The Benefits of the Centella Asiatica for the Hair.

As its name indicates, this plant is native to Asia, but many plantations have been created throughout the world. Centella asiatica farms can be found in South Africa, Madagascar, and Australia. Ayurvedic medicine attributes to it a regenerative action of the nerve cells and uses it as a healing active ingredient to heal wounds and more or less important injuries. Centella asiatica owes its virtues to its biochemical composition rich in natural bioactive substances: saponins, triterpenoids, flavonoids, phenolic acids, triterpene steroids, amino acids, sugars. The content of these molecules depends on several factors, such as the region and the growing conditions.

In cosmetics, Centella asiatica was first introduced in a formula in the early 1970s. Approved for use in organic cosmetics, this plant-based active ingredient helps to fight the signs of skin aging thanks to its antioxidant action and its ability to stimulate collagen synthesis. Centella asiatica is also an ally of choice for fading skin marks such as acne scars and stretch marks. In addition, the use of Centella asiatica for hair is recent, but has many interesting and beneficial properties, detailed below.

The constituents of Centella asiatica are known for their repairing property. Like the skin, the hair degrades and dries following various aggressions (pollution, unsuitable care, frequent coloring). Hormonal fluctuations can also damage hair fibers. Thanks to the combined action of triterpenes, saponosides and flavonoids, Centella asiatica is used in the composition of serums for the scalp as well as shampoos and hair masks. Here is a summary of the main benefits of Centella asiatica for hair and scalp:

• Centella asiatica, or Gotu kola, stimulates hair growth and fights against hair loss.

Studies have reported that this plant active ingredient stimulates microcirculation, thus promoting hair growth and giving it more strength and shine. At the same time, madecassoside, a molecule present in Gotu kola, acts in depth and stimulates the blood vessels, limiting hair loss.

• Centella asiatica fights against dandruff and cleanses the scalp.

Thanks to its purifying and healing properties, Centella asiatica soothes itchy scalps. This plant also showed antifungal activity against Malassezia furfur, the fungus that causes dandruff by shedding the scalp's skin. 

• Centella asiatica protects the hair from external aggressions (pollution, heat…).

The antioxidant benefits of Centella asiatica for the hair protect it from harmful effects of UV rays. The latter do weaken the hydrolipidic film, leading to long-term loss of keratin and drying of the hair fiber.

• PUSHPENDRA KUMAR JAIN & al. Evaluating hair growth potential of some traditional herbs. Asian Journal of Pharmaceutical and Clinical Research (2015).

• SEUNGHEE BAE & al. Titrated extract of Centella asiatica increases hair inductive property through inhibition of STAT signaling pathway in three-dimensional spheroid cultured human dermal papilla cells. Bioscience, Biotechnology, and Biochemistry (2017).

• TONGHUA LIU & al. Therapeutic Potential of Centella asiatica and its triterpenes: A Review. Frontiers in Pharmacology (2020).