Nootropic profile
Gotu Kola
Gotu Kola (Centella asiatica) is a traditional herb used in Chinese and Ayurvedic medicine for centuries. It enhances cerebral blood flow, supports memory and cognition in the elderly, and promotes calmness and emotional balance.
Educational only: this is not medical advice. Always check with a qualified healthcare professional before starting any supplement.
What is Gotu Kola?
Gotu Kola (Centella asiatica) is a small, creeping perennial plant native to the wetlands of Asia, Africa, and the South Pacific.
What it does for you
Community and editorial ratings, out of 5:
How to take it
- Standardised extract: 250–500 mg per day, standardised to 10–20% asiaticoside
- Dried herb/tea: 1–2 g of dried herb steeped as tea, 2–3 times daily
- Tincture: 30–60 drops (1:5 extract) 2–3 times daily
- For cognitive enhancement: 500 mg standardised extract once or twice daily
- Cycling: Some practitioners recommend cycling 6 weeks on, 2 weeks off to maintain effectiveness
Watch out for
- Side effects: Generally well-tolerated. Occasional reports of GI upset, nausea, or headache. Topical use may cause contact dermatitis in sensitive individuals.
- Liver concerns: Rare cases of hepatotoxicity have been reported with prolonged use. Consider cycling and monitoring liver function with extended use.
- Drug interactions: May enhance the effects of sedatives and anxiolytics. May interact with hepatotoxic medications and cholesterol-lowering drugs.
- Pregnancy: Not recommended during pregnancy or breastfeeding due to potential emmenagogue effects.
- Allergies: Those allergic to plants in the Apiaceae family should use with caution.
The science, if you're curious.
- Gotu Kola strengthens blood vessel walls and improves microcirculation, increasing blood flow and oxygen delivery to the brain for enhanced cognitive function.
- Asiaticoside and other triterpenoids stimulate NGF production, supporting neuronal growth, synaptic plasticity, and brain repair processes.
- Gotu Kola modulates GABA-A receptors, producing anxiolytic effects that promote calm focus without impairing alertness.
- Its polyphenolic compounds neutralise free radicals and reduce oxidative stress in brain tissue, protecting neurons from age-related damage.
Where to find it
- Whole herb: Fresh leaves can be eaten in salads, smoothies, or juiced - common in Southeast Asian cuisine
- Dried herb: Available for brewing as tea or in capsule form
- Standardised extracts: Look for products standardised to triterpenoid content (asiaticoside, madecassoside)
- ECa 233: A standardised extract containing 80% triterpenoid glycosides used in clinical research
- Supplements: Available as capsules, tinctures, teas, and powder
Frequently asked
Gotu Kola (Centella asiatica) is a traditional herb used in Chinese and Ayurvedic medicine for centuries. It enhances cerebral blood flow, supports memory and cognition in the elderly, and promotes calmness and emotional balance.
The main benefits people report from Gotu Kola are: Anxiety & Calm, Cognitive Enhancement, Focus, Longevity, Memory, Mood.
Standardised extract: 250–500 mg per day, standardised to 10–20% asiaticosideDried herb/tea: 1–2 g of dried herb steeped as tea, 2–3 times dailyTincture: 30–60 drops (1:5 extract) 2–3 times dailyFor cognitive enhancement: 500 mg standardised extract once or twice dailyCycling: Some practitioners rec...
Side effects: Generally well-tolerated. Occasional reports of GI upset, nausea, or headache. Topical use may cause contact dermatitis in sensitive individuals.Liver concerns: Rare cases of hepatotoxicity have been reported with prolonged use. Consider cycling and monitoring liver function with exten...
Gotu Kola strengthens blood vessel walls and improves microcirculation, increasing blood flow and oxygen delivery to the brain for enhanced cognitive function.Asiaticoside and other triterpenoids stimulate NGF production, supporting neuronal growth, synaptic plasticity, and brain repair processes.Go...
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