Gotu Kola

(Centella asiatica)

Close-up of green round gotu kola leaves with a blurred background

What It Is

Gotu kola is a leafy botanical traditionally used in Asian food and herbal systems. It contains naturally occurring triterpenoid compounds, including asiaticoside, madecassoside, and asiatic acid, which have been widely explored in skin and connective tissue research.

These compounds are known for their relationship with skin structure and the supportive processes involved in maintaining tissue integrity over time.

Why It’s Used in Functional Foods

Gotu kola is included in skin-focused functional foods because of its long-standing association with skin resilience and renewal. Its bioactive compounds are valued for how they support the body’s own processes involved in collagen organisation and connective tissue maintenance.

Rather than offering surface-level support alone, gotu kola is often chosen for its role in nourishing the deeper structures that contribute to skin strength and durability.

How It Supports the Body

Research has explored gotu kola in relation to several interconnected skin-supportive processes. This includes its involvement in collagen synthesis, interaction with fibroblast activity, and participation in pathways linked to tissue repair and renewal.

Together, these interactions help explain gotu kola’s relevance in discussions around skin elasticity, firmness, and long-term structural support, without positioning it as a quick or cosmetic solution.

Skin Structure & Resilience Support

Gotu kola is frequently discussed in dermatological research in relation to skin firmness, elasticity, and recovery. Studies suggest its compounds may support skin barrier strength, contribute to elasticity and tensile resilience, and encourage smoother skin texture over time.

This makes gotu kola particularly relevant in formulations focused on long-term skin resilience and integrity, rather than short-term aesthetic effects.

Who It’s Commonly Chosen By

Gotu kola is often chosen by people looking to support skin firmness, elasticity, and collagen-related nourishment. It is commonly selected by those interested in skin resilience, recovery, and maintaining structural support as part of a broader skin health approach.

Important Context

Gotu kola is used in functional foods to support normal skin-related physiological processes. Its role is influenced by extraction method, food matrix, and overall dietary pattern. Research helps describe how its compounds interact within biological systems, rather than predict specific outcomes.

This ingredient is shared for educational purposes, to support understanding of gotu kola as part of a holistic, food-based approach to skin nourishment.

Research references

For those who wish to explore the research context further

Supplamize context

Gotu Kola can be selected as an optional active in certain Supplamize blends, including: