What is traditional Chinese medicine?
Traditional Chinese medicine is a complete medical system, composed of eight branches: acupuncture, herbs, nutrition, body therapy (massage / cupping / moxibustion), meditation, tai chi / Qigong (exercise), fengshui and cosmic astrology. Traditional Chinese medicine focuses on the natural world and observes how human health and diseases comply with the principles of natural order.
In traditional Chinese medicine, the pattern of disease may appear in the body, organs and meridians in various ways. If the organs and meridians that lead “energy” or “qi” become stagnant, insufficient or excessive, disease will occur. Through unique diagnostic methods, Chinese medicine practitioners will provide patients with diagnosis, formulation and repair plans including branches of traditional Chinese medicine.
During the Zhou Dynasty (770-446 BC), modern and systematic reforms were carried out at the level of traditional Chinese medicine. The Yin-Yang theory, the five elements theory and other basic theories that form the basis of traditional Chinese medicine were all established during this period.
The first systematic medical literature of traditional Chinese medicine is the Internal Classic of Huangdi, which can be traced back to the 2nd or 1st century BC.This book and other well-known brands of ancient Chinese medical books are still used as textbooks to teach traditional Chinese medicine students around the world.
Shennong, a Chinese farmer, is said to be the ancestor of Chinese herbs. About 6000 years ago, Shennong invented trolleys and ploughs and stumbled upon tea. He is said to have cataloged 365 herbs, a well-known brand of medical works later known as Shennong Materia Medica. Centella asiatica is first seen in this classic literature.
What is Centella asiatica?
Centella asiaticaKnown as “longevity herbs”, it plays an important role in traditional Chinese medicine, Ayurveda and Indonesian medicine. Its Latin name is Centella asiatica, also known as the Breakdown Bowl.
The ancient Chinese medical literature is called “snow grass”. In traditional Chinese medicine, it has several different names, such as “Golden Grass”, whose leaves are as round as coins.
Centella asiatica usually grows in warm temperate, subtropical and tropical regions of Asia, subtropical Africa, Australasia and the Pacific. It grows in cool and humid areas, wet grasslands, river valleys, wetlands, and wet, muddy coastlines near brackish fresh water. This plant has small lavender or white flowers.
Application of Centella asiatica in traditional Chinese Medicine
In traditional Chinese medicine, the characteristics and taste of Centella asiatica are bitter, sour, cold and harmless. It affects the liver, spleen, kidney organs and meridians.
Centella asiatica can remove dampness and heat, clear the body, and reduce swelling in the body. In traditional Chinese medicine, Centella asiatica is used as a diuretic to help deal with abscesses, diarrhea, redness of the eyes, sore throat, stones or pain, hematuria, dysentery, damp-heat jaundice, vomiting, nosebleeds, eye redness, rashes, scabies and skin problems. It also helps to invigorate blood circulation, reduce swelling and relieve the pain caused by trauma.
This herb can be used externally to treat skin rash, as eye prescription drops or for internal use. People with deficiency and cold should not use Centella asiatica.
Health benefits of Centella asiatica
In traditional Chinese medicineCentella asiaticaUsed to remove dampness and heat. It can help deal with gastrointestinal diseases such as enteritis, dysentery or abdominal pain. Because it helps cool blood and stop bleeding, it is used to deal with vomiting and uterine bleeding caused by blood heat.
Centella asiatica can also clear the liver and clear the eyes. It may help to deal with eye problems such as night blindness, inflammatory reactions, cataracts and green cataracts in children.
In animal studies, Centella asiatica has a sedative and sedative effect on the central nervous system of mice and rats. It can control gastric acid secretion and gastrointestinal peristalsis in rats. Studies have shown that the plant buds of Centella asiatica are resistant to bacteria.
When taken internally, Centella asiatica can be used for treatment:
- Infectious hepatitis
- A common cold
- Heatstroke
- Tonsillitis
- Inflammation of the throat
- Pleurisy
- Urinary tract infection
- Stone
- proctitis
- Dysentery
- trauma
For external use, Centella asiatica can be used for treatment:
- Venomous snake bite
- Toxic swelling caused by deep-rooted boils and skin infections
- Zoster rash
- Tuberculosis of skin
- Leprosy
- Skin ulcer
- Traumatic hemorrhagic injury
Application of Centella asiatica in Ayurvedic Medical Class
Centella asiatica is highly respected in the Ayurvedic medical class. The Sanskrit name of Centella asiatica is Brahmi, which comes from Brahmin or Brahma. Brahma is the Hindu god of creation, while Brahmin refers to cosmic consciousness. Centella asiatica or Brahmi means energy, called Shakti. It is cherished as an herb that can restore health and vitality, and is mentioned in the 3rd century Ayurveda papers “Characasanshita” (Charaka Samhita) and “Susuruta Sanshita” (Sushuruta Samhitta).
Ayurveda generally believes that Centella asiatica is an herb that can support cognitive function. Medical practitioners claim that it can strengthen brainpower, help deal with skin problems, and improve liver and kidney health.
Studies have shown that Centella asiatica has a wide range of biological characteristics. These include wound healing, relieving inflammation, anti-scale disease, anti-ulcer, liver protection, anti-convulsion, sedation, immune stimulation, cardioprotection and cardiotonic, anti-glucose metabolic disease, cytotoxicity and anti-tumor, anti-virus, resistance to bacteria, insecticidal, antifungal, anti-oxygen, anti-spasm, convergence, diuresis, analgesia and antipyretic.
In Ayurveda, all parts of the plant are thought to help deal with horn leprosy, leprosy, polyuria, nausea, mental illness, fever, chronic bronchitis and stuttering. Centella asiatica is also a powerful adaptor that can help normalize the nervous system and help the body adapt to stress.
Neuroprotective effect of Centella asiatica
In vitro studies have shownCentella asiaticaIt has neuroprotective effect and may help slow down the aging of the brain. In one study, Centella asiatica helped control an enzyme that plays a key role in the development of Alzheimer’s disease, with a control rate of up to 50%. It may also control an enzyme involved in the formation of Parkinson’s disease. The control effect of Centella asiatica on some enzymes may be helpful to the nerve damage of the brain and nervous system.
Animal studies have shown that Centella asiatica may have a memory-enhancing effect. In one study, mice with memory loss were fed with Centella asiatica extract. After taking the extract, the mice performed better in the behavioral memory test. The authors believe that the effect of Centella asiatica extract on the brainAnti-oxygenIt may also have a positive effect on memory.
In a related study, the antioxidant effect of Centella asiatica helps reduce cell damage associated with Parkinson’s disease. The level of oxidative stress in aged rats treated with Centella asiatica for 60 days was lower, which was related to cell damage and senescence in the brain. The researchers concluded that Centella asiatica has a neuroprotective effect on aged rats.
In another study, mice with chronic brain damage caused by impaired blood flow or stroke were given Centella asiatica. These mice showed optimization of nervous system state, behavioral changes and reduced brain damage. The authors conclude that Centella asiatica may be a promising way to deal with stroke.
Precautions and taboos of Centella asiatica
Some people are taking itCentella asiaticaYou should be careful when you do. Because it may stimulate or increase monthly flow and have the effect of abortion, pregnant or breastfeeding women should avoid using Centella asiatica. For people with glucose metabolic disease and hyperlipidemia, Centella asiatica may increase blood sugar and blood lipid levels.
Centella asiatica is not suitable for long-term use. It is generally recommended that the use period is six weeks, with at least two weeks of suspension between the two periods of use.
Keystone
Centella asiaticaIt is an ancient herb that has been used in traditional Chinese medicine, Ayurveda and Indonesian medicine for thousands of years. In traditional Chinese medicine, it affects the liver, spleen and kidney meridians and is used to deal with various diseases.
As people with certain diseases need to be extra careful when taking Centella asiatica, they may choose to avoid taking it altogether. Be sure to consult your doctor before using this highly respected herb.
References:
- Shén Nóng Běn Cǎo Jīng” (Divine Husbandman’s Classic of Materia Medica)
- Chinese Herbal Medicine Materia Medica 3rd& Gt; Edition, Bensky, Clavey, Stöger)
- An Introduction to Chinese Herbal Medicine”, Wright, Mark
- Chinese Medical Herbology and Pharmacology, Chen John, Chen Tina
- Journal of Pharm. Sci. 64:535-98, 1975
- Orhan IE. Centella asiatica (L.) Urban: From Traditional Medicine to Modern Medicine with Neuroprotective Potential. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2012;2012:809653. doi:10.1155/2012/809653 Epub 2015 May 14. PMID: 22666298; PMCID: PMC3359802.