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Omnia Sana · Plant Monograph

Gotu Kola

Centella asiatica

Family ApiaceaeParts used Aerial parts (leaf and herb)Also known as Indian pennywort, Brahmi, Asiatic pennywort

This monograph compiles 2 documented constituents, 7 pharmacological actions, 15 traditional / indicated uses, supported by 16 cited sources, drawn directly from the Omnia Sana plant database.

Key Constituents

Pentacyclic triterpenoid glycosides (asiaticoside, madecassoside) and their aglycones (asiatic and madecassic acid)[12]

The marker compounds and principal actives for wound healing, vascular and neuroprotective effects.

Glycosides
Flavonoids and essential oil[12]

Antioxidant and aromatic supporting constituents.

Essential (volatile) oilFlavonoids

Pharmacological Actions

Anti-inflammatory[2, 3, 6, 7, 11, 12, 13]

Anti-inflammatory and antioxidant; supports inflammatory skin conditions (eczema, psoriasis, ulcers)

Anti-oedematous (reduces swelling)[9, 13, 14, 15]

Improves venous tone and microcirculation - supports chronic venous insufficiency / varicose veins and reduces leg swelling

Antioxidant[7, 11, 12, 13]

Anti-inflammatory and antioxidant; supports inflammatory skin conditions (eczema, psoriasis, ulcers)

Anxiolytic / calming[12]

Anxiolytic / calming (anxiety)

Neuroprotective / cognition support[8, 10, 12]

Cognitive and memory support; neuroprotective

Venotonic / vasoprotective[9, 13, 14, 15]

Improves venous tone and microcirculation - supports chronic venous insufficiency / varicose veins and reduces leg swelling

Vulnerary (wound healing)[1, 2, 4, 5, 12, 13]

Wound healing and scar/collagen support (stimulates collagen synthesis and tissue repair)

Traditional & Indicated Uses

Anxiety[12]Traditional · 1/10

Anxiolytic / calming (anxiety)

more plants for anxiety →detailed sources →
Arthritis / joint pain[12, 13]Traditional · 2/10

inferred from anti-inflammatory action

more plants for arthritis / joint pain →detailed sources →
Bruising[12, 13]Traditional · 2/10

inferred from vulnerary action

more plants for bruising →detailed sources →
Cognitive function[16]Good · 7/10

Improves alertness and mood (raises alertness, reduces anger); a meta-analysis found no significant improvement in specific cognitive-function domains versus placebo

more plants for cognitive function →detailed sources →
Eczema[12, 13]Traditional · 2/10

Anti-inflammatory and antioxidant; supports inflammatory skin conditions (eczema, psoriasis, ulcers)

more plants for eczema →detailed sources →
Haemorrhoids[13, 14, 15]Good · 8/10

inferred from venotonic action

more plants for haemorrhoids →detailed sources →
Inflammation (general)[12, 13]Traditional · 2/10

inferred from anti-inflammatory action

more plants for inflammation (general) →detailed sources →
Memory[12]Traditional · 1/10

Cognitive and memory support; neuroprotective

more plants for memory →detailed sources →
Nervous tension[12]Traditional · 1/10

inferred from anxiolytic action

more plants for nervous tension →detailed sources →
Psoriasis[12, 13]Traditional · 2/10

Anti-inflammatory and antioxidant; supports inflammatory skin conditions (eczema, psoriasis, ulcers)

more plants for psoriasis →detailed sources →
Skin irritation[12, 13]Traditional · 2/10

inferred from anti-inflammatory action

more plants for skin irritation →detailed sources →
Stress[12]Traditional · 1/10

inferred from anxiolytic action

more plants for stress →detailed sources →
Swelling / fluid retention[13, 14, 15]Good · 8/10

Improves venous tone and microcirculation - supports chronic venous insufficiency / varicose veins and reduces leg swelling

more plants for swelling / fluid retention →detailed sources →
Varicose veins[13, 14, 15]Good · 8/10

Improves venous tone and microcirculation - supports chronic venous insufficiency / varicose veins and reduces leg swelling

more plants for varicose veins →detailed sources →
Wounds[12, 13]Traditional · 2/10

inferred from vulnerary action

more plants for wounds →detailed sources →

Safety, Cautions & Contraindications

Safety note[12]Info

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.

Safety note[12]Caution

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.

References

REF-2087, REF-2088, REF-2089, REF-2090, REF-2091, REF-2092, REF-2093, REF-2094, REF-2095, REF-2096, REF-2097

References & Sources

  1. 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
  2. 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
  3. 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
  4. 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
  5. 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
  6. 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
  7. 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
  8. 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
  9. 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
  10. 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
  11. 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
  12. 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
  13. 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
    Find this source
  14. 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
  15. 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
  16. 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

Record last updated 2026-06-20 · Provenance: website+pubmed+symptom-tool · Status: verified

This fact sheet is generated automatically from the Omnia Sana plant database and reflects its latest synced data. It is provided for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. Always consult a qualified practitioner before using medicinal plants.

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