Gotu Kola Extract

BotanicalcognitiveModerate dose evidence

Also known as: Centella asiatica, brahmi (Centella), asiaticoside, Indian pennywort, TECA

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An extract of a small creeping herb used across Asian traditional systems and now included in cognitive, skin, and circulation formulas. A two-month trial in healthy older adults using 250, 500, and 750 mg per day reported improvements in working memory and mood, most clearly at the highest dose, and a systematic review found supportive but limited evidence for cognitive and mood outcomes. It is typically standardized to triterpenes and is a common partner to bacopa in memory blends.

Research summary

Triterpenes such as asiaticoside and madecassoside are proposed to support cholinergic signaling, dendritic growth, and collagen synthesis, and to reduce oxidative stress.

Dosage

Daily amounts, of extract.

Lowest studiedTypical rangeHighest studiedUpper limit
250 mg500–1,000 mg

500 to 1,000 mg per day of extract, split with meals; the dose-ranging trial used 250 to 750 mg once daily for two months. Cognitive effects were assessed after four to eight weeks.

Standardization: 10% asiaticosides (or total triterpenes)

Source material: whole-herb extract

Format suitability

  • Capsule
  • Powder
  • Tablet
  • Softgel
  • Gummy
  • Liquid

Mild, slightly bitter, grassy flavor; workable in powders.

Formulation notes

Often combined with bacopa, ginkgo, or collagen. Rare reports of liver effects at high doses; keep to studied amounts.

  • Not for pregnancy

Sources

  1. Positive modulation of cognition and mood in the healthy elderly volunteer following the administration of Centella asiatica. (Wattanathorn 2008)PubMed
  2. Effects of Centella asiatica (L.) Urb. on cognitive function and mood related outcomes: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. (Puttarak 2017)PubMed

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