Scientific Evidence of Medicinal Properties

In pre-clinical trials, Indian Pennywort showed pain-relieving (Saha et al., 2013), anti-cancer (Hamid et al., 2016), anti-diabetic (Emran et al., 2015), anti-inflammation (Saha et al., 2013), antioxidant (Zhao et al., 2014) and cholesterol-lowering properties (Emran et al., 2015) and anti-malarial properties (Mavondo et al., 2016) in animals.

Traditional Medicinal Uses

Research supports the traditional use of Indian Pennywort to treat wounds, burns, sores and skin diseases, such as leprosy. Other traditional uses include using it to improve appetite and digestion.

It is important to note that some therapeutic effects from traditional medicinal uses of plants are not currently supported or verified by scientific research. 

Emran, T.B., Dutta, M., Uddin, M.M.N, Nath, A.K. & Uddin, M.Z. (2015). Antidiabetic potential of the leaf extract of Centella asiatica in alloxan-induced diabetic rats. Jahangirnagar University Journal of Biological Science 4(1): 51–59.

Gohil K.J., Patel J.A., Gajjar A.K. & Maity, T.K. (2010). Pharmacological review on Centella asiatica: A potential herbal cure-all. Indian Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences. 72(5): 546–556.

Hamid, I.S., Widjaja, N.M.R. & Damayanti, R. (2016). Anticancer activity of Centella asiatica leaves extract in benzo(a)pyrene-induced mice. International Journal of Pharmacognosy and Phytochemical Research 8(1): 80–84.

Saha, S., Guria, T., Singha, T. & Maity, T.K. (2013). Evaluation of Analgesic and Anti-Inflammatory Activity of Chloroform and Methanol Extracts of Centella asiatica Linn.  ISRN Pharmacology Article ID 789613

Zheng, H.M., Choi, M.J., Kim, J.M., Lee, K.W., Park, Y.H. & Lee, D.H. (2016). In vitro and in vivo Anti-Helicobacter pylori activities of Centella asiatica leaf extract. Preventive Nutrition and Food Science 21(3): 197–201.