Gotu kola (Centella asiatica) is a traditional Ayurvedic and Chinese medicinal herb used for wound healing, skin and connective tissue support, and as a longevity and cognitive tonic. Its activity is attributed to triterpenoid saponins, principally asiaticoside, madecassoside, asiatic acid, and madecassic acid. The best human evidence supports its standardized extract for venous insufficiency and microcirculation, with emerging data for collagen synthesis, wound healing, and mood/cognitive support.
Antioxidant and emerging neuroprotective / cognitive support7,3
What to watch for
Gastrointestinal upset, nausea
Headache or drowsiness at higher doses
Contact dermatitis with topical use
Pregnancy and breastfeeding (insufficient safety data; traditionally avoided)
Pre-existing liver disease or use with other hepatotoxic agents
The bottom line
Evidence rating moderate. Most-documented uses: supports collagen synthesis and connective tissue / skin health, improves symptoms of chronic venous insufficiency and microcirculation, promotes wound healing and reduces scar formation. 10 sources indexed (2001–2018), with 5 interaction records on file.
The science
How it works, mechanistically.
Core mechanism
The principal active constituents are pentacyclic triterpenes (asiaticoside, madecassoside, asiatic acid, madecassic acid). These compounds stimulate fibroblast proliferation and upregulate collagen type I and III synthesis as well as glycosaminoglycan production, which underlies their use in wound healing and connective-tissue support. Triterpenes from Centella appear to modulate TGF-beta signaling and increase tensile strength of newly formed tissue while also exerting antioxidant activity that reduces oxidative stress in healing wounds. In the vascular system the extract improves capillary permeability and venous tone, reducing edema and microangiopathy in chronic venous insufficiency. Preclinical work suggests cognitive and neuroprotective effects via enhanced dendritic arborization, BDNF expression, mitochondrial support, and reduction of amyloid-related and oxidative neuronal stress, though human cognitive data remain preliminary.10,7
Class
Adaptogenic / Nootropic Botanical
Found in food
Fresh leaves used as a leafy vegetable or salad herb in South and Southeast Asian cuisine, Traditional herbal teas and tonics, Pennywort juice drinks (common in Sri Lanka, Thailand, Vietnam)
Absorption
Water-soluble; take with food
Dosing
Dosing & protocol.
Common range
60-120 mg of standardized titrated extract (TTFCA / TECA, ~40% asiaticoside) two to three times daily; 0.6-3 g/day of dried herb in traditional preparations
Recommended form
Standardized triterpene extract (titrated to ~40 percent asiaticoside or total triterpenic fraction, e.g. TTFCA/TECA)
Triterpene saponins are reasonably water-dispersible; taking with food can reduce the mild gastrointestinal upset and nausea some users report. Standardized titrated extracts give more consistent triterpene exposure than crude powder.
Forms
Forms & what to buy.
Ranked by evidence and value.
Standardized triterpene extract (titrated extract of Centella asiatica, TECA/TTFCA) Recommended
Standardized to roughly 40 percent asiaticoside, 30 percent asiatic acid, and 30 percent madecassic acid; this concentrated triterpene fraction is the form used in nearly all controlled human venous-insufficiency and microcirculation trials, so dosing is well characterized. Triterpene glycosides such as asiaticoside are hydrolyzed by gut flora to the more active aglycones (asiatic and madecassic acid); taking with a meal containing fat may modestly aid absorption of the lipophilic aglycones.
Mid60 to 120 mg of standardized triterpene extract, two to three times daily (often dosed as 60 mg TTFCA per capsule).
Standardized leaf extract capsule (commonly standardized to total triterpenoid saponins)
Whole-leaf extract concentrated and standardized to a stated percentage of triterpenoids (frequently 10 to 20 percent), retaining a broader phytochemical profile than the purified triterpene fraction. Similar gut-flora-dependent conversion of glycosides to aglycones; food co-ingestion improves tolerability and may aid uptake of the lipophilic constituents.
MidTypically delivering 30 to 60 mg of triterpenoids per dose; product label dictates capsule weight.
Crude dried aerial parts with no guaranteed triterpene content, so active levels vary widely by batch, growing conditions, and harvest. Relies entirely on gut-flora hydrolysis of native glycosides; effective dose is uncertain because triterpene content is not quantified.
BudgetTraditionally 1,000 to 3,000 mg dried herb daily in divided doses.
Liquid extract / tincture (hydroethanolic)
Alcohol-water extraction captures both glycosides and aglycones in a pre-solubilized liquid; potency depends on the herb-to-solvent ratio stated on the label. Pre-dissolved actives may be absorbed somewhat faster than dried powder; alcohol content can be a drawback for some users.
MidCommonly 1 to 4 mL (roughly 30 to 60 drops) up to three times daily, per the manufacturer ratio.
Cost
What it actually costs.
Real-world pricing across three quality tiers. Assumes Standardized leaf/triterpene extract capsules.
BudgetBest value
$4 /mo
$0.08 per dose
Mid
$9 /mo
$0.20 per dose
Premium
$18 /mo
$0.45 per dose
Gotu Kola is an inexpensive, widely cultivated botanical, so even standardized extracts are affordable. Budget tier reflects bulk non-standardized whole-herb capsules; mid tier reflects extracts standardized to a stated triterpenoid percentage; premium reflects third-party-tested, defined-triterpene (TTFCA-type) products with verified asiaticoside/asiatic acid content. Per-dose cost assumes one to three capsules daily depending on form. Updated 2026-06-04.
Goals
Goal-based dosing.
Microcirculation and Venous Health
Dose: 60 to 180 mg standardized triterpene extract (TTFCA) daily, in divided doses5
Timing: With meals, split across the day to maintain exposure
This is the best-evidenced human use; controlled trials of titrated triterpene fractions (around 60 mg two to three times daily) show improved capillary filtration and reduced leg edema/symptoms in chronic venous insufficiency. Benefits build over weeks of consistent use.
Skin and Collagen Support
Dose: 60 to 120 mg standardized triterpene extract daily (oral); topical formulations also used9,10
Timing: With food, once or twice daily
Asiaticoside and asiatic acid stimulate collagen synthesis and fibroblast activity; the triterpene fraction has the most supportive wound-healing and connective-tissue data. Oral and topical routes are studied separately, so do not assume oral equals topical outcomes.
Cognitive and Mood Support
Dose: 500 to 1,000 mg standardized leaf extract daily (or extract delivering ~30 to 60 mg triterpenoids)1,3
Timing: Morning with food; consistent daily use for several weeks
Human data are smaller and more preliminary than for venous use; some trials report improvements in mood, alertness, and aspects of cognition, but evidence is modest. Higher single doses have been studied acutely but results are mixed.
Longevity and Cellular-Aging Support
Dose: 60 to 120 mg standardized triterpene extract daily, or 1,000 to 3,000 mg dried herb daily9
Timing: With meals, once or twice daily, cycled per practitioner guidance
Longevity use is rooted in traditional medicine plus mechanistic signals (antioxidant, mitochondrial, and connective-tissue effects); direct human lifespan or hard aging-outcome data do not exist, so frame this as supportive/traditional rather than proven.
Why people use it
Symptoms it's matched to.
Where this appears in the symptom-to-supplement map, ranked by relevance.
In chronic venous insufficiency, the standardized triterpenoid fraction improves venous wall connective tissue tone and capillary integrity by promoting collagen synthesis and reducing capillary permeability and microvascular leakage. Several controlled trials report reduced ankle edema, leg heaviness, and improved microcirculatory parameters.5
CardiometabolicModerate evidenceStandardized total triterpenoid fraction of Centella asiatica (commonly 60-180 mg/day), divided
Among the better-supported oral uses. Symptoms of venous disease overlap with deep vein thrombosis and heart failure, which need medical evaluation; do not self-treat new or one-sided leg swelling.
The triterpenoid fraction of Centella asiatica (asiaticoside, madecassoside, asiatic and madecassic acids) stimulates fibroblast proliferation and types I and III collagen synthesis and modulates TGF-beta signaling. This is the basis for its long traditional and topical use in wound repair, and small clinical and topical studies report improved wound closure and scar quality. Most robust evidence is topical rather than oral.10,2
AppearanceModerate evidenceStandardized total triterpenoid fraction (titrated extract of Centella asiatica, e.g. asiaticoside-standardized) orally, or a topical madecassoside/asiaticoside preparation for scars
Strongest data are for topical use and post-surgical or burn scars. Oral systemic benefit for everyday wound healing is less established. Not a substitute for proper wound care.
Centella asiatica has traditional use as a calming nervine, and small human studies suggest it can blunt the acute startle response and may have modest anxiolytic effects, possibly via GABAergic modulation and reduced neuronal oxidative stress. Human trial data are limited and of modest quality.3,1
MoodEmerging evidenceStandardized Centella asiatica extract or leaf powder
Evidence is preliminary. Effects are mild relative to established anxiety treatments; not appropriate as sole therapy for clinical anxiety disorders.
Preclinical work shows asiatic acid and the triterpenoid fraction promote neurite outgrowth, dendritic arborization, and antioxidant defenses in neurons, with modulation of amyloid and oxidative pathways. A few small human studies in older adults suggest modest improvements in alertness and mood, but cognitive outcome data are sparse and underpowered.7,1
CognitiveEmerging evidenceStandardized Centella asiatica extract, taken with a meal
Promising mechanistically and traditionally, but human cognitive trials are small and inconclusive. Do not present as protective against dementia.
Safety
Full safety detail.
Side effects
Gastrointestinal upset, nausea
Headache or drowsiness at higher doses
Contact dermatitis with topical use
Rare hepatotoxicity reported with prolonged or high-dose oral use
Photosensitivity (uncommon)
Contraindications
Pregnancy and breastfeeding (insufficient safety data; traditionally avoided)
Pre-existing liver disease or use with other hepatotoxic agents
Scheduled surgery (discontinue ~2 weeks prior due to possible additive sedative effects with anesthesia)
Concurrent sedatives or CNS depressants (possible additive drowsiness)
Limit continuous oral use to about 6 weeks with breaks, per traditional dosing guidance9
Both Centella asiatica and milk thistle (silymarin) are botanicals with case-report associations to liver effects. Gotu kola has documented case reports of hepatotoxicity, including cholestatic and hepatocellular injury, with prolonged use. Combining two herbal products that load the liver warrants extra caution and monitoring.
Recommendation: If used together, limit duration (traditional guidance suggests breaks after several weeks of gotu kola use), avoid high doses, and monitor for symptoms of liver injury such as jaundice, dark urine, right-upper-quadrant pain, or unusual fatigue. People with liver disease or on hepatotoxic medications should consult a clinician first.
Both are calming botanicals that may have additive sedative and central nervous system depressant effects, and both have isolated case reports linking them to liver injury. Combining them can amplify drowsiness and adds to cumulative hepatic monitoring concerns.
Recommendation: Start low, watch for excess sedation especially if also using sleep aids or alcohol, and limit duration of combined use. Avoid before driving until individual response is known. Monitor for any signs of liver dysfunction.
Gotu kola has traditional and preliminary use for nervous tension, and L-theanine promotes a calm, alert state. Used together they may provide complementary, gentle relaxation without strong sedation.
Recommendation: Reasonable to combine for mild stress support. No dose adjustment or timing separation required. Expect subtle effects; not a treatment for clinical anxiety.
Vitamin C is an essential cofactor for prolyl and lysyl hydroxylase in collagen synthesis, while gotu kola triterpenoids stimulate fibroblast collagen production. Adequate vitamin C status supports the collagen-building mechanism by which gotu kola may aid skin, wound, and connective tissue health.
Recommendation: Pairing is sensible, especially for skin and wound-healing goals. No timing separation needed. Ensure adequate but not excessive vitamin C intake.
St. John's Wort is a potent inducer of CYP3A4 and P-glycoprotein and is associated with photosensitivity, while gotu kola is metabolized hepatically and has rare hepatotoxicity reports. Combining adds overlapping CNS-active botanicals and uncertain effects on gotu kola exposure.
Recommendation: Use caution combining these. St. John's Wort itself interacts dangerously with many prescription drugs (antidepressants, contraceptives, anticoagulants, immunosuppressants); review all medications with a clinician before combining. Watch for excess sedation and signs of liver strain.
3Anxiolytic activity of a standardized extract of Centella asiatica (ECa 233) and antioxidant/neuroprotective effectsNeeds reviewNo linkWattanathorn J, et al. · Journal of Ethnopharmacology · 2008
A standardized Centella asiatica extract was associated with reduced startle response and self-reported anxiety, with supportive effects on mood and alertness in healthy volunteers.
5Total triterpenic fraction of Centella asiatica in chronic venous insufficiency and in high-perfusion microangiopathyNeeds reviewNo linkCesarone MR, Belcaro G, et al. · Angiology · 2001
Treatment with the total triterpenic fraction of Centella asiatica improved capillary filtration rate, ankle edema, and microcirculatory parameters in patients with venous hypertension and microangiopathy.
7Centella asiatica and its caffeoylquinic acid and triterpene constituents enhance cognitive function and neuronal healthNeeds reviewNo linkGray NE, Magana AA, Soumyanath A, et al. · Phytochemistry Reviews · 2018
Centella asiatica constituents enhance dendritic arborization, mitochondrial function, and antioxidant defenses in preclinical models, supporting investigation for age-related cognitive decline.
9Effect of Centella asiatica on dermal collagen and skin parametersNeeds reviewNo linkBylka W, Znajdek-Awizen P, et al. · Postepy Dermatologii i Alergologii · 2014
Centella asiatica triterpenes increase dermal collagen content and improve skin firmness and hydration, supporting topical and oral use for connective-tissue and anti-aging applications.
10Pharmacological review on Centella asiatica: a potential herbal cure-allNeeds reviewNo linkGohil KJ, Patel JA, Gajjar AK · Indian Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences · 2010
Asiaticoside and related triterpenes stimulate fibroblast activity and type I collagen synthesis, accelerating wound healing and improving tensile strength of granulation tissue.
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