Centella Asiatica L. or gotu kola, also known as Indian pennywort and Asiatic pennywort, has been gaining a lot of attention lately, especially in skin care. What makes it so unique?

Used traditionally in the foods and as traditional medicine of South East Asia, it is a leafy green vegetable known as highly valued for its high triterpenoids and beneficial carotenoids. Full of vitamins B and C, proteins and minerals, and other phytonutrients. 

Gotu kola benefits

This herb has a rich history of usage in Ayurvedic and Chinese medicine. In Ayurveda, it’s known as tridoshic, which means that it balances all three doshas: vata, pitta, and kapha. 

Even though it’s often referred to as brahmi (bacopa monnieri), these two herbs are not the same. Both herbs are rasayana or rejuvenating herbs, and while they have many similar benefits, they also provide unique ones. For example, both function as medhyarasayanas or memory enhancers, but brahmi is believed to be more potent, while gotu kola is more effective in helping address skin disorders. Gotu kola is renowned for its ability to help promote healthy skin and slow down aging. 

For thousands of years, it’s been used to aid in a wide range of situations, such as:

• Anxiety
• Bleeding disorders
• Brain function
• Boosting energy
• Boosting vitality and promoting longevity 
• Cardiac disorders
• Common colds and coughs
• Aid in detoxification
• Diabetes
• Diarrhea
• Emotional well-being
• Enhancing sexual potency
• Menstrual disorders
• Sinus conditions
• Slowing Hansen’s (leprosy) disease
• Skin diseases
• Urinary tract infection
• Venereal diseases

Gotu kola and skin care

While known for its effectiveness in helping treat skin wounds and burns, research shows that it helps promote increased collagen production and improve the tensile strength of newly formed skin, thus resulting in beneficial applications in skin care. 

Other skincare benefits include:

• Cooling effect: Delivers a cooling effect that helps soothe red, irritated, and sensitive skin.
• Limits appearance of varicose veins: Penetrating deep into the skin, it has been found to repair varicose veins as it aids in breaking down the cellulite and shrinking the connective tissues.
• Increases blood flow and circulation: Aids in increased blood circulation to deliver vital skin nutrients.
• Helps tighten loose skin: Aids in collagen production as well as helps prevent further collagen breakdown, improving skin elasticity. Especially when combined with other Ayurvedic herbs such as ashwagandha and amalaki.
• Brightens skin: Extracts from gotu kola are rich in centelloids, flavonoids, and tannis. These components have a high tyrosinase content, which helps prevent melanogenesis production. In turn, it helps reduce the appearance of dark spots, leaving your skin looking bright, clear, and glowing.
• Reduces sight of stress marks: Chronic stress can take a toll on just on your physical health but your overall skin health as well. This herb is known to host anti-aging properties, but it’s hailed for its calming antidepressant effects as well.
• Help manage acne: It has been used to treat acne for ages. Its anti-inflammatory properties aid in treating acne lesions, and its antibacterial and antioxidant properties assist in stopping bacterial buildup. So it helps prevent and heal old acne scars.

DIY skincare tips with gotu kola

It can be used for skin care in various forms, such as:

Oil

Extracted from the leaves via infusion with a carrier oil such as sesame. Use to help manage red, inflamed acne by adding 10ml of gotu kola oil along with two to three drops of tea tree oil for a no-drying, skin-nourishing acne spot treatment.

Powder

Gotu kola can also be found in powdered form. You can create your own gotu kola face mask or try the MY24/7 Milk and Honey Face Mask to restore, nourish and brighten your skin. 

If you want to create your own, take the powder with honey, ela powder, triphala powder, and some milk, and use it as a mask on your face to help relieve dry skin. To fight anti-aging, mix gotu kola powder, guduchi, and ashwagandha powders with some honey and rose water for an anti-aging mask. 

If you’re looking for a facial toner with gotu kola, check out the MY24/7 Facial Toner and Spray, which contains the power trio of gotu kola, amalaki, and ashwagandha to help with collagen and elastin production. 

Leaves

Lastly, you can consume gotu kola leaves in a lovely tea or toss in some loose gotu kola leaves with your own tea. Better yet, make gotu kola juice by blending the leaves and combining lemon juice, roasted cumin powder, and black salt. Ingesting gotu kola can still help numerous skin ailments, including anti-aging and just overall health.

Happy experimenting! 

Image from wikipedia.org

This post aims to give you the ayurvedic perspective on health and is not meant as medical advice. Consult a qualified healthcare professional about your specific situation.

Click here to learn more about our guest author, Janis Beck.
Reviewed and edited by board-certified ayurvedic medicine practitioner, Petra N.

Key takeaways

• Gotu kola (Centella asiatica) is a traditional herb used in Ayurvedic and Chinese medicine for both wellness and skin care.
• It contains bioactive compounds such as triterpenoids, flavonoids, and carotenoids that contribute to its therapeutic properties.
• In Ayurveda, it is considered tridoshic, meaning it helps balance vata, pitta, and kapha.
• Gotu kola is widely used to support skin health, including collagen production, wound healing, and improving skin elasticity.
• Traditional and modern uses suggest benefits for brain function, circulation, emotional wellbeing, and detoxification.
• It can be used both topically and internally, including oils, powders, teas, and skincare formulations.

Frequently asked questions about gotu kola benefits

What is gotu kola used for?

Gotu kola (Centella asiatica) has been traditionally used to support a wide range of functions, including skin health, brain function, circulation, emotional wellbeing, and detoxification.

It is also commonly used in skincare to support wound healing, improve skin elasticity, and promote a healthy complexion.

Is gotu kola the same as brahmi?

No. Gotu kola is often referred to as brahmi, but it is different from brahmi (Bacopa monnieri).

Both are considered rejuvenating herbs in Ayurveda and may support cognitive function, but gotu kola is more commonly associated with skin health, while bacopa is considered more potent for cognitive support.

What are the main gotu kola skin benefits?

It is widely used in skincare due to its ability to support:

• collagen production
• skin elasticity
• wound healing
• reduction in appearance of dark spots
• soothing irritated or inflamed skin
• improving circulation to the skin

These benefits are linked to its active compounds, including triterpenoids and flavonoids.

Does gotu kola help with collagen production?

Research suggests that it may help stimulate collagen production and improve the strength and elasticity of newly formed skin.

This is one of the reasons it is commonly used in products targeting aging skin and skin repair.

Can gotu kola help with acne?

It has traditionally been used to support acne-prone skin. Its anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties may help reduce acne lesions and support healing of existing scars.

How can gotu kola be used?

It can be used in several forms, including:

• oils for topical application
• powders for face masks
• teas and juices for internal use
• skincare products such as toners and creams

The method of use depends on the desired benefit, whether for skin or overall wellness.

Is gotu kola used in Ayurveda?

Yes. In Ayurveda, this herb is considered a rasayana, or rejuvenating herb, and is described as tridoshic, meaning it helps balance all three doshas.

It is used to support skin health, mental clarity, and overall vitality.

Entities

• Gotu kola
• Centella asiatica
• Ayurveda
• Dosha
• Vata
• Pitta
• Kapha
• Rasayana
• Brahmi
• Bacopa monnieri
• Collagen
• Skin health
• Circulation
• Antioxidants
• Ashwagandha
• Amalaki
• Triphala
• Guduchi
• Red Pantz