Centella Asiatica

COMMON NAME: Centella

FAMILY: Apiaceae

CHARACTERISTICS: Centella is a perennial herbaceous plant, characterized by heart-shaped leaves. It reaches a maximum height of 15 cm and grows in well-drenched areas of water. Flowering occurs in summer with small violet flowers.

HABITAT: Centella is native to the Asian continent and in particular to the tropical zone. It then spread to Australia, Africa and other countries. Today it is mainly found in India.

USES: Centella asiatica is traditionally used as a wound or sunburn healer and as an adjuvant against vascular trophism, cellulitis and hemorrhoids.

MECHANISM OF ACTION: The activity of Centella asiatica in vascular tissue is due to its triterpene fraction which acts on fibroblasts, cells typical of connective tissue (the main constituent of blood vessels) and capable of producing collagen. In fact, the triterpene fraction is able to fix two amino acids within the collagen structure that are fundamental for tissue formation, giving it greater elasticity and decreasing its permeability. Vessel permeability plays a fundamental role in circulation: if vessels were too permeable, the passage of fluids and proteins from the bloodstream to the interstitial fluid (liquid present between cells) would be excessive, resulting in the accumulation of extracellular fluids that would cause edema, swelling, itching, or cellulitis. Centella intervenes at the level of the vessel walls by reducing permeability and therefore counteracting the mechanism described above. Furthermore, there is a molecule that characterizes Centella extract: asiaticoside, a molecule that always acts on collagen formation but is also able to reduce the excessive proliferation of fibroblasts and therefore the formation of thick, visible scars.

CONTRAINDICATIONS: There are no obvious contraindications for Centella but attention should be paid to any allergies and in pregnant women.