Mandukaparni
Botanical Name : Centella asiatica (Linn.) Urban.
Family : Umbelliferae;Apiaceae
Identification No.:-SDACH/HG/020
Introduction :
The controversy on Brãhmi and Mandükaparni is never ending. both used as brain tonic. Usually South Indians Bacopa as brahmi, North Indians using Centella asiatica
Names in different Indian languages :
English : Asiatic Pennywort, Indian Pennywort.
Hindi : Bramhmamnduki, bemgsag
Kannada : Urage,vondelaga
Malayalam : Muttil,kutannal, kutakan
Sanskrit : Mandukaparni, manduki,brahmi
Tamil : Vallarai
Telugu : Brahmi,saraswataku
Synonyms :
Manduukaparni, Manduukaparnikaa, Maanduuki, Saraswati, Brahma-manduuk
Hydrocotyle asiatica Linn.
“मण्डूकपर्णी तिक्तोष्णा कषाया मधुरा लघुः।
मेध्या स्मृतिप्रदा बल्या शुक्रला त्वग्दोषनुत्॥”
(Bhavaprakasha Nighantu, Guduchyadi Varga)
Classification according to Charaka, Susrutha & Vagbhata :
Charaka : Prajasthaapana
Morphology :
A creeping perennial herb, rooted nodes
Leaves – simple, long petiole, cordate-reniform
Flower –pink, umbel
Distribution & Habitat :
All over India
Chemical composition :
brahmoside, asiaticoside, thankuniside, hydrocotyline, vellarin
Properties :
Rasa Tikta, katu
Guna Laghu
Virya sita
Vipaka Madhura
Karma : Kapha-pitta hara, Medhya, Rasãyana , kandughna,arsoghna, vranahara, kanda sothana
Central nervous system relaxant, peripheral vasodilator, sedative, antibiotic, detoxifier, blood-purifier, cooling, laxative, intellect promoting, anodyne, carminative, digestive, anti inflammatory, depurative, bronchodilator, diuretic, cardiotonic, febrifuge
Srotogamitva :
Dosha : Vataghna, pittaghna, kaphaghna, tridoshanashak
Dhatu: Meda (demulcent). strengthens all seven dhatus (anaemia, urinary disorders).
Mala : Urine (diuretic), keshya (hair growth).
Prabhava : Antidote.
Indication :
Apasmãra, Prameha, Kustha, Pandu, Prameha, Sotha, Jvara, Kãsa,gulma
Neuralgia, epilepsy, insanity, insomnia, dementia, tumors, ulcers, splenomegaly, ascites, constipation, sterility
Parts used :
Whole plant
Dosage :
Fresh juice 10-20 ml
Amayika Prayoga (Therapeutic Uses):
External
- Paste for wound healing, eczema, psoriasis.
- Oil for hair growth (combined with coconut oil).
Internal:
- Improves memory, anxiety, insomnia.
- Used in skin disorders, digestive weakness.
Important Yogas or Formulations :
Brahmi prash: Saraswatarishta, Brahmighmta, Brahmitaila. Brãhmi rasãyana, Brãhmighrta
IUCN Status:
– Least Concern (Widely available, not threatened).
Research Updates (Past 5 Years):
1. *2022:* Study in Journal of Ethnopharmacology confirms neuroprotective effects in Alzheimer’s.
2. *2021:* Ayurveda Research Paper shows wound-healing properties due to asiaticoside.
3. *2020:* Clinical trial in IJMR proves efficacy in ADHD in children.
