Could This Local Herb Be The Next Big Thing In Skincare?

Centella Asiatica is more commonly known as Pegaga and Gotu Kola in Malaysia. It has been used as a traditional remedy for many ailments and is now being touted as a viable anti-ageing solution.

There are so many skincare and beauty products in the market all wooing us with the promise of youthful complexions, smooth skin, as an antidote to wrinkles and minimising scars. But, the cold truth is that they don’t always deliver. Between the gimmicks, high pricing, amount of chemicals in the ingredients and how safe long-term use actually is; it’s always better to find a natural solution.

Wouldn’t it be amazing to be able to get your skin healthy and looking the way you want it to using a plant? There’s no such thing as a miracle cure for anything but there are plant-based solutions, which are being rigorously studied with promising results. Gotu Kola is one such plant and studies have shown that consumption of this herb can help with everything from skin elasticity and scar healing to improving brain function and as a powerful antioxidant.

It should also be noted that the skin is actually our largest organ and incredibly important. We tend to dismiss it, but our skin should garner as much attention as all our other organs! It protects our body, regulates temperature, creates vitamin D and is full of nerves that relay messages to our brain, so keep it healthy should be a priority.

Skin benefits of Gotu Kola

? Anti-ageing and moisturising: Collagen is a fibrous protein found in skin and connective tissues. It’s the most common protein in our bodies and reduces joint pain, minimises cellulite, boosts metabolism and helps with muscle growth. Research has found that Gotu Kola improves collagen production, which is why it is being used in a number of high-end cosmetic brands as an anti-ageing component, to tighten skin and reduce fine lines.

? Heal wounds: Being an antioxidant and an antibacterial, Gotu Kola can be used to heal wounds by improving blood supply to the affected area and keeping it free of bacteria. Skin is strengthened due to the enhanced collagen and growth of skin cells so scarring is reduced. The herb can also be used to reduce the symptoms of skin conditions like psoriasis and to treat burns.

? Varicose veins and broken capillaries: As we age, varicose veins (enlarged veins in legs and feet) and broken capillaries (tiny blood vessels that break and are visible through the skin) become a reality. Instead of resorting to invasive treatments, Gotu Kola can help as it’s an anti-inflammatory and promotes blood circulation.

? Cellulite: The dreaded dimples (orange peel skin) of cellulite is an unwelcome sight but something almost everyone has. Gotu Kola comprises four main active compounds including asiatic acid and madecassic acid, which can help reduce cellulite and stretch marks by improving the state of the skin (tightening, healing and firming).

This ancient herb has been used in healing and cosmetology for a long time by traditional healers and popular cosmetic companies, and has been proven to work. Vanity aside, having healthy, smooth skin is all most of us want and Gotu Kola is a natural remedy we should definitely include in our beauty regime!