Gotu Kola belongs botanically to the Umbelliferae family, like our native herbs dill, coriander and anise.

Gotu Kola is originally found in the tropical and subtropical regions of East and South Asia. However, the plant can now be found in almost all tropical regions, especially in India, China, Indonesia, Sri Lanka, South Africa, Malaysia and South America.

Gotu Kola is traditionally used in Chinese folk medicine and Ayurveda. In Thai cuisine, the leaves and stems are used and eaten as a vegetable or raw in salads.

In Ayurveda Centella asiatica under the name Mandukaparni In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), the name Jixuecao In German-speaking countries, Gotu Kola is also known as Indian pennywort or tiger grass known. The name “Tiger grass” comes from the observation that tigers, after injuries, Gotu-Kola fields roll, which indicates the wound-healing properties of the plant.

The leaves of the plant contain various phytochemicals such as triterpenes, triterpene saponins (e.g. asiaticoside and madecassoside), flavonoids and phenolic acids, which are responsible for the health benefits of the medicinal plant.

In particular, the asiaticosides (belong to the group of triterpene glycosides) are known for their anti-inflammatory, blood pressure lowering, immune stimulating, antibiotic and antioxidant effects. Furthermore, for their skin care qualities.

Therapeutic Uses of Gotu Kola

Cognitive Functions / Dementia

There is some evidence that asiaticoside may also provide benefits for cognitive performance. In particular, it may promote mental clarity and concentration (see. https://nanobioletters.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/LIANBS131.006.pdf ).

It is believed that Gotu Kola can influence the activity of certain neurotransmitters. The focus here is on the neurotransmitter acetylcholine, which has an effect on memory and the learning process. Gotu Kola could help to increase the concentration of this neurotransmitter in the brain (see. Zeba Firdaus et al., "Centella asiatica Alleviates AlCl3-induced Cognitive Impairment, Oxidative Stress, and Neurodegeneration by Modulating Cholinergic Activity and Oxidative Burden in Rat Brain", accessed on 08.04.2024 at https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34984596/ ).

Gotu Kola is also becoming increasingly important in the prevention and adjuvant therapy of Alzheimer's disease / dementia, which is supported by numerous studies:

· Mook-Jung et al., 1999 have the activity of asiaticoside-6, a chemical component of gotu kola, as an Alzheimer's drug that protects against amyloid-β toxicity.

· Gotu Kola juice, when taken with milk, prevented dementia and improved memory (cf. Manyam, 1999).

· Witter tested Gotu Kola along with seven other plants for the inhibition of amyloid-β1–40 (Aβ40) and methionine amyloid-β1–40 (MAβ40) fibrillation, which causes plaque formation leading to dementia and Alzheimer's disease. It was found that Gotu Kola extract acted as the most potent inhibitor due to asiaticosides and interacted with MAβ40 (cf. Witter, 2018).

· In a study, Gotu Kola extract was tested against streptozotocin-induced cognitive impairment and oxidative stress in Wistar rats, where it was observed that the aqueous extract of Gotu Kola cognitive defects and oxidative stress induced by intracerebroventricular streptozotocin, effectively prevented (cf. Kumar and Gupta, 2002).

· Another study of the neuroprotective effect of Gotu Kola against aluminum hexahydrate was conducted on Wistar rats and the results showed that Gotu Kola treatment reduced the changes caused by AlCl3. This study suggests that the neuroprotective effect is due to the antioxidant potential of Gotu Kola (cf. Amjad and Umesalma, 2015).

· Matthews observed in his study that Gotu Kola extract increased cytochrome B, NADH dehydrogenase 1, cytochrome c oxidase 1 and ATP synthase 6 in the hippocampal neurons, which led to its cognitive effect (cf. Matthews, 2017).

· Gray showed that an aqueous extract of Gotu Kola amyloid-(Aβ)-induced attenuated cognitive deficits in vivo and prevented Aβ-induced cytotoxicity using an in vitro model. The proposed mechanism of Gotu Kola aqueous extract is that it affects mitochondrial biogenesis along with activation of the antioxidant response (cf. Gray et al., 2014, 2015).

· Dhanasekaran concluded that Gotu Kola extract reduced amyloid-β1–40, 1–42 and also significantly reduced Congo red stained fibrillar amyloid plaques and that the Extract acted as an antioxidant and prevented DNA damage (cf. Dhanasekaran et al., 2009).

· Chen and colleagues demonstrated that Anti-Alzheimer's Potential of Gotu Kola Extract through the ability to enhance Aβ-mediated production of reactive oxygen species in nerve cells (cf. Chen et al., 2016).

skin care

Gotu Kola contains compounds such as triterpenes, which are known to promote collagen production (see. Akhilesh Dubey et al., "Cationic biopolymer decorated Asiatic Acid and Centella asiatica extract incorporated liposomes for treating early-stage Alzheimer's disease: An In-vitro and In-vivo investigation", accessed on April 8, 2024 at https://f1000research.com/articles/11-1535/v1 ). For this reason, the leaves of Centella asiatica used in many skin care products.

Gotu Kola is therefore also used to treat small cuts, abrasions and even burns by supporting the synthesis of collagen and the scarring reduced.

In India and China, Gotu Kola is used for skin regeneration and scar reduction (see Lúcio Ricardo Leite Diniz et al., "Centella asiatica and Its Metabolite Asiatic Acid: Wound Healing Effects and Therapeutic Potential," Metabolites, 2023 Feb; 13(2): 276, accessed on April 8, 2024 at https://www.mdpi.com/2218-1989/13/2/276 )

The anti-inflammatory properties of Centella asiatica help with skin problems such as redness, irritation and acne. The ability of pennywort to bind moisture also supports a youthful complexion.

Furthermore, the asiaticosides contained accelerate the healing process of superficial burns and significantly increase the tensile strength of the newly formed skin.

The asiaticosides may also help treat certain skin conditions such as scleroderma and psoriasis.

Finally, several studies have demonstrated the benefits of asiaticosides in reducing stretch marks as well as scars and skin tags caused by acne breakouts or irritations (see: https://nanobioletters.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/LIANBS131.006.pdf ).

inflammation & joint pain

Gotu Kola has anti-inflammatory properties that may help relieve joint pain and other inflammatory conditions. Regular consumption of Gotu Kola may help reduce inflammation and improve mobility.

Gotu Kola is also increasingly used as a remedy in the fight against arteriosclerosis (cf. Gianni Belcaro et al., "Pycnogenol® and Centella asiatica to prevent asymptomatic atherosclerosis progression in clinical events", Minerva Cardioangiologica 2017 February;65(1):24-31, accessed on April 8, 2024 at https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26505327/ ).

venous diseases, varicose veins & spider veins

Gotu Kola strengthens the blood vessel walls and improves blood circulation, making it an effective remedy in the treatment of varicose veins and spider veins. It can reduce swelling and improve the appearance of venous disorders.

Side effects and contraindications

Taking Gotu Kola in the recommended daily dose is considered safe. However, high doses can lead to nausea, dizziness, stomach problems and headaches. Pregnant and breastfeeding women are generally advised not to take it because there are not enough studies available.

• People with liver damage should avoid Gotu Kola. In rare cases, side effects in the form of promoting liver damage have been observed.
• Gotu Kola should be avoided for approximately 2 weeks before surgery. It may interact with other medications.