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Dietary supplement

Gotu Kola Ingredients & Drug Interactions

by GNC Herbal Plus Whole Herb

Gotu Kola label
See full label image
Capsule Category: Botanical
Most serious interaction: Moderate
Clinical methodology reviewed by · Updated Sep 16, 2026 · Label data from the NIH DSLD
What is this page for?

First and foremost: checking Gotu Kola against your medications. The heart of this page is the interaction checker and the full interaction report — how this product’s ingredients may interact with prescription and over-the-counter medicines you may be taking.

Around that, we add a pharmacist’s high-level view of the product as a whole — what’s inside, the evidence for its stated use, how transparent the label is, and what safety data exists — so you can see the full picture in one place. It’s educational information from our licensed clinical databases and the clinical staff at HelloPharmacist — not medical advice — and we don’t sell or endorse products. Our editorial policy

The interaction bottom line Most serious interaction: Moderate

Gotu Kola is a dietary supplement by GNC Herbal Plus Whole Herb 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 Gotu Kola Herb Powder. Use the checker below to test your specific medication, or read the full HelloPharmacist Interaction Report.

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Check Your Meds Against Gotu Kola by GNC Herbal Plus Whole Herb

Ask about any prescription or over-the-counter medication and we check it for interactions with Gotu Kola by GNC Herbal Plus Whole Herb — and tell you which ingredient is responsible.

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HelloPharmacist Scorecard of Gotu Kola by GNC Herbal Plus Whole Herb

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

Generated from HelloPharmacist’s pharmacist-curated databases and editorial rules · Last generated Jul 30, 2026

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 product contains one active ingredient: gotu kola herb powder. It also includes inactive ingredients—microcrystalline cellulose, vegetable cellulose capsule, acacia, and magnesium stearate—which are fillers and binders that help form and stabilize the capsule.

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

This product doesn't appear to be marketed for a specific use, so we graded Gotu Kola's overall clinical evidence instead.

Moderate

Some clinical evidence supports Gotu Kola for:

Why this rating?
  • We looked at the product name, claims, and label statements and couldn't find a stated purpose to grade.
  • Since the label doesn't commit to one use, we graded the ingredient's overall clinical evidence instead.
  • On file: Burns — rated "Possibly Effective" (Natural Medicines).
  • On file: Venous insufficiency — rated "Possibly Effective" (Natural Medicines).

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

For cognitive function and Alzheimer's disease, the evidence isn't strong enough to say whether it works. Radiation dermatitis appears possibly ineffective based on available data.

The bottom line: if you're considering it for circulation or burn healing, there's some evidence behind it, but talk it over with your doctor first.

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, though quality evidence is limited. The most common side effects are gastric irritation and nausea when taken by mouth.

Rare but serious adverse effects include liver toxicity—there are at least four case reports, but these cases didn't confirm gotu kola was definitely the cause, and in one clinical trial where liver function was monitored, 120 mg daily for 6 months did not harm the liver. The safety data advises against use during pregnancy and breastfeeding because there isn't enough information to know it's safe.

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 taking this product, check with your doctor or pharmacist if you take CNS depressants (like sleep aids, anxiety medications, or certain pain relievers) or any drug known to affect the liver. No other drug types have documented interactions with the ingredients we checked.

Check your own medication Run your meds through the checker above

The bottom line

Scorecard at a glanceFully disclosed formula with some supporting evidence behind its ingredients' uses. Moderate medication interactions have been identified, and safety information is well characterized.

Gotu Kola may help with circulation problems or burns, but it can interact with sleep aids, anxiety medications, and drugs that stress the liver. Because of documented concerns about liver toxicity and its interactions with a large number of medications, talk with your doctor or pharmacist before starting it—especially if you take any prescription medications or have liver problems.

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 Feb 25, 2013.

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 Gotu Kola, straight from the product label.

Brand GNC Herbal Plus Whole Herb
Barcode (UPC) 048107008505
Net contents 100 Vegetarian Capsule(s)
Market status On market
Date entered into DSLD Feb 25, 2013
DSLD ID 18388
Product type Botanical
Supplement form Capsule
Dietary claims / uses All Other
Intended target group(s) Adult (18 - 50 Years), Gluten Free, Dairy Free, Sugar Free
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 Gotu Kola by GNC Herbal Plus Whole Herb, 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:
1 Capsule(s)
Maximum serving Sizes:
1 Capsule(s)
UPC/BARCODE
048107008505
IngredientAmount% DV
Gotu Kola Herb Powder500 mg--

Other ingredients: Microcrystalline Cellulose, Vegetable Cellulose Capsule, Acacia, Magnesium Stearate

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.
Precautions

WARNING: Consult your physician prior to using this product if you are pregnant, nursing, taking medication, or have a medical condition.

Discontinue use two weeks prior to surgery. This product contains a chemical known to the State of California to cause birth defects or other reproductive harm.

KEEP OUT OF REACH OF CHILDREN.

General Statements

NEW

Traditional Ayurvedic Herb Whole Herb

ACTUAL SIZE

CODE 188707 ANG

Conforms to USP <2091> for weight. Meets USP <2040> disintegration.

Lot No./Best By:

FDA Statement of Identity

HERBAL SUPPLEMENT

Brand IP Statement(s)

GNC HERBAL PLUS(R) WHOLE HERB

Suggested/Recommended/Usage/Directions

Directions: As a dietary supplement, take one capsule daily.

Formula

500 mg

Formulation

No Sugar, No Artificial Colors, No Artificial Flavors, Sodium Free, No Wheat, No Gluten, No Soy, No Dairy, Yeast Free.

Storage

Store in a cool, dry place.

Is this label outdated? Report a formula or label change and our pharmacy team will review it.

See for yourself

Gotu Kola by GNC Herbal Plus Whole Herb label

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

Gotu Kola label

Label images are published by the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database for the version of this product on file. Always read your actual product label.

View the full label (PDF)
What’s inside

The Ingredients in Gotu Kola by GNC Herbal Plus Whole Herb

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

Serving size1 Capsule(s) Dosage formCapsule Amounts shown are per serving.

Gotu Kola Herb Powder

Interacts with
579 drugs
500 mg 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...

Gotu Kola Herb Powder monograph & interactions

Other (inactive) ingredients: Microcrystalline Cellulose, Vegetable Cellulose Capsule, Acacia, Magnesium Stearate. These complete the product’s ingredient list but are not active constituents.

Interaction report

Gotu Kola by GNC Herbal Plus Whole Herb Drug Interactions

Want to check YOUR meds against 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

Gotu Kola Herb Powder 579

Individual Drug Interactions

The ingredients in Gotu Kola interact with 579 drugs. Click any drug to see the details.

1 of the 1 ingredient in Gotu Kola interact with drugs. Each result below shows which ingredient is responsible. Gotu Kola Herb Powder

Each ingredient & the kinds of drugs it affects

For each ingredient in 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.

Gotu Kola Herb Powder2 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
Gotu Kola Herb Powder full monograph & interactions
The maker

Brand information

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

GNC Herbal Plus Whole Herb

See all GNC Herbal Plus Whole Herb products
Phone Number
1-888-462-2548
Pharmacist Counseling Corner

Gotu Kola by GNC Herbal Plus Whole Herb: Common Questions

Does Gotu Kola by GNC Herbal Plus Whole Herb interact with any medications?
Yes. Based on its ingredients, 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?
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.
Can I take gotu kola if I'm pregnant or breastfeeding?
The safety data advises against it during pregnancy and breastfeeding. There isn't enough information to know either way, so talk with your doctor or pharmacist about whether it's right for you in these situations.
What are the side effects?
Most people experience either no side effects or mild ones like stomach upset and nausea. Rarely, liver toxicity has been reported, though it's not always clear gotu kola was the cause. If you have liver disease or take medications that affect your liver, this is something to discuss with your pharmacist.
Does gotu kola really help memory and brain function?
The evidence isn't strong enough to say. For Alzheimer's disease and general cognitive function, we don't have reliable data showing it works. If brain health is your goal, check with your doctor about what's proven.
Is it safe to take gotu kola long-term?
It's considered well tolerated in the short term, but quality evidence for long-term safety is limited. If you're thinking of taking it for weeks or months, talk it over with your pharmacist first.
What is gotu kola used for?
It's possibly effective for venous insufficiency (poor leg circulation) and burns. For other uses like anxiety or cognitive problems, the evidence is either weak or absent, so the reason you're taking it matters when you talk with your doctor.

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

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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.

Gotu Kola label
Go deeper

The Full Monographs Behind Gotu Kola’s Ingredients

Every ingredient we hold a full HelloPharmacist monograph for — uses, evidence, safety, and the complete interaction list.

Herb & supplement monograph

Gotu Kola

Interacts with 579 drugs

Gotu kola is a traditional Ayurvedic and Asian herb that people use for wound healing, circulation, skin problems, and as a calming or memory-supporting herb. Some early studies suggest poss...

Read the full Gotu Kola monograph →
Sources

Sources & How We Checked

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

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