Gotu Kola For Hair: Ayurvedic Secrets and Treatments

Gotu Kola, also known as Indian Pennywort, is best known for its benefits for brain function and cognitive wellbeing.

However, this ancient herb is also revered in Ayurveda for promoting hair growth, health, and luster.

In this article, we’ll explore the benefits of Gotu Kola for hair based on research and Ayurvedic principles, how to use it, and recipes for making your own Ayurvedic hair masks.

What is Gotu Kola?

Gotu Kola, also known as “the herb of longevity”, Indian Pennywort, and its scientific name, Centella Asiatica, belongs to the parsley family and grows in India, Southeast Asia, South Africa, Pakistan, and Eastern Europe.

Gotu Kola is considered a Rasayana (rejuvenator), an adaptogen (a type of herb that increases stress resilience), a nootropic (herb for brain health), and a Rasayana (a rejuvenator).

It is also a tridoshic herb, meaning it can benefit all doshas, vata, pitta, and kapha.

Gotu Kola’s has a variety of traditional uses, including:

• Menstrual support
• Cardiovascular function
• Cognitive function
• Digestive support
• Stress relief
• Female genitourinary function
• For protection and good fortune
• Immune function
• Longevity
• Metabolic health
• Memory
• Nervous system complaints
• To enhance meditation, prayer, and spirituality
• Skin, hair, and nail health

Its reputation in Ayurveda and Traditional Chinese systems has made it the focus of various studies, including some on Gotu Kola’s hair health benefits.

An Ayurvedic Perspective on Hair Health

Ayurveda is well-known for its herbal beauty recipes and rituals, including facial packs, hair masks, hair and body oils, natural hair dyes and lighteners, and formulas designed to promote inner and outer beauty.

According to Ayurvedic principles, the look, health, and quality of one’s hair reflect one’s inner state of health.

Therefore, Ayurveda views and addresses hair issues from a multifaceted perspective, taking into account imbalances in dosha, diet, stress response, and lifestyle—all of which can affect different aspects of hair health.

For example, unexplained hair loss may be viewed as an imbalance in dosha, nutrient deficiencies, hormonal imbalance, excess stress, lack of sleep, or issues with bone health, which is considered directly related to hair health.

Although many Ayurvedic herbs are recommended for their hair-enhancing properties, Gotu Kola is one of the most popular and may be recommended as a topical and/or internal tonic.

5 Benefits Of Gotu Kola For Hair

Gotu Kola is best known for helping promote hair growth, minimize hair fall, and enhance overall shine and quality.

Here, we explore how Gotu Kola may benefit hair based on research and Ayurvedic principles.

1. Contains Active Plant Compounds That May Support Hair Growth

Research on Gotu Kola’s hair health benefits is limited. 

However, studies have shown Gotu Kola contains various plant compounds, including saponins, which may promote hair growth.

One study suggests Gotu Kola may promote healthy venous system function.

A healthy venous system carries nutrient- and oxygen-rich blood to hair follicles, which could impact their growth and health.

Additional research has shown Gotu Kola, taken internally, may promote healthy circulation, which may have implications for hair follicle health.

Another animal study showed that topical Gotu Kola ointment had the greatest impact on hair growth and density among eight herbal ointments tested.

Gotu Kola also contains skin-supportive antioxidants and saponins, a natural plant compound known to provide protective benefits to hair, skin, and scalp when applied topically or taken internally.

Although more research is needed, these preliminary studies have begun to explain what Vedic practitioners have known for centuries about Gotu Kola’s potential hair growth-supportive properties.

2. Supports Healthy Stress Response

Stress is a common cause of hair loss in men and women.

Acutely stressful events can disrupt hair telomere growth. This eventually leads to shedding which can be temporary or prolonged depending on the severity of the stress or trauma and the individual’s health.

Chronic stress can also disrupt hair growth, leading to hair loss and thinning.

As a Rasayana and adaptogen, Gotu Kola helps the body adapt to stress via its effects on the Hypothalamic Pituitary Adrenal (HPA) axis and nervous system.

This helps reduce stress and create resilience, both of which can help minimize stress-related hair loss.

3. May Support Scalp Health

A healthy scalp houses hair follicles and thus is essential for normal hair growth. 

Gotu Kola has long been used in Ayurveda topically to address scalp conditions, which may help promote healthier and fuller hair.

Studies have shown that Gotu Kola has several phytochemicals that may promote scalp health, including triterpenoids, which improve skin/scalp elasticity by supporting collagen production, and inflammatory-supportive asiaticoside, an antioxidant that can help soothe scalp irritation and support the skin microbiome.

When combined with other ingredients, like yogurt or coconut oil, to make a hair mask, the application of Gotu Kola can be very beneficial for scalp health and minor irritations.

4. Contains Hair-Supportive Bioactives

Most Westerners know Gotu Kola as a supplement or a tea. 

However, in India and other parts of Asia, in its whole form it is considered a highly nutritious leafy green vegetable that is used in various culinary dishes.

Like other dark leafy greens, whole Gotu Kola leaves contains hair-supporting nutrients to help keep your mane healthy, strong and full.

5. May Promote Sleep

As mentioned previously, adequate high-quality sleep is considered essential for overall health and healthy hair in Ayurveda.

When taken internally, Gotu Kola’s stress-reducing properties can be incredible for promoting healthy sleep. If needed, it can also be paired with other sleep-supportive herbs, like Ashwagandha.

How To Use Gotu Kola For Hair Growth, Health, & More

Gotu Kola may be recommended as a supplement and/or topical application to promote hair growth and restore thickness and luster.

Check with your practitioner for supplement recommendations, but as a general starting point, Organic India’s Gotu Kola Herbal Supplement contains 700 mg of Gotu Kola per capsule, with a recommended daily dose of 2 capsules.

An Ayurvedic practitioner may recommend a greater or lesser dosage depending on your unique presentation.

For topical application, Gotu Kola can be infused into oil for massage or mixed into a deep conditioning hair mask to apply once or several times a week.

Many people swear by Ayurvedic hair masks containing Gotu Kola and other herbs to restore hair’s thickness, fullness, and shine.

They’re also wonderful to apply after any type of hair processing, such as coloring or straightening treatments.

However, regular application and patience are the key to success!

Next, we’ll share three simple Gotu Kola hair mask recipes for healthy, thick, and shiny hair.

3 Ayurvedic Gotu Kola Hair Mask Recipes

These masks only require a few ingredients and can be whipped up in a matter of minutes.

They require no special equipment or skills and give you an opportunity to relax while your hair soaks up the herbal goodness.

Which mask is best for your hair?

All these masks contain ingredients to deeply condition, revitalize, and restore hair while promoting growth and scalp health.

We suggest testing them out to see which consistency and results you like best. You can also mix them up by applying one per week.

Note: Those with very oily hair may prefer to stick with the yogurt and aloe vera-based masks as the coconut oil is most suitable for normal, dry, or damaged hair. 

The recipes are designed for medium-length hair, so you may need to reduce the amounts by half for short hair, or double or triple them for very long hair. 

Unused portions of the yogurt and aloe masks can be kept in the fridge for 3-4 days, and the coconut oil mask has a shelf life of several weeks when stored at room temperature.

Gotu Kola Amla Yogurt Hair Mask

Nutrient-rich yogurt is a popular moisturizing base for various Ayurvedic skin and hair masks. This recipe combines Gotu Kola with superfruit Amla to deeply nourish hair and scalp.

Amla is also used in Ayurveda to prevent or stop premature graying.

Ingredients:

• 2 tablespoons Gotu Kola powder or ground herb
• 2 tablespoons Amla powder
• 1/4 cup plain yogurt

How to make:

1. Whisk the Gotu Kola powder into the yogurt and let sit for about 5 minutes.
2. Apply to the hair from root to tip.
   1. Note, for very long hair, double or triple the recipe.
3. Cover with a shower cap and leave on for 30 minutes.
   1. If able, apply heat from a heated bonnet, sauna, or hair dryer to maximize absorption.
4. Rinse thoroughly and shampoo if desired.

Repeat 2-3 times per week. 

This mask can also be used as a conditioning treatment after shampooing. In that case, simply rinse thoroughly after use, no need to re-shampoo.

Gotu Kola Aloe Vera Hair Mask

Aloe vera is another ultra-hydrating and all-natural base for masks, lotions, creams, and various skin care products.

Aloe also contains various hair-supportive nutrients and acts as a perfect, non-greasy carrier for Gotu Kola or other Ayurvedic herbs.

Ingredients:

• 2 tablespoons Gotu Kola powder or ground herb
• 1/4 cup pure aloe vera gel
  • You can extract gel directly from an aloe vera plant or look for pure aloe gel in your local natural foods store.

How to make:

1. Whisk the Gotu Kola powder into the aloe vera gel and let sit for about 5 minutes.
2. Apply to the hair from root to tip.
   1. Note, for very long hair, double or triple the recipe.
3. Cover with a shower cap and leave on for 30 minutes.
4. Rinse thoroughly and shampoo if desired.

Repeat 2-3 times a week for best results.

This mask can also be used as a conditioning treatment after shampooing. In that case, simply rinse thoroughly after use, no need to re-shampoo.

Gotu Kola Ashwagandha Coconut Oil Treatment

Ashwagandha is another prized Rasayana and adaptogen for promoting hair health and works similarly to Gotu Kola.

Here, the two herbs are infused in coconut oil—a favorite for hydrating and thickening hair and promoting scalp health.

For convenience, this infused oil can be made in a large batch in a slow cooker and then applied by the spoonful as needed.

Since coconut oil is naturally antibacterial, antifungal, and antipathogenic and is intended for topical use, no preservatives are required, though you can add vitamin E oil as a natural preservative for extra precaution.

Ingredients:

• 8 tablespoons Gotu Kola powder or ground herb
• 8 tablespoons Ashwagandha powder
• 1 cup coconut oil or fractionated coconut oil (liquid)
  • Regular coconut oil will solidify at room temperature, and many people find it easier to apply it this way. However, you can use fractionated coconut oil if you prefer a liquid consistency.
• Optional: 1-2 capsules vitamin E

How to make:

1. Fill a slow cooker about half full with water and place on low.
2. Combine the coconut oil with the herbs in a pint size mason jar or other heat-proof container.
3. Seal the jar well and place it in the water in the slow cooker.
4. Allow to cook on low for 8-12 hours or overnight, to infuse the oil.
5. Carefully lift the oil from the slow cooker using slip-proof tongs, canning tongs, or oven mitts.
6. Allow to cool slightly so you can handle it without burning yourself (the jar will be hot but not scalding).
7. Using a fine mesh strainer, strain the herbs out of the oil into another mason jar or storage container. Press on the herbs to extract as much as possible.
8. You can use this immediately, applying as much as you need to coat the hair or store it for later.
9. To apply, massage the mixture thoroughly into the hair and scalp (the massaging action helps stimulate the scalp and hair follicles), cover with a shower cap or plastic wrap, and let sit for 20-30 minutes. Adding heat will help the oil penetrate the hair but is not required.
10. Rinse and shampoo.
11. Repeat 1-3 times a week.

Note: Rinsing oiled hair in a tub or shower may create a slip hazard. 

To avoid this, rinse very thoroughly with very warm water while showering and move with caution. Alternately, rinse only your head over the shower or tub, or rinse hair in the sink. If the tub is slick, clean thoroughly after use.

Shop Organic India’s Gotu Kola & Other Hair Support Herbs

Organic India is proud to be one of the leading growers and distributors of regeneratively grown organic herbs, including Gotu Kola!

Our Gotu Kola supplements include pure Gotu Kola and blends to support memory, cognitive function, sleep, stress, hair skin and nail health, energetic well-being, and more.

Our Gotu Kola capsules do double-duty as topical applications. Simply open the capsules and mix into your favorite hair mask recipes.

We also offer Organic Regenerative bulk Ashwagandha and Amla powder in 1 pound bags or in capsules.

Shop Organic India’s Gotu Kola and herbs for hair health and rediscover the feeling of full luxurious hair, naturally.

Learn more about the benefits of Ayurvedic herbs for hair growth and beauty in:

• 5 Best Herbs for Hair Growth and How to Use Them
• DIY Herbal Face Mask For Dry Skin: 3 Options
• Ashwagandha for Hair: A Comprehensive Guide