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Gotu Kola Side Effects, Interactions and Warnings

Report presents three women (61, 52 and 49 years old) who developed jaundice after taking Centella asiatica for 30, 20 and 60 days. They hypothesized that these mechanisms may have resulted in injuries associated with Centella asiatica. The presence of autoantibodies and granulomas also favors an immune-mediated mechanism.
- Rev Esp Enferm Dig. 2005 Feb;97(2):115-24. Hepatotoxicity associated with the ingestion of Centella asiatica. Jorge OA, Jorge AD.

Centella asiatica (gotu kola) has been described to possess CNS effects such as stimulatory-nervine tonic, rejuvenant, sedative, tranquilizer.
- J Ethnopharmacol 2002 Feb;79(2):253-60 -- Effect of different extracts of Centella asiatica on cognition and markers of oxidative stress in rats. -- Veerendra Kumar MH, Gupta YK.

There have been no reports documenting negative interactions between gotu kola and medications to date. Since high doses of can cause sedation, it was warned that individuals should refrain from taking this herb with medications that promote sleep or reduce anxiety. Theoretically, CA was postulated to interfere with blood glucose levels and thus also possibly interfere with the existing hypoglycaemic therapy and cholesterol lowering agents. Side effects are rare but may include skin allergy and burning sensations (with external use), headache, stomach upset, nausea, dizziness, and extreme drowsiness which tend to occur with high doses of the herb. Also, it is postulated that chronic treatment may prevent women from becoming pregnant by causing spontaneous abortion. As there is little or no information regarding the safety of this herb during breast feeding, nursing mothers are advised to refrain from taking this herb.
- Indian J Pharm Sci. 2010 Sep;72(5):546-56. -- Pharmacological Review on Centella asiatica: A Potential Herbal Cure-all. -- Gohil KJ, Patel JA, Gajjar AK.

last update: March 2010

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