What is it?
What gotu kola is
1Gotu kola is Centella asiatica, a creeping botanical used in Ayurvedic, Chinese and other traditional systems. Supplement products may be whole-herb powder, tea, capsules, tinctures, TECA-style triterpene extracts or ECa 233-style standardized extracts, so the exact form matters.
Cognition data are small and population-specific
3The best cognition trial enrolled 28 healthy older adults and tested 250, 500 or 750 mg/day for two months. The high-dose group showed working-memory and event-related-potential signals, but the study was small and later review-level summaries still call the overall evidence insufficient for broad cognitive-function use.
Stress-reactivity findings need context
4One double-blind study used a single 12 g dose and found reduced acoustic startle response at 30 and 60 minutes, while a small GAD study used 500 mg twice daily after meals for 60 days. Those are useful signals, but they do not establish routine use for everyday calm, mood or performance.
Names, aliases and forms
Mechanisms of action
Why triterpenes matter
2Asiaticoside, madecassoside and related triterpenes are often used to standardize Centella extracts. They are plausible for wound-healing, inflammation and neuroprotection mechanisms, but product labels vary widely and mechanism data should stay below direct human outcome data.
Potential effects and evidence map
Gotu kola has limited human evidence. A 28-person randomized trial in healthy older adults used Centella asiatica extract at 250, 500 or 750 mg once daily for two months and reported working-memory and mood-related signals at the high dose. A 40-person acute study used a single 12 g dose and found lower acoustic startle response without broad mood changes, while a small open GAD study used 500 mg twice daily for 60 days. A systematic review/meta-analysis and MSK monograph support cautious framing: the evidence is promising but not strong enough for broad cognitive-function claims.
A small older-adult trial reported working-memory and ERP signals at 750 mg/day for two months, but review-level confidence remains limited.
Acoustic startle and GAD symptom studies suggest possible stress-reactivity benefit, but one used a very large single dose and another was open-label.
Mood-related signals appear in small studies, but the evidence is too limited for general wellbeing claims.
Focus evidence is indirect; the best trial signal was working memory in older adults rather than acute concentration.
Preclinical neuroprotective and antioxidant mechanisms are plausible but not enough to establish long-term brain benefit in humans.
Typical dosages and timing
The compact range reflects small human oral studies: 250 to 750 mg daily for the older-adult cognition trial and 500 mg twice daily in a GAD symptom study. The single 12 g acoustic-startle exposure is not a routine supplement dose. Prefer products that state extract type and triterpene standardization.
Timing & effect horizon
Safety, side effects and risk profile
Human cognition and stress-reactivity data are small, extract-specific and not enough for broad nootropic claims.
Gotu kola can be calming or drowsiness-producing for some users; avoid combining with alcohol or other sedating products before assessing response.
MSK lists hepatotoxicity among adverse reactions; people with liver disease history or abnormal liver tests should avoid casual concentrated use.
Gestation, nursing and pediatric use lack adequate safety evidence for concentrated products.
Digestive upset, headache-like discomfort or skin rash can occur, and topical products may cause contact dermatitis.
Practical buying and quality notes
- Check whether the label says whole herb, TECA, ECa 233 or another standardized extract. Look for triterpene markers such as asiaticoside and madecassoside, microbial/heavy-metal testing, country of origin, and clear capsule strength. Do not confuse gotu kola with kola nut; caffeine content should not be expected unless another ingredient is added.2
FAQ
Is gotu kola a proven nootropic?
6No. It has limited human signals for working memory and stress-reactivity contexts, but the evidence is too small and specific for a strong general nootropic claim.
What dose has been studied?
3Small studies used 250 to 750 mg daily in healthy older adults and 500 mg twice daily in a GAD symptom study. A separate 12 g single-dose startle study is not a routine dose.
Who should be cautious?
2People with liver concerns, drowsiness sensitivity, complex prescription-drug regimens, gestation or nursing status, and anyone buying unstandardized powders should be cautious and seek qualified review.
References
- NCBI Taxonomy Browser. Centella asiatica, taxonomy ID 48106.
- Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. Gotu Kola herb monograph.
- Wattanathorn J, Mator L, Muchimapura S, et al. Positive modulation of cognition and mood in the healthy elderly volunteer following the administration of Centella asiatica. Journal of Ethnopharmacology. 2008.
- 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.
- Jana U, Sur TK, Maity LN, Debnath PK, Bhattacharyya D. A clinical study on the management of generalized anxiety disorder with Centella asiatica. Nepal Medical College Journal. 2010.
- Puttarak P, Dilokthornsakul P, Saokaew S, Dhippayom T, Kongkaew C. Effects of Centella asiatica (L.) Urb. on cognitive function and mood related outcomes: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Scientific Reports. 2017.
- Songvut P, Chariyavilaskul P, Khemawoot P, et al. Pharmacokinetics and metabolomics investigation of an orally modified formula of standardized Centella asiatica extract in healthy volunteers. Scientific Reports. 2021.