Centella asiatica (also known as gotu kola, Indian Pennywort and Mandookaparni) has been used for centuries as a medicinal herb and was referred to in the French pharmacopoeia in 1884, as well as the ancient traditional Chinese Shennong Herbal some 2,000 years ago, as well in Indian Ayurvedic medicine some 3,000 years ago. Brahmi is the most important rejuvenative herb in Ayurveda. Brahmi in siddha system of medicine is prescribed as brain tonic for brain growth, memory and mental disorders. It has been used for- wound healing, better circulation, memory enhancement, cancer, vitality, general tonic, respiratory ailments, detoxifying the body, treatment of skin disorders (such as psoriasis and eczema), revitalizing connective tissue, burn and scar treatment, clearing up skin infections, slimming and edema, arthritis, rheumatism, treatment of liver and kidneys, periodontal disease, strengthening of veins (varicose veins), blood purifier, high blood pressure, sedative, anti-stress, anti-anxiety, an aphrodisiac, immune booster, anabolic and adaptogen etc.

Actions according to Ayurveda:
Medhya- Nervine rejuvenator
Praja sthapana- Brahmi improves quality of both the male and female reproductive cells ensuring a good progeny
Vayah sthapana -Brahmi delays the signs of ageing
Hrudya- Brahmi  is a cardiac tonic
Aayushya-Brahmi increases longevity
Rasayani- Brahmi rejuvenates the body
Swarya- Brahmi improves voice
Besides this Brahmi is also useful in management of skin diseases, urinary disorders, respiratory discomfort, toxicities and edematous conditions.

Scientific Information
Chemical constituents

It contains a variety of ingredients, but the active ingredients are brahmic acid, isolbarhmic acid, thankunic acid, isothankuniside asiaticoside (a triterpene glycoside) (triterpenoid), brahmoside. Brahmoside and brahminoside (both saponin glycosides), madecassoside (a glycoside with strong anti-inflammatory properties), madecassic acid, thiamine, riboflavin, pyridoxine, vitamin K, asparate, glutamate, serine, threonine, alanine, lysine, histidine, magnesium, calcium and sodium. The high concentration of thiamine (vitamin B1), riboflavin (vitamin B2) and pyridoxine (vitamin B6) which assists to convert carbohydrates into glucose as well as normal nervous system functioning. It contains no caffeine (it is sometimes confused with kola nut, which contains high caffeine content) yet it is used extensively to increase energy and vitality.

The reason for this might be because it is said to assist with increasing the blood sugar level, which in turn would prevent hypoglycemia, mental fatigue, depression, confusion as well as schizophrenic tendencies - or it could be because of The chemical compound (Bacosides A&B) in Brahmi helps repair and regenerates the brain cells responsible for processing & restoring of informations and intellect

Pharmacological and clinical studies
Plant table administered orally to mentally retarded children for 12 week showed very significant increase in both general ability and behavioural pattern.

Shukla et al., 1999, investigated the activity of asiaticoside in normal and delayed wound healing. Their results indicate that asiaticoside exhibits significant wound healing activity in normal (guinea pig punch wound model) as well as delayed healing models (streptozotocin diabetic rats) for 0.4% topical application and 1 mg/kg dose, respectively. Asiatic acid, a triterpene, is known to be effective in the treatment of dementia and an enhancer of cognition. Three derivatives modified from Asiatic acid by Lee et al., 2000, exerted significant neuroprotective effects on cultured cortical cells by their potentiation of the cellular oxidative defense mechanism. They may prove to be efficacious in protecting neurons from the oxidative damage caused by exposure to excess glutamate. Work by Subathra et al., 2005, also supported the neuroprotective property of C. asiatica by acting as a potent antioxidant. They showed that the extract of C. asiatica when administered orally (300 mg/kg body weight/day) for 60 days would prevent age-related changes in antioxidant defence system, by increasing the lipid peroxidation (LPO) and protein carbonyl (PCO) content in rat brain regions such as cortex, hypothalamus, striatum, cerebellum and hippocampus. Thus, this has demonstrated the efficacious extract in protecting rat brain against age related oxidative damage.
C. asiatica has been subjected to quite extensive clinical investigations. Currently, clinical studies aimed at investigating the sedative, analgesic, antidepressive, antimicrobial, antiviral and immunomodulatory effects that have been demonstrated experimentally, are still lacking.

Indications: Brain tonic, anxiety, treatment of depression, Insomnia, a mild diuretic increasing concentration loss of memory, alertness, wound healing Alzheimer and parkinsons diseases. Restores memory in post-stroke cognitive defects, Checks ageing process, Asthma, Improves complexion, anti-aging, sweetness of voice, longevity & also, as an antioxidant.
Dosage: 1-2 capsules Morning & Evening for a minimum period of 6 months or one year.
Presentation: In waterproof plastic container
Contents: 60 capsules

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