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Dietary supplement

Gotu Kola Ingredients & Drug Interactions

by Village Vitality

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

Gotu Kola is a dietary supplement by Village Vitality 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 organic Gotu Kola herb. Use the checker below to test your specific medication, or read the full HelloPharmacist Interaction Report.

HelloPharmacist Scorecard of Gotu Kola by Village Vitality

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 product contains one active ingredient: organic gotu kola herb, a traditional remedy used in Asian medicine for circulation and skin healing. Gotu kola (also called Centella asiatica) has been studied for a range of conditions, from vein health to wound repair.

The capsule itself is made from modified vegetable cellulose, an inactive ingredient that holds the herb.

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 depending on what you're taking it for. It's considered possibly effective for venous insufficiency (poor circulation in the veins) and possibly effective for burns.

For radiation dermatitis (skin damage from radiation therapy), cognitive function, and Alzheimer's disease, the evidence is either possibly ineffective or too sparse to rate. There simply isn't enough reliable data yet on generalized anxiety, despite gotu kola's traditional use for calm.

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 over the short term, though quality evidence in people is limited. The most common side effects taken by mouth are stomach irritation and nausea.

Serious liver toxicity is rare, but at least four cases have been reported—though lab testing wasn't done on those products to rule out contaminants. On skin, gotu kola can rarely cause allergic contact dermatitis with redness, itching, and burning.

For pregnancy, there isn't enough safety data, though it's traditionally been avoided. Breastfeeding safety is unknown, so it's best avoided then too.

If you're pregnant or nursing, talk with your doctor or pharmacist before taking this product.

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 start, double-check with your doctor or pharmacist if you take any central nervous system depressants (sedatives, anti-anxiety drugs, sleep aids, opioids, or other pain relievers that make you drowsy)—gotu kola may amplify their sedative effects. Also flag any medications known to damage the liver, since gotu kola could theoretically add to that risk.

These are Moderate-severity interactions.

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 by Village Vitality may help with poor leg circulation or wound healing if the research holds up for your situation—but the evidence is modest. If you take sedatives, blood pressure or anxiety medications, or anything that might affect your liver, you'll want to check with your doctor or pharmacist first.

Pregnant or breastfeeding women should skip it unless their healthcare provider advises otherwise.

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 24, 2020.

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 Village Vitality
Barcode (UPC) 788332197802
Net contents 90 Veggie Cap(s)
Market status On market
Date entered into DSLD Mar 24, 2020
DSLD ID 215798
Product type Botanical
Supplement form Capsule
Dietary claims / uses All Other
Intended target group(s) Vegetarian, Adult (18 - 50 Years)
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 Village Vitality, 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 Vegetarian Capsule(s)
Maximum serving Sizes:
1 Vegetarian Capsule(s)
Servings per container
90
UPC/BARCODE
788332197802
IngredientAmount% DV
organic Gotu Kola herb400 mg--

Other ingredients: Modified Vegetable Cellulose

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: Take 1 cap, 1-3 times per day or as directed by a healthcare professional.

Precautions

Warnings: Keep out of the reach of children.

Formulation

100% vegetarian

FDA Statement of Identity

Herbal Supplement

See for yourself

Gotu Kola by Village Vitality label

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

What’s inside

The Ingredients in Gotu Kola by Village Vitality

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

Serving size1 Vegetarian Capsule(s) Dosage formCapsule Servings per container90 Amounts shown are per serving.

Organic Gotu Kola herb

Interacts with
579 drugs
400 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...

Organic Gotu Kola herb monograph & interactions

Other (inactive) ingredients: Modified Vegetable Cellulose. These complete the product’s ingredient list but are not active constituents.

Interaction report

Gotu Kola by Village Vitality 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

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.

organic Gotu Kola herb2 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 Gotu Kola, from the product label.

Village Vitality

See all Village Vitality products
Name
Woodstock Apothecary
Street Address
79 Tinker Street
City
Woodstock
State
NY
ZipCode
12498
Pharmacist Counseling Corner

Gotu Kola by Village Vitality: Common Questions

Does Gotu Kola by Village Vitality 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 this if I'm pregnant?
There isn't enough safety data to know for certain. The traditional practice has been to avoid gotu kola in pregnancy. Talk with your doctor or pharmacist about whether it's right for you before taking it.
What's the most common side effect?
Taken by mouth, gotu kola most often causes mild stomach upset or nausea. These are usually not serious, but if they happen to you and don't settle, stop taking it and let your pharmacist know.
Is gotu kola safe for my liver?
In one clinical trial at 120 mg daily for 6 months, no liver damage was detected on blood work. However, there are rare case reports of liver problems linked to gotu kola products, and quality evidence is limited. If you have a history of liver disease or take medications that stress the liver, check with your doctor first.
Will this help my memory or focus?
The research on gotu kola for thinking and memory is not strong enough to rate it as effective right now. If that's your main goal, talk with your doctor about what the evidence actually supports for your situation.
Can I use this topically on my skin?
The facts here cover the oral capsule. Topical gotu kola products exist, but they can rarely cause allergic skin reactions like rash and itching. If you're considering a skin product, check with your pharmacist about which form and how to use it safely.

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

Not sure if Gotu Kola is safe with your meds?

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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
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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