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September 21, 2025
Hanja Niederhammer
How does Gotu Kola work? Application, ingredients, and benefits of the plant - concisely explained with a view on the latest research findings
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Gotu Kola represents vitality, mental strength, and a long life in many Asian cultures. Whether as tea, capsules, or skincare extract - the "Indian pennywort," as it is also known, is considered a true all-rounder. But what is behind this reputation? We delve into the world of Centella asiatica - from its historical roots to the latest research findings.
Gotu Kola - even the name sounds like Far Eastern magic. Behind the botanical term Centella asiatica lies a delicate but effective plant known by many names: Indian pennywort, tiger grass, or Mandukaparni. Its home? Tropical wetlands in India, Sri Lanka, and all of Southeast Asia.
What at first glance looks like harmless greenery has long achieved cult status - as a secret weapon in skin creams, as a brain booster in capsule form, and as a classic of herbal medicine.
In Ayurvedic and Chinese medicine, Indian pennywort is among the so-called Medhya Rasayanas - these are herbal remedies that are supposed to promote memory, concentration, and mental vitality.
Even in ancient India, it was used to calm the nervous system, heal wounds, or rejuvenate the skin. Buddhist monks also used the plant to deepen meditation - it was considered mentally clarifying and strengthening.
Those who search for "Centella asiatica effects" quickly encounter a variety of modern applications - from stress reduction to skincare to anti-inflammatory therapy. Today, modern medicine also recognizes that traditional use holds more than mere folklore. Many of these effects can now be supported by biochemical mechanisms.
The effect of Centella asiatica is based on a whole cocktail of bioactive substances - and if you want to get a solid overview, you will find it in a fascinating overview study published in 2023 in the journal Plants, where various extracts of the plant were examined - with a focus on their main chemical components such as triterpenoids, flavonoids, and saponins as well as their antioxidant activity.
The study confirms the antioxidant potential of these substances and shows how strongly individual extracts react to them in cell culture.
Three groups of substances, in particular, make the plant so interesting for medicine and cosmetics:
Examples: Asiaticoside, Madecassoside, Madecassic Acid
These substances are among the stars in dermatological research: they promote collagen formation, accelerate wound healing, and have anti-inflammatory effects. They are particularly used in cosmetic skin care and scar treatment - not coincidentally, they are also components of many Asian skincare formulas.
Examples: Kaempferol, Quercetin
As strong antioxidants, flavonoids protect cells from free radicals and oxidative stress. It is suspected that they have neuroprotective properties and could support cognitive functions.
Examples: Asiaticoside, madecassoside
Saponins are among the best-known active ingredients in Centella asiatica – and not without reason. These secondary plant compounds not only have antioxidant properties but also regulate inflammation and protect cells. In traditional medicine, they are used to promote wound healing, and modern studies also show neuroprotective and antidepressant potentials.
Gotu Kola is considered an adaptogen - a term from herbal medicine that stands for a particularly interesting property: Adaptogens help the body adapt better to physical and emotional stress factors without overstimulating or artificially stimulating it.
Unlike classic medications, which usually act precisely on a single target protein or a specific signaling pathway, adaptogens exert their effects on several levels simultaneously - like a plant-based stress thermostat. They do not intervene invasively but help the organism to regain balance on its own.
Gotu Kola does not act immediately but strengthens the body's natural regulatory systems - gently, balancing.
While Gotu Kola was considered a versatile tonic for body and mind in traditional medicine, modern research today allows for a more targeted view of where the plant might actually work. Here is an overview of key areas of application, suspected effects - and the current state of studies.
Whether it's job overload, inner restlessness, or mental exhaustion - Gotu Kola has become a herbal alternative against stress symptoms for many people. No wonder, as the plant has been considered a tonic for the mind for centuries and is used in traditional medicine to promote clarity, concentration, and emotional balance.
Even modern studies provide evidence that Centella asiatica can have a noticeable effect on the psyche - whether it's to improve cognitive performance or reduce stress reactions.
Gotu Kola influences, among other things, the so-called hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis - the body's central stress regulation system - and modulates neuroinflammatory signaling pathways in the brain.
The plant helps the brain calm down minor inflammations that can arise from stress. It's like an internal fire brigade that intervenes before things get too much - so concentration, mood, and internal peace don't come under pressure.
In a Animal study from 2024 a Centella water extract not only showed an improvement in memory in older mice but also a significant reduction in anxiety behavior - especially when the extract was administered via drinking water. Depressive symptoms, however, remained unaffected in this model.
Another Mouse study However, from the same year, it indicates antidepressant effects: There, triterpenes such as madecassoside and asiaticoside were able to reduce hopelessness in behavior tests - presumably through anti-inflammatory and neuro-enhancing signaling pathways.
There are also initial indications in humans: In a small clinical study with young women, a Gotu Kola smoothie had a mood-enhancing effect after just one hour - the participants felt more awake and satisfied than the comparison group. Cognitive performance remained the same, but well-being increased noticeably.
All in all: The results so far are promising - but further well-designed studies are needed to objectively confirm the effects on stress and mood.
Gotu Kola is not only valued as a herbal anti-stress agent - the brain also benefits. Some of its ingredients, such as the flavonoids kaempferol and quercetin, are considered strong cell protectors. They act as antioxidants, meaning they neutralize aggressive oxygen molecules (“free radicals”) before they can damage nerve cells.
Studies with mice show that such substances from Gotu Kola not only improve memory but could even slow down age-related decline - an exciting approach to diseases like Alzheimer's or Parkinson's.
In a Alzheimer's animal study mice treated with Gotu Kola learned faster and had significantly fewer harmful deposits (plaques) in the brain. Researchers attribute this to the so-called NRF2 signaling pathway - an internal protection mechanism that, when activated, turns on specific genes that make nerve cells more resilient.
There are also encouraging signs for Parkinson's: In a mouse model Asiaticoside, a compound from Gotu Kola, specifically protected those nerve cells that produce dopamine - precisely the ones that are first destroyed in Parkinson's. The animals moved better, and dopamine levels remained stable. Additionally, a calming effect on the so-called microinflammation in the brain was observed, which plays a role in many neurodegenerative diseases.
In animal studies, mice learned faster with Gotu Kola, remembered locations better, and had fewer typical Alzheimer's deposits in the brain.
Whether as a cream, serum, or traditional extract: Gotu Kola is no longer a secret when it comes to natural skincare. But what effect does Centella asiatica actually have on the skin?
Especially the triterpenes found in the plant - such as Asiaticoside and Madecassoside - have proven to be a notable subject in dermatological research. They stimulate the production of collagen, the structural protein that gives skin firmness and elasticity. It's no wonder that tiger grass is a staple in many Asian skincare formulas. Due to its proven properties, the Far Eastern plant is often used when the skin is particularly challenged:
Gotu Kola can reduce stretch marks from pregnancy or weight gain and helps with cellulite by affecting fat cells and collagen fibers.
Retinoic acid – also known as retinoid – has been considered the gold standard in anti-aging skincare for decades. It promotes cell renewal, smooths fine lines, and stimulates collagen production. But now it faces plant-based competition – specifically from the Gotu Kola plant.
In a recent comparative study Asiaticoside, an active ingredient from Gotu Kola, was directly compared to retinoic acid – and surprised with impressive results: Asiaticoside stimulated the production of type-I and especially type-III collagen – the latter is essential for skin elasticity and wound healing – even more strongly than the well-known synthetic agent.
Furthermore, Asiaticoside supports cell migration and epithelialization - the regeneration of skin tissue - and improves the tensile strength of the regenerated skin. This makes tiger grass not only interesting for wrinkle prevention but also for the treatment of scars or stretch marks.
Gotu Kola can significantly accelerate skin healing. The active ingredients Asiaticoside and Madecassoside stimulate collagen production, reduce cellular stress, and improve blood circulation - especially with visible success in burn wounds.
The popular tiger grass not only has a calming effect on the nerves but also on overactive immune processes. Certain plant compounds, including beta-sitosterol and chlorogenic acid, are associated with anti-inflammatory properties - especially in the area of vascular health.
In chronically inflamed veins - such as with varicose veins or heavy legs - Gotu Kola could provide relief. A review showed: In several clinical studies, circulation, swelling, and microcirculation improved noticeably. The vascular-stabilizing and anti-inflammatory triterpenes seem to be partly responsible for this.
How quickly Gotu Kola can actually work is shown by a recent pilot study From 2025: In 23 patients with painful temporomandibular joint inflammation (TMD), a standardized Centella extract (ECa233, 500 mg) significantly relieved pain and improved jaw function - and much better than a placebo. The extract was taken orally, suggesting its use for systemic inflammatory conditions.
Even with rheumatoid arthritis, the Indian pennywort Gotu Kola is coming into focus: A preclinical study from 2024 showed that asiatic acid - an active ingredient from the plant - specifically induces ferroptosis in arthritis cells. This programmed cell death reduces pro-inflammatory cells and could help regulate joint inflammation.
Gotu Kola is a fascinating example of how much traditional plant knowledge can be confirmed by modern research today. Studies show positive effects on skin regeneration, cognitive functions, stress regulation, and circulation - many things that have been suspected in naturopathy for centuries can now also be scientifically explained.
At the same time, these insights open the door to new questions: Which active ingredients are particularly effective? How do they work in the long term? And in which areas is there still untapped potential? Gotu Kola impressively shows how vibrant the interplay between tradition and modern research can be.
Does the Asian medicinal herb help with hair loss? The plant is traditionally used in naturopathy to strengthen hair and skin. Study results suggest that Gotu Kola could stimulate scalp circulation and thereby support hair growth. The presumed effect of Gotu Kola on hair is primarily based on its vascular-strengthening and antioxidant properties. However, there are currently no robust clinical studies on its targeted use for hair loss.
Gotu Kola (Centella asiatica) is mostly described in studies as well-tolerated in therapeutic dosages. In rare cases, reversible liver inflammation occurred, especially with high dosing over extended periods. The literature suggests caution may be warranted in existing liver diseases or when taking other liver-stressing substances concurrently.
Mild side effects such as nausea, stomach complaints, diarrhea, headaches, or fatigue have been observed in some studies but are considered rare. Occasional skin irritations are also described in the external use of Centella asiatica. In most cases, the complaints subsided spontaneously or after discontinuation of the product. Serious side effects in the use of Gotu Kola have only been documented in isolated instances.
Gotu Kola is available in various forms - such as capsules, tea, powder, tincture, or standardized extract. In clinical studies, a daily dose of 300 to 600 milligrams of a triterpene extract has proven to be well tolerated. The application is usually done in courses: many sources recommend a duration of about six to eight weeks. For long-term use, there is currently only limited scientific data available.
