Generic Name: gotu kola
Other Names: brahmabuti, Centella asiatica, hydrocotyle, Indian pennywort, Indian water navelwort, madescassol, marsh penny, talepetrako, thick-leaved pennywort, white rot
Drug Class: Herbals
What is gotu kola, and what is it used for?
Gotu kola is a medicinal herb, Centella asiatica, that grows in East Asia and Africa. Gotu kola has been used for centuries in traditional Chinese and Indian Ayurvedic medicine systems to treat circulatory conditions, wound healing, abdominal disorders, and memory enhancement.
Fresh gotu kola leaves are added to food, dried leaves are brewed as tea and extracts are available over the counter (OTC) for oral and topical use.
Preclinical studies indicate that gotu kola may have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anticancer, antiarthritic, neuroprotective, cardioprotective and wound healing properties. Some small studies suggest gotu kola may improve cognitive function and mood in the elderly and alleviate anxiety. Therapeutic effects of this medicinal herb appear promising, however, it requires large, well-controlled studies to confirm these effects.
The therapeutic effects of gotu kola are believed to be from its primary active compounds saponins, also known as triterpenoids, including asiaticosides, madecassoside, and madasiatic acid. Asiaticosides appear to have anti-inflammatory activity and may stimulate the synthesis of collagen and glycosaminoglycan, and new blood vessel formation (angiogenesis) required for wound healing. Gotu kola’s effect on the connective tissue can strengthen weak veins and its neuroprotective effects may improve symptoms in Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases.
Suggested uses of gotu kola include:
Topical
- Wound healing
- Thick raised scarring (hypertrophic scarring)
- Psoriasis, an autoimmune skin disorder
Oral
- Venous insufficiency
- Varicose veins
- Cognitive function and memory enhancement
- Symptom improvement in Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases
- Anxiety and depression
- Insomnia
- Symptom improvement in scleroderma, a connective tissue disease
- Abdominal disorders
- Common cold and flu
- Fatigue
- Aphrodisiac
Warnings
- Do not take gotu kola if you are hypersensitive to any of its components.
- Do not use gotu kola concurrently with other sedative medications.
- Avoid gotu kola if you have high blood fat levels (hyperlipidemia) or diabetes mellitus.
What are the side effects of gotu kola?
Common side effects of gotu kola include:
Oral
- Nausea
- Gastrointestinal upset
- Drowsiness and dizziness with large doses
- High cholesterol levels (hypercholesterolemia)
- High triglycerides (hypertriglyceridemia)
- High blood glucose levels (hyperglycemia)
- High blood pressure (hypertension)
- Sedation
- Liver toxicity
Topical
- Burning
- Skin rash
- Itching (pruritus)
- Photosensitivity
- Allergic contact dermatitis
Call your doctor immediately if you experience any of the following symptoms or serious side effects while using this drug:
- Serious heart symptoms include fast or pounding heartbeats, fluttering in your chest, shortness of breath, and sudden dizziness;
- Severe headache, confusion, slurred speech, severe weakness, vomiting, loss of coordination, feeling unsteady;
- Severe nervous system reaction with very stiff muscles, high fever, sweating, confusion, fast or uneven heartbeats, tremors, and feeling like you might pass out; or
- Serious eye symptoms include blurred vision, tunnel vision, eye pain or swelling, or seeing halos around lights.
This is not a complete list of all side effects or adverse reactions that may occur from the use of this drug. Call your doctor for medical advice about serious side effects or adverse reactions. You may also report side effects or health problems to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

SLIDESHOW
Appendicitis: Symptoms, Signs, Causes, Appendectomy in Detail See SlideshowWhat are the dosages of gotu kola?
There is insufficient scientific information on what might be an appropriate dose for gotu kola.
Suggested Dosing:
Extract
- 60 mg orally two to three times daily
Dried leaves
- 600 mg orally three times daily
Tea
- 1 cup orally three times daily; 600 mg dried leaves/150 ml water
Topical
- Apply 1% cream daily
Overdose
- Gotu kola overdose can cause headaches and transient unconsciousness.
- Symptoms should resolve with discontinuation of gotu kola. If symptoms persist, seek medical help or contact Poison Control.
What drugs interact with gotu kola?
Inform your doctor of all medications you are currently taking, who can advise you on any possible drug interactions. Never begin taking, suddenly discontinue, or change the dosage of any medication without your doctor’s recommendation.
- Gotu kola has no known severe or serious interactions with other drugs.
- Gotu kola has moderate interactions with at least 28 different drugs.
- Gotu kola has mild interactions with at least 25 different drugs.
The drug interactions listed above are not all of the possible interactions or adverse effects. For more information on drug interactions, visit the RxList Drug Interaction Checker.
It is important to always tell your doctor, pharmacist, or health care provider of all prescription and over-the-counter medications you use, as well as the dosage for each, and keep a list of the information. Check with your doctor or health care provider if you have any questions about the medication.
Pregnancy and breastfeeding
- Topical application of gotu kola may be safe during pregnancy. Chronic use of oral gotu kola may prevent pregnancy by causing spontaneous abortion. No information is available on the safety of gotu kola use during pregnancy, avoid use.
- There is little or no information on gotu kola use by nursing mothers. Avoid oral gotu kola if you are breastfeeding, and if you use topical application, avoid applying around the breast region.
- Avoid using any herbal product including gotu kola if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, without checking first with your healthcare provider.
What else should I know about gotu kola?
- Gotu kola is possibly safe for most adults when taken orally in recommended doses or used for topical application.
- Check with your healthcare provider before using any supplement, including gotu kola.
- Use gotu kola exactly as per label instructions.
- Herbal products often contain many ingredients. Check labels for the components in the gotu kola product you choose.
- Gotu kola is marketed as an herbal supplement and is not regulated by the FDA. Products may differ in formulations and strengths, and labels may not always match contents; exercise caution in choosing your product.
- Store safely out of reach of children.
- In case of overdose, report to Poison Control.
Summary
Gotu kola is a medicinal herb (Centella asiatica) that has been used in traditional Chinese and Indian Ayurvedic medicine systems to treat circulatory conditions, wound healing, abdominal disorders, and memory enhancement. Gotu kola is used for treating wounds, thick raised scarring (hypertrophic scarring), psoriasis, venous insufficiency, varicose veins, Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, anxiety, depression, insomnia, and others. Common side effects of gotu kola include nausea, gastrointestinal upset, high cholesterol levels, burning, skin rash, itching (pruritus), photosensitivity, allergic contact dermatitis, drowsiness, dizziness, and others.
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-
When Should You Not Close A Wound?
Wounds should not be closed if there is a high risk of infection and in other situations. Wounds may be classified as acute or chronic or open or closed. They may be caused by penetrating objects, nonpenetrating trauma and other miscellaneous causes.
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Basic Steps of Wound Care
After you get the wound and follow all the steps of wound care, you need to observe your wound for a few days till it heals completely. Call the doctor if you feel that your wound has become infected.
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Can Dermabond Be Used on Open Wounds?
The tissue adhesive, Dermabond, can be used as an alternative for 5-0 or smaller sutures to close wounds. It can be used to close wounds on the face, extremities and torso. The doctor may prefer Dermabond over sutures depending on their level of comfort and experience.
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Insomnia Treatment (Sleep Aids and Stimulants)
Insomnia is difficulty in falling or staying asleep, the absence of restful sleep, or poor quality of sleep. Insomnia is a symptom and not a disease. The most common causes of insomnia are medications, psychological conditions, environmental changes, and stressful events. Treatments may include non-drug treatments, over-the-counter medicines, and/or prescription medications.
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What Is the Main Cause of Psoriasis?
Psoriasis is a non-contagious skin disease in which the skin cells grow in numbers faster than normal, producing rashes on the body. Normally, the cells on the surface of the skin are shed as new cells grow beneath. In psoriasis, the swift build-up of skin cells collects on the surface of the skin as scales or plaques. The exact cause of psoriasis is not completely understood. It appears to involve an interplay between a person’s genes, immune system and environment.
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What Makes Guttate Psoriasis Worse?
Guttate psoriasis is often made worse by a bacterial infection, typically Streptococcus (strep throat). Learn about common triggers of guttate psoriasis.
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Is It a Cold or a Sinus Infection?
A sinus infection, also known as sinusitis or rhinosinusitis, is a condition in which the delicate membranes that line the sinuses may get swollen and become red. A cold or common cold is a viral infection. It affects the upper respiratory system, which includes the nose, mouth, throat, and lungs.
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Can Spider Veins Turn Into Varicose Veins? What’s the Difference?
Learn more about the primary differences between spider veins vs. varicose veins. Find out about available treatments for both conditions.
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What Triggers Genital Psoriasis?
Triggers of genital psoriasis may include stress, smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, injury to the skin, medications, infections, and obesity.
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How Do You Manage Inverse Psoriasis?
Although there is no permanent cure for inverse psoriasis, treatment can help manage and alleviate symptoms, including itching and discoloration.
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Is Psoriasis Contagious?
Psoriasis is an incurable skin disease that causes reddish patches of skin topped with a thick layer of dry silvery scales. Psoriasis cannot spread and is not contagious.
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When To Not Close A Wound
Wounds with high chances of infection should be kept open for greater than 24 hours or should not be stitched for adequate cleaning and antibiotic treatment to prevent the risk of infection.
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Can You Treat Eczema and Psoriasis the Same Way?
Both eczema and psoriasis are hereditary and ongoing skin conditions that cause irritated and inflamed skin. Treatment for eczema and psoriasis depends on the type and the severity.
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What Causes Insomnia?
Insomnia is defined as repeated difficulty with sleep initiation, maintenance, consolidation, or quality that occurs despite adequate time and opportunity for sleep and results in some form of daytime impairment. There are three types of insomnia.
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Does Avocado Help Lose Abdominal (Belly) Fat?
Studies show that women who regularly consume avocados typically have reduced abdominal (belly) fat.
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What Are the Signs of Stomach Problems?
Why does my stomach hurt? Learn about signs of stomach problems, what may be causing them, and when to see a doctor about your symptoms.
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What Is the Difference Between Eczema and Psoriasis?
Allergies and skin reactions trigger eczema. Psoriasis isn't triggered by allergies. Signs and symptoms of eczema include skin redness, swelling, and itching while psoriasis symptoms and signs include thick, red, itchy, and scaly patches of skin.
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What Is the Best Treatment for Psoriasis?
Psoriasis is an incurable chronic autoimmune disorder of the skin that causes patches of thick, flaky, scaly skin, mostly around the scalp, knees, and elbows, though any skin surface may be involved. Some people experience only small patches while others have red, inflamed skin and think scaly patches all over the body. The exact cause of psoriasis is not clear, but it isn’t contagious.
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How Do You Irrigate a Wound?
Wound irrigation is a non-invasive procedure in which a steady flow of a solution is used to achieve wound hydration; remove debris, dead cells, pathogens, and excess blood or other exudates such as pus in an open wound; and assist with a better visual examination. Wound irrigation is one of the most effective methods of wound cleansing.
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What Is Mild to Moderate Psoriasis?
Mild to moderate psoriasis is when the psoriatic scales or plaques (raised surfaces with a silvery cover of dead skin cells) cover less than five percent of the body surface area.
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What Are the Levels of Psoriasis? 5 Types
Learn the three levels of psoriasis, as well as the five different types, which each include their own symptoms, causes, triggers, treatment, duration, and prevention.
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What Is the Latest Treatment for Varicose Veins?
Endovenous laser treatment combined with ambulatory phlebectomy has been established as a safe and effective treatment technique for varicose veins.
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What Can You Take for a Cold While Pregnant?
You may take over-the-counter (OTC) treatment after consulting with the physician because these are generally safe. OTC medications for colds and flus include acetaminophen, guaifenesin syrup and saline nasal drops or spray. You can also use natural remedies to treat a cold during pregnancy.
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What Can Help Baby’s Stomachache?
When a baby has a stomachache or stomach pain, it can cause significant discomfort, making it difficult for the baby to sleep or rest. Knowing the cause of the pain can help determine if the child requires medical attention or if home remedies and soothing strategies would suffice.
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How Do You Stop Psoriasis From Stress?
Psoriasis is an autoimmune skin disease that can be passed down (hereditary) to you from your parents or grandparents. Stress is a common factor that can trigger your psoriasis. Psoriasis has a stronger association with psychiatric disorders than other skin diseases. Stress worsens psoriasis by triggering a complex network of signals between the endocrine (hormones), nervous and immune systems.
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Stomach Pain: Causes, Types and Prevention
Sometimes, you may have pain/discomfort in a particular part of your belly or all over the belly for a short or long period of time. Stomach pain may result from a variety of conditions including irritable bowel syndrome, inflammatory bowel disease, food allergies, constipation, stomach flu, gallstones, kidney stones and a variety of other conditions.
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How Can Teens Cope With A Cold?
Usually, teens have a healthy immune system to cope with common cold. Getting plenty of rest and drinking lots of fluids can ease the symptoms.
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What Are the Different Types and Causes of Scalp Psoriasis?
While there is only one type of scalp psoriasis, numerous types of psoriatic conditions can affect the scalp.
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Why Is Abdominal Obesity Dangerous?
Abdominal obesity, also called visceral obesity, has been linked to several metabolic problems, which can result in these seven health risks.
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What Are the Best Abdominal Exercises?
Abdominal exercises strengthen the core muscle groups, including the rectus abdominis, obliques, transversus abdominis, which wraps around the spine.
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What Are the Main Causes of Varicose Veins?
What are varicose veins? Learn what causes varicose veins, the signs of varicose veins, and what to do if you have varicose veins.
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Is Psoriasis Associated With HIV?
Psoriasis is a chronic autoimmune condition that affects the skin. HIV is linked to a higher likelihood of developing psoriasis and more severe symptoms.
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How Do You Get Rid of a Stomach Ache Fast?
Stomach ache or abdominal pain refers to pain and discomfort in any area from the ribs to the pelvis. Get rid of a stomach ache fast with rest, hydration, medicines, and by using a heating pad.
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What Triggers Facial Psoriasis?
Possible triggers of facial psoriasis include smoking, obesity, medications, infections, skin injury, stress, vitamin D deficiency, and stress.
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What Causes Nail Psoriasis?
Nail psoriasis is caused by the same autoimmune mechanisms as other types of psoriasis. The immune system attacks normal tissues in the body and triggers rapid cell growth.
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What Can Trigger a Cold Sore?
After you get infected with HSV, it lies inactively in the nerve cells inside your skin and may appear as another cold sore at the same place as before.
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How Do I Get Rid of the Stomach Flu?
The medical treatment for stomach flu is based on maintaining adequate hydration and body sodium-potassium levels. The treatment for stomach flu initially consists of self-care measures such as drinking fluids, replacing lost electrolytes, resting, eating a bland diet and seeking medical attention if you need to.
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How Long Does a Cold Last?
Most often, a common cold lasts anywhere from 5 to 10 days in length.
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How Do I Get Rid of Varicose Veins?
Learn what medical treatments can help you get rid of varicose veins and speed up your recovery.
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What Are the Categories of Wound Closure?
An open wound can be closed in any of the three ways. These ways are referred to as the three categories of wound closure or three ways of wound healing.
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What Is the Most Effective Treatment for Varicose Veins?
When it comes to varicose veins, the most effective treatment depends on the size or severity of the veins, and options range from self-care to surgery.
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How Is Inverse Psoriasis Diagnosed?
Diagnosis of inverse psoriasis is typically based on medical history and a clinical examination that assesses the location and appearance of the rash.
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Is Genital Psoriasis Life-Threatening?
Although genital psoriasis is neither life-threatening nor contagious, it can be uncomfortable and more difficult to treat than other types of psoriasis.
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When Should I Be Concerned About Lower Abdominal Pain?
Learn the eight warning signs of abdominal pain which may indicate a serious medical condition.
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Is Pustular Psoriasis an Autoimmune Disease?
Pustular psoriasis is an autoimmune disease that is characterized by yellowish pustules over the skin on an erythematous base.
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How Do You Calm a Stomach Ache?
A stomach ache is simply a pain in your belly. You can calm a stomach ache by drinking clear fluids, eating a bland diet, and avoiding heavy, greasy, and spicy foods.
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Where Does Psoriasis Usually Start?
The most common sites of psoriasis are the scalp, elbows, and knees, although psoriasis can involve any part of the body such as the face, palms, soles, and back.
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When to See a Doctor When Your Baby Has a Cold
If your baby has a cold, signs that it may be time to see a doctor include poor feeding, dehydration, breathing difficulties, ear pain, and more.
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What Do You Give a Child With a Cold?
Unfortunately, there is no cure for the common cold. Antibiotics may be used to fight bacterial infections, but they have no effect on viruses.
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How Do You Treat Mild to Moderate Psoriasis?
Mild to moderate psoriasis is typically treated with medications and therapies that aim to reduce inflammation and slow the rapid skin cell growth associated with the condition.
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What Is Chronic Plaque Psoriasis?
Chronic plaque psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory skin condition characterized by well-distinguished, erythematous (red and inflamed), scaly plaques on the skin of extensor surfaces.
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What Is Generalized Pustular Psoriasis?
Generalized pustular psoriasis (GPP) is a rare, severe type of psoriasis that covers large areas of the body and characterized by pus-filled blisters rather than plaques.
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Can Anxiety Give You a Stomachache?
Anxiety triggers the release of cortisol, which can cause your stomach to produce more acid and give you a stomachache. Learn about how to cope with anxiety symptoms.
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What Are The Latest Treatments for Varicose Veins?
Newer treatments for varicose veins include sclerotherapy, laser treatments, and catheter procedures using lasers or radiofrequency.
-
Is Psoriasis Linked to Anxiety?
Like other chronic conditions, psoriasis can take a toll on your emotional health. Anxiety can trigger or worsen psoriasis, and psoriasis can cause anxiety.
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What Is Good for a Child's Cold?
The common cold is one of the main reasons for missing schools in children and missing work in adults. Children are affected more commonly with cold than adults, who may have an average of two to three colds each year.
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How Do You Tell If Your Child Has Allergies or a Cold?
Colds and allergies have different causes, but both involve the body's immune system. Since the symptoms of allergies and the symptoms of a cold overlap, it can be hard to tell which one your child has.
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What Is Intertriginous Psoriasis?
Intertriginous psoriasis, also known as inverse psoriasis, is a rare type of psoriasis that occurs in skin folds, such as the armpits, under the breasts, and groin.
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Are Psoriasis and Psoriatic Arthritis the Same?
Psoriatic arthritis is a type of inflammatory arthritis that occurs due to joint inflammation in people with psoriasis; however, not every person with psoriasis gets psoriatic arthritis.
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What Is the Most Severe Form of Psoriasis?
Erythrodermic psoriasis (EP) or erythroderma is a severe type of psoriasis that causes extensive peeling, severe itching, and rashes across the entire surface of the body.
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How Do You Get a Cold Sore on Your Lip?
Cold sores, also called fever blisters or oral herpes, are a viral infection that leaves small blisters around your mouth. You get a cold sore on your lip due to viral infection from herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1).
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How Many Types of Insomnia Are There?
Insomnia is trouble falling asleep or staying asleep. The three types of insomnia include transient insomnia, short-term insomnia, and chronic insomnia.
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How to Identify Cold Symptoms in Children
When a child is sick, their way of showing it may not always be clear. Here’s what to look for to determine whether your child is sick with a cold.
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How Do You Treat a Cold Naturally?
Hundreds of viruses and bacteria can cause the common cold and flu. Most cases of cold and flu usually resolve in a week with simple home remedies and over the counter (OTC) medications. If there is no improvement in a few days, it is advised to consult a doctor.
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Is Psoriasis a COVID-19 Risk?
Psoriasis is a chronic, autoimmune, inflammatory condition that primarily affects the skin. There is no definitive link between psoriasis and an increased risk of COVID-19.
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Can Psoriasis Lead to Psoriatic Arthritis?
It is well established that both psoriatic arthritis and psoriasis are linked. Nearly 30 percent of people with psoriasis develop psoriatic arthritis.
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What Is Considered Moderate Plaque Psoriasis?
Moderate plaque psoriasis is when patches cover 3%-10% of your body surface area. Learn about symptoms, causes, triggers, and treatment.
Treatment & Diagnosis
- Distended Stomach (Abdominal Distention)
- Stomach Cramps
- Abdominal Pain
- Abdominal Lump
- Indigestion (Dyspepsia, Upset Stomach)
- Oral Herpes (Cold Sores)
- Stomach Ulcer (Peptic Ulcer)
- Psoriasis
- Insomnia
- Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm
- Gastroenteritis (Stomach Flu)
- Common Cold
- Scalp Psoriasis
- Varicose Veins
- Psoriasis: The Secret to Managing Psoriasis
- Psoriasis: Routes to Relief-- Mark Lebwohl, MD
- Psoriasis: Advances in Treatment
- Killer Cold Virus Infection
- Cold & Flu FAQs
- Psoriasis FAQs
- Belly Abdominal Fat FAQs
- Common Cold FAQs
- Insomnia FAQs
- Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Monitoring
- Abdominal Pain Causes By Location
- Abdominal Adhesions
- Irritable Bowel Syndrome & Abdominal Pain - Common in Teens
- Cough, Cold, Weight Loss Drug Dangerous - Warning
- Progressive Muscle Relaxation
- Trouble Sleeping? Insomnia May Be Why
- 10 Tips to Avoid Insomnia and Get a Good Night's Sleep
- Colds: 10 Tips to Prevent The Common Cold
- Killer Cold Virus (Adenovirus Strains)
- Can You Get Gout in Your Back?
- Should You Get Surgery for and Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm?
- Can You Develop Lactose Intolerance as You Age?
- What Causes Severe Abdominal Pain in Kids?
- What Causes Upper Abdominal Discomfort?
- What Does Blood in the Stool Mean?
- What Parasites Can Live on Sushi?
- What Causes Abdominal Pain?
- How Do You Get Psoriasis?
- Can Psoriasis Be Caused by Allergy?
- Is It Eczema or Psoriasis?
- What Are the Triggers of Psoriasis?
- What Is Intra-abdominal Hemorrhage?
- Cold Sore Treatment
- OTC Cold and Cough Medications
- Surviving a Gunshot Wound to the Head
- When to Call the Doctor for Fever, Nausea, Diarrhea, Colds, and Coughs
- Abdominal Pain: Questions to Ask Your Doctor
- Abdominal Pain - Timely Diagnosis
Medications & Supplements
Prevention & Wellness
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https://www.rxlist.com/consumer_gotu_kola/drugs-condition.htm
https://reference.medscape.com/drug/brahmabuti-centella-asiatica-gotu-kola-344500#0
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3359802/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3116297/
https://www.mskcc.org/cancer-care/integrative-medicine/herbs/gotu-kola
https://www.mountsinai.org/health-library/herb/gotu-kola
https://www.webmd.com/vitamins/ai/ingredientmono-753/gotu-kola