-Sroka E, Dańczak-Pazdrowska A, Brzezińska M. Centella asiatica in dermatology: an overview. Phytotherapy Research. 2014;28(8):1117–1124.
3. Bossé JP, Papillon J, Frenette G, Dansereau J, Cadotte M, Le Lorier J. Clinical study of a new antikeloid agent. Annals of Plastic Surgery. 1979;3(1):13–21. The Madecassol keloid and hypertrophic-scar report — and it discloses a 29% placebo response.
4. Shukla A, Rasik AM, Jain GK, Shankar R, Kulshrestha DK, Dhawan BN. In vitro and in vivo wound healing activity of asiaticoside isolated from Centella asiatica. Journal of Ethnopharmacology. 1999;65(1):1–11. Animal and cell work.
5. Mallol J, Belda MA, Costa D, Noval A, Sola M. Prophylaxis of striae gravidarum with a topical formulation. A double blind trial. International Journal of Cosmetic Science. 1991;13(1):51–57. 80 pregnant women; a multi-ingredient cream, not Centella alone.
6. García Hernández JÁ, Madera González D, Padilla Castillo M, Figueras Falcón T. Use of a specific anti-stretch mark cream for preventing or reducing the severity of striae gravidarum. International Journal of Cosmetic Science. 2013;35(3):233–237. Overall incidence was not reduced; severity outcomes were.

Venous insufficiency and microcirculation

1. Chong NJ, Aziz Z. A systematic review of the efficacy of Centella asiatica for improvement of the signs and symptoms of chronic venous insufficiency. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine. 2013;2013:627182. Eight trials; benefit on microcirculatory parameters, with unclear risk of bias throughout.
2. Pointel JP, Boccalon H, Cloarec M, Ledevehat C, Joubert M. Titrated extract of Centella asiatica (TECA) in the treatment of venous insufficiency of the lower limbs. Angiology. 1987;38(1 Pt 1):46–50. 94 patients, multicentre, double-blind, two doses versus placebo.
3. De Sanctis MT, Belcaro G, Incandela L, Cesarone MR, Griffin M, Ippolito E, et al. Treatment of edema and increased capillary filtration in venous hypertension with total triterpenic fraction of Centella asiatica. Angiology. 2001;52(Suppl 2):S55–S59. Dose-ranging; 180 mg/day outperformed 90 mg/day.
4. Belcaro GV, Grimaldi R, Guidi G. Improvement of capillary permeability in patients with venous hypertension after treatment with TTFCA. Angiology. 1990;41(7):533–540.

Cognition, anxiety and mood

1. Puttarak P, Dilokthornsakul P, Saokaew S, Dhippayom T, Kongkaew C, Sruamsiri R, et al. Effects of Centella asiatica (L.) Urb. on cognitive function and mood related outcomes: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Scientific Reports. 2017;7(1):10646. The decisive negative result for the memory claim.
2. Wattanathorn J, Mator L, Muchimapura S, Tongun T, Pasuriwong O, Piyawatkul N, et al. Positive modulation of cognition and mood in the healthy elderly volunteer following the administration of Centella asiatica. Journal of Ethnopharmacology. 2008;116(2):325–332. 28 volunteers, 250/500/750 mg daily.
3. Bradwejn J, Zhou Y, Koszycki D, Shlik J. A double-blind, placebo-controlled study on the effects of gotu kola (Centella asiatica) on acoustic startle response in healthy subjects. Journal of Clinical Psychopharmacology. 2000;20(6):680–684. A single 12 g dose in 40 subjects.
4. Kongkeaw C, Dilokthornsakul P, Thanarangsarit P, Limpeanchob N, Norman Scholfield C. Meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials on cognitive effects of Bacopa monnieri extract. Journal of Ethnopharmacology. 2014;151(1):528–535. Included for contrast: this is the other brahmi, and this is its evidence.

Safety: liver and skin

1. Jorge OA, Jorge AD. Hepatotoxicity associated with the ingestion of Centella asiatica. Revista Española de Enfermedades Digestivas. 2005;97(2):115–124. Three women, jaundice after 20–60 days, one positive rechallenge.
2. Danese P, Carnevali C, Bertazzoni MG. Allergic contact dermatitis due to Centella asiatica extract. Contact Dermatitis. 1994;31(3):201.
3. Gomes J, Pereira T, Vilarinho C, Duarte ML, Brito C. Contact dermatitis due to Centella asiatica. Contact Dermatitis. 2010;62(1):54–55.
4. Özkaya E, Toprak İD. Allergic contact dermatitis from Centella asiatica extract and fragrance allergens: report of two patients from Turkey. Contact Dermatitis. 2024;91(1):85–87. The problem did not go away with the arrival of cica cosmetics.

Live PubMed Searches

1. Centella asiatica — wound healing clinical trials
2. TTFCA and venous disease
3. Centella asiatica and cognition, randomised studies
4. Asiaticoside and madecassoside in scarring
5. Centella asiatica contact dermatitis case reports
6. Centella asiatica hepatotoxicity

External Resources

• European Medicines Agency — herbal monograph on Centellae asiaticae herba. The European regulatory assessment, including approved traditional indications and safety review.
• Memorial Sloan Kettering About Herbs — Gotu Kola. A conservative clinical summary with interaction notes.
• PubChem — Asiaticoside and Madecassoside. Structures, properties and cross-referenced literature.
• LiverTox (NIH) — drug and herbal liver injury database. The standard reference for herb-induced liver injury.

Connections

• All Herbs
• Gotu Kola (main page)
• Wound Healing and Scars
• Venous Insufficiency and Circulation
• Cognition, Anxiety and the Brahmi Confusion
• Forms, TECA and Topical Use
• Bacopa Monnieri — the other “brahmi”
• Calendula
• Comfrey
• Dermatology

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