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: 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. Indications: anxiety, minor memory loss, mental fatigue, eczema
Formulations and Dosage:
Ramaswamy, AS et al., Pharmacological studies on C. asiatica, J Res
Ind Med, 4, 160, 1970.
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