Gotu kola is a well-tolerated Asian herb best supported for easing poor leg-vein circulation and, applied to the skin, aiding wound healing and softening fine wrinkles. Its calming effect on mood has modest support; the famous memory and longevity claims remain unproven. Mild stomach upset, drowsiness, and rare liver injury are the main concerns. (Full Review)
| Marker | Target | Why |
|---|---|---|
| ALT (alanine aminotransferase) | ~10–26 U/L (women), ~10–30 U/L (men) | Detects liver-cell stress from the rare hepatotoxicity |
| AST (aspartate aminotransferase) | ~10–26 U/L | Complements ALT in detecting liver injury |
| ALP (alkaline phosphatase) | ~40–100 U/L | Flags the bile-flow (cholestatic) pattern of liver injury |
| Bilirubin (total) | ~0.3–1.0 mg/dL | Rising levels signal meaningful liver dysfunction (jaundice) |
| Fasting glucose | ~75–90 mg/dL | Tracks the theoretical blood-sugar-lowering effect |
Cadence: Baseline before long-term use; recheck at ~3 months, then every 6–12 months, with earlier testing if any symptom of liver stress appears