Centella
Centella asiatica · บัวบก (bua bok)
One of Southeast Asia's most commercially developed botanicals, defined by its triterpene set and used across topical skincare and ingestible beauty formats.
- Family
- Apiaceae
- Part used
- Whole herb (leaf and stolon)
- Primary origin
- Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia, Madagascar
Key compounds
- ·Asiaticoside
- ·Madecassoside
- ·Asiatic acid
- ·Madecassic acid
Application areas
- Skin & cosmetic
- Cognitive wellness
- Beauty-from-within
What centella is
Centella asiatica — gotu kola, cica, บัวบก in Thai — is a low-growing wetland herb used for centuries across South and Southeast Asia, both as a fresh juice and in traditional medicine. It is now the botanical behind the global 'cica' category in skincare.
Why formulators are interested
The plant's activity is attributed to a well-characterised group of pentacyclic triterpenes: asiaticoside, madecassoside and their aglycones asiatic and madecassic acid. This combination — often abbreviated TECA or 'centella triterpenes' — gives centella something most botanicals lack: an agreed, measurable compositional target that regulators, formulators and buyers all recognise.
- Established consumer recognition through the cica skincare wave
- Dual route to market: topical and ingestible
- Clear analytical targets that support specification-based contracts
Sourcing reality
Triterpene content varies with ecotype, growing water quality, harvest stage and drying. Because centella grows in wetland conditions, heavy-metal and microbial control are the practical gating factors on cosmetic-grade and food-grade material. Traceable, tested cultivation matters more here than raw price.
Processing considerations
- Triterpene glycosides and aglycones behave differently — extraction design should target the ratio the application needs.
- Wetland cultivation makes heavy-metal and microbiological testing non-negotiable for both cosmetic and ingestible grades.
- Green colour and grassy notes need masking or refinement in ingestible beauty formats.
- Specification is typically written as total triterpene percentage with individual marker breakdown.
Formats we work in
- Cosmetic-grade triterpene extract
- Food-grade ingestible extract
- Refined low-odour powder
- Aqueous concentrate
Frequently asked
Is centella the same as cica?
Yes. 'Cica' is the cosmetic industry shorthand for Centella asiatica extracts.
What is centella called in Thai?
บัวบก (bua bok). It is also known as gotu kola across South Asia.
Which compounds are measured?
Asiaticoside, madecassoside, asiatic acid and madecassic acid — reported individually and as a total triterpene figure.
Working with centella?
Tell us the application, target specification and volume. We will come back with what the platform can process and what is realistic on supply.
Start a conversation →Information here is provided for formulators and commercial partners. It describes traditional use and published research directions, not medical claims. Regulatory status and permitted claims differ by market.