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Gotu kola

Supplement botanical brain & moodskin & hair
Aka: Centella asiatica, pegaga
Brands seen in Singapore: Life Extension, Swanson Vitamins, Nature's Way, NOW Foods, Nature's Answer
Not medical advice. Check with your doctor or pharmacist before you start, stop or change the timing of anything you take.
How to use
What it’s for
Alertness and mood, rather than cognition itself
When to take
Mood shifts were measured 1 hour after a dose
Pros & cons
Pros
  • Alert scores rose vs placebo (smd 0.71)
  • Wrinkle depth fell 11.1% from baseline on 200 mg/day
  • No adverse effects reported in the pooled RCTS
Cons
  • No significant gain in any cognitive domain
  • Skin gains in hydration and elasticity were modest
  • Dose, preparation and standardisation vary widely
Sources
  1. Effects of Centella asiatica on cognitive function and mood: systematic review and meta-analysis (Puttarak et al., Sci Rep 2017) · read 2026-08-27
    what it says
    “Meta-analysis indicated that there are no significant differences in all cognitive function domains of C. asiatica when compared to placebo. However, it could improve mood by increasing alert scores … None of the studies reported adverse effects”
  2. Centella asiatica and cognition — effect size, timing and limitations (Puttarak et al. 2017) · read 2026-08-27
    what it says
    “increasing alert scores [SMD: 0.71 (95% CI; 0.01 to 1.41)] … at 1 hour after treatment … limitations should be aware including dose regimen, plant preparation, standardization, and product variation”
  3. Oral Centella asiatica extract and skin aging: randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial (Nutrients 2026) · read 2026-08-27
    what it says
    “A total of 112 participants were randomized to receive either Centella asiatica extract (200 mg/day) or placebo for 12 weeks … Average wrinkle depth decreased by 11.1% … changes in skin hydration, elasticity, and brightness were modest”
  4. HSA — Guidelines on Prohibited and Restricted Ingredients in Health Supplements and Traditional Medicines (Oct 2025, GL-CHPB-1-012) · read 2026-08-27
    what it says
    “The objective of this guideline is to highlight the substances of concern when used in HS and TM and is not meant to be an exhaustive list.”
  5. HSA — Health Supplements Guidelines (Jan 2026, GL-CHPB-3-001 Rev. 020), Tables 4–5 · read 2026-08-27
    what it says
    “HS for use by the general adult population should not contain vitamins and minerals exceeding the stipulated limits stated in Tables 4 and 5.”
  6. iHerb Singapore — category listing (default order) · read 2026-08-27
    what it says
    “Gotu Kola: Capsules, Extracts & Skin Support | iHerb”
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Updated 2026-08-29. Every line above traces to a numbered source. Kozen-X is not a medical device and does not give medical advice. It lists what published sources have written down — nothing more. A pair not listed is unrecorded, not cleared. Before you start, stop or re-time anything, talk to your doctor or pharmacist.