Mandukaparni

Mandukaparni

Latin name:- Centella asiatica

Family:- Umbelliferae

Synonym:- Manduki, Mandukaparnika, Saraswati

English name:- Indian penny wort

Morphology:- Perennial herb

Chemical composition:- Brahmoside, asiaticoside, Hydrocotyline

Guna:- laghu

Rasa:- katu,tikta

Virya:- sita

Vipaka:- Madhura

Indication:- Prameha, Sotha, Pandu, Jwara, Kasa, Raktapitta

Useful part:- whole plant

Dose:- 10-20ml

Important preparation:- Mandukaparni rasayana

Mandookparni / Gotu Kola is an important medicinal herb. It is a tonic for the brain, and used in the treatment of a variety of disorders. It has cooling, sedative, and relaxing effect. The tea prepared from Gotu kola induces sleep, and gives relief in insomnia. Below is given few home remedies that can be done at home using Gotu Kola fresh leaves or powder.

1. Anxiety

Make a paste of 3 gram leaves. Add Black pepper powder, and take.

2. Appetizer, Hyperacidity

Few fresh leaves (5-10) of the plant are chewed daily in the morning for one month.

3. Dysuria, burning urination, painful urination

Make a paste of Gotu kola, and Bhui Amla leaves. Take this is dose of 1/4 teaspoon with Dahi / curd or Chachh / buttermilk.

4. Improving brain power, memory, intelligence

1. Prepare a medicated ghee by boiling the fresh juice of herb in equal amount ghee. Daily eat one teaspoon as a brain tonic.

2. Chew few leaves in the morning empty stomach.

3. Take dried powder in a dose of 3-6 gram.

5. Insomnia, Chicken pox

• Take dried powder in a dose of 3-6 gram.

• Extract 5-10 ml juice of fresh leaves of Gotu Kola, and mix it in one cup milk, and drink before going to bed.

6. Hair loss, premature hair graying, hair care, massaging scalp for sleeplessness, stress, and headache

Extract juice of Gotu kola leaves. Mix with an equal amount of coconut oil. Boil the mixture till all the water is evaporated. Filter, and store in bottle to use as a hair oil.

Contraindications, Interactions, and Side Effects of Gotu Kola

1. It should not be given to people suffering from epilepsy, particularly children.

2. It is better to avoid in pregnancy.

3. It affects the menstrual cycle (emmenagogue).

4. It may also lead to itching, and redness of the skin. Dermatosis, pruritus has been reported in some patients.

5. Hazards and/or side effects not known for proper therapeutic dosages.

6. Always take in recommended amount.

7. Excess intake may lead to problems such as headache, intoxication, hallucination, and giddiness.

8. May interact with other blood pressure, cholesterol, and depression medications.