Scientific name: Centella asiatica (L.) Urban
Family: Apiaceae
Synonym: Hydrocotyle asiatica L.
Bengali/Vernacular name: Thankuni, Thulkuri, Takamanik, Brahmmabuti (Bengali); Ada gunguni (Chittagong); Adamoni (Noakhali).
Tribal name: Kaotung (Bawm); Ada minmini, Menmeni, Mrangkhoa, Mrangkhoai bang (Chakma); Murang khoya, Gaokolibas, Mrang khua (Marma); Shakkumu bakla, Sam-sata (Tripura); Chuktukeng (Chak); Misi-nachil, Thorkuri (Garo); Ajingkrey (Khumi); Ting thai (Murang); Changchi khiat (Pangkhoa); Mrankhu-bawn, Mrukhu (Rakhaing); Mainmuni shak (Tanchangya).
English name: Indian pennywort, Spadeleaf, Asiatic peenywort.
Description of the plant: A perennial herb, stem creeping, rooting at the nodes with long stolons, minutely pubescent at the young stage. Leaves simple, in clusters, 1-4, on a short shoot at each node, lamina reniform, usually glabrous, margin repand-crenate with sheathing leaf base, petioles up to 30 cm long. Flowers in fascicled umbel, consisting of 3-4, white to rose, small, sessile flowers. Fruit 4 mm, ovoid, hard, flat.
Plant parts used: Leaf.
Medicinal uses: Leaf juice is taken thrice a day (5 ml amount each time) for one week to treat dysentery.
Pills are made from leaves of the plant is taken with warm water thrice a day (one pill each time) until the bronchitis is cured.
Leaf juice with few drops of honey is taken twice a day (3 tea spoons amount each time) until the blister is cured.
An extract is made with the leaves and salt by boiling in water, then the extract is taken four times a day (100 ml amount each time) for seven days to treat chicken pox.
Leaf juice is taken for the treatment of mouth sore and cold.
Distribution: It grows naturally in all parts of the country; sometimes it is commercially cultivated in some areas for medicinal purpose and as vegetables.
Is this plant misidentified? If yes, please tell us….
