Centella asiatica (Gotu kola)
EMA-monograph wound-healing herb with RCT signal for chronic venous insufficiency and topical scarring.
Why
Centella asiatica (Gotu kola, brahmi in some traditions) holds an EMA HMPC monograph at Traditional Use for relief of symptoms of heavy legs in mild venous circulatory disturbances. The titrated extract TECA (asiaticoside, asiatic acid, madecassic acid) has multiple RCTs in chronic venous insufficiency reporting reduced symptoms and microcirculation improvement. Topical preparations have a separate RCT body for hypertrophic scar and stretch-mark prevention.
How it works
Pentacyclic triterpenes (asiaticoside, madecassoside) stimulate collagen type-I synthesis by fibroblasts, support venous wall elasticity, and modulate TGF-β signalling, basis of both the CVI symptom-relief and the wound-healing/scarring indications.
Expected onset · CVI symptoms over 4–8 weeks; scar effects over 8–12 weeks
How to take
Dosage
CVI: standardised TECA extract 60–180 mg/day (3 daily doses). Topical: 1% asiaticoside cream applied twice daily.
Timing
Oral: divided 2–3 times daily with food. Topical: morning and evening.
On the label
Titrated extract of Centella asiatica (TECA) with stated total triterpene content. Avoid crude leaf powder without standardisation.
Ideal for
Adults with chronic venous insufficiency, prone to hypertrophic scarring, or seeking post-procedural skin healing support.
Safety
Evidence
EMA classifies Centella as Traditional Use for symptoms of heavy legs in mild venous disturbance. Belcaro 2011 Angiology RCT documented microangiopathy improvement with TECA. Dermatology evidence (Bylka 2014 review) supports use in scar modulation and post-procedural healing.
- EMA HMPC monograph, Centella asiatica (L.) Urb., herba (Traditional Use)
- Belcaro et al., Angiology 2011, Centellicum (titrated triterpenic extract of Centella asiatica) reduces the venous-arterial leg microangiopathy (RCT)
- Bylka et al., Postepy Dermatol Alergol 2014, Centella asiatica in dermatology: an overview
Where to get it
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