Gotu Kola Social Anxiety
Is This Herb a Natural Remedy for Anxiety?
There have been a few inquiries across the web about Gotu Kola, a herb (Centella asiatica), as a natural remedy for social phobia or anxiety. To find out the story on this supposedly natural remedy for social anxiety a search for any studies or research on the topic was in order. It didn’t take long to discover that there are some precautions to be concerned with if considering the use of this herb.
From the University of Maryland Medical Center’s website, it is stated that asiaticoside, a component found in gotu kola, has been associated with tumor growth in mice. They recommend anyone with a history of precancerous or cancerous skin lesions — such as squamous cell, basal cell skin cancer, or melanoma – refrain from taking gotu kola. As an additional precaution, they do not recommend that gotu kola be used for more than six weeks. If using gotu kola for a length of time, up to six weeks, a two week break from usage of the herb should be employed before taking again, according to University of Maryland Medical Center’s webpage on Gotu Kola. What does its webpage say about gotu kola and treatment for social anxiety? It mentions that compounds found in gotu kola are said to decrease anxiety and increase mental function in mice. Also, a study which may be of interest is mentioned. The study found that people taking gotu kola were less likely to be startled by a noise than others taking a placebo.
A reference to gotu kola as a possible antianxiety treatment is made in a book, titled Herbs Demystified: A Scientist Explains How the Most Common Herbal Remedies Really Work, by Holly Phaneuf. The author points out a study which demonstrates that gotu kola increases GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid) in rats’ brains. GABA is a neurotransmitter, an inhibitor of nerve cell signaling in the brain. So, in theory the herb could act as an anti anxiety agent. Herbs Demystified can be purchased here . It may be a good reference for many herbs and there possible benefits.
Disclaimer: This article is NOT medical advice and is for informational purposes only. You should consult your doctor for medical advice.
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