Land Lotus Flower

Botanical Name : Centella Asiatica (Linn.) Urban
Family Name : Umbelliferae, Apiaceae
Common Name : Gotu kola, Kola, Indian Pennywort, Indian Ginseng, Bua Bok, Asiatic Pennywort

Land lotus is a small annual, slender, creeping herb. It has long stalked green reniform leaves with rounded apices that have smooth texture with palmately netted veins. The stems are creeping in nature and the flowers are pinkish to red in color enclosed in 2 green bracts. Fruits are small and flattened. It has been called the "miracle elixirs of life" because legend saya that an ancient Chinese herbalist lived for more than 200 years as a result of using the herb.

Uses
Dried Land Lotus is versatile in its uses. The medicinal part is the dried aerial parts. The dried leaf powder is used as a medicine mixed in grape juice for controlling heart rate and blood pressure. It is also used for the treatment of leprosy. For this 1 gm of dried leaf powder is filled in capsules. It is also sold in dried form in the form of liquids. It is available in teas a dried herbs. People having insomnia is preferred to take dried land lotus in a cup of water for about 4 to 6 weeks. An infusion of dried flower can also be used and it also serves as a tincture. It is also used in making fragrant potpourris.