Centella Asiatica – the Plant Also Known as Gotu Kola

1. What Is It, Actually?

Centella asiatica is the scientific name of a plant. Many people refer to it as Gotu Kola. It is not a medication or a vitamin, but a plant with leaves. Researchers produce an extract from these leaves. An extract is created when plant parts are soaked in water or alcohol, dissolving the soluble components—similar to chamomile tea: the flowers steep in hot water, and the water absorbs some of their properties. Such an extract is a mixture of many different substances, not a single pure compound. This makes it challenging for researchers to identify which component of the mixture is responsible for any observed effects. In the studies we have here, the focus is primarily on the skin: wounds, dry skin, and wrinkles. Some studies test the extract applied to the skin, while others examine its effects when ingested. Exactly how the extract works in the body is not yet fully understood—this remains an area of ongoing research. Hypothesis: Perhaps the mixture is effective because multiple substances work together. This is an idea, not a certainty.

2. Where Does It Come From?

What is being studied in the research originates from the leaves. Several study titles mention “Centella asiatica leaf extract,” meaning an extract derived from the leaves of this plant. The leaves are collected, dried, and processed to dissolve the active compounds. Researchers can apply this extract to the skin or administer it orally. In studies where the title only mentions “Centella asiatica,” it is not specified which plant part was used.

3. What Are Researchers Investigating?

There are 631 publications on Centella asiatica. Of these, 74 involved human participants, and 19 were controlled trials. “Controlled” means two groups were compared: one received the treatment, while the other received an alternative. In one study, a spray containing leaf extract was applied to fresh wounds. In another, people with diabetes and dry skin received the extract both orally and topically. A review article compiled results on wrinkles. One study examined herbal creams applied to the skin by women undergoing radiation therapy—these creams contained multiple herbs, not just Centella, so the findings cannot be attributed to Centella alone. What remains unclear: the exact mechanism of action of the extract, as well as which individuals benefit most.

4. A Thought Experiment

Imagine you scrape your knee. Each day, you check: Is the graze getting smaller? Now you want to know whether a cream helps. You could apply the cream—but how do you know the graze wouldn’t have healed on its own? A single graze doesn’t tell you. That’s why researchers do things differently: they recruit many people with similar wounds, divide them into two groups, and compare outcomes. This is called a controlled study. Such comparisons are why researchers need large numbers of participants before drawing conclusions. And it’s why a single story—even your own—is not proof.

For adults and professionals: the detailed page on Centella asiatica (Gotu Kola).