Brahmi (Centella Asiatica / Gotu Kola) for Anxiety Relief

Research suggests that Centella asiatica (gotu kola) may offer anxiolytic and neuroprotective benefits, with multiple reviews noting that its key bioactive compounds — particularly asiaticoside, madecassoside, and triterpenes — appear to reduce oxidative stress, inflammation, and neuronal damage through mechanisms relevant to anxiety and mood regulation. Studies indicate that the available evidence draws largely from laboratory and animal studies, including one 2024 study in which a C. asiatica water extract reduced anxiety-related behaviors in a mouse model, while broader reviews covering both preclinical and limited clinical data suggest the strongest support exists for neurological applications. A 2021 review of plant-based nootropics specifically noted that while gotu kola shows promise for brain health, the clinical evidence base remains limited in scale and rigor compared to what would be needed to draw firm conclusions. Overall, the research is directionally consistent in supporting a potential role for C. asiatica in anxiety relief, but the current body of evidence is largely preclinical and reviewers across multiple publications have called for larger, more rigorous human trials before definitive claims can be made.