Centella asiatica

(Common name:- Gotu kola)

Classification

• Kingdom- Plantae
• (Unranked)-Angiosperms
• (Unranked)- Eudicots
• (Unranked)- Asterids
• Order- Apiales
• Family-Mackinlayaceae
• Genus- Centella
• Species- C. asiatica

History

It is a wonder herbal medicine used in Ayurveda and traditional Chinese medicines.

It is believed to be an effective medicine for number ailments and should not be confused with kola nut, as it doesn't contain caffeine.

Plant Description

Centella is a perennial plant that can be found in most parts of the world including whole of Asia and south pacific.

It is a member of parsley family and grows in around water. The leaves of this small plant are fan-shaped, green in colour.

The flowers are white or purple to light pink, and bears small oval shaped fruit.

Cultivation

It is hardy plant and sometimes found on the wasteland and pastures as a weed. It usually grows in swampy areas of tropical regions.

It is been found as weed along the ditches, pits and low wet areas. The plant is prone to infection due to its habitat so care must be taken while cultivation.

This plant requires loamy, sandy and clay soils which should be acidic in nature.

Parts Used

Whole plant is used.

Constituents

This herb consists of triterpenoid, saponins, and sapogenins.

Culinary uses

• Gotu kola is considered for its invasive medicinal properties such as diuretic, anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant.
• It is used as a stimulator in Ayurvedic medicine to rejuvenate mind and body.
• It is also recommended for nervous breakdown, epilepsy, senility and premature ageing.
• It is used to treat rheumatism, blood diseases, urinary tract infections, hepatitis and high blood pressure.
• It is believed to strengthen adrenal glands by purifying the blood and dispelling impurities.

Names

• ASSAMESE: Aghinya, Bor mani muni.
• BENGALI: Bora thulkari, Brahmi, Thankuni, Thankuria.
• CHINESE: Ji xue cao (Chi hsueh ts'ao).
• ENGLISH : Asian pennywort, Asiatic coinwort, Asiatic pennywort, Indian pennywort, Indian water navelwort, Marsh penny, Marsh pennywort, Pennyweed, Sheep-rot, Spadeleaf, Thick-leaved pennywort, Water pennywort, White rot.
• FRENCH: Centelle asiatique, Écuelle d'eau (Rehm), Fausse violette, Hydrocotyle.
• GERMAN: Asiatischer Wassernabel.
• GUJARATI: Barmi.
• HINDI: Bemgsag, Brahma manduki, Brahmanduki, Brahmi (North India, West India), Gotu kola, Khulakhudi, Mandukparni, Mandookaparni, Mandukaparni (South India), Thankuni.
• ITALIAN: Erba delle tigri, Idrocotile, Scodella d'acqua.
• JAPANESE : Tsubo kusa.
• KANNADA: Vondelega.
• KHMER: Trachiek kranh.
• MADURESE: Kos tekosan.
• MALAGASY: Talapetraka (Madagascar).
• MALAY: Daun kaki kuda (Indonesia), Gagan-gagan (Java), Pegaga, Pegagan, Kerok batok (Java), Rendeng.
• MALAYALAM: Kodangal, Kudangal, Muthil.
• MARATHI: Brahmi, Karinga.
• NEPALESE: Brahambuti, Braahamii (Brahami), Ghodtaapre (Ghodtapre), Ghorataap (Ghortap), Kholca ghayn.
• PUNJABI: Brahmibuti.
• RUSSIAN: Gotu kola.
• SANSKRIT: Brahmi, Brahma manduki, Brahamamanduki, Divya, Jalneem, Mandukparni, Nandukparni, Thankuni.
• SINHALESE: Gotu kola.
• SPANISH: Hierba de clavo (Rehm) , Sombrerito (Rehm).
• SUNDANESE: Antanan rambat.
• TAMIL: Vallaarai (Vallarai), Vallarai elai.
• TELUGU: Bokkudu, Nacley, Saraswataku.
• THAI: Bua bok (Central Thailand), Phak nok (Northern Thailand), Phak waen.
• VIETNAMESE: Cây rau má.