Gotu Kola

• Chronic venous insufficiency and venous microangiopathy (standardized triterpenic fraction, European clinical evidence)
• Wound and scar healing, skin repair (topical, traditional plus supportive lab evidence)
• Cognitive function and memory (traditional Ayurvedic use; modern RCTs largely null)
• Mood, alertness, and stress (preliminary, small effect sizes)
• Minor burns, eczema, and skin conditions (topical, traditional)

Centella asiatica is a creeping perennial herb of the Apiaceae family (carrot family, not related to kola nut despite the common name "gotu kola"), native to wetland and shaded regions across the Indian subcontinent, Sri Lanka, Madagascar, southern China, Southeast Asia, and South Africa. The English common name has produced persistent confusion, "gotu kola" derives from Sinhalese (gotu = cup-shaped, referring to the leaf form), while "kola" coincidentally matches the West African kola nut but has no botanical or pharmacological relationship to that caffeine-containing plant. Ayurvedic medicine uses the Sanskrit name Brahmi (literally "belonging to Brahma" or "of Brahman, supreme consciousness"), though the same Sanskrit name is also applied in Ayurveda to Bacopa monnieri, producing one of the more substantial botanical naming confusions in traditional medicine. Most authoritative Ayurvedic texts distinguish the two by additional epithets (Mandukaparni for Centella, Brahmi for Bacopa) but consumer-level confusion remains common. Traditional uses across Ayurvedic, Sri Lankan, Madagascan, Chinese, and Southeast Asian medicine systems include cognitive enhancement and memory ("rasayana" rejuvenative tonic), wound healing (substantial topical inheritance), skin conditions, venous and lymphatic disorders, anxiety, and longevity tonics. Modern phytochemistry has characterized four major triterpenoid saponins: asiaticoside, madecassoside (the two glycoside forms), asiatic acid, and madecassic acid (the corresponding aglycones produced upon hydrolysis). These four compounds, collectively called "the centellae", constitute the foundational pharmacological framework. Asiaticoside and madecassoside undergo enzymatic hydrolysis to produce asiatic acid and madecassic acid as the systemically active forms. The standardized French/Italian pharmaceutical preparation Centellase / Madecassol contains TECA (Titrated Extract of Centella Asiatica) standardized to 40% asiaticoside, 30% asiatic acid, and 30% madecassic acid, providing the foundational composition used in most European clinical research. The pharmacology centers on collagen synthesis stimulation (particularly relevant to wound healing and skin elasticity applications), vascular endothelial support (relevant to venous insufficiency and microcirculation applications), modest anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activity, possible GABA-A receptor modulation (relevant to anxiety effects), and possible cholinergic effects (relevant to cognitive applications, though substantially less characterized than for bacopa). The three distinct evidence applications matter substantially because they involve different commercial products and pharmacology contexts. The wound healing and skin elasticity application has the most substantial clinical inheritance, Centellase and Madecassol topical preparations have been used in French and Italian dermatology for decades; Cicalfate (Avène) and similar dermatology products incorporate Centella extracts; Korean K-beauty has substantially popularized centella-containing skincare globally. The chronic venous insufficiency and microcirculation application has substantial European pharmaceutical inheritance, particularly through Belcaro's Italian research program. The cognitive enhancement application has the weakest modern clinical evidence, substantial Ayurvedic and Sri Lankan traditional use, modest modern RCT evidence (Wattanathorn 2008, Bradwejn 2000), substantial consumer marketing that exceeds the clinical inheritance.

Standard oral Centella asiatica dosing depends on formulation. The pharmaceutical-grade TECA at 60-120mg/day represents the European clinical research standard for vascular applications (Centellase, Madecassol). Generic standardized extracts at 300-2000mg/day (depending on standardization percentage) provide reasonable consumer supplementation. The Wattanathorn 2008 cognitive trial used 500-750mg/day standardized extract. The Wijeweera 2006 anxiety trial used 500mg/day. Take with food, fat-soluble triterpene saponins absorb better with meal administration. Take in divided doses if using doses >1000mg/day to reduce mild GI effects. Treatment duration matters, vascular applications develop over 4-8+ weeks; cognitive and anxiety applications require 8-12+ weeks for meaningful effects. Topical use is dose-different, TECA 1% creams (Madecassol) for wound healing; lower concentrations in cosmeceutical products (0.1-0.3% Centella extracts) for general skincare. The Upper Limit (UL) is not formally established; case reports of hepatotoxicity with chronic high-dose use (multiple grams daily for extended periods) suggest reasonable caution about chronic supplementation above 2g/day standardized extract without specific clinical indication. Pregnancy: limited safety data warrants avoidance of oral supplementation; topical use generally considered safer. The naming confusion with Bacopa monnieri (also called Brahmi) creates quality verification challenge, verify Centella asiatica species specifically. The Madagascar-sourced Centella carries premium positioning for substantially higher triterpene content; this is reasonable consideration but not essential for clinical applications at equivalent standardization.

TECA pharmaceutical (vascular)

60-120mg/day

Standardized extract (cognitive)

500-1000mg/day

Standardized extract (anxiety)

500-1000mg/day

Whole herb powder

1-3g/day

Topical TECA cream (wound healing)

1% Madecassol

K-beauty Centella ampoule

Topical daily

Treatment duration (vascular)

4-8+ weeks

Treatment duration (cognitive/anxiety)

8-12+ weeks

• TECA (Titrated Extract of Centella Asiatica)

  Rating: gold

  The standardized pharmaceutical extract used in essentially all major European clinical research, Centellase (Italy) and Madecassol (France). Standardized to 40% asiaticoside, 30% asiatic acid, 30% madecassic acid. Available as prescription pharmaceutical in some European markets; supplement-grade TECA available through major manufacturers. Premium pricing justified by clinical inheritance.

• Standardized Centella Asiatica Extract

  Rating: gold

  Generic standardized extracts with disclosed asiaticoside and madecassoside content (typically 10-30% total triterpenes). Major reputable manufacturers (Solgar, NOW Foods, Pure Encapsulations, Thorne, Designs for Health) provide reliable products. More cost-effective than branded TECA; pharmacologically similar at equivalent standardization.

• Madecassol / Centellase (Pharmaceutical)

  Rating: gold

  Italian and French pharmaceutical preparations of TECA, Madecassol cream/ointment for topical dermatological use (wound healing, scar treatment, hypertrophic scar prevention) and Centellase oral for chronic venous insufficiency. Substantial pharmaceutical clinical inheritance; prescription-only in some European markets.

• Centella Topical Skincare Products

  Rating: good

  Substantial commercial Korean "Cica" (Centella) skincare category, Skin1004 Madagascar Centella Ampoule, Purito Centella Green Level, Etude House Soonjung, and similar products dominate the K-beauty Centella segment. Major dermocosmetic brands (Avène Cicalfate, La Roche-Posay Cicaplast) incorporate Centella in barrier-repair formulations. Reasonable for skin barrier support, post-procedure recovery, and sensitive skin applications.

• Whole Centella Asiatica Powder

  Rating: good

  Whole dried leaf and herb powder. Traditional Ayurvedic, Sri Lankan, and Madagascan preparations. Active compound content varies by source and processing. Reasonable for traditional/tea use; less reliable than standardized extracts for clinical applications.

• Centella Tincture (Liquid Extract)

  Rating: good

  Ethanolic liquid extract, traditional European herbal preparation form. Reasonable bioavailability; standardization varies across products.

• Gotu Kola + Bacopa Combinations

  Rating: caution

  Multi-herb cognitive formulations often combine gotu kola (Centella) and bacopa (Bacopa monnieri), sometimes labeled under the shared Sanskrit name "Brahmi." This combination is mechanistically reasonable but the botanical confusion creates quality verification challenges. Verify both species separately and their respective standardizations.

• Wild Madagascan Centella

  Rating: good

  Madagascar produces particularly high-triterpene-content Centella asiatica due to soil and climate conditions. Madagascar-sourced Centella has substantial K-beauty premium positioning (Skin1004 specifically markets Madagascar source). Reasonable premium sourcing consideration; clinical inheritance similar to other Centella sources.

• Chronic venous insufficiency / varicose veins

  Strength of evidence for this group: modest

  Substantial European pharmaceutical evidence base (Pointel 1987, Cesarone 1990s-2000s, Belcaro multiple) supports TECA at 60-120mg/day for reducing lower limb edema, capillary leakage, and venous symptoms. Effect sizes consistent with compression therapy adjunct; not substitute for compression stockings, sclerotherapy, or other established CVI management in severe disease. Coordinate with vascular medicine.

• Wound healing and scar prevention (topical)

  Strength of evidence for this group: modest

  Substantial topical evidence base, Madecassol prescription pharmaceutical use, Korean K-beauty dermocosmetic inheritance, multiple clinical trials supporting Centella topical formulations for wound healing, hypertrophic scar prevention, and post-procedure skin recovery. Reasonable component of comprehensive wound and scar management; specialist dermatology coordination for complex cases.

• Skin barrier support / sensitive skin

  Strength of evidence for this group: modest

  Korean K-beauty "Cica" skincare category and major dermocosmetic brands (Cicalfate, Cicaplast) support Centella topical formulations for sensitive skin, post-procedure recovery, rosacea, and barrier repair. Effect sizes modest; reasonable component of skincare routines for users with reactive or compromised skin.

• Cognitive function (older adults)

  Strength of evidence for this group: cautious

  Wattanathorn 2008 Thai trial and limited subsequent work support modest cognitive improvements at standardized extract doses. Effect sizes substantially smaller than bacopa cognitive evidence; reasonable component of comprehensive cognitive nutrition; not standalone cognitive intervention. The Ayurvedic cognitive tradition predates rigorous modern evidence and warrants modest effect-size expectations.

• Generalized anxiety symptoms

  Strength of evidence for this group: cautious

  Wijeweera 2006 Sri Lankan trial and Bradwejn 2000 acute startle response work provide preliminary anxiety evidence. Effect sizes modest; reasonable component of comprehensive anxiety management; not substitute for established anxiety treatment in moderate-to-severe cases. Psychiatric coordination for established anxiety diagnoses.

• Diabetic microangiopathy

  Strength of evidence for this group: modest

  Belcaro and others have studied TECA in diabetic microangiopathy, reasonable evidence for capillary permeability and microcirculation support in diabetic vascular complications. Adjunct to standard diabetes management; coordinate with endocrinology and vascular medicine.

• Post-thrombotic syndrome

  Strength of evidence for this group: modest

  European pharmaceutical evidence base supports TECA in post-thrombotic syndrome (chronic symptoms following deep vein thrombosis). Reasonable specialist adjunct to compression therapy and anticoagulation; coordinate with vascular medicine.

• Cellulite (cosmetic)

  Strength of evidence for this group: cautious

  Some European pharmaceutical and cosmetic research supports modest cellulite appearance improvements with Centella formulations. Effect sizes modest; reasonable cosmetic application; not validated medical treatment.

• Pregnancy and lactation

  Strength of evidence for this group: cautious

  Limited systematic safety data; some traditional Ayurvedic guidance suggests avoidance during pregnancy. Topical use during pregnancy generally considered safer than oral supplementation but limited rigorous data. Generally avoid oral supplementation without OB-GYN coordination.

• Pediatric use

  Strength of evidence for this group: cautious

  Limited safety data for pediatric oral supplementation. Topical Centella products are reasonable for pediatric skincare with dermatology coordination. Oral therapeutic supplementation outside specific clinical indication not warranted.

• Established liver disease

  Strength of evidence for this group: cautious

  Case reports of hepatotoxicity with high-dose chronic Centella supplementation. Reasonable caution about chronic high-dose use; specialist coordination for users with established liver disease.

• Horse Chestnut (Aesculus hippocastanum)

  Interaction: synergy

  Common European vascular formulation combination, both support chronic venous insufficiency through different mechanisms (Centella collagen and capillary effects, horse chestnut escin-mediated venous tone). Reasonable comprehensive vascular protocol.

• Diosmin / Hesperidin

  Interaction: synergy

  Citrus flavonoids commonly used in chronic venous insufficiency. Combined with Centella for comprehensive vascular support, different mechanisms, complementary effects.

• Bacopa Monnieri

  Interaction: synergy

  Common combined cognitive formulation, both are Ayurvedic "Brahmi" but with distinct compounds and mechanisms. Centella triterpenes plus bacosides may provide complementary cognitive support. Verify both species and standardizations rather than relying on "Brahmi" label alone.

• Compression Therapy (Stockings, Bandages)

  Interaction: synergy

  Vascular medicine combination, Centella systemic support plus compression therapy mechanical support. Standard combination in chronic venous insufficiency management.

• Topical Centella + Sunscreen

  Interaction: synergy

  Common skincare combination, Centella supports barrier repair while sunscreen prevents UV damage. Particularly relevant for post-procedure skin recovery (laser, peels).

• Anticoagulants

  Interaction: caution

  Theoretical mild antiplatelet effects from Centella at high doses; modest clinical relevance. Coordinate with prescribing physician for users on warfarin, DOACs, or antiplatelet agents.

• Hepatotoxic Medications

  Interaction: caution

  Case reports of hepatotoxicity with chronic high-dose Centella use. Reasonable caution about combining with other hepatotoxic medications or in established liver disease.

• Hypoglycemic Medications

  Interaction: caution

  Some evidence for modest glucose-lowering effects. Monitor blood glucose when adding to diabetes medications; coordinate with endocrinology.

• CNS Depressants (alcohol, benzodiazepines)

  Interaction: caution

  Possible additive sedative effects at high doses. Limited evidence; modest practical concern.

• Asteraceae Family Allergies

  Interaction: caution

  Centella is in Apiaceae family (not Asteraceae), no direct allergic cross-reactivity. Worth verifying for users with extensive plant allergies.

Look for: explicit Centella asiatica species specification (not just "Brahmi" labeling); standardization to specific triterpene content (TECA standard preferred; 10-30% total triterpenes acceptable); HPLC verification of asiaticoside and madecassoside content; reputable manufacturer with quality control disclosure; USP or NSF third-party verification; reasonable price for standardization quality. Avoid: products labeled only "Brahmi" without species verification (may contain Bacopa or mixture); products without triterpene content standardization; very low-cost products that may indicate quality compromise; products from manufacturers without third-party testing disclosure; aggressive cognitive enhancement claims that exceed the modest evidence base for Centella specifically.

Research published from: India · Sri Lanka.

Centella asiatica has been used in Ayurvedic, Sri Lankan, Madagascan, Chinese, and Southeast Asian traditional medicine for more than three thousand years. Ayurvedic texts including the Charaka Samhita (~1000 BCE) and Sushruta Samhita (~600 BCE) document extensive use under the Sanskrit name "Mandukaparni" (meaning "frog leaf", reflecting the leaf shape) and additionally as "Brahmi" in some traditions, though the latter name is more commonly applied to Bacopa monnieri. Traditional Chinese medicine uses Centella under the name "Ji Xue Cao" (meaning "blood-gathering grass") primarily for wound healing and liver applications. Sri Lankan and Madagascan traditional medicine systems have substantial parallel traditions. The herb gained legendary status through stories of longevity, Li Ching-Yuen (the apocryphal Chinese herbalist who reportedly lived 200+ years) was associated with Centella consumption, contributing to substantial Asian longevity tonic positioning. The modern Western scientific era began through French colonial pharmacology in Madagascar and Southeast Asia in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The triterpene chemistry was characterized through the 1940s-60s, with Bontems isolating asiaticoside in 1949 and subsequent chemistry establishing the full triterpene profile through the 1950s-60s. The French pharmaceutical company Laboratoires Pharmaceutiques Bailleul developed Madecassol, the foundational pharmaceutical preparation of TECA, for wound healing applications in the 1950s. Centellase (Italian pharmaceutical equivalent) was developed by Cesare Cerioli through the 1970s for chronic venous insufficiency. The European pharmaceutical clinical research era developed substantially through the 1980s-2000s. The Pointel 1987 Angiology trial in chronic venous insufficiency, Cesarone's Minerva Cardioangiology series, and Belcaro's substantial Italian research program established the foundational TECA vascular evidence. The Brinkhaus 2000 systematic review consolidated this European evidence base. The modern cognitive and anxiety evidence era developed through the 1990s-2010s. The Bradwejn 2000 Canadian acoustic startle response trial, Wijeweera 2006 Sri Lankan anxiety trial, and Wattanathorn 2008 Thai cognitive trial established preliminary modern Western evidence base for these applications, effect sizes consistently modest. The K-beauty era from the 2010s onward has substantially popularized Centella in Western consumer markets through Korean skincare. The "Cica" (Centella) skincare category emerged with substantial Korean brand investment, Skin1004 Madagascar Centella Ampoule (2018+), Purito Centella Green Level, Etude House Soonjung, and many others. This commercial expansion has produced substantial Madagascar Centella sourcing and substantial consumer awareness, though primarily for topical rather than oral applications. The modern consumer supplement market has matured through the 2010s-2020s with both standalone Centella products and combination cognitive formulations (often with Bacopa). The naming confusion between Centella ("Brahmi" in some Ayurvedic traditions) and Bacopa monnieri (also "Brahmi") continues to affect consumer markets, reputable manufacturers explicitly specify species, but consumer-level confusion remains common. The Korean Skin1004 expansion deserves specific attention as a recent commercial-cultural phenomenon, the Madagascar Centella positioning has become substantially global through K-beauty social media propagation. While the dermatology evidence base for topical Centella is substantial across European pharmaceutical and Korean cosmeceutical research, the consumer-level marketing often exceeds rigorous clinical translation.

1. ~2000-1000 BCEAyurvedic medicine extensive Centella use (Mandukaparni/Brahmi)
2. AntiquityTraditional Chinese medicine (Ji Xue Cao); Sri Lankan and Madagascan traditional use
3. Late 19th centuryFrench colonial pharmacology characterizes Centella
4. 1949Bontems isolates asiaticoside
5. 1950sMadecassol pharmaceutical development (France)
6. 1970sCentellase pharmaceutical development (Italy, Cerioli)
7. 1987Pointel chronic venous insufficiency trial (Angiology)
8. 1990Maquart wound healing mechanism characterization
9. 1990s-2000sBelcaro Italian TECA research program
10. 1992-2001Cesarone Minerva Cardioangiology Centellase series
11. 2000Brinkhaus systematic review; Bradwejn acoustic startle anxiolytic trial
12. 2006Wijeweera Sri Lankan anxiety trial
13. 2008Wattanathorn Thai cognitive trial
14. 2010Janardanan topical scarring trial
15. 2010s-2020sKorean K-beauty Centella commercial expansion
16. 2016Ratz-Lyko wound healing systematic review
17. 2018+Skin1004 Madagascar Centella global K-beauty positioning

• Whether the cognitive Ayurvedic tradition will translate into rigorous modern clinical evidence beyond the modest Wattanathorn 2008 effects, most cognitive research has used non-standardized preparations and small sample sizes.
• Whether the substantial European pharmaceutical vascular evidence base (Centellase, Madecassol) will produce broader integration into Western vascular medicine guidelines for chronic venous insufficiency.
• Whether the Madagascar-sourced Centella premium positioning reflects clinically meaningful pharmacological differences or primarily commercial branding.
• Whether the topical wound healing and scar prevention evidence will mature into broader dermatology integration beyond European prescription pharmaceutical contexts and Korean K-beauty market positioning.
• Whether the naming confusion with Bacopa monnieri ("Brahmi" applied to both) can be addressed through commercial labeling standards, current consumer market remains substantially confusing.
• Whether the hepatotoxicity case reports represent rare idiosyncratic events or warrant broader pharmacovigilance attention as Centella use expands.
• Whether the modest anxiolytic evidence (Bradwejn 2000 acute startle, Wijeweera 2006 GAD) translates to broader anxiety applications beyond preliminary evidence.
• Whether Centella has applications in cognitive aging and neurodegeneration beyond the preliminary cognitive enhancement evidence.

Widely available globally as dietary supplement, traditional herbal medicine, and increasingly as cosmeceutical ingredient. Legal under DSHEA in the United States and equivalent supplement regulations in most jurisdictions. Not on WADA prohibited list. Pharmaceutical preparations: Madecassol (cream and oral) available by prescription in France, Italy, Spain, and several European countries; Centellase available in some European markets. Major retail supplement brands include Solgar, NOW Foods, Pure Encapsulations, Thorne, Designs for Health, Source Naturals, Gaia Herbs (traditional), Banyan Botanicals (Ayurvedic). Korean K-beauty Centella skincare category dominates the cosmeceutical segment globally, Skin1004 Madagascar Centella, Purito, Etude House SoonJung, Innisfree, and numerous others. European dermocosmetic brands (Avène Cicalfate, La Roche-Posay Cicaplast, Bioderma) incorporate Centella in barrier-repair formulations. Production sources include India, Sri Lanka, Madagascar, Southeast Asian countries (Thailand, Vietnam), and select African regions. Madagascar Centella has premium positioning particularly in Korean and European skincare markets. The naming confusion with Bacopa monnieri ("Brahmi" applied to both) creates quality verification importance, reputable manufacturers explicitly specify Centella asiatica species.

Status current as of July 2026. Regulatory positions change, sometimes quickly.

Species

Centella asiatica

Family

Apiaceae (carrot family)

Active triterpenes

Asiaticoside, madecassoside, asiatic acid, madecassic acid

Pharmaceutical TECA standardization

40% asiaticoside, 30% asiatic acid, 30% madecassic acid

Sanskrit name

Mandukaparni (primary); Brahmi (secondary, also for Bacopa)

Sinhalese name

Gotu kola ("cup-shaped" leaf)

What follows is unfinished work on our side, not a finding about Gotu Kola. A short entry is not a safe entry.

• Cost and market. We have not documented what it sells for or who sells it.
• Supply chain. We have not mapped where it is made.
• Who uses it. We have not documented the user groups.
• What could change. No forward-looking summary yet.
• How it compares. We have not set it against the alternatives.
• Children and teenagers. We have not checked what is known about younger people.
• Where we land. We have not taken a position on this yet.