Interactions on record — worth a quick check against your medications. Check your meds →
Dietary supplement

Brahmi/Gotu Kola Ingredients & Drug Interactions

by Banyan Botanicals

Powder Category: Botanical
Most serious interaction: Moderate
The interaction bottom line Most serious interaction: Moderate

Brahmi/Gotu Kola is a dietary supplement by Banyan Botanicals with 1 active ingredient. Its ingredients are commonly taken for wound healing, varicose veins and poor circulation, anxiety and stress.Based on those ingredients, 579 medications have a known interaction with it, the most serious rated moderate. The ingredients most likely to interact are Brahmi. Use the checker below to test your specific medication, or read the full HelloPharmacist Interaction Report.

HelloPharmacist Scorecard of Brahmi/Gotu Kola by Banyan Botanicals

Our pharmacy team’s full take, with four database checks built into the cards below — a summary of what is known, not a grade of the product itself.

From our pharmacy team — supplement deep dive

What’s inside

Full disclosure
Ingredient Transparency · database check
Full

Every active ingredient lists its own amount on the label.

Why this rating?
  • The label discloses an exact amount for 1 of its 1 active ingredient.
  • No proprietary blends here — you can verify the dose of every single component.

This is a single-ingredient powder: Brahmi, also known as Gotu Kola. It's a traditional herb used in Ayurvedic and Southeast Asian medicine.

Does it work?

Moderate evidence
Evidence for Intended Use · database check
By FDA rules, dietary supplements can’t claim to treat, cure, or prevent disease — so labels speak in careful marketing language. We discern each product’s intended use from its name, label claims, and label statements, then grade the clinical evidence for that use. How these ratings are computed
Moderate

Some clinical evidence supports this product's ingredients for its stated purpose, but it isn't conclusive.

Why this rating?
  • The label markets this product for: Memory, mental clarity, and skin health.
  • We looked for evidence on: Cognitive function, Wound healing, Venous insufficiency, Scarring, Hypertrophic scars, Keloids — and 4 related terms.
  • The strongest evidence on file: Gotu Kola is rated "Possibly Effective" for Venous insufficiency (Natural Medicines).
  • Also on file: Gotu Kola is rated "Possibly Ineffective" for Cognitive function.
  • Also on file: Gotu Kola is rated "Insufficient Reliable Evidence To Rate" for Aging skin, Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), Keloids, Scarring, and more.

The evidence for gotu kola is mixed. It's possibly effective for venous insufficiency (poor circulation in the legs) and burns.

For radiation dermatitis, the evidence suggests it's probably ineffective. For cognitive function and Alzheimer's disease, there isn't enough reliable evidence to know whether it works.

The same goes for generalized anxiety — the data we hold doesn't establish a clear picture yet.

The evidence, ingredient by ingredient Gotu Kola

How safe is it?

Well-documented data
Safety Information · database check
Well characterized

Adverse-effect, pregnancy, and general safety data are on file for most of these ingredients.

Why this rating?
  • We hold adverse-effect (side-effect) data for 1 of the 1 matched ingredient.
  • Pregnancy & breastfeeding safety ratings cover 1 of 1.
  • General safety write-ups exist for 1 of 1.
  • Remember: this measures how much safety information exists. Thin data is not the same as being safe.

Gotu kola is generally well tolerated in the short term, but the quality of safety evidence is limited. The most common side effects when taken by mouth are stomach irritation and nausea.

Applied to skin, it may cause eczema or — rarely — allergic contact dermatitis with redness, itching, bumps, and a burning sensation. There's concern about liver toxicity: at least four case reports exist, though lab testing of those products wasn't done and doses weren't documented.

The safety data advises against use during pregnancy. It's also best avoided while breastfeeding, since we don't know enough about safety in that situation.

Side effects, ingredient by ingredient Gotu Kola

Meds to double-check

Moderate interaction found
Known Interaction Concern · database check
Moderate identified

The most serious documented interaction for these ingredients is Moderate. Check your medications for a personalized result.

Why this rating?
  • 1 of the 1 matched ingredient can interact with medications — Gotu Kola.
  • The most serious interaction on file is rated Moderate.
  • For scale: 580 individual medications appear in the full list. A big number alone doesn't make a product dangerous — what matters is whether YOUR medication is on it, so run yours through the interaction checker on this page.

Before you take this, check whether you're on any CNS depressants (sleep aids, anti-anxiety medications, opioids, alcohol) — gotu kola may increase drowsiness. Also screen for any medications that stress the liver.

Use the search tool on this page to verify your exact drugs.

Check your own medication Run your meds through the checker above

The bottom line

Scorecard at a glanceFully disclosed formula with some supporting evidence for its stated purpose. Moderate medication interactions have been identified, and safety information is well characterized.

Gotu kola may help with venous insufficiency or burns, but the evidence for other uses is weak or missing. If you take sedating medications or drugs that affect your liver, talk to your pharmacist first.

Pregnant or breastfeeding? Skip it and speak with your doctor.

Educational only — not medical advice; always confirm with your pharmacist. Our editorial policy · How we use AI

Assessment coverage: 1 of 1 active ingredient matched to our full ingredient reviews (monographs). Based on the product label dated Mar 22, 2024.

This Scorecard evaluates available label information, ingredient evidence, and known medication-safety considerations. It does not independently verify product identity, purity, potency, contamination, or manufacturing quality. How these ratings are computed

At a glance

General information

Key facts about Brahmi/Gotu Kola, straight from the product label.

Brand Banyan Botanicals
Barcode (UPC) 618192063637
Net contents 2.47 Ounce(s); 70.2 Gram(s)
Market status On market
Date entered into DSLD Mar 22, 2024
DSLD ID 305600
Product type Botanical
Supplement form Powder
Dietary claims / uses All Other
Intended target group(s) Adult (18 - 50 Years), Organic
From the label
Everything in this section is reproduced from the manufacturer’s own product label — it’s the label speaking, not HelloPharmacist. We show it so you can see exactly what the maker states; we don’t verify or endorse those statements.

Supplement Facts

The label details for Brahmi/Gotu Kola by Banyan Botanicals, sourced from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database.

Supplement Facts

Daily Value (DV) Target Group(s):
Adults and children 4 or more years of age
Minimum serving Sizes:
0.25 Teaspoon(s)
Maximum serving Sizes:
0.5 Teaspoon(s)
Servings per container
87
UPC/BARCODE
618192063637
IngredientAmount% DV
Brahmi0.5 Teaspoon(s)--

Tap any ingredient to jump to its full detail below.

Label statements
These statements are the manufacturer’s wording, reproduced from the product label — the label is saying it, not HelloPharmacist. We don’t verify or endorse them.
Suggested/Recommended/Usage/Directions

Suggested use: 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon with warm water, once or twice daily, or as directed by your health practitioner.

FDA Statement of Identity

Dietary Supplement

Formula

Ayurvedic herbs

Seals/Symbols

USDA Organic

Formulation

Certified organic Certified Organic by: QAI

See for yourself

Brahmi/Gotu Kola by Banyan Botanicals label

The label scan from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database. Tap to enlarge.

What’s inside

The Ingredients in Brahmi/Gotu Kola by Banyan Botanicals

This is the 1 active ingredient this product is made of. Select it to open its full monograph.

Serving size0.25 Teaspoon(s) Dosage formPowder Servings per container87 Amounts shown are per serving.

Brahmi

Interacts with
579 drugs
0.5 Teaspoon(s) per serving

Gotu kola is a traditional Ayurvedic and Asian herb that people use for wound healing, circulation, skin problems, and as a calming or memory-supporti...

Brahmi monograph & interactions
Interaction report

Brahmi/Gotu Kola by Banyan Botanicals Drug Interactions

Want to check YOUR meds against Brahmi/Gotu Kola?

Ask about interactions with your drugs in plain English — “Can I take it with lisinopril?” — and we find you the answer in seconds, ingredient by ingredient.

Go to the checker
579Drugs
579 Moderate

Ingredients driving the most interactions

Brahmi 579

Each ingredient & the kinds of drugs it affects

For each ingredient in Brahmi/Gotu Kola with known interactions, here are the types of medications it can affect. Open any type for the detail — or search your exact drug in the checker above.

Brahmi2 drug types · 579 drugs

Cns Depressants

Theoretically, taking gotu kola might increase the sedative effects of CNS depressants.
In vitro research suggests that gotu kola may have sedative effects via binding of GABA receptors.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Hepatotoxic Drugs

Theoretically, taking gotu kola with hepatotoxic drugs might have additive adverse effects.
There are at least four case reports of hepatotoxicity associated with the use of gotu kola. However, more information is needed to determine if gotu kola was the causative factor in these cases.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
The maker

Brand information

Manufacturer and brand details for Brahmi/Gotu Kola, from the product label.

Banyan Botanicals

See all Banyan Botanicals products
Name
Banyan Botanicals
City
Albuquerque
State
NM
ZipCode
87113
Phone Number
1-800-953-6424
Web Address
banyanbotanicals.com
Pharmacist Counseling Corner

Brahmi/Gotu Kola by Banyan Botanicals: Common Questions

Does Brahmi/Gotu Kola by Banyan Botanicals interact with any medications?
Yes. Based on its ingredients, Brahmi/Gotu Kola has a known interaction with 579 medications. Use the checker to see how it interacts with a specific drug.
How can one product interact with so many drugs?
Brahmi/Gotu Kola contains a single active ingredient, and that one ingredient can interact with many different medications on its own. We check it against each medication and show the mechanism responsible.
Where does this information come from?
The product label data comes from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database (DSLD); the interaction data is built on the Natural Medicines database and reviewed by HelloPharmacist pharmacists.
What is Brahmi, and what's it supposed to do?
Brahmi — also called Gotu Kola — is a traditional herb. The evidence supports its use possibly being effective for venous insufficiency and burns. The evidence for brain health and anxiety is too thin right now to say whether it works.
What are the most common side effects?
When you take it by mouth, stomach irritation and nausea are the main complaints. If you apply it to skin, it can cause eczema or, rarely, an allergic rash. Serious liver damage is rare but has been reported.
Is it safe to take while pregnant or breastfeeding?
No. The safety data advises against use in pregnancy, and we don't have enough information to know if it's safe while breastfeeding. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist about your specific situation.
Can I take this if I'm on a sleeping pill or anxiety medication?
Check with your pharmacist first. Gotu kola may boost the sedative effects of these drugs, making you drowsier than intended. The same goes for any opioid painkillers or alcohol you may use.
Should I worry about liver damage?
There are case reports of liver problems linked to gotu kola, but it's not clear whether gotu kola was the real culprit — the products weren't tested for contaminants. One trial at 120 mg daily for 6 months showed no liver changes, so risk may be low at standard doses, but caution is warranted.

Written and reviewed by the HelloPharmacist editorial staff. Our editorial policy

Not sure if Brahmi/Gotu Kola is safe with your meds?

Our pharmacists answer your medication & supplement questions — free.

Ask a pharmacist

Label information is sourced from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database and reflects the product version on file; always read your actual product label. This page is for education only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Confirm with your pharmacist or doctor before combining supplements and medications.

Brahmi/Gotu Kola label
Sources

Sources & How We Checked

Brahmi/Gotu Kola's label data comes from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database; the ingredient interaction data is from the Natural Medicines database, reviewed by our pharmacists.

Content is written and reviewed by licensed HelloPharmacist pharmacists. See our data sources and editorial standards for how this information is built and checked.

The 18 references behind this product’s interaction data

Every citation that drives the interaction findings for this product’s ingredients, from the evidence-graded Natural Medicines (TRC Healthcare) database. Open an ingredient to browse its citations — links open the study on PubMed or the publisher’s site.

Gotu Kola 18 references
  1. Newall CA, Anderson LA, Philpson JD. Herbal Medicine: A Guide for Healthcare Professionals. London, UK: The Pharmaceutical Press, 1996.
  2. Pointel JP, Boccalon H, Cloarec M, et al. Titrated extract of Centella asiatica (TECA) in the treatment of venous insufficiency of the lower limbs. Angiol 1987;38:46-50. PubMed
  3. Brinkhaus B, Lindner M, Schuppan D, Hahn EG. Chemical, pharmacological and clinical profile of the east Asian medical plant Centella asiatica. Phytomedicine 2000;7:427-48.
  4. Eun HC, Lee AY. Contact dermatitis due to madecassol. Contact Dermatitis 1985;13:310-3.. PubMed
  5. Hausen BM. Centella asiatica (Indian pennywort), an effective therapeutic but a weak sensitizer. Contact Dermatitis 1993;29:175-9..
  6. Bilbao I, Aguirre A, Zabala R, et al. Allergic contact dermatitis from butoxyethyl nicotinic acid and Centella asiatica extract. Contact Dermatitis 1995;33:435-6.
  7. Cesarone MR, Incandela L, De Sanctis MT, et al. Evaluation of treatment of diabetic microangiopathy with total triterpenic fraction of Centella asiatica: a clinical prospective randomized trial with a microcirculatory model. Angiology 2001;52 Suppl 2 DOI
  8. 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 2000;20:680-4. PubMed
  9. Young GL, Jewell D. Creams for preventing stretch marks in pregnancy. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2000;(2):CD000066. PubMed
  10. Jorge OA, Jorge AD. Hepatotoxicity associated with the ingestion of Centella asiatica. Rev Esp Enferm Dig 2005;97:115-24. PubMed
  11. Mallol J, Belda MA, Costa D, et al. Prophylaxis of striae gravidarum with a topical formulation. A double blind trial. Int J Cosmet Sci 1991;3:51-7.
  12. Izu, R., Aguirre, A., Gil, N., and Diaz-Perez, J. L. Allergic contact dermatitis from a cream containing Centella asiatica extract. Contact Dermatitis 1992;26(3):192-193.
  13. Santucci, B., Picardo, M., and Cristaudo, A. Contact dermatitis due to Centelase. Contact Dermatitis 1985;13(1):39. PubMed
  14. Vena, G. A. and Angelini, G. Contact allergy to Centelase. Contact Dermatitis 1986;15(2):108-109. PubMed
  15. Marastoni, F., Baldo, A., Redaelli, G., and Ghiringhelli, L. [Centella asiatica extract in venous pathology of the lower limbs and its evaluation as compared with tribenoside]. Minerva Cardioangiol. 1982;30(4):201-207.
  16. Danese, P., Carnevali, C., and Bertazzoni, M. G. Allergic contact dermatitis due to Centella asiatica extract. Contact Dermatitis 1994;31(3):201.
  17. Bilbao, I., Aguirre, A., Zabala, R., Gonzalez, R., Raton, J., and Diaz Perez, J. L. Allergic contact dermatitis from butoxyethyl nicotinic acid and Centella asiatica extract. Contact Dermatitis 1995;33(6):435-436.
  18. Dantuluri S, North-lewis P, Karthik SV. Gotu Kola induced hepatotoxicity in a child - need for caution with alternative remedies. Dig Liver Dis. 2011;43(6):500. PubMed

See these in context on the Gotu Kola monograph →

Parts of this content are provided by the Therapeutic Research Center, LLC.

DISCLAIMER: Currently this does not check for drug-drug interactions. This is not an all-inclusive comprehensive list of potential interactions and is for informational purposes only. Not all interactions are known or well-reported in the scientific literature, and new interactions are continually being reported. Input is needed from a qualified healthcare provider including a pharmacist before starting any therapy. Application of clinical judgment is necessary.

© 2021 Therapeutic Research Center, LLC

Keep exploring