Gotu Kola, scientific name Centella asiatica and sometimes referred to as Asiatic Pennywort, Indian Pennywort and Tsubokusa; is a perennial plant native to India, China, Japan, Indonesia, Sri Lanka, South Africa and the South Pacific. As an aquatic plant, it grows abundantly in tropical, swampy areas and is known for its fan-shaped green leaves and white, purple or pink flowers. Traditionally, both the leaves and stems of the Centella asiatica plant are used to obtain its reported health benefits.
Gotu Kola’s history of use, as well as its nootropic benefits, are very similar to that of Bacopa monnieri – even to the extent that they have even shared common names such as Brahmi. Due to its similar name, Gotu Kola has also been often confused for the Kola Nut as well. However, it should be noted that, unlike Kola Nuts, it is not stimulating nor does it contain any caffeine whatsoever. Much the opposite, in fact, as Gotu Kola has been reported to actually promote relaxation. In China, it has often been referred to as “the fountain of life” and is renowned in traditional Ayurveda as a memory supplement among its other benefits and uses.
As a dietary or nootropic supplement, Gotu Kola benefits may include:
The active chemicals in Gotu Kola are known as triterpenoids. Some studies conducted on triterpenoids suggest they may benefit memory function, promote healthy stress levels as well as increase the strength and volume of collagen.
Much like Bacopa monnieri, it is reported that it may take a few weeks for Gotu Kola’s cognitive-enhancing benefits to take a noticeable effect. It is believed this is due to Gotu Kola activating a class of proteins known as mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs), which then in turn causes a release in a growth factor for neurons called brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). This may support neuronal growth which promotes brain plasticity and communication between brain cells. In 1992, a study of rats concluded a positive effect on memory function when they were supplemented with a Gotu Kola extract daily for fourteen days. Learned-behavior retention was then measured to be 3 to 60 times better in those rats than that of the control animals in the same study.
Other studies indicate that an additional Gotu Kola benefit may be its ability to support the brain from neurotoxins such as a lead, arsenic and aluminum.
Yes, this Gotu Kola Extract is standardized to a minimum 35-45% Triterpenes, 15-25% Madecassoside + Asiaticoside B, and 15-20% Asiaticoside.
Our Gotu Kola Extract tablets, besides being very high in bioactive compounds, have another special trick up their sleeve; enteric coating. Enteric coatings are designed to resist stomach acid, only releasing their contents once they have passed the harsh acidic environment of our stomach. For many supplements, this is completely unnecessary, as they fare perfectly fine in stomach acid and absorb well in the stomach too. This is not the case for something like a Gotu Kola supplement, as the triterpenes contained in Gotu Kola break down in our stomach acid. This actually is not necessarily a bad thing, as the breakdown products of these triterpenes still have important physiological effects in the body. However, by enteric coating Gotu Kola, we can selectively induce different effects than regular Gotu Kola supplementation.
The triterpenes contained in Gotu Kola, which have a glucose moiety are especially sensitive to our stomach acid. The glycoside triterpenes asiaticoside and madecassoside, quickly lose their glucose moiety when exposed to stomach acid and turn into their aglycone counter parts, asiatic acid and madecassic acid. This is a shame, as asiaticoside and madecassoside both have their own unique effects, such as enhancing brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) levels and can help promote healthy cardiovascular function. This is one of the main reasons why we decided to create enteric coated tablets of our Gotu Kola extract.
Another reason why we decided on enteric coated tablets is, in theory, enteric coating our Gotu Kola extract, may also increase the duration of effects. This is due to the fact that asiaticoside and madecassoside will eventually metabolize into asiatic acid and madecassic acid, which are both also bioactive compounds. Instead of having asiaticoside and madecassoside rapidly break down in the stomach to form asiatic acid and madecassic acid, the enteric coating allows the asiaticoside and madecassoside to fully absorb. This will allow asiaticoside and madecassoside to exert their beneficial effects in the body, before turning into asiatic acid and madecassic acid, and allowing them to exert their beneficial effects.
Our enteric coated tablets are made with methyl cellulose; an inert, safe and hypoallergenic ingredient. Methyl cellulose is hydrophobic, meaning it is “scared of water”, this is one of the reasons why it is able to resist the harsh environments in our stomach. Once the enteric coated tablets have passed our stomach, the enteric coating will slowly start to fall off, allowing the Gotu Kola tablets to release their contents. This same technology has been applied to other sensitive ingredients such as probiotics. Enteric coated probiotics have been shown to work much better than regular probiotics. This is because enteric coated probiotics deliver probiotics where they are needed most. The same technology has been applied to fish oil because enteric coated fish oil can prevent fish oil burps.
As a dietary supplement, take one 120mg Gotu Kola tablets 2-3 times daily.
To learn more, read the Gotu Kola reviews and experiences below.
Nootropics Depot offers 90 count or 180 count jars of high quality Gotu Kola Extract Tablets. Nootropics Depot's Gotu Kola Extract (Centella asiatica) has been lab-tested and verified for both product purity and identity.
ATTENTION: These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
