General Information on Pegaga (Centella Asiatica)
What is Pegaga?
Centella asiatica (L.) is a polymorphous, creeping plant, rooting at nodes, with sometimes significant tap root, cylindrical and glabrous stems. Other names of centella asiatica include Hydrocotyle asiatica, gotu kola, Indian pennywort(English), Mandukaparni(India), pegaga(Malaysia) and Di Chien Tsao, Man Tien Hsing and Zhi Xue Cao (China). This plant is indigenous to the warmer regions of both hemispheres, especially abundant in the swampy areas of India, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka up to an altitude of approximately 700 metres.
Its Benefits
Dubbed as "food for the brain", this herb rebuilds the energy reserves, and helps to treat symptoms of nervous breakdown. It also helps to combat stress, improve reflexes, and increase mental and physical power. Pegaga can reduce high blood pressure, senility, slow down ageing process, and help the body protect itself against toxins. This herb was first used in India, where it is part of Ayurveda, the traditional herbal medicine. It was also mentioned in the Shennong Herbal compiled in China about two thousand years ago. In recent years, pegaga has become popular in the West as a nerve tonic for relaxation and to enhance memory.
Indian healers use this herb to treat skin inflammations and as a mild diuretic. Oriental healers rely on pegagato treat emotional disorders such as depression that may be caused by physical problems. It has also been used to bring down fever and to relieve congestion due to colds and upper respiratory infections. Recent studies show that pegagahas a positive effect on the circulatory system. It seems to improve the flow of blood throughout the body by strengthening the veins and capillaries. It has been used successfully to treat phlebitis (inflammation of the veins) as well as leg cramps, swelling of the legs, and "heaviness" or tingling in the legs.
Pegaga has been proven to be particularly useful to people who are inactive or confined to bed due to illness. Proponents of the herb also believe that its beneficial effect on circulation may help improve memory and brain function. This herb also has an important role in gynecology. It has been used successfully to promote healing after episiotomy, a surgical incision of the vulva performed to prevent tearing during childbirth. In fact, a study reported in a French medical journal in 1966 revealed that women treated with pegaga after childbirth healed more rapidly than those given standard treatment.
Traditional Uses of Pegaga
Brain capability Increases thinking capability and enhances memory
Work pressure Tonic to promote relaxation of mind and emotion; decreases pressure or stress
Body energy Hyperactive and energetic
Insomnia Helps to ease sleeping problem
Blood circulation system Improves blood circulation (because of leg cramps and swelling of the legs)
Excretion system Cleanses the blood and urine
Body immune system Protects body against toxins, lymph disease
Excessive fats Prevents cellulite
Skin Infections Treats leprosy, skin inflammation
Breathing system Relieves congestion due to colds and upper respiratory infections
Senility Controls senility
Fever Brings down fever
Its Constituents
Western research studies show that pegaga contains active ingredients such as Triterpenoid glycosides (including asiaticoside) (Mills), Vallerin (Mills), Tannins (Mills), Alkaloid (Mills), Volatile oil (Mills) and Pectin (Mills). Closer to home, pegaga capsule is found to be rich in anti-oxidants and minerals especially Vitamin A(carotene) and potassium. It also has considerable amount of calcium, vitamin c (ascorbic acid) and protein.
It Is A Relief For
Fever, bowel complaints, leprosy, rheumatism, ichthyosis, poultice for syphilitic ulcers (Grieve), uterine cancer, wounds, arthritis, stuttering, haemorrhoids, Cellulite (Murray), skin disease, respiratory tract infection, cirrhosis, venous sufficiency, tremors and twitching muscles (Bushell).
so,jom kita minum jus pegaga....besh wooo..hehe
