Herba Centellae
Source
Herb of Centella asiatica (L.) Urb., family Umbelliferae.
Characteristics
A creeping herb; the dried sample curled into bodies. Stem slender, with
roots
growing on the nodes. Leaves alternate or nearly clustered, blade 1-4
cm broad, rounded-reniform, with a triangular gap at the base, margin
coarsely serrate; petiole 3-6 cm long. Flowers umbellated, axillary and
small-globular. Bitter in taste, cold in nature, and attributive to liver,
spleen and kidney channels.
Indication
1. Clear away heat and toxic materials, promote the production of fluid
to quench thirst: For preventing and treating measles, influenza and summer-heat
syndrome; for treating common cold of wind-heat type and seasonal febrile
disease with high fever, excessive thirst, sore throat, and conjunctival
congestion, diarrhea of summer-heat type, etc. External use for carbuncle
and herpes zoster.
2. Relieve drug poisoning: For poisoning of Ramulus et Elegantis, poisoning
mushroom, cassava, Radix seu Trifoliatae, organic phosphorus, arsenic,
etc. Folium Gelsemii Herba Derridis
3.
Clear away dampness-heat: For jaundice of dampness-heat type. Recently,
used for acute icteric hepatitis.
4. Clear away heat and cool the blood: For hematemesis, hemoptysis, epistaxis
and hematuria due to blood-heat.
5. Remove blood stasis and alleviate pain: For trauma.
Pharmacological
Action
Antibacterial. It has been reported that a component asiaticoside is effective
for leprosy.
Administration Decoction: 9-15g. For poisoning: 500-1500g of fresh herb squeezed into juice.