Gotu Kola: Renewing the Body and Mind

Written By: Vivian Benjamin

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Gotu Kola
Centella asiatica, or as it is commonly called, Gotu Kola, is an odourless plant that thrives in and around water, loamy soil or sandy soil. It can be cultivated in drier soils but requires regular watering. This medicinal herb is deeply rooted in the ancient traditional medicine practices in India, Indonesia and China.


Gotu Kola is native to Asia, Australia, Africa and the Pacific Ocean. It is a herbaceous perennial plant from the Apiaceae family. The stems are slender, creeping stolons, green to reddish-green in colour, connecting each plant together. This medicinal herb can grow up to 15cm in height. Gotu Kola has small, fan-shaped green leaves, which are 2 to 6cm long.


The leaf stalk is broad at the base. The flowers are white, light purple, pink or crimson in colour and small in size. The flowers bear a small oval fruit. Gotu Kola can be confused with Brahmi Leaves, but they are two very different medicinal herbs with different healing abilities and bioactive compounds. 




How Gotu Kola is Used in Traditional Medicine
Gotu Kola is valued in traditional medicine as it is believed to possess healing properties that renew the body and mind. Similarly, this medicinal herb is associated with rejuvenation and longevity and is consumed in the form of herbal tea, juice, soups or added to vegetable dishes to contribute to a long and healthy life.


In addition to that, Gotu Kola is consumed to quiet thoughts and deepen focus during meditation. Moreover, this medicinal herb is believed to sharpen the mind, boost memory and alleviate stress and anxiety. Furthermore, Gotu Kola is consumed to reduce fluid retention, encourage healthy blood circulation and support heart health.



Additionally, this medicinal herb is consumed to reduce swelling from physical injuries, help manage pain, and treat dysenteric or urinary disorders. Apart from that, Gotu Kola is also applied topically as a paste or poultice to treat burns, cuts, skin ulcers, boils, abscesses, rashes and scabies to support healthy connective tissue and minimise scarring. 




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7 Gotu Kola Evidence-Backed Health Benefits


1. Antioxidant properties
Several studies show that Gotu Kola has antioxidant properties due to the flavonoids it contains. These bioactive compounds help mitigate damage caused by free radicals and inhibit linoleic acid peroxidation (the process where oxygen attacks linoleic acid, an omega-6 fatty acid, causing damage to cell membranes), subsequently lowering the chances of developing chronic diseases.




2. Reduce inflammation
When cells and tissues sustain damage from pathogens, physical trauma or chemical exposure, the body initiates an inflammatory response as a protective mechanism. Persistent inflammatory responses marked by uncontrolled inflammatory processes can contribute to chronic illnesses. Studies done on Gotu Kola indicate that this medicinal herb demonstrates anti-inflammatory properties thanks to the bioactive compounds, which help reduce uncontrolled inflammatory processes. Another study also pointed out that Gotu Kola may help reduce chronic inflammatory skin conditions such as eczema, psoriasis and acne.




3. Wound Healing
Several studies done on Gotu Kola reveal that this medicinal herb contains bioactive compounds called asiaticoside and asiatic acid, which are known to produce wound-healing effects. Asiaticoside and asiatic acid have been shown to promote collagen synthesis and fibroblast proliferation (rapid division and multiplication of fibroblasts), accelerating the repair of damaged skin tissue.


Besides that, another study also displayed that asiaticoside increases the tensile strength (the maximum stretch the skin can handle) of newly formed skin, further promoting wound-healing properties. As a result, Gotu Kola may help reduce skin irritation, reduce scars, wrinkles, and stretch marks, making it a popular ingredient for skin rejuvenation.


Another study also demonstrated that Gotu Kola may affect skin keratinization (a natural biological process where living skin cells fill with a tough protein called keratin, die and form a protective, waterproof layer on the outer surface of the skin to shield the body from germs, physical harm or chemicals), which further emphasizes the wound-healing effects.




4. Antimicrobial properties
Several studies have shown that Gotu Kola has strong activity against microbial infections, particularly Gram-positive bacteria, thanks to the phenolic compounds (bioactive compounds found in Gotu Kola). In addition to its protective effects against bacterial infections, Gotu Kola also shows protective effects against fungal infections, mainly Candida albicans and viral infections, particularly herpes simplex virus.




5. Neuroprotective properties
Several studies reveal that Gotu Kola contains bioactive compounds that demonstrate protective effects against inflammation-induced damage in the cerebrum and oxidative damage to neurons, potentially decreasing the risk of cognitive decline and preventing conditions like Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease. Moreover, several studies also demonstrate that this medicinal herb may improve mental clarity, increase attention span and concentration and boost memory. Another study also uncovered that Gotu Kola may help combat stress, manage anxiety and improve low mood.
 
 


6. Supports healthy heart function
Bioactive compounds like asiaticoside and Asiatic acid in Gotu Kola reveal promising results in supporting healthy heart function by reducing pulmonary artery pressure, indicating potential anti-hypertensive properties. Another study also concluded that flavonoids in Gotu Kola have been shown to encourage healthy blood circulation and lower the risk of atherosclerosis and myocardial ischemia, thus further supporting healthy heart function.




7. Regulates blood glucose levels
According to some studies, Gotu Kola appears to improve insulin sensitivity and pancreatic β-cell regeneration (the conversion of other pancreatic cells into insulin-producing cells) that may help regulate blood glucose levels in the body and essentially decrease the chances of diabetes.









All in All
Nutrition Takes explores how Gotu Kola renews the mind and body from the inside and outside by looking at how it is utilized in traditional medicine and what evidence-backed research says about its health benefits. Share or ask questions if you would like to know more about the topic or if you have different insights that you would like to share. I am always happy to hear about your journey in holistic approaches. 











References
1. Sun B. et al. (2020); Therapeutic potential of Centella asiatica and its triterpenes: A review; Frontiers in Pharmacology; 11:568032.

2. Ghani M.K. et al (2022); Health benefits and toxicities of the consumption of Centella Asiatica: a scoping review; Indian Journal
    of Allied Health Science; 6(3):2756-2764.

3. Gray N.E. et al (2019); Centella asiatica - phytochemistry and mechanisms of neuroprotection and cognitive enhancement;
    Phytochemistry Reviews; 17(1): 161-194.

4. Diniz L.R.L. et al (2023); Centella asiatica and its metabolite Asiatic acid: Wound healing effects and therapeutic potential;
    Metabolites; 13(2): 276.

5. Udom M.S. et al (2025); Ethnobotany and scientific evidence of Centella asiatica: From traditional medicine to functional food;
    Nimitmai Review Journal; 8(3): 222-232.


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