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Usages
Effect of Gotu Kola on Generalized Anxiety Disorder
Used in Ayurveda, Gotu Kola has traditionally been used to treat anxiety among many other conditions.
Read more about Generalized Anxiety Disorder and Gotu Kola.
Effect of Gotu Kola on Panic Disorder
Used in Ayurveda, Gotu Kola has traditionally been used to treat anxiety as is present in panic disorder.
Read more about Panic Disorder and Gotu Kola.
What Is Gotu Kola Used for Today?
The best-documented use of gotu kola is to treat chronic venous insufficiency , a condition closely related to varicose veins. In these conditions, blood pools in the legs, causing aching, pain, heaviness, swelling, fatigue, and unsightly visible veins. Preliminary double-blind, placebo-controlled studies indicate that gotu kola extract provides improvement in major venous insufficiency symptoms, reducing swelling, pain, fatigue, sensation of heaviness, and fluid leakage from the veins. 1 2 3 4 However, no studies have evaluated whether regular use of gotu kola can make visible varicose veins disappear, or prevent new ones from developing.
Gotu kola has also been suggested as a treatment for hemorrhoids because they are a type of varicose vein, but there is no direct evidence that it is helpful for this purpose.
Like other herbs used for the treatment of varicose veins, gotu kola is thought to work by strengthening connective tissues. This has led to trials of gotu kola extracts for preventing or treating keloid scars , and treating anal fissures, bladder ulcers, burns , cellulite, dermatitis, liver cirrhosis , periodontal disease , scleroderma , and wounds . 5 However, again, there is no real evidence as yet that gotu kola is effective for any of these conditions.
One study provides weak evidence that gotu kola might be helpful for anxiety . 6 Gotu kola has a reputation for improving memory, and the positive results from a study in rats performed in 1992 produced a temporary rush of public interest in gotu kola as a " brain booster ". 7 However, benefits in humans have not been demonstrated.
Gotu kola should not be confused with the caffeine-containing kola nut , used in original recipes for Coca-Cola.
References
- Belcaro GV, Grimaldi R, Guidi G. Improvement of capillary permeability in patients with venous hypertension after treatment with TTFCA. Angiology. 41(7):533-40.
- Belcaro GV, Rulo A, Grimaldi R. Capillary filtration and ankle edema in patients with venous hypertension treated with TTFCA. Angiology. 41(1):12-8.
- Cesarone MR, Laurora G, De Sactis MT, et al. The microcirculatory activity of Centella asiatica in venous insufficiency. A double-blind study [translated from Italian]. Minerva Cardioangiol. 1994;42:299-304.
- Pointel JP, Boccalon H, Cloarec M, et al. Titrated extract of Centella asiatica (TECA) in the treatment of venous insufficiency of the lower limbs. Angiology. 1987;38:46-50.
- Kartnig T. Clinical applications of Centella asiatica (L.). Herbs Spices Med Plants. 1988;3:145-173.
- Bradwejn J, Zhou Y, Koszycki D, Shlik J. A double-blind, placebo-controlled study on the effects of Gotu Kola (Centella asiatica) on acoustic startle response in healthy subjects. J Clin Psychopharmacol. 20(6):680-4.
- Nalini K, Aroor AR, Karanth KS, et al. Effect of Centella asiatica fresh leaf aqueous extract on learning and memory and biogenic amine turnover in albino rats. Fitoterapia. 1992;63:232-237.
