Nature has given man an incredible variety of herbs and fruit-bearing plants to strengthen and restore he alth, to preserve youth and beauty. Many of them have been known since ancient times, but continue to amaze today with their miraculous properties.
Such priceless gifts include Centella Asiatica. Its other names are tigergrass, silverwort, and gotu kola. This is a perennial creeping plant of the umbrella family, which was discovered to the world by Ayurvedic medicine more than three thousand years ago. Due to a fairly wide range of useful properties, this herb is used not only for medicinal purposes.
Description and distribution
Centella Asiatica (Gotu Kola) is easily recognizable. In nature, it is found along ditches and in swamps, spreads in dense thickets along the ground, has small, rounded, kidney-shaped leaves on short petioles with a voluminous hole and inconspicuous yellowish (reddish) flowers. Centella Asiatica, despite the geographic prefix, is distributed not only in Asia,but also in Northern Australia, Papua New Guinea. In Asia, it can be found in India, Indonesia, Malaysia and Sri Lanka.
According to the popular opinion of biologists, the discovery of a medicinal plant was largely facilitated by observation of the animal world. So, for example, Asian tigers, having received wounds during a fight with an enemy, while hunting, or experiencing internal ailments, found thickets of centella and literally rolled over them with their backs. This is probably where the plant got its other name - tiger grass.
Growing
The plant is unpretentious in care and does not require top dressing, fertilizer, loves wet low-lying places. Most often grows wild, but is easily cultivated. In nature, the plant reaches a height of no more than three centimeters, in private areas with moderate soil fertility it can grow up to 15 cm. Centella is able to grow rapidly and strongly and capture other parts of the earth. So that it does not turn into a weed, it is necessary to periodically thin out the shoots.
For lack of a site, Centella Asiatica can be grown as a houseplant. To do this, you will need a wide, low pot with drainage holes, keeping the earthy clod moist and out of direct sunlight.
Properties
Healing properties of Centella asiatica have been known for a long time. If earlier it was used only for the treatment of colds and the rapid healing of wounds, today the range of useful qualities has expanded significantly. Among the main ones are anti-aging, moisturizing, healing,anti-inflammatory, analgesic and firming action.
Centella asiatica extract activates collagen synthesis in the dermis, increases blood microcirculation and skin regeneration, smoothes wrinkles. Ayurvedic medicine ascribes antibacterial properties to Centella Asiatica, helping to regulate the body's metabolic processes and fight infections, as well as strengthening and stimulating effects on brain and nerve cells.
Application
Centella asiatica due to such a rich list of useful qualities is widely used in cosmetology for facial skin care, in traditional medicine, modern pharmaceuticals and in he althy nutrition.
In medicine
On the medical side, there is a huge list of problems that Centella Asiatica helps fight. Thus, the plant extract is used in the treatment of fever, hypertension, asthma, tuberculosis, epilepsy, peptic ulcer, neurosis, varicose veins. In addition, tinctures and decoctions are prepared from the roots and stems of Centella Asiatica. They are used as a means to combat and prevent dermatological problems (acne, burns, psoriasis, eczema). It is also known that the plant increases mental activity, so its use is useful for adolescent students and the elderly. Relatively recently, science has proven the positive effect of Centella asiatica in the treatment of cancer and Alzheimer's disease.
In cosmetology
The plant perfectly dissolves scars, smoothesscars, heals deep wounds, relieves swelling and fights cellulite. Periodic use of anti-aging treatments with Centella asiatica makes the skin firm, smooth and gives it a fresh, natural look.
Cooking
Crushed grass leaves are added to food and drinks as a tonic, antiseptic and mild laxative. The roots of the plant are also eaten. Milk decoctions from this herb are used in Asian countries as an effective tonic for the nervous system. In addition, centella and ginseng teas, salads and curry (condiment) are popular there.
Drugs
Today there are many cosmetic and medicinal products, which include Centella Asiatica. Preparations include face and body creams, gels, oral capsules, rejuvenating masks, serums, tinctures, essential oils and ointments. Centella asiatica is used to create anti-cellulite cosmetics, lotions for problem skin and after-sun oils. Also, the grass is part of dietary supplements against alcohol addiction (for example, Alkostop).
Cosmetics using Centella asiatica have special conditions for use and storage. So, creams are applied to the skin with a special spatula (cosmetic spatula), and they are kept only in a cool place (in the refrigerator, on the bottom shelf) and in a tightly closed container. This helps to preserve all the medicinal properties of the components as much as possible.
Contraindications
Centella Asiatica has no contraindications or side effects. Its use can be limited only by individual intolerance. And although the healing properties of the plant help in the treatment of many diseases, skin aging and are especially effective for pregnant women, this is not a panacea for all diseases. Moderate doses of extracts, oils should be observed to avoid allergic reactions. Before use, it is advisable to consult a specialist.
