Conclusion
Centella asiatica is a powerful, natural remedy for skin healing. It supports every part of the healing process—building collagen, growing new blood vessels, fighting inflammation, and stopping infection.
Its long history in traditional medicine is now supported by science. Whether used as a cream, gel, or supplement, this herb helps wounds heal faster and leaves the skin stronger and healthier.
New technology is making Centella even more effective. Researchers are working on hydrogels, nanofiber dressings, and nanoparticles to deliver its healing compounds directly to wounds. These advances could make the herb even more useful in future wound care.
While more large-scale studies are needed, current research shows that Centella asiatica is safe, effective, and worth including in modern wound treatment. This humble plant has gone from ancient folk medicine to a trusted healing tool in today’s world.
Introduction
Healing a wound is a complex job for the body. It involves several steps: stopping the bleeding, controlling inflammation, forming new tissue, and rebuilding the skin. If anything slows down this process, wounds can become chronic and hard to heal.
To help speed up healing, many treatments have been tried, including nutrients and medicines. Recently, more attention has been given to natural remedies. One plant that stands out is Centella asiatica, also called Gotu kola.
Centella asiatica is a small leafy herb from the parsley family. It grows in warm, tropical places across Asia, Africa, and parts of Europe. People have used it in traditional medicine for hundreds of years. In India, it’s known as Mandookaparni in Ayurveda and has long been used to heal wounds and improve skin health.
Old records from South and Southeast Asia describe how this herb was used to treat serious skin problems like leprosy, lupus, eczema, and ulcers. Healers also used it for burns, scars, and even for thick, raised scars called keloids.
Now, modern science confirms what traditional healers knew. Researchers have found powerful natural compounds in C. asiatica—especially a group called triterpenoids. Four key ones are asiaticoside, madecassoside, asiatic acid, and madecassic acid. These work together to fight infection, reduce swelling, and boost skin repair.
Today, Centella asiatica is used in creams, gels, and supplements to treat wounds. In this article, we’ll explain how this amazing plant helps the skin heal and share the latest scientific studies backing its use.
A Look at Centella Asiatica’s History and Traditional Uses
Centella asiatica has deep roots in traditional healing systems. In Traditional Chinese Medicine, it was used as a cooling herb to lower inflammation and treat small cuts. In Southeast Asia, people crushed the leaves into a paste and applied it directly to the skin.
The name “Tiger Grass” comes from stories of wild tigers rolling on the plant to heal their wounds—an old myth that hints at its strong healing reputation.
In Ayurveda, Centella asiatica is one of the herbs used to help the brain and body stay young. Texts describe how it healed ulcers and skin damage by improving blood flow.
In Malaysia and Indonesia, people used a version called Pegaga to dry out wounds and help them close. It wasn’t just for minor cuts—healers used it for severe skin diseases, including leprosy and syphilis sores.
By the 1900s, doctors in the West started taking notice. They developed TECA, a purified extract of the plant, to treat skin wounds. These products helped speed up healing and reduce scar formation. The long tradition of using Centella asiatica laid the foundation for its growing role in modern skin care.
How Centella Asiatica Helps Wound Healing
Centella asiatica works in several ways to support wound healing. Each of its natural compounds helps the body at different stages of skin repair. Here’s a closer look:
1. Boosting Collagen and Repairing Tissue
Collagen is a key building block of skin. Centella asiatica helps the body make more collagen—especially Type I collagen, which strengthens the skin.
One of its main compounds, asiaticoside, encourages skin cells called fibroblasts to grow and work faster. It also increases a protein called fibronectin, which helps wounds close and form healthy tissue.
Wounds treated with this herb show stronger skin and better structure. This is especially useful for treating scars. In cases of thick or raised scars, C. asiatica helps balance collagen levels—enough to heal but not too much to cause scarring. It does this by regulating certain proteins like TGF-β1 and PAI-1 that control scar formation.
2. Growing New Blood Vessels (Angiogenesis)
New blood vessels are crucial for healing. They bring oxygen and nutrients to the wound area. Centella asiatica increases the levels of two important growth factors: FGF (Fibroblast Growth Factor) and VEGF (Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor).
These help new capillaries grow and improve blood flow. Studies show that wounds treated with Centella have more blood vessels and heal faster. Better blood supply means faster growth of new tissue and quicker recovery.
3. Reducing Inflammation
When a wound stays inflamed for too long, it can delay healing. Centella asiatica helps by reducing the levels of substances that cause inflammation, such as TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6.
It also blocks enzymes like COX-2 and LOX, which create more swelling and pain. As a result, wounds treated with this herb show less redness, swelling, and discomfort. This allows the healing process to move ahead smoothly and lowers the risk of ugly, thick scars.
4. Fighting Oxidative Stress
Wounds are under a lot of stress. The body produces free radicals, which can damage cells during healing. Centella asiatica is rich in natural antioxidants like flavonoids and phenolic acids. These compounds remove harmful free radicals and protect the skin.
By reducing this oxidative damage, the herb helps keep skin cells healthy so they can grow and repair the wound faster. This antioxidant effect also supports collagen production and helps skin cells move in to close the wound.
5. Killing Germs (Antimicrobial Action)
Infections can slow down wound healing. Centella asiatica has strong germ-killing power. It works against many bacteria and fungi that commonly infect wounds, including Staphylococcus aureus and even tough ones like MRSA.
By keeping the wound clean and lowering the number of harmful microbes, the herb helps the body heal faster and prevents further damage. This is especially useful in places with antibiotic-resistant infections.
Research Backing Centella Asiatica’s Healing Effects
Lab and Animal Studies
Lab tests using human skin cells have shown that Centella asiatica speeds up cell growth and collagen production. For example, fibroblast cells exposed to asiaticoside grew faster and made more collagen.
Animal studies back this up. In rats, wounds treated with Centella healed faster and had more new skin growth compared to untreated wounds. The treated wounds also had more collagen and stronger tissue.
Even in diabetic animals—which usually heal slowly—Centella helped. Diabetic guinea pigs given asiaticoside cream healed faster and made stronger skin than untreated ones.
The herb also boosted new blood vessel growth and lowered swelling in tests. In one study, it reduced swelling by nearly as much as common anti-inflammatory drugs like ibuprofen, with no major side effects.
Human Clinical Studies
Though fewer than animal tests, several human trials show positive results.
One big study in Thailand tested oral Centella supplements in over 150 people with diabetic foot wounds. Those who took the herb had better wound healing—about 57% wound closure after 3 weeks, compared to 44% in the control group.
In another study, a Centella cream was tested on burn wounds. Patients healed about 7 days faster than those using silver sulfadiazine cream, the usual treatment. They also reported less pain and had better-looking scars.
Other studies show benefits for acne scars, surgical wounds, and anal fissures. A gel with Centella used on facial wounds led to faster healing and less redness. Importantly, no serious side effects were reported, showing that it’s safe for most people.