Gotu Kola
Scientific names: Centella asiatica (L.) Urb. Family: Apiaceae (carrots).Common names: Gotu kola, hydrocotyle, Indian pennywort, talepetrako, spadeleaf, Asiatic pennywort
Efficacy-safety rating:
ÒÒ...Ethno or other evidence of efficacy.
Safety rating:
●...Little exposure or very minor concerns.What is Gotu Kola?
Centella asiatica is a slender, creeping plant that commonly grows in swampy areas of India, Sri Lanka, Madagascar, South Africa, and the tropics.
What is Gotu Kola used for?
Traditional/Ethnobotanical usesGotu kola has been widely used to treat a variety of illnesses. Sri Lankans noticed that elephants, renowned for their longevity, ate the leaves of the plant. Thus the leaves were believed to promote long life, with a suggested “dosage” of a few leaves each day. Among the ailments purported to be cured or controlled by gotu kola are mental illness, high blood pressure, abscesses, rheumatism, fever, ulcers, leprosy, skin eruptions, nervous disorders, and jaundice; it has also been touted as an aphrodisiac. Gotu kola should not be confused with the dried seed of Cola nitida (also known as kolanuts, kola, or cola), the plant used in cola beverages. Cola nitida contains caffeine and is a stimulant, while gotu kola has no caffeine and has sedative properties.
General usesTraditionally used as treatment for a variety of ills and as an aphrodisiac, gotu kola has demonstrated efficacy for treating wounds, varicose veins, skin disorders, and venous insufficiency, as well as for enhancing memory. Limited evidence suggests gotu kola might have antifertility, hypotensive, and sedative effects.
What is the dosage of Gotu Kola?
Doses of gotu kola in crude form range from 1.5 to 4 g/day. Various extracts standardized to asiaticoside content also are available and have been studied in clinical trials in venous insufficiency and wound healing at extract doses of 30 to 90 mg/day. Wound-healing studies have involved topical application of a hydrogel ointment containing a titrated extract of C. asiatica (TECA).
Is Gotu Kola safe?
ContraindicationsContraindications have not yet been identified.
Pregnancy/nursingDocumented emmenagogue (stimulating menstrual flow) effects. Avoid use.
InteractionsNone well documented.
Side EffectsGotu kola causes contact dermatitis in some individuals. Three cases of hepatotoxicity have been reported with patients using C. asiatica for 20 to 60 days.
ToxicitiesNo data.
References
- Gotu Kola. Review of Natural Products. Facts & Comparisons 4.0. http://online.factsandcomparisons.com/MonoDisp.aspx?monoID=fandc-rnp-5148&book=NP. September 2007. Accessed October 17, 2007.
Copyright © 2006 Wolters Kluwer Health
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