Not eating well lately and your hair’s falling? A centella-based supplement might give your roots the boost they’re begging for

We often associate hair loss with stress, hormones, or age, but few consider the everyday gaps in nutrition that silently weaken the roots. If your meals have been rushed, unbalanced, or full of processed foods lately, your hair might be the first part of your body to notice. Hair follicles are sensitive structures that rely on a steady supply of nutrients to remain active.

**A deficiency in key vitamins, minerals, and amino acids can push follicles into a resting phase, causing strands to fall out more easily. But what if a plant known for healing wounds and boosting skin renewal could also help your hair grow stronger?

So, what is Centella asiatica and why is it suddenly in hair supplements?

Centella asiatica, also known as Gotu kola or "brahmi" in Ayurveda, is a small herbaceous plant native to Asia. Traditionally used in both Ayurvedic and Chinese medicine for its skin-healing, cognitive, and anti-inflammatory properties, Centella has now entered the spotlight as a potential ally for hair health.

What makes Centella particularly interesting for hair loss is its reported ability to increase blood circulation and stimulate collagen synthesis. Blood carries the nutrients your hair needs, while collagen is crucial for the strength and elasticity of the scalp—an environment where healthy follicles thrive.

Recent scientific studies have started to explore these traditional claims, and although more human trials are needed, some early findings are promising.

How could Centella work for hair loss?

Centella asiatica may support hair health through several interconnected mechanisms. First, it may improve microcirculation, which means enhancing blood flow to the scalp and ensuring that hair follicles receive an adequate supply of oxygen and nutrients.

Second, it contains compounds like asiaticoside and madecassoside that exhibit anti-inflammatory properties, which may help counter chronic inflammation that can impair hair growth cycles. Third, Centella promotes collagen synthesis, which is essential not only for skin health but also for maintaining a strong and elastic scalp that can better anchor hair follicles. Lastly, its antioxidant properties may offer protection against oxidative stress, a factor increasingly linked to premature hair loss. While these theoretical benefits are promising, it's important to note that more robust human trials are needed to confirm Centella’s effectiveness in treating hair loss directly.

Can a supplement really compensate for poor diet?

When it comes to medical conditions like androgenetic alopecia or alopecia areata, diet plays an indirect yet significant role. These forms of hair loss are deeply influenced by hormonal factors, especially the activity of dihydrotestosterone (DHT) in the case of androgenetic alopecia, and by autoimmune reactions in the case of alopecia areata.

While a poor diet doesn’t directly cause these types of alopecia, nutritional imbalances can exacerbate the underlying mechanisms or hinder the effectiveness of treatments. For example, insufficient intake of nutrients that support hormonal balance or immune function—such as zinc, essential fatty acids, and antioxidants—can worsen inflammatory responses or hormonal sensitivity at the level of the hair follicle.

Centella-based supplements, particularly when taken orally, may offer complementary support in these scenarios. Their potential to reduce inflammation and improve blood circulation could help create a more favorable scalp environment for hair regrowth. However, they are not substitutes for medical treatments that target DHT directly, such as finasteride or topical minoxidil, nor can they reverse autoimmune mechanisms on their own.

Instead, these supplements might work best when integrated into a broader approach that includes medical treatment, a balanced diet, and stress management.

Ultimately, no supplement can compensate entirely for poor nutrition. Hair follicles are highly metabolically active and depend on a continuous supply of building blocks like amino acids, vitamins, and trace minerals to function properly. In cases of alopecia with a hormonal or autoimmune basis, a nutrient-rich diet becomes even more important—not because it will cure the condition, but because it can support the body’s overall resilience and optimize the response to treatment.

It’s important to clarify that no supplement—Centella-based or otherwise—can fully compensate for a consistently poor diet.

User Experiences

Several community posts on Tressless reference Centella asiatica in the context of hair loss, but direct user experiences with centella-based supplements for reversing shedding due to poor nutrition are limited. However, centella appears in various combinations in user regimens or topical treatments, particularly in discussions about inflammation, scalp health, and wound healing.

One of the few relevant mentions comes from a user discussing a difficult case of post-transplant complications. In a thread titled "Huge holes on donor area of scalp is this even normal?" the user reported serious damage to the donor area following a hair transplant. In their routine to manage scalp recovery, they included La Roche-Posay Cicaplast Baume B5, a product known to contain Centella asiatica. Other users in the thread emphasized the anti-inflammatory and soothing properties of this product, especially for calming irritated or healing skin, and noted its supportive role in creating an optimal environment for hair regrowth post-trauma. Though not directly about supplements, this reflects practical use of Centella in scalp recovery situations.

Another minor mention of Centella asiatica occurred in a thread discussing exosomes. One user noted an interest in exosomes derived from Centella asiatica, drawing a comparison between these and traditional DHT blockers like finasteride. However, the conversation leaned toward skepticism, particularly due to the lack of stability and established evidence with such new treatments. The post suggested curiosity and hopefulness but lacked any detailed results or follow-ups on centella-based exosome treatments.

Overall, while Centella asiatica is referenced as part of broader multi-treatment strategies, there is little direct feedback from users who used a centella-based oral supplement specifically to counteract hair shedding from poor diet. However, the known wound-healing and antioxidant effects of centella are occasionally leveraged in topicals to support scalp recovery, especially post-procedure or in cases of inflammation.

What to look for in a Centella supplement

If you are considering trying a Centella-based product, look for those that clearly list the concentration of active compounds like asiaticoside or madecassoside.

Choose supplements that provide transparency about dosage and manufacturing practices, and whenever possible, consult with a healthcare provider—especially if you have underlying medical conditions or take medication.

Some of the most easily available Centella supplements online, like the powders sold by AYURVEDASHREE, SAMYAM, AEJESOP, or brands offering “Ayurvedic Gotu Kola” on Amazon, tend to focus their marketing on traditional uses and general benefits for brain function, mood, and skin. **However, they rarely provide detailed information about the standardization of active compounds or clinical testing for hair-related outcomes.

These products often emphasize their “natural,” “organic,” or “vegan” qualities but lack transparency about concentrations of asiaticoside or madecassoside. If choosing a powdered form from these sellers, be mindful of the preparation instructions, dosage guidance, and labeling. Look for options that indicate whether they are intended for oral or topical use and whether the product comes from a reputable manufacturer with third-party testing.

Hair health is complex, and while Centella may offer a gentle nudge in the right direction, it is not a miracle cure. Think of it as part of a larger conversation with your body.

Is your hair falling because your diet is off, or is it trying to tell you something deeper about your stress, hormones, or environment? Supplements like Centella can help, but the foundation of hair health will always be built on balance, nourishment, and attentive self-care.

References

Park, S. H., Sim, Y. B., Kim, C. M., & Lee, J. K. (2017). Effect of Centella asiatica extract on proliferation and gene expression of human dermal papilla cells. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine. https://doi.org/10.1155/2017/8079529

Shukla, A., Rasik, A. M., & Dhawan, B. N. (2010). Asiaticoside-induced elevation of antioxidant levels in healing wounds. Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 115(1), 247-254. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jep.2007.09.002

Nørregaard, R., et al. (2020). Efficacy and tolerability of a novel botanical supplement in women with self-perceived thinning hair: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Phytotherapy Research, 34(2), 392-401. https://doi.org/10.1002/ptr.6544

Tressless. (2023, December 21). Huge holes on donor area of scalp is this even normal? Reddit. https://reddit.com/r/tressless/comments/18nvl4b/huge_holes_on_donor_area_of_scalp_is_this_even/

Tressless. (2025, January 22). Exosomes 2 months before and after. Reddit. https://reddit.com/r/tressless/comments/1i7bgzj/exosomes_2_months_before_and_after/