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July 19, 2026
Hanja Niederhammer
Gotu kola is one of the fastest-growing trends in skincare and supplements. But what can this medicinal plant actually do? Here's what current research shows – and which health claims still lack convincing evidence.
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Few medicinal plants are making as strong a comeback right now as Gotu Kola — whether as a serum for sensitive skin, as a dietary supplement or as a K-beauty staple. Centella asiatica is said to boost collagen production, ease stress, and even sharpen memory.
But how much of that is actually backed by science? The number of studies has grown considerably in recent years. The evidence is currently strongest for skin health, wound healing, and chronic venous insufficiency. The data on stress, memory, and neurodegenerative diseases are less conclusive. So what can Gotu Kola really do?
Gotu Kola (Centella asiatica) grows in the tropical regions of Asia, where it has been used as a medicinal plant for centuries. In Ayurveda, it is considered one of the most important traditional remedies, and it also holds a well-established place in Chinese medicine.
Today, Centella asiatica is used in both skincare products and dietary supplements. Research focuses primarily on its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant plant compounds, which may support the regeneration of skin and tissue.
Gotu Kola's greatest strength lies in the area where it is most widely used today: the skin. Few other plant-based active ingredients appear in as many serums, creams, and medical skincare products. People with sensitive or irritated skin, in particular, are encountering Centella asiatica with increasing frequency.
The reason is straightforward: few other applications have as much scientific backing. Studies show that certain active compounds can stimulate collagen production, reduce inflammatory responses, and support the regeneration of damaged skin. Centella asiatica also appears to strengthen the skin barrier, helping the skin retain moisture more effectively and resist external irritants.
The evidence for wound healing is also comparatively strong. Several studies suggest that standardized extracts can promote the regeneration of skin tissue and help minor injuries heal more quickly. This is why Gotu Kola has long been used in medical wound and scar preparations.
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Centella asiatica is often described as a plant-based alternative to retinol. The science, however, doesn't quite go that far.
While laboratory findings and early clinical studies do suggest that Gotu Kola can support collagen production — an important factor in maintaining firm skin — the evidence for retinoids is far more extensive. They therefore remain the gold standard for treating photo-induced skin aging.
That said, Centella asiatica may still have a role to play: many dermatologists now use the plant extract as a complementary treatment, valued for its ability to calm the skin and support its natural regeneration.
Can medicinal plants actually protect the brain? This is precisely the question researchers have been exploring in recent years. In traditional Asian medicine, Gotu Kola was already used to support concentration, memory, and inner calm. Today, scientists are working to determine whether these traditional uses can be validated by modern research.
The findings so far are intriguing. In the laboratory, the plant's active compounds display antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, which could help protect nerve cells from damage. Animal studies also offer hints that Gotu Kola might improve learning and memory performance.
In humans, however, the picture is considerably more modest. Some smaller studies report improved mood or a reduced subjective sense of stress. Even so, there is currently no clear evidence that Gotu Kola enhances memory performance or can help prevent conditions such as Alzheimer's or Parkinson's disease.
Research is continuing at a rapid pace, but robust clinical trials are still needed.
Less widely known is the fact that Centella asiatica has been studied for decades in the context of chronic venous insufficiency — a condition in which blood flow from the legs back to the heart is impaired. Typical symptoms include heavy legs, a feeling of tightness, and swelling.
Several studies suggest that standardized Gotu Kola extracts may improve microcirculation and relieve symptoms. Observed effects included reduced swelling and more stable function of small blood vessels.
Despite variability in study designs, this is among the most scientifically well-researched applications of the medicinal plant.
Online, Gotu Kola is now recommended for a wide range of complaints, from joint pain to depression and chronic inflammation.
There are indeed preliminary scientific indications for many of these uses. However, most come from laboratory experiments, animal studies, or small pilot studies with limited numbers of participants. No reliable recommendations can yet be drawn from this body of evidence.
This does not mean Gotu Kola is ineffective in these areas. It simply means that research must first determine whether the promising early results can be replicated in larger clinical trials.
Whether taken as a capsule, tea, or applied as a cream, Gotu Kola is generally considered well tolerated. Studies have only occasionally reported mild side effects such as gastrointestinal complaints, headaches, or fatigue. When applied topically, skin irritation can occur in rare cases.
The plant is not entirely without risks, however. Isolated cases of liver damage have been reported following prolonged or high-dose use. While a clear causal link could not always be established, people with liver conditions or those taking other medications should consult their doctor before using dietary supplements containing Centella asiatica as a precaution.
There is also insufficient data for pregnant or breastfeeding women to recommend regular use.
Centella asiatica is available as a tea, capsules, powder, or standardized extract. Scientific studies have predominantly used extracts with a defined content of active plant compounds.
Most studies used daily doses of between 300 and 600 milligrams over a period of six to eight weeks. Whether long-term use is beneficial or necessary cannot be reliably assessed at this point, as meaningful long-term studies are still lacking.
Gotu Kola is neither a miracle cure nor a cure-all. That said, Centella asiatica is one of the few traditional medicinal plants whose effects are today comparatively well researched. The evidence is particularly strong for skin regeneration, wound healing, and chronic venous insufficiency. For many other applications — such as stress, memory, or inflammation — the research is promising but not yet conclusive.
