Kathy Wong is a nutritionist and healthcare professional. Her work is featured regularly in media such as First For Women, Women’s World and Natural Health.
Meredith Bull, ND, is a licensed naturopath in private practice in Los Angeles, California.
Gotu kola (Centella asiatica) is a leafy plant traditionally used in Asian cuisine and has a long history of use in traditional Chinese medicine and Ayurvedic medicine. This perennial plant is native to the tropical wetlands of Southeast Asia and is often used as a juice, tea, or green leafy vegetable.
Gotu kola is used for its antibacterial, antidiabetic, anti-inflammatory, antidepressant, and memory-enhancing properties. It is widely sold as a dietary supplement in the form of capsules, powders, tinctures, and topical preparations.
Gotu kola is also known as swamp penny and Indian penny. In traditional Chinese medicine, it is called ji xue sao, and in Ayurvedic medicine, it is called brahmi.
Among alternative practitioners, gotu kola is believed to have many potential health benefits, from treating infections (such as herpes zoster) to preventing Alzheimer’s disease, blood clots, and even pregnancy.
Coke is claimed to help relieve anxiety, asthma, depression, diabetes, diarrhea, fatigue, indigestion, and stomach ulcers.
When applied topically, cola can help speed up wound healing and reduce the appearance of stretch marks and scars.
Gotu kola has long been used as an herbal supplement to treat mood disorders and improve memory. While results are mixed, there is evidence for some direct and indirect benefits.
A 2017 review of studies published in Scientific Reports found little evidence that Coke directly improved cognition or memory, although it did appear to increase alertness and reduce anxiety within an hour.
Gotu kola can modulate the activity of a neurotransmitter called gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA). Asian acid is believed to cause this effect.
By influencing how GABA is taken up by the brain, asiatic acid can relieve anxiety without the sedative effects of traditional GABA agonist drugs such as amplim (zolpidem) and barbiturates. It may also play a role in treating depression, insomnia, and chronic fatigue.

There is some evidence that cola can improve circulation in people with chronic venous insufficiency (CVI). Venous insufficiency is a condition in which the walls and/or valves of the veins in the lower extremities do not work efficiently, returning blood to the heart inefficiently.

A 2013 review of a Malaysian study concluded that elderly people who received gotu kola experienced a significant improvement in CVI symptoms, including heaviness in the legs, pain, and swelling (swelling due to fluid and inflammation).
These effects are thought to be due to compounds called triterpenes, which stimulate the production of cardiac glycosides. Cardiac glycosides are organic compounds that increase the strength and contractility of the heart.
There is some evidence that cola can stabilize fatty plaques in blood vessels, preventing them from falling off and causing a heart attack or stroke.
Herbalists have long used gotu kola ointments and salves to heal wounds. Current evidence suggests that a triterpenoid called asiaticoside stimulates collagen production and promotes the development of new blood vessels (angiogenesis) at the site of injury.
Claims that gotu kola can cure diseases such as leprosy and cancer are greatly exaggerated. But there is some evidence that further research may be needed.
In Southeast Asia, gotu kola is used for both food and medicinal purposes. As a member of the parsley family, cola is a good source of essential vitamins and minerals needed to maintain optimal health.
According to the International Journal of Food Research, 100 grams of fresh cola contains the following nutrients and meets the following Recommended Dietary Intake (RDI):
Gotu kola is also a good source of dietary fiber, providing 8% of the RDI for women and 5% for men.
Gotu kola is a key ingredient in many Indian, Indonesian, Malaysian, Vietnamese and Thai dishes. It has a characteristic bittersweet taste and a slight grassy aroma. Gotu kola, one of Sri Lanka’s most popular dishes, is the main ingredient in gotu kola sambol, which combines chopped gotu kola leaves with green onions, lime juice, chili peppers, and grated coconut.
It is also used in Indian curries, Vietnamese vegetable rolls, and a Malaysian salad called pegaga. Fresh gotu kola can also be made from juice and mixed with water and sugar for Vietnamese people to drink nuoc rau ma.

Fresh Gotu Kola is hard to find in the US outside of specialty ethnic grocery stores. When purchased, water lily leaves should be bright green, with no blemishes or discoloration. The stems are edible, similar to coriander.
Fresh Coke Coke is temperature sensitive and if your fridge is too cold it will darken quickly. If you don’t use them right away, you can place the herbs in a glass of water, cover with a plastic bag, and refrigerate. Fresh Gotu Kola can be stored this way for up to a week.
Chopped or juiced gotu kola should be used immediately as it quickly oxidizes and turns black.
Gotu kola supplements are available at most health food and herbal stores. Gotu kola can be taken as a capsule, tincture, powder, or tea. Ointments containing gotu kola can be used to treat wounds and other skin problems.
Although side effects are rare, some people who take gotu kola may experience stomach upset, headache, and drowsiness. Because gotu kola can increase your sensitivity to the sun, it’s important to limit sun exposure and use sunscreen outdoors.
Gotu kola is metabolized in the liver. If you have liver disease, it’s best to avoid gotu kola supplements to prevent further harm or damage. Long-term use can also cause liver toxicity.
Children, pregnant women, and breastfeeding mothers should avoid gotu kola supplements due to a lack of research. It is not known what other drugs Gotu Kola may interact with.

Also be aware that the sedative effects of cola may be enhanced by sedatives or alcohol. Avoid taking gotu kola with Ambien (zolpidem), Ativan (lorazepam), Donnatal (phenobarbital), Klonopin (clonazepam), or other sedatives, as this may cause severe drowsiness.
There are no guidelines for the proper use of gotu kola for medicinal purposes. Due to the risk of liver damage, these supplements are for short-term use only.
If you plan to use gotu kola or for medical purposes, please consult your healthcare professional first. Self-medication of an illness and refusal of standard care can have serious consequences.
Dietary supplements do not require the same rigorous research and testing as drugs. Therefore, the quality can vary greatly. Although many vitamin manufacturers voluntarily submit their products to independent certification bodies such as the United States Pharmacopeia (USP) for testing. Herbal growers rarely do this.
As for gotu kola, this plant is known to absorb heavy metals or toxins from the soil or water in which it grows. This poses health risks due to the lack of safety testing, especially when it comes to imported Chinese medicines.
To ensure quality and safety, only buy supplements from reputable manufacturers whose brands you support. If a product is labeled organic, make sure the certification agency is registered with the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA).
Written by Kathy Wong Kathy Wong is a dietitian and health professional. Her work is featured regularly in media such as First For Women, Women’s World and Natural Health.