Usage of Indian Pennywort / Centella asiatica in Aurvede , its action in ayurvedic and modern point of view

Usage of Indian Pennywort / Centella asiatica in Aurvede , its action in ayurvedic and modern point of view


Latin: Centella asiatica Linn.
(syn. Hydrocotyle asiatica [Linn.] Urban)

Family: Umbelliferae

Vernacular names: Sanskrit - Mandukaparni - Brahmi; Hindi -
Brahmamanduki - Gotu kola; English - Indian Pennywort; Unani -
Khulakudi; Bengali - Tholkuri; Malayalam - Muttil; Gujarati -
Karbrahmi; Tamil - Vallarai; Japanese - Tsubokura; Tibetan - Sin-
mnar

Part Used: whole plant

Ayurvedic Energetics:
Rasa: sweet, bitter, astringentVeerya: cooling
Vipaka: sweet
Gunas: light, sharp, liquid

Doshas: VPK -

Pharmacological Action: tonic, sedative, alterative, anxiolytic

Clinical Research: Ramaswamy, et al. , Aithal, et al. , Malhotra,
et al. and others have all reported on the sedative effects of C.
asiatica. The plant extract also has been shown to be effective
in anxiety neurosis and peptic ulcer . One interesting six-month
study conducted on normal adults showed the herb increased
mean RBC count, hemoglobin concentration, blood sugar,
serum cholesterol, total serum protein, and vital capacity.
Another study showed a significant improvement in memory
and behavior pattern when administered to retarded children
for a period of twelve weeks. Two glycosides, brahmoside and
brahminoside, have been shown to exert sedative and
hypoglycemic effects in experimental rats.

Traditional Uses: There is some confusion with regard to the
two plants mandukaparni (Centella asiatica) and brahmi (Bacopa monniera) which have similar appearance, properties,
synoymns, and lack of textual descriptions. Careful study of the
texts clearly indicate that they are two different plants. Charaka
recognises both as being promoters of mental faculties but
assigns brahmi a more specific role in treating mental diseases--
like insanity, anxiety, depression, and epilepsy--while
mandukaparni improves mental function through its more
general rasayana effect.
In addition to its intellect-promoting and anxiolytic effects, the
plant is also used in chronic cough, eczema, psoriasis, and
boils. It is in preparations given for anemia, dyspnea,
emaciation, splenic enlargement, rheumatic joint pain,
amenorrhea, and blood toxicity.

Indications: anxiety, minor memory loss, mental fatigue,
eczema

Formulations and Dosage:
leaf juice : 25 ml.


Ayrvedic Indian Medicinal Plants