Plant Comparison
Angelica 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
Angelica and Gotu Kola: both belong to the Apiaceae family; they share 8 indicated uses (anxiety, arthritis / joint pain, cognitive function, …); 3 pharmacological actions in common.
Evidence face-off — shared uses
| Condition | Angelica | Gotu Kola | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| Anxiety | 2/10 | 1/10 | Comparable evidence |
| Arthritis / joint pain | 2/10 | 2/10 | Comparable evidence |
| Cognitive function | 2/10 | 7/10 | Stronger for Gotu Kola |
| Inflammation (general) | 2/10 | 2/10 | Comparable evidence |
| Memory | 2/10 | 1/10 | Comparable evidence |
| Nervous tension | 2/10 | 1/10 | Comparable evidence |
| Skin irritation | 2/10 | 2/10 | Comparable evidence |
| Stress | 2/10 | 1/10 | 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
Including columbianetin, angelicin, imperatorin and xanthotoxin.
Rich in monoterpenes such as alpha-pinene and beta-phellandrene; gives the aromatic, carminative character.
The marker compounds and principal actives for wound healing, vascular and neuroprotective effects.
Antioxidant and aromatic supporting constituents.
Pharmacological Actions
Angelica archangelica fruit tincture and its furanocoumarins (imperatorin, xanthotoxin) show antiproliferative activity against pancreatic and larynx cancer and rhabdomyosarcoma cells (preclinical).
Anticonvulsant and cognition-supporting (preclinical)
Carminative and aromatic bitter digestive (indigestion, bloating, flatulence)
Carminative and aromatic bitter digestive (indigestion, bloating, flatulence)
Carminative and aromatic bitter digestive (indigestion, bloating, flatulence)
Anticonvulsant and cognition-supporting (preclinical)
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 gastroprotective action
Anxiolytic / sedative (anxiety, nervous tension)
inferred from bitter-tonic action
inferred from anti-inflammatory action
Carminative and aromatic bitter digestive (indigestion, bloating, flatulence)
Angelica archangelica fruit tincture is antiproliferative against PANC-1 pancreatic cancer cells; its furanocoumarins imperatorin and xanthotoxin drive this activity and inhibit larynx cancer and rhabdomyosarcoma cell growth (preclinical).
inferred from neuroprotective action
Diaphoretic / expectorant support during colds
Carminative and aromatic bitter digestive (indigestion, bloating, flatulence)
inferred from anti-inflammatory action
inferred from sedative action
Anxiolytic / sedative (anxiety, nervous tension)
inferred from expectorant action
inferred from anti-inflammatory action
Overactive bladder - a pilot RCT of an Angelica archangelica leaf extract reduced daytime voids and storage symptoms and improved quality of life, with near-significant benefit for nocturia
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
Contains furanocoumarins, which can cause photosensitivity; avoid excessive sun or UV exposure while using the herb medicinally.
Medicinal doses should be avoided during pregnancy and breastfeeding.
Coumarin constituents may interact with anticoagulant medicines, and furanocoumarins with photosensitising drugs; when wild-harvesting, take great care to distinguish garden angelica from poisonous Apiaceae look-alikes such as hemlock.
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
Tall, robust biennial or short-lived perennial herb with a stout, hollow, ridged stem, often tinged purple. The leaves are large, bright green, 2-3-pinnately divided into broad, coarsely toothed leaflets, borne on inflated, sheathing stalks. Large, rounded compound umbels of small greenish-white to yellow-green flowers are borne at the stem tips, followed by pale, ribbed, winged fruit. The whole plant is strongly and pleasantly aromatic (sweet, celery- or juniper-like) when crushed.[6]
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 northern and eastern Europe and parts of Asia, growing in damp meadows, riverbanks, ditches and woodland margins on moist, rich soils; also widely cultivated as a culinary and medicinal herb.[6]
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 root is dug in autumn of the first year (or spring of the second, before flowering), when its aromatic oil content is highest; the ripe fruit/seed is collected in late summer as the umbels dry; leaves for standardised extract are picked through the growing season. Careful identification against deadly Apiaceae look-alikes (poison hemlock, water hemlock, hemlock water-dropwort) is essential before wild-harvesting.[6]
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
Angelica root has a long Northern European tradition as an aromatic bitter and carminative digestive remedy for indigestion, bloating and flatulence, as a diaphoretic and expectorant support during colds, and the seed/fruit as a calming, anxiolytic nervine. It has also been candied and used as a flavouring.[6]
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
Dried root decocted or infused in hot water as a bitter digestive and carminative tea.
Crushed fruit/seed infused as a calming, carminative tea.
Concentrated leaf extract studied in a pilot clinical trial for overactive bladder symptoms.
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
Health Canada's NNHPD monograph gives 0.3-12 g of dried root and rhizome per day for adults 18 years and older, with infusion and decoction among the accepted methods of preparation. Educational reference only, not a prescription.
Health Canada's NNHPD monograph accepts a tincture among the methods of preparation for angelica root and rhizome, within the same 0.3-12 g dried-equivalent daily range for adults 18 years and older; it does not state a tincture ratio or volume. 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
References & Sources
- Kaur, A. and Bhatti, R (2021) 'Understanding the phytochemistry and molecular insights to the pharmacology of Angelica archangelica L. (garden angelica) and its bioactive components', Phytotherapy Research, 35(11), pp. 5961--5979. doi:10.1002/ptr.7206 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1002/ptr.7206 - Kaur, A., Singh, N., Bhatti, M.S. and Bhatti, R (2020) 'Optimization of extraction conditions of Angelica archangelica extract and activity evaluation in experimental fibromyalgia', Journal of Food Science, 85(11), pp. 3700--3710. doi:10.1111/1750-3841.15476 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1111/1750-3841.15476 - Kumar, D. and Bhat, Z.A (2012) 'Anti-anxiety Activity of Methanolic Extracts of Different Parts of Angelica archangelica Linn', Journal of Traditional and Complementary Medicine, 2(3), pp. 235-241. doi:10.1016/s2225-4110(16)30105-5 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1016/s2225-4110(16)30105-5 - Fraternale, D. and Teodori, L. and Rudov, A. and Prattichizzo, F. and Olivieri, F. and Guidarelli, A. and Albertini, M.C (2018) 'The In Vitro Activity of Angelica archangelica L. Essential Oil on Inflammation', Journal of Medicinal Food, 21(12), pp. 1238-1243. doi:10.1089/jmf.2018.0017 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1089/jmf.2018.0017 - Fraternale, D. and Flamini, G. and Ricci, D (2014) 'Essential oil composition and antimicrobial activity of Angelica archangelica L. (Apiaceae) roots', Journal of Medicinal Food, 17(9), pp. 1043-1047. doi:10.1089/jmf.2013.0012 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1089/jmf.2013.0012 - Kaur, A. and Bhatti, R (2021) 'Understanding the phytochemistry and molecular insights to the pharmacology of Angelica archangelica L. (garden angelica) and its bioactive components', Phytotherapy Research. doi:10.1002/ptr.7206 Traditional / reference
https://doi.org/10.1002/ptr.7206 - Patel, D.K. and Patel, K (2023) 'Biological Potential and Pharmacological Activity of Columbianetin in Chronic Diseases', Drug Metabolism and Bioanalysis Letters. doi:10.2174/1872312815666230124154630 Traditional / reference
https://doi.org/10.2174/1872312815666230124154630 - Suenaga-Hiromori, M., Mogi, D., Kikuchi, Y., Tong, J., Kurisu, N., Aoki, Y. and others (2022) 'Comprehensive identification of terpene synthase genes and organ-dependent accumulation of terpenoid volatiles in a traditional medicinal plant Angelica archangelica L', Plant Biotechnology, 39(4), pp. 391--404. doi:10.5511/plantbiotechnology.22.1006a Traditional / reference
https://doi.org/10.5511/plantbiotechnology.22.1006a - Raafat, B.M., Gamal-Eldeen, A.M., Almehmadi, M.M., El-Daly, S.M., Faizo, N.L. and Althobaiti, F (2022) 'Angelica archangelica and Ginkgo biloba Extracts Recover Functional Blood Hemoglobin Derivatives in Rabbits Exposed to High Altitude', Current Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, 23(11), pp. 1377--1382. doi:10.2174/1389201022666211118112356 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.2174/1389201022666211118112356 - Lopez-Seoane, J., Gesteiro, E., Castro-Alija, M.J., Quesada-Gonzalez, C., Perez-Ruiz, M. and Gonzalez-Gross, M (2025) 'Effects of Angelica archangelica Extract on Overactive Bladder: A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial', Food Science & Nutrition, 13(12). doi:10.1002/fsn3.71258 Randomized trial
https://doi.org/10.1002/fsn3.71258 - Health Canada, Natural and Non-prescription Health Products Directorate (2026) 'Natural Health Product Monograph: Angelica - Angelica archangelica'. Available at: https://webprod.hc-sc.gc.ca/nhpid-bdipsn/dbImages/mono_angelica_english.pdf Traditional / reference
https://webprod.hc-sc.gc.ca/nhpid-bdipsn/dbImages/mono_angelica_english.pdf - Sigurdsson, S. and Ogmundsdottir, H.M. and Gudbjarnason, S (2004) 'Antiproliferative effect of Angelica archangelica fruits', Zeitschrift fur Naturforschung C, 59(7-8), pp. 523-527. doi:10.1515/znc-2004-7-813 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1515/znc-2004-7-813 - Grabarska, A. and Skalicka-Wozniak, K. and Kielbus, M. and Dmoszynska-Graniczka, M. and Miziak, P. and Szumilo, J. and Nowosadzka, E. and Kowalczuk, K. and Khalifa, S. and Smok-Kalwat, J. and Klatka, J. and Kupisz, K. and Polberg, K. and Rivero-Muller, A. and Stepulak, A (2020) 'Imperatorin as a Promising Chemotherapeutic Agent Against Human Larynx Cancer and Rhabdomyosarcoma Cells', Molecules, 25(9), pp. 2046. doi:10.3390/molecules25092046 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules25092046 - Suciu, F., Mihai, D.P., Ungurianu, A., Andrei, C., Puscasu, C., Chitescu, C.L. and others (2025) 'Investigation of Anticonvulsant Potential of Morus, Angelica, Passiflora and Viola Extracts: In Vivo and In Silico Studies', International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 26(13). doi:10.3390/ijms26136426 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms26136426 - Ghasemzadeh Rahbardar, M. and Hosseinzadeh, H (2024) 'Therapeutic potential of hypnotic herbal medicines: A comprehensive review', Phytotherapy Research, 38(6), pp. 3037-3059. doi:10.1002/ptr.8201 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.1002/ptr.8201 - Block, K.I., Gyllenhaal, C. and Mead, M.N (2004) 'Safety and efficacy of herbal sedatives in cancer care', Integrative Cancer Therapies, 3(2), pp. 128-148. doi:10.1177/1534735404265003 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.1177/1534735404265003 - Dayan, A.D (2024) 'Death of Socrates: a likely case of poison hemlock (Conium maculatum) poisoning', Clinical Toxicology (Philadelphia, Pa.), 62(1), pp. 56-60. doi:10.1080/15563650.2024.2309328 Clinical study
https://doi.org/10.1080/15563650.2024.2309328 - King County Noxious Weeds (2024) 'Poison hemlock (Conium maculatum) identification and control'. Available at: https://kingcounty.gov/en/dept/dnrp/nature-recreation/environment-ecology-conservation/noxious-weeds/identification-control/poison-hemlock Traditional / reference
https://kingcounty.gov/en/dept/dnrp/nature-recreation/environment-ecology-conservation/noxious-weeds/identification-control/poison-hemlock - Heath, K.B (2001) 'A fatal case of apparent water hemlock poisoning', Veterinary and Human Toxicology, 43(1), pp. 35-6. Available at: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11205076/ Clinical study
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11205076/ - Mitchell, M.I. and Routledge, P.A (1978) 'Hemlock water dropwort poisoning - a review', Clinical Toxicology, 12(4), pp. 417-26. doi:10.3109/15563657809150012 Clinical study
https://doi.org/10.3109/15563657809150012 - Lagey, K. and Duinslaeger, L. and Vanderkelen, A (1995) 'Burns induced by plants', Burns, 21(7), pp. 542-3. doi:10.1016/0305-4179(95)00026-8 Clinical study
https://doi.org/10.1016/0305-4179(95)00026-8
- 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.