gotu kola

What is gotu kola?

The use of gotu kola in cultural and traditional settings may differ from concepts accepted by current Western medicine. When considering the use of herbal supplements, consultation with a primary health care professional is advisable. Additionally, consultation with a practitioner trained in the uses of herbal/health supplements may be beneficial, and coordination of treatment among all health care providers involved may be advantageous.

Gotu kola is also known as Centella asiatica, Indian pennywort, marsh penny, white rot, thick-leaved pennywort, hydrocotyle, Indian water navelwort, and talepetrako.

Gotu kola has been used orally for muscle and joint stiffness and pain and skin afflictions. Gotu kola has been used topically for wound healing, leprosy sores, and post-operative scarring.

Gotu kola has not been evaluated by the FDA for safety, effectiveness, or purity. All potential risks and/or advantages of gotu kola may not be known. Additionally, there are no regulated manufacturing standards in place for these compounds. There have been instances where herbal/health supplements have been sold which were contaminated with toxic metals or other drugs. Herbal/health supplements should be purchased from a reliable source to minimize the risk of contamination.

Gotu kola may also have uses other than those listed in this medication guide.

Do not take gotu kola orally without first talking to your doctor if you have

• diabetes (or if you take medicine to control blood sugar levels), or

• high cholesterol levels (or if you take medicine to control cholesterol levels).

You may not be able to take gotu kola, or you may require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring during treatment if you have either of the conditions listed above.

Before taking gotu kola, talk to your doctor, pharmacist, or health care professional if you have any other medical conditions, allergies (especially to plants), or if you take other medicines or other herbal/health supplements. Gotu kola may not be recommended in some situations.

Do not take gotu kola without first talking to your doctor if you are pregnant or planning a pregnancy. Gotu kola may be dangerous during pregnancy.

Do not take gotu kola without first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby. It is not known whether gotu kola will harm a nursing infant.

There is no information available regarding the use of gotu kola by children. Do not give any herbal/health supplement to a child without first talking to the child’s doctor.

The use of gotu kola in cultural and traditional settings may differ from concepts accepted by current Western medicine. When considering the use of herbal supplements, consultation with a primary health care professional is advisable. Additionally, consultation with a practitioner trained in the uses of herbal/health supplements may be beneficial, and coordination of treatment among all health care providers involved may be advantageous.

If you choose to take gotu kola, use it as directed on the package or as directed by your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.

Standardized extracts, tinctures, and solid formulations of herbal/health supplements may provide a more reliable dose of the product.

Different formulations of gotu kola are available to be used internally (orally) and externally (topically).

Do not use different formulations (e.g., tablets, topical formulations, teas, tinctures, and others) of gotu kola at the same time, unless specifically directed to do so by a health care professional. Using different formulations together increases the risk of an overdose of gotu kola.

Store gotu kola as directed on the package. In general, gotu kola should be protected from light and moisture and stored in a sealed container.

No information is available regarding a missed dose of gotu kola. Consult your doctor, pharmacist, or health care professional if you require further information.

Although uncommon, allergic reactions to gotu kola have been reported. Stop taking gotu kola and seek emergency medical attention if you experience symptoms of a serious allergic reaction including difficulty breathing; closing of your throat; swelling of your lips, tongue, or face; or hives.

Other less serious side effects have also been infrequently reported. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you experience itching or a rash that has arisen while taking gotu kola.

Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor, pharmacist, or health care professional about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.

Gotu kola has not been evaluated by the FDA for safety, effectiveness, or purity. All potential risks and/or advantages of gotu kola may not be known. Additionally, there are no regulated manufacturing standards in place for these compounds. There have been instances where herbal/health supplements have been sold which were contaminated with toxic metals or other drugs. Herbal/health supplements should be purchased from a reliable source to minimize the risk of contamination.

There are no known restrictions on food, beverages, or activity while taking gotu kola, unless otherwise directed by your health care professional.

Do not take gotu kola without first talking to your doctor if you are taking a medicine to:

• treat diabetes or to control blood sugar levels, or

• to lower cholesterol levels.

Gotu kola may affect your condition and you may not be able to take gotu kola, or you may require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring during treatment.

Drugs other than those listed here may also interact with gotu kola or affect your condition. Talk to your doctor, pharmacist, or health care professional before taking any prescription or over-the-counter medicines or other herbal/health supplements.

Seek emergency medical attention.

Symptoms of a gotu kola overdose are not known.