Tiger Herb: introducing Centella Asiatica
A plant with exotic nicknames, Tiger Herb or Gotu Kola, today we talk about Centella Asiatica: let's travel with our minds to the East and discover its characteristics, benefits, properties and ways of use.
Table of contents:
The plant
Centella asiatica in tradition
How to use centella asiatica?
Curiosities
The plant
Centella Asiatica is a member of the Apiaceae or Umbelliferae family (the same as cumin, anise, coriander and dill). It is a perennial, slightly aromatic, climbing herbaceous plant that reaches 15 cm in height. It has small, attractive round leaves and white, pink or purple flowers. It prefers shady, swampy, moist places. It can be collected in India, Pakistan, Madagascar, Equatorial Africa and Central America, places where it has been used for millennia.
Centella asiatica in tradition
In Asian tradition, centella has been known since ancient times, and over the centuries it has travelled all the way to Europe. In Southeast Asia it is above all a plant of the kitchen and the teapot: it is drunk as a fresh green juice or eaten in salads.
How to use centella asiatica?
Using centella asiatica is child’s play, and it starts with the Remedium par excellence: the infusion. That’s why we chose it for our Remedium No. 5 – Focus: its green, slightly bitter taste gives the blend body next to maté and ginkgo, and keeps you company through exam season or smart working. In some countries, such as Sri Lanka, Malaysia and Indonesia, tiger grass is also eaten as a leafy vegetable or drunk as a juice.
Curiosities
According to a Chinese legend, one day a farmer came across a wounded tiger rolling in a meadow of centella: hence its popular name, tiger grass. In Hindi the plant is called Brahmi, “bearer of the wisdom of Brahman”. In Sri Lanka, centella is enjoyed in Kola Kenda, a tasty porridge of rice and vegetables.
Sources
- Bylka, W., Znajdek-Awiżeń, P., Studzińska-Sroka, E., & Brzezińska, M. (2013). Centella asiatica in cosmetology. Postepy dermatologii i alergologii, 30(1), 46-49. https://doi.org/10.5114/pdia.2013.33378
- Prakash, Ved, N. I. S. H. I. T. A. Jaiswal, and Mrinal Srivastava. “A review on medicinal properties of Centella asiatica.” Asian J Pharm Clin Res 10.10 (2017): 69.
- Chandrika, Udumalagala Gamage, and Peramune AAS Prasad Kumara. “Gotu kola (Centella asiatica): nutritional properties and plausible health benefits.” Advances in food and nutrition research 76 (2015): 125-157.
- https://www.erboristeriagiorgioni.it/