Gotu kola

Gotu kola is an herb that is also called Brahma-Buti, Centella, Divya, Hydrocotyle, Indischer Wassernabel, Indian Pennywort, Indian Water Navelwort, Madecassol, Mandukaparni, Marsh Penny, Thick-Leaved Pennywort, White Rot, and other names.

Gotu kola has been used in alternative medicine as a possibly effective help for treating venous insufficiency (reduced blood flow return from the feet and legs back to the heart).

Other uses that are not proven with research include treating skin wounds, psoriasis, coronary artery disease ("hardened arteries"), circulation issues caused by diabetes, and preventing blood clots in the legs during air travel.

It is not clear whether gotu kola is effective for treating any medical condition. The FDA has not approved the medicinal use of this product. Gotu kola should not be used instead of medication that your doctor has prescribed for you.

Gotu kola is often sold as an herbal supplement. There are no regulated manufacturing standards for many herbal products, and some supplements have been found to be contaminated with toxic metals or other drugs. Herbal/health supplements should be bought from a trusted source to reduce the risk of contamination.

Gotu kola may also be used for reasons not listed in this product guide.

When thinking about using herbal supplements, talk to your doctor. You might also want to consult a practitioner who knows about herbal/health supplements.

If you decide to use gotu kola, follow the instructions on the package or those given by your doctor, pharmacist, or other healthcare provider. Do not use more of this product than what is recommended on the label.

Gotu kola comes in different forms that can be taken by mouth (orally) or put on the skin (topically). Do not use different forms of gotu kola at the same time without medical advice. Using different forms together can increase the risk of an overdose.

Do not take topical (for the skin) gotu kola by mouth. Topical forms of this product are meant only for use on the skin.

Contact your doctor if the condition you are treating with gotu kola does not get better, or if it worsens while using this product.

If you need surgery, stop taking gotu kola at least 2 weeks beforehand.

Store at room temperature, away from moisture, heat, and light.

Follow all directions on the product label and package.

You should not use gotu kola if you are allergic to it, or if you have:

• liver disease.

Gotu kola applied to the skin may be possibly safe to use during pregnancy. However, it is not known whether gotu kola taken by mouth will harm an unborn baby. Do not take gotu kola if you are pregnant.

It is not known whether gotu kola passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Do not use this product if you are breast-feeding a baby.

Do not give any herbal/health supplement to a child without medical advice.

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives, itching, redness, or burning of your skin; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Stop using gotu kola and call your healthcare provider at once if you have:

• liver problems--nausea, upper stomach pain, itching, tired feeling, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes).

Common side effects of gotu kola may include:

• drowsiness.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Skip the missed dose if it is close to the time for your next scheduled dose. Do not use extra gotu kola to replace the missed dose.

Seek emergency medical help or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.

Do not use gotu kola with other herbal/health supplements that can also harm the liver. This includes androstenedione, chaparral, comfrey, DHEA, germander, niacin (vitamin B3), pennyroyal oil, red yeast, and others.

Do not use gotu kola with other herbal products that can cause drowsiness, such as 5-HTP (5-hydroxytryptophan), calamus, California poppy, catnip, Jamaican dogwood, kava, melatonin, St. John's wort, scullcap (or skullcap), valerian, or yerba mansa.

Taking gotu kola with any medications that cause drowsiness can make you feel even sleepier. Talk to your healthcare provider before using gotu kola if you are taking medicine for anxiety, depression, or seizures.

Gotu kola can be harmful to your liver. This risk is higher if you are also taking other medicines that can damage the liver. Do not take gotu kola without consulting a healthcare professional if you are using any of the following medications:

• acetaminophen (Tylenol);
• leflunomide, teriflunomide;
• methotrexate;
• an antibiotic, antifungal medicine, sulfa drug, or tuberculosis medicine;
• birth control pills or hormone replacement therapy;
• heart or blood pressure medication;
• cholesterol-lowering medications--Crestor, Lipitor, Pravachol, Simcor, Vytorin, Zocor, and others;
• gout or arthritis medications (including gold injections);
• HIV/AIDS medications;
• medicines to treat mental illness;
• an NSAID (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug)--ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), naproxen (Aleve), celecoxib (Celebrex), diclofenac, indomethacin, meloxicam, others;
• seizure medication--carbamazepine, phenytoin, and others; or
• steroids (prednisone and others).

This list is not exhaustive. Other drugs may interact with gotu kola, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible interactions are included in this product guide.