SafePlants

Centella asiatica (Gotu Kola)

Centella asiatica, commonly known as centella or gotu kola, is a herbaceous perennial plant prized for its medicinal properties and use in skincare products.

Considerations for Pets

• Centella asiatica is a creeping plant.

Taxonomy and Nomenclature

• Scientific Name: Centella asiatica (L.) Urb.
• Common Names: Centella, Gotu Kola, Indian Pennywort, Spadeleaf, Antanan gede, Asiatic pennywort, asiatischer wassernabel.
• Family: Mackinlayaceae or Apiaceae.
• Synonym: Centella erecta (L. f.) Fernald.
• Taxonomic Serial Number: 29612 (Integrated Taxonomic Information System - ITIS)

Distribution and Habitat

• Centella asiatica is widespread throughout tropical and subtropical countries worldwide, including central and southern Africa, Asia, India and Australia.
• It is often found growing around the Indian Ocean.

Morphological Characteristics and Growth Habits

• It's a small, herbaceous, frost-tender perennial plant.
• It is an evergreen perennial growing to a height of 0.2 meters (approximately 8 inches) and a width of 1 meter (approximately 3 feet 3 inches).
• Centella asiatica is a creeping herbaceous annual plant with thin stems.
• It produces fan-shaped, green leaves.
• Leaves are kidney-shaped to almost circular, solitary or in groups of 2-5.
• Stems are shallowly grooved, sometimes purplish.

Traditional and Modern Uses

• Centella asiatica is a traditional medicine renowned for its cognitive-enhancing properties and ability to promote wound healing.
• It is used in alternative herbal treatments for ailments such as slow healing.
• Gotu Kola is a rejuvenative nervine recommended for nervous disorders, epilepsy, senility, and premature aging.
• It is used in the treatment of skin damage and for circulatory enhancement.
• Extract of the herb may be listed on labels as asiatic acid, hydrocotyl, or gotu kola.
• Used in Ayurveda for centuries, Centella asiatica supports the normal function of the mind, intellect, consciousness, and good spirit.
• It may help with skin elasticity and firmness and strengthen veins and capillaries.
• The plant is an important industrial crop in Madagascar and is collected in the wild for its triterpenic glycoside compounds.

Ecological Role

• In Hawaiian, Centella asiatica is called pohe kula, or sometimes pohe.

Interactions With Other Organisms

• The triterpenes obtained from Centella asiatica exert their activity by modulating collagen biosynthesis.

Quirky Facts

• The extract of the herb may be listed on labels as asiatic acid, hydrocotyl, or gotu kola.

Resources and Further Information

• Integrated Taxonomic Information System (ITIS): Taxonomic Serial No.: 29612
• Committee on Herbal Medicinal Products (HMPC) - European Medicines Agency (EMA)