CENTELLA (BRAHMI)
Centella asiatica is a perennial
herb. The green leaves are harvested and
used for medicinal purposes. It is native to China, Japan, India and Indonesia.
It is used as a medicinal herb used in Ayurvedic &
Traditional Medicines. It is commonly called Asiatic pennywort or Indian
pennywort in English. & Brahmi
booti in Hindi.
Although Centella asiatica appears
safe when taken as directed, the University of Maryland Medical Center warns
against taking the herb for longer than six weeks without consulting a doctor.
Also, individuals with liver disease or a history of cancerous skin lesions
should not take Centella asiatica. Always talk to your doctor before
self-treating with this or any other herb, especially if you currently take
prescription medications.
For Diabetes Type 1 & 2
The water extract of whole plant of Centella asiatica is used by traditional healers in the Haya
tribe in Bukoba Region in Tanzania, in the management of both Type 1 (insulin
Dependent) and Type 2 Diabetes (non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus).
Glucose uptake induced by C. asiatica extracts was comparable with the absorption caused
by insulin. Glucose uptake effect was most significant in leaves, followed by
roots, whole plant and stems. The use of Centella
asiatica in both type 1 and type 11 diabetes mellitus is effective.
Bad Circulation (Venous)
Conditions
Centella asiatica may help reduce
swelling and improve circulation in individuals with venous conditions such as
varicose veins and venous insufficiency, a condition that causes blood to pool
in the legs. One study, published in Angiology in 2001, examined patients with
venous hypertension taking placebo or Centella asiatica for a period of four
weeks. At the end of the study, individuals taking Centella asiatica
experienced a significant reduction in ankle edema, swelling, pain, cramps and
tiredness in the lower extremities compared to placebo. Researchers noted that
a dosage of 180 mg a day was more effective in reducing symptoms associated
with venous hypertension than lower doses.
Wound
Healing properties
Traditionally used to treat minor
wounds, Centella asiatica contains chemicals known as triterpenoids (Bitters)
that appear to speed wound healing, boost antioxidants at the wound site,
strengthen the skin and increase blood supply to the wounded area. A study
published in 2006 in the International Journal of Lower Extremity Wounds
examined the effects of Centella asiatica on wounds in rats. The study found
that wounds treated with Centella asiatica leaf extract contracted and healed
significantly faster than untreated wounds. Though human trials are lacking,
this evidence appears to confirm the herb's traditional use as a wound healer.
Decreases
Anxiety
Centella asiatica's triterpenoids
may also decrease anxiety and increase mental function in some individuals.
According to one study, published in the Journal of Clinical Psychopharmacology
in 2000, patients given Centella asiatica were less startled by a new noise 30
to 60 minutes after taking a single dose than patients who did not take the
herb. While these findings suggest that Centella asiatica may have anti-anxiety
activity in humans, researchers note that its therapeutic efficacy for treating
anxiety symptoms remains unclear.
Other
Benefits
Healers have used Centella asiatica
to treat a variety of ailments for thousands of years including leprosy,
eczema, psoriasis, respiratory infections, ulcers, colds, hepatitis, epilepsy,
fatigue, fevers, asthma and syphilis. In Chinese medicine, Centella asiatica is
also known as the “fountain of life” herb because it supposedly increases
longevity. Though scientific study has yet to prove the efficacy of gotu kola
for these disorders, herbalists sometimes prescribe the herb for the treatment
of insomnia, scleroderma, cancer, circulatory disorders, hypertension, memory
loss, scars and cellulite.
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