Centella Asiatica

Centella asiatica (Gotu Kola, Mandukaparni ,Thankuni or Tonimankoni, Pegaga, Ghor Tapre, Topre Jhar) is one kind of leafy vegetables and contain Vitamin K. This leaf is basically used as vegetable, chutney, for cool drink and from long times in India, Bangladesh Nepal and China
used as herbal medicine also and well known in Japan, Bangladesh, India, China, Sri Lanka, South Africa, Australia,
Malaysia Nepal. The shrub is known as Thankuni in Bengali, Thulkudi in Hindi, Peruk in Meithei and Twastri and Mandukparni in Sanskrit. It is often confused with Brahmi due to identical shape of leaves and size of plant growing in identical condition but they are two different plants with different virtues. Botanical name of the plant is  Centella asiatica (Linn) urban, belonging to Umbelliferae botanical family. The plant was earlier known as Hydrocotyle asiatica Linn. There is another species of same family having botanical name Centella javonica Thumb., often applied for identical purpose but having lesser effect and are mostly found in North Bengal and Coochbehar. Both the types are popular as green leafy vegetable consumed as side dish and with salad in Bengal and are commonly available in market. The plant is  Centella asiatica (Linn) urban, belonging to Umbelliferae botanical family. The plant was earlier known as Hydrocotyle asiatica Linn. There is another species of same family having botanical name Centella javonica Thumb., often applied for identical purpose but having lesser effect and are mostly found in North Bengal and Coochbehar. Both the types are popular as green leafy vegetable consumed as side dish and with salad in Bengal and are commonly available in market.
South Africa, Australia, Malaysia Nepal. The shrub is known as Thankuni in Bengali, Thulkudi in Hindi, Peruk in Meithei and Twastri and Mandukparni in Sanskrit. It is often confused with Brahmi due to identical shape of leaves and size of plant growing in identical condition but they are two different plants with different virtues. Botanical name of the plant is  Centella asiatica (Linn) urban, belonging to Umbelliferae botanical family. The plant was earlier known as Hydrocotyle asiatica Linn. There is another species of same family having botanical name Centella javonica Thumb., often applied for identical purpose but having lesser effect and are mostly found in North Bengal and Coochbehar. Both the types are popular as green leafy vegetable consumed as side dish and with salad in Bengal and are commonly available in market. The plant is  Centella asiatica (Linn) urban, belonging to Umbelliferae botanical family. The plant was earlier known as Hydrocotyle asiatica Linn. There is another species of same family having botanical name Centella javonica Thumb., often applied for identical purpose but having lesser effect and are mostly found in North Bengal and Coochbehar. Both the types are popular as green leafy vegetable consumed as side dish and with salad in Bengal and are commonly available in market.


Centella asiatica are basically available in wild area. Now one can cultivate this plant from seed and root in land and in container in the balcony also. This plant usually grows in the thin water area and dry area. But this plant likes to grow in muddy, wet and cool area like as under the tree, riverbanks, paddy field and grass areas and drain also. It is also found in low lands where water logging is common. It is mostly found in plenty in Eastern and North Eastern India, mostly in valleys but rarely on hills. They are also found all over India, South and South Eastern Asia under identical condition. It is a small shrub. This plant that grow in dry place has small leaf and roots and are not floating forth and thin water area leafs are wide and big and roots floating forth.

The plant yields
(1) Acids viz. pecific acid and centific acid,
(2) Sterols viz. betasitosterol and gamasitosterol,
(3) Alkaloids viz. Hdrocotyline and Vellarire,
(4) Glycosides viz. Asiaticoside,
(e) Resinous substances,
(5) Fat,
(6) Tannin and
(7) Sugar.

Recently a new triterpene glycoside thakuniside and a new triterpene acid, thankuric acid have been isolated. Plant also yields antrone of asiticoside.
The plant has been recognized as a herb since ancient days in India. In Atharba Veda plant was recognized both as Twastri and Mandukparni, and has been described as one that increases intelligence, memory, knowledge, vigor and strength. In subsequent literatures like various Samhitas and Nighuntoes its use has been described same as above besides for stomach ailments such as dysentery and diarrhea and for external application in case of injury.
During modern days further research expanded its applications further.  In China the plant is reported to be insecticidal and also used as a plaster for dog bite. The plant, particularly asiatica sp., has been considered as tonic, laxative, antipyretic, and appetizer and useful for hypertension, urinary trouble, anemia and bronchitis. The drug has weak sedative action but cardio depressant and has hypertensive action. Javonica sp., is a cooling tonic, alterative and diuretic. It is used as stimulant for cutaneous diseases. Leaves used as blood purifier for indigestion, nervousness and dysentery while leaf stalks are used for toothache.
The plant is commonly utilized as herbal medicine and food for specific purposes. It is commonly taken as diet in respect of patients suffering from stomach ailments of any kind. In case of minor fracture of bone, the paste of leaves heated and applied on effected place, tied tightly with help of cloth for healing.  Even consuming two spoonful of juice its leaves twice a day heals fracture of one in any part of the body. It adds to beauty of the body. If 5 to 6 tea spoon of juice of its leaves heated with a cup of milk and sugar is consumed, it will ensure dazzle of the body and stop falling of hair. But those who suffer too from hyperacidity must not take sugar with it. The same application also helps in preventing weight loss and excess perspiration with ad odor.  Consuming 2 to 3 tea spoon of juice with raw cow milk helps in curing dysentery associated with headache and frequent visiting of lavatory. Memory can be improved or restored by consuming a little amount of juice of the plant with a cup of milk and honey. But during this application avoid consumption of salt, fat, butter or ghee egg etc. By consuming leaves of the plant regular menstrual flow can be ensured. Water boiled with entire plant is used for washing wounds. By snuffing powdered root and stem of the plant congestion of nose can be released. Water boiled with this plant is gurgled for inflammation, eruption or wound inside the mouth. Entire plant is crushed to paste is applied externally for dressing wounds including septic wound.
In modern days, agriculturists treat this as a weed and plan to remove it by application of chemicals. But they forget that this weed is not only medicinal but also prevents pest attack on crops. Are the modern agricultural scientists feel that they serve humanity better by poisoning food chain and remove herbs?