Cynodon dactylon (Centella asiatica) is a medicinal herb with a cooling nature, sweet and slightly bitter taste, and is used to promote blood circulation, nourish the blood, detoxify, promote urination, and cool the liver. Cynodon dactylon is used in traditional medicine to treat bloating, rheumatism, urinary retention, malaria, liver heat, high blood pressure, etc.

Centella asiatica

Eleusine indica, also known as Thanh Tam Thao, Ngu Can Thao, Co Chi Tia, or Co Vuon Trau, has the scientific name Eleusine indica (L.) Gaertn and belongs to the Poaceae family (grass family). Eleusine indica is a small, annual herbaceous plant with the following characteristics:

The plant grows profusely in clumps, with stems that initially creep along the ground before becoming upright and branching. The height of the Centella asiatica plant ranges from 30 to 50 cm.

The leaves are lanceolate, alternate, with a soft, smooth blade and a thin, hairy sheath; the leaves are arranged in two rows spaced apart.

The flowers grow in clusters of 5 to 7 at the top, with about 2 others growing lower on the petals;

The fruit is 3-4 mm long, oblong, and almost triangular in shape. The flowering and fruiting season of the Centella asiatica plant is from May to July.

It should be noted that the plant commonly known as "cỏ mần trầu" (Centella asiatica) is often confused with the plant known as "cỏ chân vịt" (Dactyloctenium aegyptium (L.) Richt, both belonging to the grass family (Poaceae). However, "cỏ chân vịt" grows shorter and does not have separate flower spikes.

Cynodon dactylon is a plant that prefers sunlight and moisture, but can tolerate shade. In Vietnam, it grows everywhere, often in clumps in plains, midlands, and high mountainous areas.

Young Cynodon dactylon plants grow from seeds and appear in late spring. After flowering and fruiting, the plant withers away in the summer. In mountainous areas with varying rainfall and humidity, Cynodon dactylon plants can grow from seeds almost year-round.

Uses of Centella asiatica

According to Traditional Chinese Medicine

Centella asiatica (Gotu Kola) has a neutral nature and a slightly bitter, sweet taste. It has the ability to reduce fever, stop bleeding, and dissolve blood clots. It has the effects of cooling the blood, clearing heat and detoxifying, cooling the liver, promoting urination, and inducing sweating. Centella asiatica is a folk medicine used to treat hypertension, pulmonary tuberculosis, dry cough, persistent fever in the afternoon, yellow and scanty urine; and in pregnant women with excess heat causing constipation, sadness, threatened miscarriage, headache, vomiting, and chest tightness.

Additionally, it treats boils and heat-related toxins, as well as thrush in children. In Malaysia, the juice of the plant is used for women after childbirth to help stop postpartum bleeding. In China, it is used to prevent infectious encephalitis, gout, jaundice, nephritis, urethritis, enteritis, dysentery, etc.

According to modern medicine

According to scientific studies, the plant Cynodon dactylon contains chemical components that offer many health benefits to humans. Specifically, the fresh branches and leaves contain flavonoids, while the above-ground parts of Cynodon dactylon contain 3-0-β-D-glucopy ranosyl-β-sitosterol, a derivative of 6-0-palmitoyl.

The medicinal uses of Centella asiatica in modern medicine.

Antipyretic and anti-inflammatory effects: The active ingredient C-glycosylflavones in Centella asiatica has been shown to have effective anti-inflammatory effects on the respiratory tract in mice with pneumonia or influenza. A study conducted on febrile mice showed that the extract from Centella asiatica (600 mg/kg dose) had an antipyretic effect equivalent to the therapeutic dose of acetylsalicylic acid (100 mg/kg dose). The mechanism of the antipyretic effect is thought to be due to the Centella asiatica extract inhibiting the expression of cyclooxygenase-2, thereby inhibiting the biosynthesis of PGE2;

Hypotensive effect: Scientists have demonstrated that extracts from Centella asiatica have a hypotensive effect equivalent to Lorsatan (12.5 mg/kg dose) in mice with hypertension induced by L-NAME (a substance that increases blood pressure by inhibiting NO production);

Antibacterial effects: Cynodon dactylon has been shown to have low to moderate antibacterial effects against bacteria such as Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, and Salmonella choleraesuis;

Kidney function protective effect: A study conducted on a group of mice injected with L-NAME showed that the group of mice treated with Centella asiatica extract at a dose of 200 mg/kg had equivalent effectiveness in controlling urea, creatine, K+ and Na+ ions compared to the group of mice treated with Lorsatan at a dose of 12.5 mg/kg. This indicates that Centella asiatica has a kidney function protective effect;

Liver-protective effects and support in treating dyslipidemia: A study conducted on obese mice showed that the group treated with hexane-based extract of Centella asiatica had a reduced total cholesterol level, decreased LDL-cholesterol levels, and increased HDL-cholesterol levels compared to the control group. In addition, ALT and AST levels in the treated mice also improved. This demonstrates the liver-protective and supportive effects of Centella asiatica in treating dyslipidemia.

Centella asiatica has been studied and found to have many health benefits. (Image from the internet)

Traditional remedies using Centella asiatica

The medicinal uses of Cynodon dactylon are demonstrated through the following remedies:

Traditional remedy for high blood pressure: Wash 500g of Centella asiatica (Gotu Kola) thoroughly, crush it, add a bowl of cooled boiled water, filter to extract the liquid, and add a little sugar before drinking. Use this remedy twice a day, in the morning and evening.

A remedy for high fever: Take 120g of fresh Centella asiatica (Gotu Kola) leaves, add 600ml of water, and simmer until only 400ml of liquid remains. Add a little salt to the resulting decoction and drink it in several portions over 12 hours.

A remedy for dermatitis and jaundice: Use 60g of fresh Centella asiatica and 30g of Gardenia jasminoides. Boil the mixture in a suitable volume of water. Divide the resulting decoction into several doses to be taken throughout the day.

A remedy for orchitis: Use 60g of Centella asiatica and 10 lychee peels. Boil the mixture in a suitable volume of water. Divide the resulting decoction into several doses to be taken throughout the day.

A remedy for scanty, yellow urine, skin rash, and fever: Boil 16g of Cynodon dactylon and 16g of Imperata cylindrica in water. Divide the resulting decoction into several portions and drink throughout the day.

A remedy for preventing infectious meningitis: Boil 30g of Cynodon dactylon (Gotu Kola) in water and drink the decoction throughout the day. Continue this treatment for 3 days, then rest for 10 days, and then resume for another 3 days.

A herbal remedy to clear heat, detoxify, and promote a healthy pregnancy: Use 8g each of the following herbs: Imperata cylindrica, Eclipta prostrata, Centella asiatica, Xanthium strumarium, Glycyrrhiza glabra, Cynodon dactylon, 2g fresh ginger, 4g lemongrass, and 4g tangerine peel. Boil the mixture in water and drink throughout the day.

To treat damp heat and jaundice: 60g of fresh Centella asiatica, 30g of Gardenia jasminoides. Boil and drink the decoction.

Treatment for orchitis: 60g of Centella asiatica, 10 lychee pulp. Boil and drink the decoction.

To treat high fever with convulsions and coma: Take 120g of Centella asiatica. Boil it with 600ml of water until only 400ml remains, add a little salt, and give it to the patient in several doses over 12 hours.

In the basic prescription, the ingredients include: Imperata cylindrica (8g), Centella asiatica (8g), Eclipta prostrata (8g), Glycyrrhiza glabra (8g), Xanthium strumarium (8g), Centella asiatica (8g), fresh ginger (2g), lemongrass (4g), and tangerine peel (4g). In this prescription, Centella asiatica is used for detoxification, promoting a healthy pregnancy, and clearing heat.

Treatment for urinary stones: Prepare the following ingredients: 40g of Centella asiatica, 20g of Plantago major, 8g of Gardenia jasminoides, 8g of Akebia quinata, 20 bamboo leaves, 8g of Glycyrrhiza glabra, 8g of Cyperus rotundus, 16g of Rehmannia glutinosa, and 12g of processed Cyperus rotundus. Combine all ingredients in one decoction and divide into three doses to be taken throughout the day.

Treatment for gray hair: Preparation: 10g of Centella asiatica, 15g of Acanthopanax senticosus, 15g of Eucommia ulmoides, 25g of Rhus chinensis root, 5g of Glycyrrhiza glabra, and 5g of Artemisia capillaris. Boil all ingredients together and drink the decoction throughout the day, about 15 minutes before meals.

Treatment for black bloody stools: Preparation: 1 handful each of (Centella asiatica, Glycyrrhiza glabra, Cassia fistula, Bidens pilosa, Imperata cylindrica root, Thuja orientalis, Centella asiatica), 2 handfuls of Eclipta prostrata, 9 Artemisia vulgaris leaves, 5 lemongrass stalks, 3 slices of ginger, and 2 tablespoons of charcoal powder. Put all ingredients into a pot, add enough water to cover, and simmer until only 2 cups remain. Divide into 2 portions and drink twice daily.

A remedy for fever, cracked lips, and oral thrush: Prepare a handful each of: Centella asiatica, Gnetum gnemon, Portulaca oleracea, Eclipta alba, Imperata cylindrica root, Cassia fistula leaves, and Portulaca oleracea; 2 slices of winter melon; and 1 spoonful of mung beans. Put them in a pot and boil until the water reduces to 2 bowls, then turn off the heat. Divide the resulting decoction into two portions and drink twice a day.

Treatment for postpartum hemorrhage: Prepare the following ingredients: a handful each of: Centella asiatica, Glycyrrhiza glabra, Cassia fistula (finely chopped), Houttuynia cordata, Eclipta prostrata, Bidens pilosa, 10 Artemisia vulgaris leaves, 10 slices of lemongrass, 10 slices of ginger, and 1 tangerine peel. Put all ingredients into a pot of water and simmer until only 2 cups of water remain. Divide into two portions and drink twice a day.

Treatment for breast swelling and pain during breastfeeding: Prepare the following ingredients: 40g of Centella asiatica, 20g of Smilax glabra, 12g of dandelion, 40g of Polygonum multiflorum, 20g of chili leaves, 20g of Portulaca oleracea, 20g of Polygonum hydropiper, 40g of bamboo shoots, 16g of Oxalis corniculata, 20g of mature bamboo shoots, 20g of Cynodon dactylon root, 20g of Stephania tetrandra vine, 16g of Euphorbia hirta, 40g of Vitex negundo leaves, 16g of Ipomoea aquatica vine, 40g of Vitex negundo leaves, 40g of bitter melon, 40g of Eclipta prostrata, and 40g of Imperata cylindrica root. Put all ingredients into a pot and cook until only 2 bowls of liquid remain. Divide into two portions and drink until the condition improves.

Notes on using Centella asiatica

Here are some things to keep in mind when using Centella asiatica in treating diseases:

Centella asiatica grows low and wild in wasteland, so it accumulates a lot of dirt. Before use, it's especially important to clean the grass off.

For some patients with underlying medical conditions, the use of Centella asiatica or other herbal remedies requires consultation with a doctor.

Use with extreme caution in young children and individuals with sensitive constitutions.

Using Centella asiatica or other herbs for extended periods can negatively affect internal organs.

Although this herb has been studied and shown to have many beneficial effects in supporting the treatment of some common ailments, its use requires extreme caution. It should not be used excessively or taken daily. The best course of action when using herbal remedies is to consult a doctor.