Ji Xue Cao
StarCentella asiatica
Synonyms: Centella cordifolia, Hydrocotyle sylvicola, Hydrocotyle ficarioides, Hydrocotyle ficarifolia, Centella asiatica var. crispata, Hydrocotyle asiatica var. crispata, Hydrocotyle dentata, Centella asiatica f. crispata, Centella asiatica var. boninensis, Centella boninensis, Hydrocotyle brasiliensis, Hydrocotyle brevipedata, Hydrocotyle wightiana, Centella hirtella, Hydrocotyle inaequipes, Hydrocotyle hebecarpa, Hydrocotyle asiatica var. monantha, Hydrocotyle lurida, Hydrocotyle lunata, Glyceria asiatica, Hydrocotyle indivisa, Hydrocotyle brevipes, Hydrocotyle thunbergiana, Centella asiatica var. cristata, Hydrocotyle nummularioides, Hydrocotyle sarmentosa, Chondrocarpus triflorus, Centella ulugurensis, Centella uniflora, Hydrocotyle abbreviata, Hydrocotyle abyssinica, Hydrocotyle ulugurensis, Chondrocarpus asiaticus, Hydrocotyle artensis, Trisanthus cochinchinensis, Hydrocotyle uniflora
☯ TCM Properties
Clears Heat, promotes diuresis, resolves swelling and removes toxicity; Invigorates the Blood, reduces swelling and stops pain; Clears Damp-Heat; Cools the Blood and stops bleeding; Clears the Liver and brightens the eyes
Traditional Chinese Uses
Ji Xue Cao (gotu kola, centella asiatica) is a cool, bitter herb used in Chinese medicine to clear Heat toxin, reduce swelling, and promote healing of sores. It addresses carbuncles, boils, skin infections, and inflammatory swellings from Heat toxin, as well as urinary tract infections and jaundice from Damp-Heat. Modern herbal medicine has extensively researched its collagen-stimulating and wound-healing properties, and it is widely used in dermatology for scar reduction, wound healing, and skin-barrier support. It is one of the most internationally recognized Chinese herbs.
Western Herbalism Properties
Gallery
Botanical Description
Centella asiatica is a low-growing perennial herb in the carrot family (Apiaceae), with slender, creeping stems (stolons) that root at nodes. Leaves are kidney-shaped to round, 1-7 cm wide, with scalloped margins, long petioles, and a waxy, bright green surface. Tiny pinkish-purple flowers are borne in small umbels in the leaf axils. Fruits are small, hard, and ribbed. The plant forms dense mats in moist conditions and spreads rapidly via stolons.
Moist, tropical and subtropical regions including wetland margins, grasslands, rice paddies, and stream banks; native to Asia and Africa, widely distributed throughout tropical and subtropical regions worldwide.
Centella asiatica is a widespread plant found throughout tropical and subtropical Asia, Africa, and other regions. It is commonly cultivated as a vegetable and medicinal herb. No conservation concerns, although wild collection pressure exists in some regions.
Active Constituents
Asiaticoside
Pentacyclic (ursane-type) triterpenoid saponinConcentration: Major; ~0.2-1.5% of dried herb (chemotype/geography dependent)
Principal wound-healing constituent; stimulates fibroblast proliferation and type I collagen synthesis, promotes angiogenesis and re-epithelialisation. It is the lead compound of the standardised extract used in topical scar and burn preparations (e.g. Madecassol).
Madecassoside
Pentacyclic triterpenoid saponinConcentration: Major; frequently the most abundant triterpene glycoside
Anti-inflammatory and antioxidant; suppresses NF-kB signalling and pro-inflammatory cytokines, protects against collagen degradation and shows chondro- and skin-protective activity in preclinical models.
Asiatic acid
Pentacyclic triterpene (aglycone of asiaticoside)Concentration: Minor to moderate
Neuroprotective and anti-inflammatory; enhances collagen deposition, modulates apoptosis pathways and has been studied for neuritogenic and antifibrotic effects.
Madecassic acid
Pentacyclic triterpene acid (aglycone of madecassoside)Concentration: Minor to moderate
Anti-inflammatory; inhibits iNOS/COX-2 and pro-inflammatory mediator release in macrophage models, contributing to the herb's tissue-repair actions.
Brahmoside / Brahminoside
Triterpenoid saponinsConcentration: Minor
Associated with the herb's mild central (sedative/anxiolytic) and blood-pressure-lowering activity reported in older pharmacological literature.
Quercetin and kaempferol
FlavonolsConcentration: Minor
Free-radical scavenging antioxidants that complement the triterpenes' anti-inflammatory and vasoprotective effects.
beta-Sitosterol
PhytosterolConcentration: Trace to minor
Membrane-stabilising phytosterol with mild anti-inflammatory activity.
⚠ Drug Interactions
Hepatotoxic drugs (e.g. acetaminophen/paracetamol, methotrexate, isoniazid)
Rare cases of cholestatic and granulomatous hepatitis have been reported after several weeks of oral Centella asiatica; concurrent use with other hepatotoxic agents may be additive. LiverTox lists Centella among herbals implicated in idiosyncratic liver injury.
Clinical note: Monitor liver enzymes with prolonged oral use; avoid combining with other hepatotoxic drugs and discontinue if jaundice or transaminase elevation occurs.
CNS depressants (benzodiazepines, barbiturates, alcohol)
Triterpenoid saponins (brahmoside/brahminoside) have shown mild sedative activity in animals, which could theoretically add to the effect of sedative drugs.
Clinical note: Watch for increased drowsiness when combined with sedatives; clinical reports in humans are lacking.
Antidiabetic agents
Some extracts have shown modest hypoglycaemic activity in preclinical models, raising a theoretical additive risk with glucose-lowering drugs.
Clinical note: Monitor blood glucose if used with antidiabetic medication; interaction is not well documented in humans.
Dosage
| Form | Amount | Frequency | Duration | Population | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| decoction | 15-30 g | daily | — | adult | Fresh herb up to 30-60 g; may be juiced or applied externally for sores. |
Preparation Methods
Decoction (internal)
Parts: whole herb (aerial parts)
Typically 15-30 g of dried herb (up to 30-60 g fresh) decocted in water; used to clear damp-heat, promote urination and cool the blood.
Fresh expressed juice
Parts: fresh whole herb
Fresh herb pounded and the juice expressed, taken internally for heat and toxicity or applied to the skin; a traditional method preserving heat-labile constituents.
Topical poultice / paste
Parts: fresh whole herb
Mashed fresh herb applied externally to sores, wounds, burns and swellings to reduce toxicity and promote healing; standardised triterpene extracts are used in modern topical scar and wound formulations.
Clinical Studies
Positive modulation of cognition and mood in the healthy elderly volunteer following the administration of Centella asiatica
In 28 healthy elderly volunteers, Centella asiatica extract 750 mg/day for 2 months improved working memory (increased accuracy, decreased reaction time) and enhanced the N100 event-related potential amplitude, with self-rated improvements in mood.
A Systematic Review of the Efficacy of Centella asiatica for Improvement of the Signs and Symptoms of Chronic Venous Insufficiency
Pooled analysis of eight RCTs found that Centella asiatica (as total triterpenic fraction) significantly improved microcirculatory measures in chronic venous insufficiency, including transcutaneous pO2/pCO2, ankle oedema and venoarteriolar response, though trial quality was variable.
Effects of Centella asiatica (L.) Urb. on cognitive function and mood related outcomes: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis
Meta-analysis of controlled studies concluded that Centella asiatica may improve some domains of cognitive function and mood, particularly alertness and reduction of anger, while noting limited numbers and heterogeneity of trials.
Historical Texts
Shennong Ben Cao Jing (Divine Husbandman's Classic of Materia Medica)
Han dynasty (c. 1st-2nd century CE)Ben Cao Gang Mu (Compendium of Materia Medica), Li Shizhen
Ming dynasty (1596)References
- Sun B, Wu L, Wu Y, Zhang C, Qin L, Hayashi M, Kudo M, Gao M, Liu T. Therapeutic Potential of Centella asiatica and Its Triterpenes: A Review . Frontiers in Pharmacology (2020) [DOI]
- Bandopadhyay S, Mandal S, Ghorai M, et al.. Therapeutic properties and pharmacological activities of asiaticoside and madecassoside: A review . Journal of Cellular and Molecular Medicine (2023) [DOI]
This information is for educational purposes only and is not intended to replace professional medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before using any herbal remedy, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, or taking medications.
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