Herb Profile
Gotu Kola Centella Asiatica
Centella asiatica
Gotu Kola (Centella asiatica) (Centella asiatica) carries a Grade B rating — moderate evidence.
Last reviewed: •3 sources citedReport a correctionProfile-wide ·B Moderate
Use extra caution — Generally well tolerated; mild GI upset or drowsiness possible; rare photosensitivity; avoid in pregnancy/breastfeeding; caution with sedatives and liver conditions at high doses. Details
- Evidence
- Moderate Evidence
- Typical onset
- Varies by prep
- Safety rating
- High caution
- Best for
- Microcirculation, Collagen Pathways, Vascular Function, Cognitive Support
- Avoid / review if
- Sedatives
Safety
Safety & Cautions
Generally well tolerated; mild GI upset or drowsiness possible; rare photosensitivity; avoid in pregnancy/breastfeeding; caution with sedatives and liver conditions at high doses.
High caution
Caution level: High. Multiple caution categories apply, or the record uses avoid/contraindication language.
- Liver-SensitiveLiver-related caution language appears in the profile.
- Pregnancy/Breastfeeding CautionPregnancy or breastfeeding caution language is present.
Detailed safety fields
Pregnancy, breastfeeding, and contraindications
- Sedatives
Safety classifications
- Liver-Sensitive: Liver-related caution language appears in the profile.
- Pregnancy/Breastfeeding Caution: Pregnancy or breastfeeding caution language is present.
Full safety note
- Generally well tolerated; mild GI upset or drowsiness possible; rare photosensitivity; avoid in pregnancy/breastfeeding; caution with sedatives and liver conditions at high doses.
Safety labels
- Liver-Sensitive
- Pregnancy/Breastfeeding Caution
Evidence-based safety
Caution when combined
Severity and certainty are shown separately. A high-priority caution can still be theoretical: these pairings are screened from shared contraindication mechanisms and are not automatically documented clinical interactions. Provenance identifies the source fields that produced each flag; it does not upgrade the certainty of the pairwise claim.
Moderate Caution
68 flagged pairingsSedation / CNS depression
Moderate Caution
68 flagged pairingsSedation / CNS depression
Representative pairings are shown below. Large mechanism groups are intentionally summarized to keep profiles focused and crawl-efficient.
Sedation / CNS depressionCertainty: Theoretical
Data provenance recorded for 68 of 68 pairings in this mechanism group.
- American Yellow Lotus — Theoretical interaction certainty
- Artemisia Absinthium — Theoretical interaction certainty
- Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) — Theoretical interaction certainty
- Bacopa — Theoretical interaction certainty
- Black Seed — Theoretical interaction certainty
- Black Tea — Theoretical interaction certainty
- Blue Lotus — Theoretical interaction certainty
- Calamus — Theoretical interaction certainty
- Catuba — Theoretical interaction certainty
- Celastrus Paniculatus — Theoretical interaction certainty
- Chamomile — Theoretical interaction certainty
- Chinese Skullcap — Theoretical interaction certainty
+56 more pairings share this mechanism. Use the Safety Checker to review a specific combination.
Evidence
Evidence Summary
Evidence lens
Useful signal, but study design, dose, and population still matter.
ModerateModerate Evidence
Human clinical evidence: Present in source signals
Mechanistic / preclinical: Mechanism mapped — Oxidative Stress Modulation · Neurotransmitter Modulation · Vascular Function Support
Research maturity: Established research — Long Term Human Evidence May Be Limited.
Safety boundary: Safety note available — Generally well tolerated; mild GI upset or drowsiness possible; rare photosensitivity; avoid in pregnancy/breastfeeding; caution with sedatives and liver conditions at high doses.
This profile cites 3 human studies.
Study design details
Evidence Grade
Grade B: Moderate Evidence
Evaluation of methodological rigor, population reach, and evidence alignment.
- Design Match
- Systematic review
- Risk of Bias
- Low
- Consistency
- Not assessed
Strongest recorded design is a systematic review, drawn from 2 recorded studies, 2 in people.
How evidence grades work
Each grade reflects the strength and consistency of published human evidence — not marketing claims. Grades are based on study count, design quality, effect size, consistency, and recency.
- Strong
- Multiple RCTs, consistent direction, adequate effect size
- Moderate
- Some RCTs or consistent observational data in humans
- Preliminary / Mixed
- Animal or in-vitro only, or conflicting human data
- Traditional / Theoretical
- Traditional use only; no controlled human trials
Clinical Study Summaries (4)2 human evidence sources · 1 human trial · Participant totals not consistently reported · Consistency not yet classifiable
Filter by study class
Showing 4 of 4 studies.
What the evidence actually shows
This table contains 4 structured sources, including 2 human evidence sources; 1 is a human trial.
| Study | Design | N | Dose | Duration | Population | Outcome | Result & magnitude | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Background | Systematic review Uses a predefined method to find and evaluate relevant studies, but may or may not pool their results statistically. | — | — | — | — | — | A systematic review did not find a significant overall cognition improvement for Centella asiatica. Any domain-specific or individual-study signals should therefore remain subordinate to the weak overall evidence. | PubMed → |
Background | Randomized controlled trial Randomly assigns participants to interventions or controls, reducing many sources of bias when the trial is conducted well. | — | — | — | — | — | A small double-blind placebo-controlled human study found that a single oral Centella asiatica exposure attenuated acoustic startle response in healthy subjects. | PubMed → |
NIH LiverTox (2024): Centella asiatica Background | Other / unclear The study design is not yet classified clearly enough to infer its place in the evidence hierarchy. | — | — | — | — | — | — | Source → |
Requires manual source normalization to PMID, DOI, PMC, or authoritative URL. Background | Other / unclear The study design is not yet classified clearly enough to infer its place in the evidence hierarchy. | — | — | — | — | — | — | Source → |
Dosing & Timing
- Dose guidance
- 300 600 mg/day standardized extract; traditional dried herb often 2 4 g/day
How Gotu Kola Centella Asiatica works
Simplified mechanism pathway based on preclinical and pharmacological evidence. Does not confirm clinical efficacy.
Mechanism Pathway — How Gotu Kola Centella Asiatica Works
CompoundTarget / ReceptorMechanismEffect / Outcome
Mechanisms & biological pathways (preclinical)
- Oxidative Stress Modulation
- Neurotransmitter Modulation
- Vascular Function Support
- Stress Response Modulation
- Neuroprotective Activity
Active Compounds
Key constituents studied in Gotu Kola Centella Asiatica, with full pharmacology and safety profiles.
Compare related active botanicals
Explore botanicals with similar chemistry, effects, or safety considerations in the Botanical Activity Atlas.
Compare & Sourcing
Compare side-by-side tradeoffs or verify active marker guidelines.
Sourcing options
Gotu Kola product picks
Recommendation status
Product recommendations are not shown for this profile because the current site safety and monetization policy does not permit them.
Product form & quality guidelines
When sourcing Gotu Kola Centella Asiatica, verify the label for:
- Standardized extract: Confirm active content percentages on the supplement facts panel (e.g. standardized to specific marker compounds) rather than simple raw herb weights.
- Third-party testing: Look for independent purity labels (USP, NSF, ConsumerLab, or Eurofins) to ensure the product is free from heavy metals, solvents, and contaminants.
- Form bioavailability: Ensure the form matches evidence-supported configurations (e.g. standardized active extracts like bacosides, withanolides, or curcuminoids) for optimal onset and digestion tolerance.
Safety first · Harm reduction
This information is educational and not medical advice. Start low, avoid risky combinations, and consult a licensed clinician before making health decisions—especially if you use medications, have diagnosed conditions, or are pregnant/breastfeeding.
Learn how we evaluate confidence, safety, and intensity on the methodology page.
Founder & Head Researcher · Oak Ridge, TN · Last reviewed August 2026
Editorial Review
Checked against primary sources, cited evidence, and contraindication language before publication. Evidence claims, safety language, and affiliate modules are reviewed independently. Not personal medical advice.
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