INDIAN PENNYWORT GOTUGOLA BRahmi
| Tamil | Vallarai , வல்லாரை |
| Malayalam | Kudangal |
| Telugu | Mandugaparni |
| Kannada | Ondalaga |
Centella asiatica is a potent scientifically proven anti-aging and brain function enhancing herb.Lets find out how it works!
It is a small herbaceous perennial creeper which grows abundantly in swampy areas. It is commonly seen in India, Africa, China and southeast Asian countries. It is an edible herb used commonly in Asian countries. It is a well documented herb, used in Ayurveda, traditional Chinese and African medicine for over 3000 years. Many documented scientific studies have proven its preventive and therapeutic potential. Researches are still underway to confirm the claims of traditional medicine.
Although centella asiatica contains many phytonutrients like phytosterols, flavonoids, alkaloids, tannins, mucilage, resins, amino acids, and fatty acids, the main therapeutic components are the saponins.
Saponins are molecules having both fat loving(lipophilic) and water loving(hydrophilic) components. They are emulsifying agents and surfactants and hence act as mild soap. They also improve the absorption of other phytonutrients from the gut.
Triterpenoid saponins called centalloids are the major therapeutic bio active components of Centella asiatica.
| Asiaticoside | Asiatic acid |
| Centelloside | Centellic acid |
| Brahmoside | Brahmic acid |
| Madecassoside | Madicassic acid |
Wound healing
Collagen is a fibrous protein molecule that provides structure to the bone, muscle, skin, hair, nails and tendon. Centella asiatica increases collagen synthesis. It also increases cell proliferation and decreases inflammation in the site and reduces scar formation.
Skin health
Centella asiatica improves skin moisture by increasing the secretion of moisturising compounds like hyaluronan, aquaporin 3 from the skin cells. It also decreases the trans epidermal water loss. It maintains the skin’s pH and the barrier function of the skin. Since it is also an anti inflammatory, it prevents micro inflammation in the skin. Thus, it can be used effectively for treating dry and sensitive skin .
Hair
Centella asiatica may decrease hair loss and strengthen hair follicles. In a study , Centella asiatica extract expressed a gene responsible for hair growth in the hair follicle papillary cells.
Venous insufficiency
It helps in the maintenance of connective tissue and thus strengthens the weakened veins . It is effective in treating hypertension,varicose veins by improving microcirculation.
Anxiety and stress
Highly anxious people suffer excessive nervousness, fear, apprehension, and worry. Centella asiatica is a good modulator of anxiety . It modulates the levels of the stress hormone CORTISOL and decreases stress levels significantly.
Depression
It increases the levels of the neurotransmitters serotonin, nor adrenaline and dopamine levels in the brain.Hence has an antidepressant effect.
Epilepsy
Seizure or a fit occurs when too many excitatory neurotransmitters are released in the brain. Many scientific studies have proven Centella asiatica as a potential seizure medicine. It reduces hyperactivity of the brain . It may be used in the treatment of seizure disorders with other medications.
Cognition
Cognition is acquiring knowledge through life experiences, thought process and usage of sense organs. Centella asiatica has been used for millenniums to improve various aspects of cognition like memory, focus, attention span, verbal skills, information processing speed.
Alzheimer’s disease
Centella asiatica being an antioxidant, reduces oxidative damage to the brain. It not only fights the free radicals but also increases the body’s own antioxidant enzyme levels. Since oxidative stress is one of the key factors linked with Alzheimer’s disease, it potentially delays the onset of the disease.
Cardiac disease
It is cardioprotective, antihypertensive, regulates blood cholesterol and prevents atherosclerosis of the arteries.
Rheumatoid disease
Chronic pain can be debilitating and can affect the psychological and emotional well being of any individual. Centella asiatica can decrease both pain and inflammation. It could be very effective in patients suffering from rheumatism.
Antiaging
Aging is a natural and irreversible process.It is a universal fact that no one likes to age. Some may become indifferent towards aging when they lose their zest for living due to psychological and physical ailments.
The rate at which a person ages is due to the complex interplay between many factors like environment, genetics, lifestyle, adaptation to stress and nutrition .
As age advances collagen content decreases gradually. Loss of collagen leads to wrinkles in the skin, weak muscles , bones, nails and hair.
Skin is the most important tool used for assessing aging. Free radicals cause oxidative damage to the cell wall, DNA and can ultimately lead to cell death. Free radicals can activate enzymes responsible for degradation of collagen, elastin and hyaluronic acid . Damage to these compounds result in loss of firmness, elasticity and moisture content of the skin.
Centella asiatica is a natural antioxidant and has a high antioxidant activity comparable to grape seed extract. It prevents skin damage and can rejuvenate skin due to its antioxidant , anti inflammatory and collagen enhancing properties.
Telomere is a region at each end of a chromosome. It protects the chromosome and keeps the genetic information intact. Shortening of telomere leads to aging and ultimately death .Telomerase is an enzyme that maintains the length of the telomere. Centella asiatica , in a study has shown to increase the levels of telomerase enzyme.
Take away
Just like how beauty is not just skin deep , aging also cannot be assessed only with the appearance of the skin. As we can see Centella asiatica counteracts all the aging parameters effectively , be it psychological, physical or intellectual. It even protects the DNA . And thus Centella asiatica can be called a true anti aging miracle.