English Name:- Indian Penywort.
Botanical Name:- Centella asiatica.
Family:- UMBELLIFERAE.
Parts Used:- Whole leaves, plant and seeds.
Habit:- A small creeping herb with slender reddish stem rootin at nodes, leaves orbicular
kidney shaped, margin crenate with long petiole, Flowers pink in fascicled umbels.
Taste:-Bitter.
Chemical Constituents:- Plant contains Alkaloids, Brahmin, Herpestin and Bascosides
A&B in bacoside-A Arabnosilglucose, Arabnose, Becognenine, Betulic acid, D-Manitol,
Stigmasterol, Beta- sitosterol and Tannins, Green leaves contains: Glucosides, Volatile
oil, Dry parts contains Centoic acid and Centalic acid. Whole plant also contains Pectic
acid, Valerin, Resin and ascorbic acid.
Actions:- Stimulant, Anti-amaoebic, Insecticidal, Bran tonic, Rejuvenator, Diuretic,
Blood purifier, Anti-leprotic, wound healing.
Used In:- Skin diseases, Disease of nerve disorder, Improvement of memory, Leprosy,
Tuberculosis, Anaemia, Cough, Fever, Asthma, Increases blood protein and RBC,
Respiratory stimulant, Hepatoprotective, Hypotensive and wound healer.
• Skin:- This herb is very effective in skin diseases as it has antibacterial and anti-
inflammatory properties. Its use is recommended in open sores and chronic wounds.
• Nervous system:- This herb boosts memory and grasping power. It is used as brain
tonic. Its benefits in conditions like Alzheimer’s disease, Anxiety and depression are also
appreciated.
• Digestive system:- It increases body fire and agni. Hence its preparations are used in
indigestion, loss of appetite, conditions like irritable bowel syndrome and amoebiasis.
• Circulatory system:- This herb effectively helps reduce increased blood pressure and
edema caused by increasedblood pressure. It normalizes vitiation of blood.
• Respiratory system:- The accumulated bronchial secretions or kapha gets easily
expectorated when this herb is used in respiratory conditions like bronchitis and asthma.
It is very useful in inflammation of vocal chords.
• Urinary system:- The herb reduces frequency of urination. It helps in diabetes also.
• Rejuvenation:- It slows down aging process. It helps to rejuvenate body tissues and
boosts body immunity. It purifies and increases milk secretion in breast feeding mothers.
• The herb also acts as an antipyretic. It helps reduce fever and normalize body pressure.
This herb may cause headache, rashes and giddiness when used in excess.
Information on the traditional uses and properties of herbs provided on the site is for
educational use only, and is not intended as medical advice. Every attempt has been
made for accuracy but none is guaranteed. Many traditional uses and properties of this
herb have not been validated by the FDA. If you have any serious health concern you
should consult with your health care practitioner before self administering this herb.
Warning
This herb may cause headache, rashes and giddiness when used in excess.
Disclaimer
Information on the traditional uses and properties of herbs provided on the site is for
educational use only, and is not intended as medical advice. Every attempt has been
made for accuracy but none is guaranteed. Many traditional uses and properties of this
herb have not been validated by the FDA. If you have any serious health concern you
should consult with your health care practitioner before self administering this herb.