Introduction:

Centella asiatica , a semi-aquatic herbaceous plant of the Apiaceae family, grows naturally in the wetlands of South and Southeast Asia. It is found along the edges of rice paddies, in tropical plains, and near waterways. Known by many names— Gotu kola , pennywort , tiger grass , water bowl —it has held a central place in traditional medicine for over 2,000 years.

Its nickname, tiger grass, comes from a legend: wounded tigers would roll in Centella leaves to speed up the healing of their wounds. A powerful image that perfectly illustrates its regenerative properties.

In this article, we explore the mechanisms that make Centella Asiatica an essential plant in traditional pharmacopoeias, as well as the physiological and energetic reasons that led the Nuence-TCM team to associate it with the WOOD element. This combination is designed to rebalance combination to oily skin and help it regain clarity and harmony.

1. A sacred plant in traditional medicine

Centella is mentioned as early as the 3rd century in the Sushruta Samhita , one of the foundational texts of Ayurveda. It is described there as a plant capable of:

• to promote longevity
• to calm the mind,
• to support the memory,
• repairing fabrics.

In traditional Chinese medicine, Ji Xue Cao is associated with mental clarity , Qi circulation , and skin regeneration . It was used to treat various ailments: skin disorders, inflammation, anxiety, fatigue, and circulatory problems.

Even today, it is considered one of the most comprehensive plants for the skin and nervous system. To learn more about the connection between the skin and the brain, you can consult our previous article on this topic.

2. An exceptional composition: triterpenes, treasures of Centella

The richness of Centella lies in a group of active molecules: triterpenic compounds . These are what give it its restorative, soothing and anti-aging properties.

The main ones are:

• Madecassoside — a powerful anti-inflammatory, promotes healing and soothes irritations.
• Asiaticoside — antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, neuroprotective; supports skin repair.
• Asian acid — stimulates collagen production, improves elasticity and reduces pigmentation marks.
• Madecassic acid — strengthens the skin barrier and accelerates tissue regeneration.

The plant also contains flavonoids , tannins , saponins and vitamins , which enhance its antioxidant and protective action.

3. The proven benefits of Centella Asiatica

Modern research confirms what traditional medicines already knew. Centella acts on several levels:

• Skin healing and repair
  Accelerates tissue regeneration, reduces redness, soothes irritations.

• Anti-inflammatory
  Ideal for sensitive, reactive or acne-prone skin.

• Collagen stimulation
  Improves firmness, elasticity and reduces signs of aging.

• Improved microcirculation
  Useful for congested, dull or blemish-prone skin.

• Soothing effect on the nervous system
  Traditionally used to reduce anxiety and improve mental clarity.

4. Why it's ideal for combination to oily skin

Centella Asiatica offers a rare balance: it hydrates without weighing down the skin , soothes and repairs without clogging pores . For this skin type, its main benefits are:

• regulate inflammation associated with blemishes,
• to support the healing of post-acne marks,
• strengthen the weakened skin barrier,
• to provide light but long-lasting hydration,
• help to even out skin tone.

Discover all the benefits of Centella in LE BOIS purifying and mattifying facial care , specially formulated for combination to oily skin.

In traditional Chinese medicine, the WOOD element represents spring, the growth that asserts itself at the beginning of a cycle.

Oily skin, linked to an overproduction of sebum by the body, is a manifestation of the imbalances that occur at this time of year and in life (hormonal imbalances of puberty).

5. Centella and the energy of WOOD

Beyond its topical properties, Centella Asiatica perfectly corresponds to the energy of Wood, whose dynamic it perfectly embodies: to grow, regenerate, circulate, adapt .

Wood is the element of movement , ascension, and fluid circulation. Centella improves microcirculation .

-The Liver is the organ associated with WOOD, it The liver is the organ most sensitive to stress, emotions, and stagnation. Through its calming properties, Centella helps to dissipate heat and stagnation in the liver when the Wood element is unbalanced.

In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), the Liver governs tissue regeneration , wound healing , and the flexibility of tendons and skin. The actions of Centella, which accelerate healing and repair damaged tissues, are typically associated with a healthy Liver.

Conclusion

From Ayurveda to Traditional Chinese Medicine, from the legend of tigers to modern studies on triterpenes, Centella Asiatica appears as a bridge between ancestral knowledge and contemporary scientific discoveries. It perfectly embodies the Nuence-MTC concept: the alliance of the ancient and the modern, of efficacy and wisdom.

Its restorative, soothing and regenerating properties make it a valuable ally for combination to oily skin, while its energetic affinity with the WOOD element reveals a deeper dimension: that of a plant which accompanies the cycles of growth, balance and renewal, like the Nuence-MTC treatments designed to respect the rhythms of the body as much as those of nature.

And you, what place do you want to give to Centella Asiatica in your skincare ritual to help your skin achieve greater balance?