Omnia SanaPlant Comparison
Horse Chestnut vs Gotu Kola
A side-by-side comparison of two medicinal plants — every documented constituent, action, use, safety note and cited source, assembled automatically from the Omnia Sana database.
At a glance
Horse Chestnut and Gotu Kola: they share 6 indicated uses (arthritis / joint pain, haemorrhoids, inflammation (general), …); 3 pharmacological actions in common.
Evidence face-off — shared uses
| Condition | Horse Chestnut | Gotu Kola | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arthritis / joint pain | 2/10 | 2/10 | Comparable evidence |
| Haemorrhoids | 2/10 | 8/10 | Stronger for Gotu Kola |
| Inflammation (general) | 2/10 | 2/10 | Comparable evidence |
| Skin irritation | 2/10 | 2/10 | Comparable evidence |
| Swelling / fluid retention | 7/10 | 8/10 | Comparable evidence |
| Varicose veins | 7/10 | 8/10 | Comparable evidence |
Evidence scores (1–10) are computed from the tier of each cited source. “Comparable” means the two scores are within one point. Follow a score to its detailed sources.
Key Constituents
The active mixture responsible for the venotonic and anti-oedematous effects; extracts are standardised to it. Escin is available as oral drages and a transdermal gel, with efficacy shown in chronic venous insufficiency and blunt-trauma injury.
The marker compounds and principal actives for wound healing, vascular and neuroprotective effects.
Antioxidant and aromatic supporting constituents.
Pharmacological Actions
Anti-oedematous and anti-inflammatory - escin reduces vascular permeability in inflamed tissue and exerts venotonic effects on veins
Anti-oedematous and anti-inflammatory - escin reduces vascular permeability in inflamed tissue and exerts venotonic effects on veins
Escin, the triterpene saponin of Aesculus hippocastanum, induces apoptosis and cell-cycle arrest and chemosensitizes breast, hepatocellular, lung and pancreatic cancer cells (preclinical, including in vivo xenograft models).
Anti-inflammatory and antioxidant; supports inflammatory skin conditions (eczema, psoriasis, ulcers)
Improves venous tone and microcirculation - supports chronic venous insufficiency / varicose veins and reduces leg swelling
Anti-inflammatory and antioxidant; supports inflammatory skin conditions (eczema, psoriasis, ulcers)
Anxiolytic / calming (anxiety)
Improves venous tone and microcirculation - supports chronic venous insufficiency / varicose veins and reduces leg swelling
Traditional & Indicated Uses
inferred from anti-inflammatory action
Escin shows antiproliferative and pro-apoptotic activity and enhances chemotherapy/immunotherapy efficacy in breast (MCF-7), hepatocellular, lung and pancreatic cancer models; it modulates NF-kappaB, p53, p38 MAPK/ERK and PD-L1 (preclinical).
Relief of haemorrhoid symptoms (venotonic)
inferred from anti-inflammatory action
Chronic venous insufficiency - reduces leg pain, swelling (oedema), heaviness and itching; supports varicose veins
inferred from anti-inflammatory action
Chronic venous insufficiency - reduces leg pain, swelling (oedema), heaviness and itching; supports varicose veins
inferred from anti-inflammatory action
Improves alertness and mood (raises alertness, reduces anger); a meta-analysis found no significant improvement in specific cognitive-function domains versus placebo
Anti-inflammatory and antioxidant; supports inflammatory skin conditions (eczema, psoriasis, ulcers)
inferred from anti-inflammatory action
inferred from anxiolytic action
Anti-inflammatory and antioxidant; supports inflammatory skin conditions (eczema, psoriasis, ulcers)
inferred from anti-inflammatory action
Improves venous tone and microcirculation - supports chronic venous insufficiency / varicose veins and reduces leg swelling
Improves venous tone and microcirculation - supports chronic venous insufficiency / varicose veins and reduces leg swelling
Safety, Cautions & Contraindications
Use only standardised, processed seed extract. Raw conkers, leaves and bark contain toxic esculin and can cause poisoning - never eat raw horse chestnut.
May increase bleeding risk, so use caution with anticoagulant/antiplatelet medicines; use caution in kidney disease and avoid in pregnancy and breastfeeding.
Generally well tolerated topically and orally; it can occasionally cause allergic contact dermatitis and, rarely, reversible elevation of liver enzymes with prolonged high oral doses.
May add to the effect of sedatives; use caution with other liver-affecting medicines. Safety in pregnancy and breastfeeding is not established, so avoid medicinal doses.
External Ids
Botanical Description
Large deciduous tree, to 25-30 m, with a broad domed crown and stout, upward-arching branches. The leaves are opposite and palmately compound, with five to seven large, obovate, toothed leaflets radiating from a long stalk. In spring the tree bears large, showy, upright pyramidal flower spikes ('candles') of white flowers marked with yellow or pink at the base. The glossy brown seeds ('conkers') develop inside a spiky green husk and fall in autumn.[1]
Low, creeping perennial herb rooting at the nodes along slender, prostrate stems. The leaves are long-stalked, rounded to kidney- or fan-shaped, with a gently scalloped (crenate) margin, arising in small clusters at each node. Tiny, pinkish-white flowers are borne in small, inconspicuous clusters hidden near the base of the leaf stalks, close to the ground.[12]
Habitat
Native to the Balkan Peninsula, and widely planted and naturalised as an ornamental and avenue tree across temperate Europe, North America and elsewhere.[1]
Grows in damp, shaded ground, lawns, ditches and wetland margins throughout tropical and subtropical Asia (China, India, Southeast Asia) and parts of Africa, Australia and the Pacific.[12]
Harvesting
The aerial parts (leaves and trailing stems) are harvested during active growth, cut a short distance above the soil to allow regrowth, and used fresh or dried.
Traditional Uses
Horse chestnut seed has a long folk history as a remedy for varicose veins, haemorrhoids and 'heavy legs', and was also used topically for rheumatic pain and bruising. Modern use is almost exclusively as a standardised seed extract for chronic venous insufficiency, confirming this traditional venous-support reputation.[1]
Gotu kola is a cornerstone herb of Ayurvedic and traditional Chinese medicine, valued as a 'rasayana' (rejuvenating) tonic for skin healing, memory and mental clarity, and calming the mind; it has a particularly strong traditional and modern reputation for wound healing and connective-tissue/vascular support, reflected in its widespread use for scars, minor wounds and varicose veins.[12]
Preparations
Extract titrated to triterpenoid (asiaticoside/madecassoside) content, taken orally as capsules/tablets for venous and cognitive support, or applied topically for wound and scar care.
Standardised extract or fresh leaf preparation applied topically to wounds, scars and inflamed skin.
Dosage
Clinical studies commonly use extracts standardised to around 100-150 mg escin daily, in divided doses. Educational reference only, not a prescription.
The EU herbal monograph gives semi-solid dosage forms containing the equivalent of 0.4% triterpene glycosides calculated as protoaescigenin (or, depending on the preparation, 0.85-20% herbal preparation), applied as a thin layer to the affected area 1-3 times daily, in adults and elderly. Educational reference only, not a prescription.
Clinical studies commonly use extracts providing around 60-180 mg total triterpenoids daily, in divided doses. Educational reference only, not a prescription.
The EU herbal monograph on Centella asiatica herba is for CUTANEOUS USE ONLY and gives, for adults and elderly, a single dose of 0.6 g of the comminuted herb infused in a small amount of boiling water, the still-warm infusion applied as an impregnated dressing 3 times daily (daily dose 1.8 g); or 0.6 g of the powdered herb applied to the affected area 3 times daily. Not to be used for more than 1 week, and not recommended under 18 years. The monograph gives no oral posology - see the separate standardised-extract entry. Educational reference only, not a prescription.
References
Drug Class Interactions
Not documented
Lookalikes Review
Dangerous Lookalikes
Not documented
References & Sources
- Idris, S. and Mishra, A. and Khushtar, M (2020) 'Phytochemical, ethnomedicinal and pharmacological applications of escin from Aesculus hippocastanum L. towards future medicine', Journal of Basic and Clinical Physiology and Pharmacology, 31(5). doi:10.1515/jbcpp-2019-0115 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.1515/jbcpp-2019-0115 - Penaranda Figueredo, F.A. and Vicente, J. and Barquero, A.A. and Bueno, C.A (2024) 'Aesculus hippocastanum extract and the main bioactive constituent beta-escin as antivirals agents against coronaviruses, including SARS-CoV-2', Scientific Reports, 14(1), pp. 6418. doi:10.1038/s41598-024-56759-y Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-56759-y - Idris, S. and Mishra, A. and Khushtar, M (2023) 'Phytochemical Estimation and Therapeutic Amelioration of Aesculus hippocastanum L. Seeds Ethanolic Extract in Gastric Ulcer in Rats Possibly by Inhibiting Prostaglandin Synthesis', Chinese Journal of Integrative Medicine, 29(9), pp. 818-824. doi:10.1007/s11655-023-3734-9 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1007/s11655-023-3734-9 - Quarta, S. and Santarpino, G. and Carluccio, M.A. and Calabriso, N. and Scoditti, E. and Siculella, L. and Damiano, F. and Maffia, M. and Verri, T. and De Caterina, R. and Massaro, M (2022) 'Analysis of the Anti-Inflammatory and Anti-Osteoarthritic Potential of Flonat Fast, a Combination of Plant Extracts, Bromelain and Escin (Aesculus hippocastanum), Evaluated in In Vitro Models of Inflammation Relevant to Osteoarthritis', Pharmaceuticals, 15(10), pp. 1263. doi:10.3390/ph15101263 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.3390/ph15101263 - Owczarek, A. and Kolodziejczyk-Czepas, J. and Wozniak-Serwata, J. and Magiera, A. and Kobiela, N. and Wasowicz, K. and Olszewska, M.A (2021) 'Potential Activity Mechanisms of Aesculus hippocastanum Bark: Antioxidant Effects in Chemical and Biological In Vitro Models', Antioxidants, 10(7), pp. 995. doi:10.3390/antiox10070995 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.3390/antiox10070995 - Cheong, D.H.J., Arfuso, F., Sethi, G., Wang, L., Hui, K.M., Kumar, A.P. and Tran, T (2018) 'Molecular targets and anti-cancer potential of escin', Cancer Letters. doi:10.1016/j.canlet.2018.02.027 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.canlet.2018.02.027 - Pittler, M.H. and Ernst, E (2012) 'Horse chestnut seed extract for chronic venous insufficiency', Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD003230.pub4 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.1002/14651858.CD003230.pub4 - Gallelli, L (2019) 'Escin: a review of its anti-edematous, anti-inflammatory, and venotonic properties', Drug Design, Development and Therapy, pp. 3425--3437. doi:10.2147/DDDT.S207720 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.2147/DDDT.S207720 - Wu, X.J., Zhang, M.L., Cui, X.Y., Gao, F., He, Q., Li, X.J., Zhang, J.W., Fawcett, J.P. and Gu, J.K (2011) 'Comparative pharmacokinetics and bioavailability of escin Ia and isoescin Ia after administration of escin and of pure escin Ia and isoescin Ia in rat', Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 139(1), pp. 201--206. doi:10.1016/j.jep.2011.11.003 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jep.2011.11.003 - European Medicines Agency (HMPC) (2023) 'European Union herbal monograph on Aesculus hippocastanum L., semen, Revision 1'. Available at: https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/documents/herbal-monograph/european-union-herbal-monograph-aesculus-hippocastanum-l-semen-final-revision-1_en.pdf Traditional / reference
https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/documents/herbal-monograph/european-union-herbal-monograph-aesculus-hippocastanum-l-semen-final-revision-1_en.pdf - Cheong, D.H.J., Arfuso, F., Sethi, G., Wang, L., Hui, K.M., Kumar, A.P. and Tran, T (2018) 'Molecular targets and anti-cancer potential of escin', Cancer Letters, pp. 1--8. doi:10.1016/j.canlet.2018.02.027 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.canlet.2018.02.027 - Mazrouei, R. and Raeisi, E. and Lemoigne, Y. and Heidarian, E (2019) 'Activation of p53 Gene Expression and Synergistic Antiproliferative Effects of 5-Fluorouracil and beta-escin on MCF7 Cells', Journal of Medical Signals and Sensors, 9(3), pp. 196-203. doi:10.4103/jmss.JMSS_44_18 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.4103/jmss.JMSS_44_18 - Yuan, Y. and Wang, P. and Chen, S. and Cao, Z. and Ojha, S.C. and Sun, C. and Wang, G. and Wang, Z. and Gu, J. and Kang, J. and Xue, X (2025) 'Escin inhibits PD-L1 expression by suppressing the p38 MAPK/ERK signalling pathways and synergistically enhances PD-1 inhibitor efficacy in hepatocellular carcinoma', Phytomedicine, 149, pp. 157532. doi:10.1016/j.phymed.2025.157532 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.phymed.2025.157532 - Hussain, Y. and Singh, J. and Meena, A. and Sinha, R.A. and Luqman, S (2023) 'Escin enhanced the efficacy of sorafenib by autophagy-mediated apoptosis in lung cancer cells', Phytotherapy Research, 37(10), pp. 4819-4837. doi:10.1002/ptr.7948 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1002/ptr.7948 - Rimmon, A. and Vexler, A. and Berkovich, L. and Earon, G. and Ron, I. and Lev-Ari, S (2013) 'Escin Chemosensitizes Human Pancreatic Cancer Cells and Inhibits the Nuclear Factor-kappaB Signaling Pathway', Biochemistry Research International, 2013, pp. 251752. doi:10.1155/2013/251752 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1155/2013/251752 - Domanski, D., Zegrocka-Stendel, O., Perzanowska, A., Dutkiewicz, M., Kowalewska, M., Grabowska, I., Maciejko, D., Fogtman, A., Dadlez, M. and Koziak, K (2016) 'Molecular Mechanism for Cellular Response to beta-Escin and Its Therapeutic Implications', PLoS One, 11(10). doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0164365 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0164365 - Gloviczki, M.L., Kakkos, S.K., Urbanek, T., Chuback, J. and Nicolaides, A (2025) 'The role of venoactive compounds in the treatment of chronic venous disease', Journal of Vascular Surgery: Venous and Lymphatic Disorders, 13(5). doi:10.1016/j.jvsv.2025.102258 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jvsv.2025.102258 - Santiago, F.R., Grillo, L., Amore, M., Carmelino, C., Trejo, J.M.R. and Ulloa, J.H (2026) 'Venoactive drugs in the management of chronic venous disease: A critical appraisal of the evidence and comparison with international guidelines', Vascular Pharmacology. doi:10.1016/j.vph.2026.107614 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.vph.2026.107614 - Pittler, M.H. and Ernst, E (2006) 'Horse chestnut seed extract for chronic venous insufficiency', Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 2006(1), pp. CD003230. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD003230.pub3 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.1002/14651858.CD003230.pub3
- Bylka, W., Znajdek-Awizen, P., Studzinska-Sroka, E., Danczak-Pazdrowska, A. and Brzezinska, M (2014) 'Centella asiatica in dermatology: an overview', Phytotherapy Research, 28(8), pp. 1117-1124. doi:10.1002/ptr.5110 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.1002/ptr.5110 - Bylka, W., Znajdek-Awizen, P., Studzinska-Sroka, E. and Brzezinska, M (2013) 'Centella asiatica in cosmetology', Postepy Dermatologii i Alergologii, 30(1), pp. 46-49. doi:10.5114/pdia.2013.33378 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.5114/pdia.2013.33378 - Park, K.S (2021) 'Pharmacological effects of Centella asiatica on skin diseases: evidence and possible mechanisms', Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 2021, pp. 5462633. doi:10.1155/2021/5462633 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.1155/2021/5462633 - Diniz, L.R.L., Calado, L.L., Duarte, A.B.S. and de Sousa, D.P (2023) 'Centella asiatica and its metabolite asiatic acid: wound healing effects and therapeutic potential', Metabolites, 13(2), pp. 276. doi:10.3390/metabo13020276 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.3390/metabo13020276 - Arribas-Lopez, E., Zand, N., Ojo, O., Snowden, M.J. and Kochhar, T (2022) 'A systematic review of the effect of Centella asiatica on wound healing', International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 19(6), pp. 3266. doi:10.3390/ijerph19063266 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19063266 - Lin, P., Shi, H., Lu, Y. and Lin, J (2023) 'Centella asiatica alleviates psoriasis through JAK/STAT3-mediated inflammation: an in vitro and in vivo study', Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 317, pp. 116746. doi:10.1016/j.jep.2023.116746 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jep.2023.116746 - Ratz-Lyko, A., Arct, J. and Pytkowska, K (2016) 'Moisturizing and antiinflammatory properties of cosmetic formulations containing Centella asiatica extract', Indian Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences, 78(1), pp. 27-33. doi:10.4103/0250-474x.180247 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.4103/0250-474x.180247 - Sun, B., Wu, L., Wu, Y., Zhang, C., Qin, L., Hayashi, M., Kudo, M., Gao, M. and Liu, T (2020) 'Therapeutic potential of Centella asiatica and its triterpenes: a review', Frontiers in Pharmacology, 11, pp. 568032. doi:10.3389/fphar.2020.568032 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.3389/fphar.2020.568032 - Razali, N.N.M., Ng, C.T. and Fong, L.Y (2019) 'Cardiovascular protective effects of Centella asiatica and its triterpenes: a review', Planta Medica, 85(16), pp. 1203-1215. doi:10.1055/a-1008-6138 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.1055/a-1008-6138 - Sharma, R., Banerjee, S. and Sharma, R (2024) 'Role of Mandukparni (Centella asiatica Linn Urban) in neurological disorders: evidence from ethnopharmacology and clinical studies to network enrichment analysis', Neurochemistry International, 180, pp. 105865. doi:10.1016/j.neuint.2024.105865 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neuint.2024.105865 - Banerjee, O., Singh, S., Paul, T., Maji, B.K. and Mukherjee, S (2024) 'Centella asiatica mitigates the detrimental effects of Bisphenol-A (BPA) on pancreatic islets', Scientific Reports, 14(1), pp. 8043. doi:10.1038/s41598-024-58545-2 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-58545-2 - Bandopadhyay, S., Mandal, S., Ghorai, M., Jha, N.K., Kumar, M., Radha, Ghosh, A., Prockow, J., Perez de la Lastra, J.M. and Dey, A (2023) 'Therapeutic properties and pharmacological activities of asiaticoside and madecassoside: A review', Journal of Cellular and Molecular Medicine. doi:10.1111/jcmm.17635 Traditional / reference
https://doi.org/10.1111/jcmm.17635 - European Medicines Agency (HMPC) (2018) 'European Union herbal monograph on Centella asiatica (L.) Urb., herba, Revision 1'. Available at: https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/documents/herbal-monograph/european-union-herbal-monograph-centella-asiatica-l-urb-herba-revision-1_en.pdf Traditional / reference
https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/documents/herbal-monograph/european-union-herbal-monograph-centella-asiatica-l-urb-herba-revision-1_en.pdf - Belcaro, G., Maquart, F.-X., Scoccianti, M., Dugall, M., Hosoi, M., Cesarone, M.R., Luzzi, R., Cornelli, U., Ledda, A. and Feragalli, B (2011) 'TECA (Titrated Extract of Centella Asiatica): new microcirculatory, biomolecular, and vascular application in preventive and clinical medicine. A status paper', Panminerva Medica. Preclinical
https://scholar.google.com/scholar?q=TECA%20%28Titrated%20Extract%20of%20Centella%20Asiatica%29%3A%20new%20microcirculatory%2C%20biomolecular%2C%20and%20vascular%20application%20in%20preventive%20and%20clinical%20medicine.%20A%20status%20paper - Chong, N.J. and Aziz, Z (2013) 'A Systematic Review of the Efficacy of Centella asiatica for Improvement of the Signs and Symptoms of Chronic Venous Insufficiency', Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine. doi:10.1155/2013/627182 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.1155/2013/627182 - Martinez-Zapata, M.J., Vernooij, R.W., Simancas-Racines, D., Uriona Tuma, S.M., Stein, A.T. and others (2020) 'Phlebotonics for venous insufficiency', Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD003229.pub4 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.1002/14651858.CD003229.pub4 - Puttarak, P., Dilokthornsakul, P., Saokaew, S., Dhippayom, T., Kongkaew, C. and others (2017) 'Effects of Centella asiatica (L.) Urb. on cognitive function and mood related outcomes: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis', Scientific Reports, 7(1). doi:10.1038/s41598-017-09823-9 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-017-09823-9 - Haupt, H (2001) 'Poisonous and less poisonous plants. 52', Kinderkrankenschwester, 20(8), pp. 335. Available at: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/14584174/ Traditional / reference
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/14584174/ - North Carolina Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox 'Centella asiatica (Gotu Kola, Asiatic Pennywort)'. Available at: https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/centella-asiatica/ Traditional / reference
https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/centella-asiatica/
Generated automatically from the Omnia Sana plant database and its cited sources. For educational purposes only — not medical advice. Always consult a qualified practitioner before using medicinal plants.