Gotu kola and mood: grade C

Limited evidence. Direction: No effect.

C LimitedSubjective outcome only

Educational guidance, not medical advice

Why this grade

Rubric condition met: Small trials with mixed results; the pooled alertness and anger signals each include a combination product

The 2017 meta-analysis found higher self-rated alertness (SMD 0.71, 95% CI 0.01 to 1.41) and lower anger 1 hour after a dose (SMD -0.81), but each estimate pooled one gotu kola trial with one multi-ingredient product. A single 12 g dose did not change self-rated mood compared with placebo in 40 healthy adults, and no other mood or quality-of-life measure showed a significant difference. One small trial in older adults reported higher alertness and calmness at 750 mg a day. Evidence is mixed and rests on self-ratings.

How we grade evidence

Studies this grade rests on

each study this grade rests on, by publication year and design. Solid: effect versus the comparator; half-filled: mixed; hollow: no effect; dashed: result not recorded yet. Larger marks had more participants.

Show the numbers

Study	Year	Design	Participants	Result
Bradwejn 2000	2000	double-blind, placebo-controlled single-dose trial	40	result not recorded
Wattanathorn 2008	2008	RCT	28	result not recorded
Puttarak 2017	2017	meta-analysis	not recorded	result not recorded
Pedregosa 2026	2026	systematic scoping review (jbi method, preregistered on osf)	not recorded	result not recorded

Therapeutic Potential of Gotu Kola (Centella asiatica), Phosphatidylcholine, and Taurine in Mood Disorders: A Systematic Scoping Review.

Pedregosa BIC, Navarro JC, Baroque GAB. Therapeutic Potential of Gotu Kola (Centella asiatica), Phosphatidylcholine, and Taurine in Mood Disorders: A Systematic Scoping Review Complement Med Res, 2026. PMID 42391143

Result not recorded

Design: Systematic scoping review (JBI method, preregistered on OSF)
Population: Human and animal studies
Funding: Funding: not stated in the PubMed or Crossref record; full text not read.

A double-blind, placebo-controlled study on the effects of Gotu Kola (Centella asiatica) on acoustic startle response in healthy subjects.

Bradwejn J, Zhou Y, Koszycki D. 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. PMID 11106141

Result not recorded

Design: Double-blind, placebo-controlled single-dose trial
Sample: n = 40
Population: Healthy adults
Funding: Funding: not stated in the PubMed or Crossref record; full text not read.

Positive modulation of cognition and mood in the healthy elderly volunteer following the administration of Centella asiatica.

Wattanathorn J, Mator L, Muchimapura S. Positive modulation of cognition and mood in the healthy elderly volunteer following the administration of Centella asiatica J Ethnopharmacol, 2008. PMID 18191355

Result not recorded

Design: Randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind trial, 2 months
Sample: n = 28
Population: Healthy older adults
Funding: not stated in the PubMed or Crossref record; full text not read.

Effects of Centella asiatica (L.) Urb. on cognitive function and mood related outcomes: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

Puttarak P, Dilokthornsakul P, Saokaew S. Effects of Centella asiatica (L.) Urb. on cognitive function and mood related outcomes: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis Sci Rep, 2017. PMID 28878245

Result not recorded

Design: Systematic review and meta-analysis of 11 RCTs (5 of C. asiatica alone, 6 of combination products)
Population: Mostly healthy volunteers (91% of studies); one trial in children with a diagnosis
Funding: Thai Traditional Medical Knowledge Fund

Search and history

Search (November 11, 2026): (gotu kola[tiab] OR "centella asiatica"[tiab] OR centella[ti]) AND (sleep[tiab] OR anxiety[tiab] OR stress[tiab] OR mood[tiab]) AND (randomized[tiab] OR placebo[tiab])

November 12, 2026 Graded C (proposed): Proposed in the monograph draft
November 13, 2026 C to C (approved): Editor sign-off November 13, 2026: grade matches the editor-approved final page