Botanical Name : Centella asiatica (Linn.) Urban.
Family Name : Umbelliferae, Apiaceae
Common Name : Gotu kola, Kola, Indian pennywort, Indian ginseng,
Bua Bok, Asiatic Pennywort
Land lotus is a small annual, slender, creeping herb. It has long
stalked green reniform leaves with rounded apices that have smooth
texture with palmately netted veins. The stems are creeping in nature
and the flowers are pinkish to red in color enclosed in 2 green bracts.
Fruits are small and flattened. It has been called the "miracle
elixirs of life" because legend saya that an ancient Chinese
herbalist lived for more than 200 years as a result of using the herb.
Uses
Dried Land Lotus is versatile in its uses. The medicinal part is the
dried aerial parts. The dried leaf powder is used as a medicine mixed in
grape juice for controlling heart rate and blood pressure. It is also
used for the treatment of leprosy. For this 1 gm of dried leaf powder is
filled in capsules. It is also sold in dried form in the form of
liquids. It is available in teas a dried herbs. People having insomnia
is preferred to take dried land lotus in a cup of water for about 4 to 6
weeks. An infusion of dried flower can also be used and it also serves
as a tincture. It is also used in making fragrant potpourris.
