Overview

Gotu kola is a plant called Centella asiatica. Dietary supplements, teas, and skin care products that contain gotu kola may be made from the leaves of the plant or the entire plant. These products are used for a wide range of purposes, but their benefits for any use are not well defined. Common side effects include rash and an upset stomach. Before using gotu kola, make sure to tell your health care provider about any health conditions you have or medicines you are taking.

Uses

What is gotu kola used for?

Gotu kola (Centella asiatica) is used for many reasons, but its benefits are not well defined. Some common reasons for using gotu kola include the following.

• Burns and other skin wounds
• Poor blood flow to the veins in the legs (chronic venous insufficiency or CVI)
• To help manage various skin conditions
• To improve memory and thinking skills

Note: Gotu kola is available in skin care products and as a dietary supplement. The FDA has not reviewed gotu kola for safety and effectiveness. Learn more about cosmetics here. Learn more about dietary supplements here.

How does gotu kola work (mechanism of action)?

Gotu kola is a plant called Centella asiatica. It has a long history of use in the traditional medicine systems of China and India, where it is known as ji xue cao and mandukaparni, respectively. Dietary supplements and skin care products that contain gotu kola may be made from either the leaves or the entire plant.

Gotu kola contains chemicals called triterpenoids that have effects in the body. These chemicals can act as antioxidants and help reduce swelling (inflammation). They may also signal your skin to rebuild after it has been damaged. Gotu kola is available in products that are applied to the skin to help with burns, wounds, and various skin conditions. But its benefits for these uses are poorly studied and not well understood. It is not clear if gotu kola can help with any skin problems.

There is interest in taking gotu kola to help improve memory and thinking skills, especially in people who do heavy exercise or who are recovering from a stroke. It is also sometimes used to improve blood flow in people who have a condition called chronic venous insufficiency. But it is not clear if or how gotu kola would work for these uses, and its benefits are not well defined.

Herbal products, such as gotu kola, naturally contain many chemicals. The amounts of each chemical in a specific gotu kola product may vary. Some, none, or all of these chemicals may have effects on the body. These effects may change depending on how much of each chemical is found in the product you are using.

How should I store gotu kola?

You should store gotu kola according to the product label. Most dietary supplements should be kept in a cool, dry location that is out of the reach of children and pets and not in direct sunlight.

Side Effects

What are the most common side effects of gotu kola?

The most common side effects of gotu kola are listed below. These side effects may vary depending on the dose you are taking or the specific product you are using. Tell your health care provider if you have any of these side effects that bother you.

• Rash (when applied to the skin)
• Upset stomach (when taken by mouth)

There may be other side effects of gotu kola that are not listed here. Contact your health care provider if you think you are having a side effect of a supplement. In the U.S., you can report side effects to the FDA at www.safetyreporting.hhs.gov or by calling 888-SAFEFOOD (888-723-3366). In Canada, you can report side effects to Health Canada at www.health.gc.ca/medeffect or by calling 866-234-2345.

What are the serious side effects of gotu kola?

While less common, the most serious side effects of gotu kola are described below, along with what to do if they happen.

Severe Allergic Reactions. Gotu kola may cause allergic reactions, which can be serious. Stop using gotu kola and get help right away if you have any of the following symptoms of a serious allergic reaction.

• Breathing problems or wheezing
• Racing heart
• Fever or general ill feeling
• Swollen lymph nodes
• Swelling of the face, lips, mouth, tongue, or throat
• Trouble swallowing or throat tightness
• Itching or skin rash
• Bumps on the skin called hives that can be red, pink, white, or brown depending on your skin tone
• Nausea or vomiting
• Dizziness, feeling lightheaded, or fainting
• Stomach cramps
• Joint pain

Liver Damage.In rare cases, liver damage (hepatotoxicity) can happen when taking gotu kola. Call your health care provider right away if you have any of the following symptoms of liver damage.

• Nausea or vomiting
• Stomach or belly pain
• Fever
• Weakness or unusual tiredness
• Itching
• Loss of appetite
• Light-colored poop
• Dark-colored urine (pee)
• Your skin or the whites of your eyes turning yellowish (also called jaundice)

Skin Reactions. Applying gotu kola to the skin has rarely caused skin reactions, such as rashes, blisters, and burns. For some people, these reactions may be caused by an allergy to gotu kola (contact dermatitis) or other ingredients in products that contain gotu kola. Stop using gotu kola and contact your health care provider right away if you have a skin reaction.

Precautions

Who should not use gotu kola?

Allergies to Ingredients. People who are allergic to any of the following should not use gotu kola.

• Centella asiatica
• Gotu kola
• Indian pennywort
• Ji xue cao
• Mandukaparni
• Any of the ingredients in the specific product

Your pharmacist can tell you all of the ingredients in the specific gotu kola products they stock.

What should I know about gotu kola before using it?

Gotu kola is available in skin care products and as a dietary supplement. It cannot be marketed to treat or cure a disease.

Read and follow the directions on the specific product you are using, or use it as recommended by your health care provider.

Keep gotu kola out of the reach of children.

Herbal products, such as gotu kola, naturally contain many chemicals. The amount of each chemical in a specific gotu kola product can change for many reasons, including the area where the plant was grown, the weather during growth, the time of year when it was harvested, and the way that the plant was processed after it was harvested. If you switch to a new bottle or a different brand, you may not have the same effects or side effects because of this variability. Talk to your health care provider if you have questions or concerns.

Gotu kola is available in many forms, including dried and ground powder, tablet, capsule, and cream. Each of these forms may contain different amounts of the chemicals that are naturally found in the plant.

Most gotu kola products are made from the leaves of the plant, but some products may contain the whole plant. Each part of the plant contains different chemicals that may have different effects on the body. It is important to read the label to confirm which part of the plant was used to make that product.

The FDA has not tested gotu kola products to confirm that they contain the ingredients stated on their labels. Some dietary supplements have been tested by third-party organizations to confirm that they contain the ingredients listed on their labels and do not contain any harmful chemicals. Learn more about how to choose a safe dietary supplement product here.

What should I tell my health care provider before using gotu kola?

Tell your health care provider about all of your health conditions and any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. This will help them know if gotu kola is right for you.

In particular, make sure that you discuss any of the following.

Current and Past Health Conditions.Tell your health care provider if you have any of the following.

• Kidney problems
• Liver problems

Other Medicines and Supplements.Gotu kola may interact with other medicines and supplements. Before using gotu kola, tell your health care provider about any prescription or OTC medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. See the Interactions section for more details.

Pregnancy.There is some concern that gotu kola may cause early labor. Tell your health care provider if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.

Breastfeeding. It is not known if gotu kola passes into breast milk. Tell your health care provider if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed.

Interactions

Does gotu kola interact with foods or drinks?

There are no known interactions between gotu kola and foods or drinks.

It is unknown if drinking alcohol will affect gotu kola.

Does gotu kola interact with medicines (drug interactions)?

Always tell your health care provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using.

The interactions between gotu kola and medicines are not fully understood. As with most dietary supplements, the research on drug interactions with gotu kola is incomplete. Always check with your health care provider before using gotu kola with any medicines.

Dosing

What should I do if I accidentally use too much gotu kola?

If you or someone else has used too much gotu kola, get medical help right away, call 911, or contact a Poison Control center at 800-222-1222.

Gotu kola comes in many forms, and these products may contain different parts of the plant. Read the product label closely, and speak with a health care provider about how to use gotu kola safely. Do not use double or extra doses, even if you miss a dose.