The herb traditionally associated with wound healing and memory support in Chinese medicine is gotu kola (*Centella asiatica*).
Gotu kola is a small, moisture-loving herb also called Asian pennywort or Indian pennywort. In traditional Asian medicine, the whole plant has been used for minor wounds and skin conditions, while preparations have also been promoted as tonics for concentration and memory. Its reputation for skin repair is linked to triterpenoid compounds such as asiaticoside and madecassoside.
Modern research has investigated whether these compounds influence collagen production, inflammation, and new blood-vessel formation during wound repair. Evidence for memory improvement is less settled: traditional claims and small studies exist, but controlled human research has not established gotu kola as a proven cognitive treatment.
Gotu kola is often confused with bacopa, another herb marketed for memory, and with ginseng, a different traditional medicine. “Brahmi” can create additional confusion because that name is used for both gotu kola and bacopa in different contexts. The botanical name is the safest way to distinguish them.