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Gotu kola is the herb Centella asiatica, a low, creeping plant used as a food in parts of Asia and as a traditional remedy in Ayurvedic and Chinese medicine. It is sold as capsules, tea and tinctures for memory, circulation and skin. The research is thin: a 2017 meta-analysis found no clear effect on memory or thinking, and circulation trials were small and poorly reported. Gotu kola has also been linked to rare cases of liver injury. Despite the name, it is not related to the kola nut and contains no caffeine.
Peptide Labs does not sell a gotu kola supplement, and none of the products we carry list it, so no product is recommended here. This article is general information, not medical advice.
Key Takeaways
- Gotu kola is Centella asiatica, also called Indian or Asian pennywort; it is not a stimulant.
- Its main compounds are triterpenes such as asiaticoside, madecassoside and asiatic acid.
- A meta-analysis of 11 small trials found no significant effect on memory or other thinking skills.
- Trials in leg vein problems reported better circulation measures, but most were poorly reported.
- Rare liver injury has been reported, including cases that came back when the herb was restarted.
What is gotu kola?
Centella asiatica is native to tropical Southeast Asia and Australia and also grows in East Asia and South Africa. MSKCC lists its common names as Indian pennywort, hydrocotyle and mandukaparni, the Sanskrit name used in Ayurveda. LiverTox notes that it is used both as a food and in traditional medicine, and the dried herb is sold as teas, capsules and extracts.
The compounds researchers study most are pentacyclic triterpenes: asiaticoside, madecassoside, asiatic acid and madecassic acid. Extracts have also been studied in creams for wound healing, and topical gotu kola is a separate topic from swallowing the herb.
Gotu kola is not kola nut
The similar names cause confusion. Kola nut comes from Cola trees and naturally contains caffeine. MSKCC states plainly that gotu kola does not contain caffeine and has not been shown to have stimulant properties. If a product labeled gotu kola makes you jittery, check the label for added caffeine, guarana or other stimulants.
Gotu kola benefits: what the research shows
Gotu kola is marketed for memory, calm, circulation and skin. Here is how the human evidence lines up against those claims.
| Claimed use | What human studies found | Evidence strength |
|---|---|---|
| Memory and thinking | 2017 meta-analysis of 11 RCTs: no significant difference from placebo in any cognitive area | Low; small, varied trials |
| Mood and alertness | Same review: higher alertness and lower anger scores one hour after intake | Low; short-term scores only |
| Leg vein circulation | 2013 review of 8 trials: better microcirculation measures and less ankle swelling | Low; unclear risk of bias |
| Skin and wounds | A few studies of topical creams; one cream did not reduce radiation skin damage | Low and mixed |
| Weight loss | No controlled trials | None |
Memory and mood
In Ayurveda gotu kola is used as a “brain tonic”, which is why it shows up in focus and memory blends. A 2017 systematic review and meta-analysis in Scientific Reports pooled five randomized trials of gotu kola alone and six of products containing it. Compared with placebo there were no significant differences in any area of cognitive function. Some trials found higher alertness and lower anger scores an hour after a single intake. The authors pointed to big differences in preparations and standardization, and called for well-designed trials. For comparison, see our guides to ginkgo biloba and lion’s mane, two other herbs sold for memory.
Circulation in the legs
Most of the older clinical research on Centella asiatica involves chronic venous insufficiency, a condition in which leg veins struggle to return blood to the heart. A 2013 systematic review of eight randomized trials reported improvements in microcirculation measurements and the rate of ankle swelling, but warned that most studies were poorly reported with an unclear risk of bias. A Cochrane review of vein products in 2016 included only two Centella trials with usable data. Leg swelling, pain or skin changes need a medical evaluation, not a supplement trial.
Gotu kola side effects and liver safety
In trials gotu kola was generally well tolerated, and the 2017 meta-analysis noted that none of its studies reported adverse effects. Rare but serious reactions show up in case reports instead. The NIH LiverTox database describes Centella as generally regarded as safe but linked to rare instances of acute liver injury with jaundice.
- Liver injury: doctors in Argentina reported three women who developed jaundice after 20 to 60 days of Centella asiatica. Biopsies showed hepatitis, all three improved after stopping, and the injury returned in one woman who took the herb again. A 2011 report described gotu kola liver injury in a child.
- Weight-loss products: a 2021 review of 23 published supplement liver injury cases in Latin America found Centella asiatica among the most reported culprits, and weight loss was the main reason people took the products.
- Skin reactions: MSKCC lists contact dermatitis, mainly with topical use.
- Drug metabolism: in lab studies gotu kola blocked several liver enzymes that process medicines (CYP1A2, 2C9, 2D6, 3A4 and 2C19). Whether this matters in people is unknown, so ask a pharmacist if you take prescription drugs.
- Pregnancy and breastfeeding: there is too little safety research, so ask your prenatal provider before using it.
Stop the product and contact a clinician promptly for yellowing skin or eyes, dark urine, pale stools, itching, unusual tiredness or pain in the upper right abdomen. If you already have liver disease, drink alcohol heavily or take medicines that affect the liver, discuss gotu kola first. Our guide to turmeric side effects covers the same warning signs for another popular herb.
How to read a gotu kola label
The FDA does not approve dietary supplements or their claims before they are sold, so phrases such as “supports memory” or “healthy circulation” on a gotu kola bottle are structure/function statements the agency has not evaluated. The amount of triterpenes can also vary widely between products, which is one reason trial results are hard to compare. A few checks help you know what you are getting:
- Check for the Latin name Centella asiatica so you know which plant is inside.
- Look at the form: whole dried herb, a standardized extract with stated triterpene content, or a proprietary blend that hides the amount.
- Scan the rest of the label for stimulants, especially in memory and energy blends.
- Choose brands that test each batch for identity, heavy metals and microbes. Our guide to third-party tested supplements explains the seals.
- Avoid stacking several herbs marketed for the liver, stress or memory at once, which makes it harder to spot what caused a reaction. Herbs such as ashwagandha carry their own liver cautions.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the main gotu kola benefits?
None are firmly established. Small trials suggest effects on short-term alertness and leg circulation measures, but a 2017 meta-analysis found no clear effect on memory.
Is Centella asiatica the same as gotu kola?
Yes. Centella asiatica is the scientific name; gotu kola, Indian pennywort and Asian pennywort are common names.
What are the most important gotu kola side effects?
Rare liver injury is the most serious. Skin reactions are also reported, and lab studies suggest it may affect how some medicines are processed.
Does gotu kola contain caffeine?
No. It is unrelated to kola nut and has not been shown to act as a stimulant.
Can gotu kola help with weight loss?
There are no controlled trials showing that, and a review of liver injury cases found it was often taken for weight loss.
Who should avoid gotu kola?
People with liver disease, those who are pregnant or breastfeeding, and anyone taking several prescription medicines should ask a clinician first.
Related reading: burdock root, another traditional herb sold in teas and blends.
Questions about a label? Contact us or read our Buyer’s Guide. Follow the label and ask a healthcare provider before starting any supplement, especially if you take medicines. These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
Last reviewed October 2026.
Related guides: Ginkgo Biloba Benefits: What the GEM Trial Found and Safety, Holy Basil (Tulsi): Benefits, Research and Side Effects.