The Development History of Centella Asiatica
2026-09-18
I. History of Centella asiatica Use in China
First documented in Shennong Bencao Jing (Shennong's Classic of the Materia Medica).
Centella asiatica first appeared in the Eastern Han dynasty classic Shennong Bencao Jing, where it was classified under the "middle grade." The original text records it as "bitter in taste, cold in nature," stating that it "treats high fever, foul sores, carbuncles and deep abscesses, spreading red lesions, reddened skin, and body heat" — its core function being to clear heat, remove toxins and treat skin sores, swellings and toxic eruptions, which is precisely the origin of its later "skin-repair" positioning.
Centella asiatica first appeared in the Eastern Han dynasty classic Shennong Bencao Jing, where it was classified under the "middle grade." The original text records it as "bitter in taste, cold in nature," stating that it "treats high fever, foul sores, carbuncles and deep abscesses, spreading red lesions, reddened skin, and body heat" — its core function being to clear heat, remove toxins and treat skin sores, swellings and toxic eruptions, which is precisely the origin of its later "skin-repair" positioning.
Evolution across successive dynasties' materia medica:
- Northern and Southern Dynasties — Tao Hongjing, Mingyi Bielu(Records of Famous Physicians): "Non-toxic; grows in Jingzhou," with an explanation of the name: "This herb is so named for its cold and cooling nature."
- Tang Dynasty — Xinxiu Bencao (Newly Revised Materia Medica, by Su Jing) supplemented its form and usage: "The leaves are round like coins... it grows beside streams and ravines; pound and apply topically to hot swellings and erysipelas," explicitly establishing it as a topical remedy for sores and swellings.
- Song Dynasty — Bencao Tujing(Illustrated Materia Medica) detailed its morphology, and its aliases multiplied (Lianqiancao, Diqiancao, etc.).
- Ming Dynasty— Li Shizhen included it in the herbs section of Bencao Gangmu (Compendium of Materia Medica), compiling the indications recorded by successive generations.
- Tang Dynasty — Xinxiu Bencao (Newly Revised Materia Medica, by Su Jing) supplemented its form and usage: "The leaves are round like coins... it grows beside streams and ravines; pound and apply topically to hot swellings and erysipelas," explicitly establishing it as a topical remedy for sores and swellings.
- Song Dynasty — Bencao Tujing(Illustrated Materia Medica) detailed its morphology, and its aliases multiplied (Lianqiancao, Diqiancao, etc.).
- Ming Dynasty— Li Shizhen included it in the herbs section of Bencao Gangmu (Compendium of Materia Medica), compiling the indications recorded by successive generations.
II. History of Use Outside China
India — Ayurveda (approx. 3,000 years, predating China): Centella asiatica is a classic Ayurvedic herb, known in Sanskrit as Mandukaparni (meaning "frog leaf," as its leaves resemble a frog's webbed toes). The ancient medical classic Charaka Samhita(circa 2nd century AD) lists it as a Medhya Rasayana (mind-revitalizing rejuvenator), indicated for improving intellect, enhancing memory and cognition, and also for skin diseases and wound healing; it is likewise recorded in the Sushruta Samhita.
Sri Lanka: Known as gotu kola(Sinhalese for "concentrated herb"), it is widely used among the local people — the leaves are pounded and applied topically to wounds and ulcerated skin, while also being consumed as an everyday vegetable, making it an important "medicinal and edible" plant.
Southeast Asia and Africa: In Indonesia (known as pegagan in Java and elsewhere), Malaysia and other regions, it has been traditionally used both medicinally and as food; in Madagascar and parts of Africa, it has long been used to treat leprosy, chronic ulcers and other stubborn skin conditions — a tradition that later directly inspired modern drug development.
III. Modern Development and Cosmetic Applications
1942 — a milestone in modern pharmacy:** French chemist Bontemps, working with Madagascan scientist Albert Rakoto Ratsimamanga, isolated the key active triterpene saponins from Centella asiatica — asiaticoside and madecassoside — and developed the first Centella repair ointment, Madecassol (a name derived from "Madagascar"), for leprosy ulcers and wound repair. It subsequently came into widespread use in dermatology worldwide for the prevention and treatment of burns, post-surgical scars and hypertrophic scars.
Four core active compounds:The Centella asiatica extract commonly claimed in modern cosmetics is centered on four triterpene constituents — asiaticoside, madecassoside, asiatic acid and madecassic acid — which work synergistically to deliver anti-inflammatory, collagen-promoting, antioxidant and skin-repair benefits. These four compounds are also the core differentiators behind each raw material supplier's unique selling points.
The 21st-century Centella / CICA boom:Over the past decade or so, Centella asiatica has swept the global functional-skincare market with its "repair, soothe, anti-inflammation" positioning. Almost every mainstream brand has launched a CICA (the abbreviation for Centella asiatica) line, making it one of the most iconic "repair-type" ingredients after ceramides and hydroxypropyl tetrahydropyrantriol.