Gotu Kola (Rau Má) Dried Leaf Herbal Infusion — 100 g
Product overview: This listing is for 100 g of dried gotu kola leaf, botanically Centella asiatica, also known as rau má or Asian pennywort. It is sold as loose dried herbal material for preparing an infusion. It is not a seed packet, living plant, standardized extract, dietary supplement capsule or medical treatment. The actual lot's botanical testing, leaf grade, additives, packaging and filled weight have not been independently documented.
Gotu kola is a low-growing herb found across tropical and subtropical regions. It has been used as a leafy ingredient in some food traditions and as an herb in hot and cold beverages. Its flavor is generally green, leafy and earthy. The name should not be confused with kola nut, the seed of a different plant associated with caffeine. Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center notes that gotu kola itself is not a source of caffeine. Any batch-level claim that a commercial blend is free of added caffeine still requires verified ingredients.
Quick product facts
| Common names | Gotu kola, rau má, Asian pennywort, Indian pennywort |
|---|---|
| Botanical name | Centella asiatica (L.) Urb., Apiaceae |
| Form | Dried plant leaves for loose herbal infusion; cut size and whole-leaf condition not verified |
| Retail quantity | 100 g net weight as listed; physical retail packet not independently audited |
| Flavor | Typically mild grassy-green and earthy, depending on leaf age and drying |
| Caffeine | Gotu kola is not kola nut and is not naturally a source of caffeine; actual packaged ingredient analysis unavailable |
| Use | Occasional ordinary beverage prepared to taste, not a medically standardized dose |
| Precautions | Rare reports of liver injury involving Centella products, uncertainty about commercial formulations, and potential medicine interactions |
| Unknown commercial details | Actual filled weight, ingredient purity, pesticide or contaminant testing, organic certificate, shelf life, resealable packaging, 40–60 cup count and dried-leaf grade |
What is Centella asiatica?
Royal Botanic Gardens Kew recognizes Centella asiatica as an accepted species in the Apiaceae family, with an extensive distribution across the tropical and subtropical Old World, Australia and Pacific. Its creeping foliage and roundish leaves differ from unrelated plants that also carry names such as pennywort or kola. The plant has been studied for compounds including triterpenoids, but studies of concentrated extracts do not establish the effects, dose or safety of an untested loose leaf tea. A product photo or historical use cannot substitute for chemical quality testing.
Preparing a loose herbal infusion
- Confirm the physical label. Read the ingredient declaration, producer instructions and lot details; this page currently states 100 g dried gotu kola leaves, which has not been independently weighed.
- Choose a clean teapot or infuser. Use a small culinary amount of dried leaf and a clean cup; no clinical dose or guaranteed “cups per bag” is established.
- Pour heated drinking water. Use freshly heated water suitable for herbal infusions over the leaves.
- Steep to preference. Cover for several minutes, checking flavor rather than trying to increase herb concentration for health effects.
- Strain the leaves. Separate the plant material fully before drinking; optional citrus can change the flavor.
- Consume fresh. If making a chilled beverage, refrigerate it promptly and use normal kitchen food-handling hygiene.
- Avoid medical self-dosing. Strong, repeated or concentrated herbal use should not be treated as a proven therapy. People taking medication or with liver disease should seek professional guidance before consuming herbal products.
Understanding safety claims and liver reports
Rare liver injury reports: NIH's LiverTox publication reviews a small number of clinical cases of hepatitis associated with products described as containing Centella asiatica. LiverTox also points out that in some reports the actual product composition and possible other toxic ingredients were not confirmed. This is a caution about potential risk and data limitations, not evidence that every occasional cup of plain gotu kola infusion causes liver damage, nor proof that a particular retail lot is safe for daily therapeutic use.
Memorial Sloan Kettering lists liver toxicity among reported adverse reactions and describes possible interactions with medicines metabolized by liver CYP enzymes based largely on laboratory evidence; the extent of human clinical interaction is uncertain. Avoid claims that this product can safely treat high blood pressure, neurological disorders, skin conditions, chronic liver disease or other illnesses.
Extra care: Pregnant or breastfeeding individuals, people with liver disease and anyone using prescription medicines should consult their clinician before using gotu kola as a regular herbal beverage or concentrated preparation. If symptoms suggesting a serious adverse reaction occur, stop the herbal product and seek medical advice. Drinking more or steeping longer is not a proven way to improve health.
Storage and quality notes
Keep dry leaves in the original labeled container or an appropriately sealed food container away from direct sun, high heat, humidity and strong odors. Avoid using wet scoops or opening the bag over cooking steam. Discard material with visible mold, dampness, insects or unusual contamination. Retain lot labels when available. Old Shopify custom copy advertised 24 months of shelf life and 40–60 servings, but neither figure has been established by a batch test; they are not guaranteed.
Aroma and appearance vary with drying and plant handling. Neither a picture of green leaves nor a generic brand description confirms exact moisture, microbiological cleanliness, pesticide residue or additive-free purity. No certification or “handpicked” processing claim has been established.
Frequently asked questions
Is gotu kola the same as kola nut?
No. Gotu kola is Centella asiatica, a creeping leafy herb; kola nut comes from a different plant. Memorial Sloan Kettering notes gotu kola does not contain caffeine. However, only a verified lot ingredient declaration can confirm that an actual retail product contains no added tea leaves or other caffeine ingredients.
Does this include 100 g of dried herb?
The Shopify retail offer states 100 g of dried gotu kola leaf. Exact physical weight and packaging have not been independently checked.
Is this a medical remedy for memory, skin or blood pressure?
No. Memorial Sloan Kettering says evidence is insufficient for many promoted therapeutic uses. The product is marketed as a botanical infusion ingredient, not a standardized medical intervention.
Can gotu kola cause liver problems?
NIH LiverTox describes rare reports of liver injury linked to commercial Centella products, while noting that actual ingredients and causality were not always confirmed. People with liver problems should seek medical advice before use.
Is daily consumption proven safe?
No daily therapeutic regimen or tested dosage has been established for this lot. Check with an appropriate clinician before repeated medicinal-style use, especially if taking other medications.
Is it certified organic, filler-free or guaranteed caffeine-free?
No formal current-lot certificates or laboratory tests have been reviewed. The plant itself is not a source of caffeine, but the physical product's ingredient purity and additive status require verification.
How many cups does 100 g make?
The answer depends on taste and preparation, and no measured 40–60 cup yield has been verified. This is a weight listing, not a guaranteed beverage-serving count.
Sources and evidence limits
- Royal Botanic Gardens Kew: Centella asiatica, botanical identity and native distribution.
- NIH LiverTox: Centella asiatica, the limited and sometimes confounded liver injury case literature.
- Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center: Gotu Kola, evidence limits, possible drug interactions and natural absence of caffeine.
Lot evidence not available: Filled 100 g weight, leaf-cut grade, botanical third-party confirmation, origin, food/chemical testing, caffeine-containing additives, organic/filler-free status, packaging and shelf-life certificates. These must not be inferred from species publications or old automated marketing text.